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I have a couple of these LSI arrays

LSI Model 0834
LSI product name: 1932
LSI Product codename: Mary Jane
Enclosure name: Shea (DM1300)
End of Life: 31-Dec-2010

but I can't find any information about the FiberChannel interface is uses to the host. Right now it is connected for a BlueArc Mercury 50 filer, which also is have reached EOL.

Question

Can I buy any FC card, or What should I look for, when I want to connect this array to a Linux host?

Jasmine Lognnes
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2 Answers2

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First off - check vendor recommendations. Some vendors are more scrupulous than others, but they'll generally have a list of 'known compatible' cards.

If you lack this information - as you seem to - I would start with buying Emulex or QLogic HBAs, and avoid anything else unless you have a specific entry in an interoperability matrix.

You will probably need to look as array specific card settings though - whilst they generally work by default, there's a noticeable performance advantage to getting settings/firmware/drivers aligned. (And note - some vendors have specific firmware/drivers that they recommend/support. That's not to say others won't work just fine, but these ones will be the ones they've tested specifically).

More generally:

  • always dual path your fiber channel. Ideally with two separate physical cards, going across two completely separate sets of switches.
  • keep the cards identical. Firmware, drivers etc. (You can mismatch if you're connecting to different storage infrastructure if you must)
Sobrique
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    I definitely recommend qlogic. And agree check interoperability/compatibility. Qlogic has some matrices on their site even if the storage vendor may not have it on their site (in this case LSI) – ben Jul 08 '14 at 18:04
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That's actually an LSI Engenio Class 4600 (0834) which was bought by NetApp in 2011 and is no longer available - I was struggling to find documentation either to be honest.

I know some are huge fans of Q-Logic FC HBAs but I'm personally a fan of Emulex ones and although I can't find any form of interoperability matrix for this product I think that if you stick to these manufacturers (or LSI's own of course) you will almost certainly be ok.

Chopper3
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    Engenio arrays were sold to OEMs for labeling and support, documentation from the manufacturer always has been a problem. If I am not mistaken, IBM has OEM'd them in their DS4000 line - the asker's variant is likely the DS4700. The [IBM interop matrix](http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/resources/systems_storage_disk_ds4000_pdf_interop-matrix.pdf) indeed lists a wealth of OEM'd 4GB QLogic and Emulex HBAs as "compatible". – the-wabbit Jul 04 '14 at 10:38
  • Good spot - so I know IBM rebadge NetApp filers but I didn't know they did that product set, sounds good – Chopper3 Jul 04 '14 at 10:39
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    I am a huge fan of qlogic and not a big fan of emulex. I have had emulex issues in the past going way back which could influence my decision that I rather not work with them. Qlogic has top rate driver support and customer support and utility and tool support. I haven't checked in awhile but Emulex is usually 50% to 70% of the cost of Qlogic so if you are on a budget, I do agree that Emulex and Qlogic are the top two. I would still consider Qlogic. Also do your best to check interoperability/compatibility. Even if not on LSI's site, Qlogic has a well developed compatibility matrix. – ben Jul 08 '14 at 18:03
  • @Chopper3 On the back is says "class 3600" instead of "class 4600". Does that change anything? – Jasmine Lognnes Jul 24 '14 at 09:40