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Ask the Wizard Questions

Cluster: SWXCR in SCSI cluster

The Question is: 

I want to form a high availability NI cluster from my 2
2100 4/275s. I have a storageworks raid 210 subsystem on the
eisa bus of each system (swxcr-eb). The goal is to have
shared storage; if I loose a node, the other one will
always be able to see the data. I've done alot of homework
and have not seen a way to incorporate the swxcr's into
the configuration. BTW, I have defpa-aa on each.
(I also do not have another $40k to spend on ISE's)
1. Am I missing something - IS there a way to use the
   swxcr's?
2. If I ditch the swxcr's, can I achieve a scsi cluster
   with my existing ba350's and kzpaa adapters? Do I need
   signal converters to do this? Will you draw me a pictur
   of the cabeling to achieve multi-host scsi and shared
   storage? (I'm a girl, I need pictures).
2b.Can I achieve raid level 5 with software to make up
   for loosing the swxcr's?

I already realize I'll need to go to at least 6.2 to do
the scsi thing.

Thanks and cheers,

The Answer is: 

>1. Am I missing something - IS there a way to use the swxcr's?

    No. Not if you want to survive any node failure.

> 2. If I ditch the swxcr's, can I achieve a scsi cluster
>   with my existing ba350's and kzpaa adapters?

    Yes.

>    Do I need signal converters to do this?

    Only if the physical distance cause the cable length to exceed SCSI specs.
    The KZPAA is 'Single Ended' scsi as is the BA350. No converter needed.
    The KZPSA would allow long cables but requires a DWZAA to hook up the BA350.

>    Will you draw me a pictur  of the cabeling to achieve multi-host scsi
>     and shared storage? (I'm a girl, I need pictures).

    We did. Check the VMS V6.2 New features manual for pretty pictures of
    how to configure scsi clusters.

>    2b.Can I achieve raid level 5 with software to make up
>   for loosing the swxcr's?

    Yes, using StorageWorks RAID software.