We are using fiber channel for connecting our VTL only. No SAN used by our Power systems at this time. We virtualize disk from a hosting lpar of IBM i to other lpars of IBM i and AIX.
Right now we have it virtualized via VIOS to our lpars of IBM i.
We're at IBM i 7.4 with reasonably recent PTF's.
We have two lpars of vios on each power system. Vios is used to virtualize Ethernet and Fiber Channel. We've got redundancy on the Ethernet to where an lpar of vios could go down and we should run fine. Seems to work ok during testing, like some vios upgrades midweek.
We never set up redundancy for the fiber channel. Right now we have the physical cables in there but never got around to virtualizing them from more than one vios lpar. I guess we figured it wasn't necessary or worth the effort back then. Now we're second guessing that. Not so much for redundancy but more for load. When we are running backups on multiple lpars at the same time the switch is showing the 8gb fc is getting a lot of exercise.
We're upgrading our VTLs from DD2500's to 6900's (please no sales calls, the new units are already in storage). This would be a good time for a change.
How do you do this kind of load balancing?
Do we need to still use VIOS? If not "needed" does it still provide an advantage?
Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1
Group Dekko
Dept 1600
Mail to: 7310 Innovation Blvd, Suite 104
Ft. Wayne, IN 46818
Ship to: 7310 Innovation Blvd, Dock 9C
Ft. Wayne, IN 46818
http://www.dekko.com
midrange.com
