[linux-lvm] HA Fileserver configuration recommendation sought.

[Shea,Dan [CIS]]

Gary, I have a simialar configuration RHAS3.0 and a Dell PE6650 connected to an EMC SAN using 1 emulex Fibre optic card per server.  
When I do a pvscan I get back below.
[root at murphy root]# pvscan
pvscan -- reading all physical volumes (this may take a while...)
pvscan -- ACTIVE   PV "/dev/sda5" of VG "npmu_vg01" [192.89 GB / 11.25 GB free]
pvscan -- inactive PV "/dev/sdb1" of VG "npmu_vg02" [667.55 GB / 299.55 GB free]
pvscan -- ACTIVE   PV "/dev/sdc1" of VG "npmu_vg02" [667.55 GB / 299.55 GB free]
pvscan -- total: 3 [1.49 TB] / in use: 3 [1.49 TB] / in no VG: 0 [0]
 
Sometimes when there is a reboot there ia a problem either with lvm or powerpath.  
Have you had a similar problem in the past?
If so is it fixable by a PowerPath configuration or upgrading to lvm2?
 
RedHat and EMC have not been very helpful.
 
[root at pascal root]# pvscan

pvscan -- reading all physical volumes (this may take a while...)

pvscan -- ACTIVE PV "/dev/sda5" of VG "npmu_vg01" [192.89 GB / 12.23 GB free]

pvscan -- inactive PV "/dev/sdb1" is associated to unknown VG "npmu_vg02" (run vgscan)

pvscan -- inactive PV "/dev/sdc1" is associated to unknown VG "npmu_vg02" (run vgscan)

pvscan -- total: 3 [1.49 TB] / in use: 3 [1.49 TB] / in no VG: 0 [0]

[root at pascal root]# vgexport npmu_vg02

vgexport -- ERROR "lvm_tab_vg_remove(): VG doesn't exist" removing volume group "npmu_vg02" from "/etc/lvmtab"

vgexport -- volume group "npmu_vg02" NOT sucessfully exported

[root at pascal root]# vgimport npmu_vg02 /dev/sdb1

vgimport -- doing automatic backup of volume group "npmu_vg02"

vgimport -- volume group "npmu_vg02" successfully imported and activated

[root at pascal root]# pvscan

pvscan -- reading all physical volumes (this may take a while...)

pvscan -- ACTIVE PV "/dev/sda5" of VG "npmu_vg01" [192.89 GB / 12.23 GB free]

pvscan -- inactive PV "/dev/sdb1" of VG "npmu_vg02" [667.55 GB / 299.55 GB free]

pvscan -- ACTIVE PV "/dev/sdc1" of VG "npmu_vg02" [667.55 GB / 299.55 GB free]

pvscan -- total: 3 [1.49 TB] / in use: 3 [1.49 TB] / in no VG: 0 [0]

[root at pascal root]#


-----Original Message-----
From: linux-lvm-bounces at redhat.com [mailto:linux-lvm-bounces at redhat.com]On Behalf Of Gary Mansell
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 4:47 AM
To: linux-lvm at redhat.com
Subject: [linux-lvm] HA Fileserver configuration recommendation sought.


Dear all,

I currently run RHAS3.0 on a Dell PE2650 which is directly attached to an EMC FC4500 2TB HW RAID 5 unit via two QLA2310F Fibre Channel cards. I have EMC's Powerpath software installed to give me multiple paths to the disk subsytem in case of controller or cable failure. 

This configuration has served me well but is now about to be End Of Life'd by Dell and I need to grow the storage. There is obviously quite a price premium to pay for this sort of kit so I was hoping to find a cheaper solution for the future.

I have seen the Nexsan ATABEAST which is a 16TB ATA array with dual fibre channel controllers. It seems to be well liked and is reasonably priced but my concern is how to achieve multiple paths to the disk. How would you recommend achieving a highly available configuration with this sort of disk subsystem?

Also, am I correct in thinking that the maximum filesystem size with RHEL 3.0 is 2TB? Is it possible to get over this limitation with LVM or some other method?

Any advice gladly received.

Thanks in advance

Gary Mansell -- 

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