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iSCSI Driver: Release Notes for Cisco iSCSI Driver for HP-UX 10.2, Driver Release 2.1.2

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Table Of Contents

Release Notes for Cisco iSCSI Driver Version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2

Contents

Introduction

System Requirements

Operating System Requirements

Mounting Filesystems

Unmounting Filesystems

Rebooting HP-UX

SN 5400 Series System Software Requirements

Installation Notes

Obtaining the iSCSI Driver and Updated SN 5400 Series System Software

Upgrading from Version 1.8.1

Uninstalling iSCSI Driver Software

Caveats

Open Caveats

Resolved Caveats

Related Documentation

Release-Specific Documents

Hardware Documents

Software Documents

Service and Support

Software Configuration Tips on the Cisco TAC Home Page

Obtaining Documentation

World Wide Web

Documentation CD-ROM

Ordering Documentation

Documentation Feedback

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco.com

Technical Assistance Center

Cisco TAC Web Site

Cisco TAC Escalation Center


Release Notes for Cisco iSCSI Driver Version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2

October 11, 2002

Note You can find the most current documentation on Cisco.com. This set of electronic documents may contain updates and modifications made after the hard-copy documents were printed.

These release notes support Cisco iSCSI Driver version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2. This is the first release of the Cisco iSCSI driver for HP-UX 10.2 to support iSCSI draft 8; there is no Cisco iSCSI Driver version 2.1.1 for HP-UX 10.2.

For a list of software caveats that apply to version 2.1.2, see the "Caveats" section. The caveats are updated for every maintenance version and are located on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

Contents

These release notes describe the following topics:

•Introduction

•System Requirements

•Installation Notes

•Caveats

•Related Documentation

•Service and Support

•Obtaining Documentation

•Obtaining Technical Assistance

Introduction

The iSCSI Driver for HP-UX 10.2 provides an IP host with the ability to access storage through an IP network. The iSCSI driver uses iSCSI protocol to transport SCSI requests and responses over an IP network between the host and a Cisco SN 5400 Series system.

Architecturally, the iSCSI driver combines with the host TCP/IP stack, network drivers, and NICs to provide the same functions as a SCSI adapter driver with a host bus adapter (HBA).

The iSCSI driver provides a transport for SCSI requests and responses for storage devices; however, instead of providing a transport for directly attached devices, the driver transports the SCSI requests and responses between the IP host and a Cisco SN 5400 Series system via an IP network. The SN 5400 Series system, in turn, transports SCSI requests and responses between it and the storage devices attached to it.

Once the iSCSI driver is installed, the IP host will proceed with a discovery process for iSCSI storage devices as follows:

Step 1 The iSCSI driver requests available iSCSI targets from the SN 5400 Series system.

Step 2 The SN 5400 Series system sends available iSCSI target names to the iSCSI driver.

Step 3 The IP host logs into the iSCSI targets.

Step 4 The SN 5400 Series system accepts the IP host login.

Step 5 The iSCSI driver queries targets for device information.

Step 6 Targets respond with device information.

Step 7 The iSCSI driver creates an internal table of devices.

The iSCSI Driver for HP-UX 10.2 provides IP access to a maximum of 15 remote SCSI targets, with each target capable of supporting eight LUNs.

Note The iSCSI protocol is an IETF-defined protocol for IP storage (ips). For more information about the iSCSI protocol, refer to the IETF standards for IP storage at http://www.ietf.org.

System Requirements

This section describes the system requirements for version 2.1.2 and includes the following information:

•Operating System Requirements

•SN 5400 Series System Software Requirements

Operating System Requirements

•The Cisco iSCSI Driver version 2.1.2 requires an HP computer running HP-UX 10.2.

•The driver supports single-processor and multiprocessor machines.

•The receive and transmit flow control feature of the Gigabit Ethernet driver should be enabled on all IP hosts connecting to the SN 5400 Series system.

•If you are using a 3Com Gigabit Ethernet Server network interface card, the minimum supported revision level is "B" (3C985B-SX). Using a card with a lower revision level will significantly decrease performance.

•The HP-UX System Administration Manager (SAM) does not display iSCSI devices. If you set up logical groups and volumes based on iSCSI disks, SAM will recognize the logical groups and volumes, but will notify you that it cannot obtain information about the iSCSI disks contained in the logical groups or volumes.

•The HP-UX 10.2 Logical Volume Manager (LVM) attempts to activate all the volumes listed in /etc/lvmtab at boot time, before Networking services are enabled. Because the iSCSI driver is not running at this stage, the iSCSI disks will not be accessible to LVM, and LVM will log error messages. However, if the /etc/fstab.iscsi file contains entries for filesystems on logical volumes created on iSCSI disks, the iSCSI driver start up script will attempt to activate the logical volume groups and mount the filesystems. See the README file for additional information.

•Any device with a target ID greater than 14 and a LUN ID greater that 7 will be ignored by the iSCSI driver and will not be configured in the system.

•In HP-UX 10.2, the minor number for a SCSI device (for example, /dev/dsk/c0t0d0) is represented by an 8-bit instance number, a 4-bit target and a 3-bit LUN. This allows the HP-UX system to have up to 256 controller cards or instance numbers, where each card or instance can have 16 targets and each target can have 8 LUNs. The iSCSI driver version 2.1.2 takes one instance number. An instance number must be available or the iSCSI driver cannot be installed.

The iSCSI driver version 2.1.2 provides a utility (getscsitableinfo) that can be used to provide information on the number of instances currently used by the system and the number of free instance numbers. See the README file for additional details.

Mounting Filesystems

Filesystems must be created on iSCSI devices before doing a mount operation. Use the HP-UX "iscsigetdevs" or "lsiscsi" command to identify iSCSI devices on the system.

Once filesystems have been created on the iSCSI devices, they can be configured to be mounted automatically during system reboot or when the iSCSI services are manually started. The iSCSI start script (/sbin/rc2.d/S890iscsi) looks for entries in the /etc/fstab.iscsi file and attempts to mount those entries after the iSCSI daemon starts. This allows the iSCSI devices to be automatically mounted as early as possible in the boot process.

If the iSCSI services are manually started (using /sbin/init.d/iscsi start), the iSCSI start script attempts to automatically mount the filesystems specified in the /etc/fstab.iscsi file.

Note Due to network delays, targets may not always become available in the same order. This means that the order in which iSCSI devices are mounted may vary, and may not match the order of the devices listed in /etc/fstab.iscsi. You should not assume that mounts of iSCSI devices will occur in any particular order.

Unmounting Filesystems

All filesystems on iSCSI devices must be unmounted before the iSCSI driver is stopped. If the iSCSI driver stops while iSCSI devices are mounted, buffered writes may not be committed to disk and filesystem corruption may occur.

HP-UX will not unmount filesystems that are being used by a running process. Before the filesystems can be unmounted, all processes using the iSCSI devices must be killed.

During system shutdown, the iSCSI stop script (/sbin/rc1.d/K310iscsi) is called from the system shutdown procedure. The iSCSI stop script looks for entries in /etc/fstab.iscsi and unmounts the filesystems.

Rebooting HP-UX

All accesses to iSCSI devices should be stopped and all iSCSI devices should be unmounted prior to a system shutdown.

The HP-UX /usr/sbin/reboot command should not be used to reboot the system while iSCSI devices are mounted. This reboot command will not execute the iSCSI shutdown script in /sbin/rc1.d, and file system corruption can occur.

To safely reboot the HP-UX system, use the following shutdown command: 

/usr/sbin/shutdown -r -y

The shutdown command can also be used with the "now" argument. For example, use the following shutdown command: 

/usr/sbin/shutdown -r now

SN 5400 Series System Software Requirements

The iSCSI Driver version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2 is compatible with a Cisco SN 5400 Series system running software release 2.1.1 or later; this driver is not compatible with any Cisco SN 5420 Storage Router running software release 1.1.x.

Installation Notes

This section describes how to obtain iSCSI driver software and upgrade an existing iSCSI driver installation, and includes the following information:

•Obtaining the iSCSI Driver and Updated SN 5400 Series System Software

•Upgrading from Version 1.8.1

•Uninstalling iSCSI Driver Software

Obtaining the iSCSI Driver and Updated SN 5400 Series System Software

Registered Cisco.com users can download the most current SN 5400 Series system software, Cisco iSCSI drivers, readme files, release notes and example configuration files from Cisco.com. In addition, information about driver compatibility and other relevant driver information is available on Cisco.com. You can access software and related information by following these instructions:

Step 1 At http://www.cisco.com, log in to Cisco.com. Click Technical Support and Software Center.

Step 2 At the Software Center web page, under Software Products & Downloads, click Storage Networking Software.

Step 3 At the Storage Networking Software web page, click the appropriate link for your software.

Step 4 At the Software Download web page, click the file that you want to download.Another software download web page will be displayed with detailed information about the download file and Cisco's Software License Agreement. Follow the instructions on that and any subsequent web pages to download the software.

Step 5 To install and configure storage router software, see the appropriate storage router software configuration guide and release notes. To install and configure an iSCSI driver, see the readme file that accompanies the iSCSI driver (in the downloaded driver archive file) and the appropriate release notes.

Configuration guides and release notes are available online. You can access online documentation by following these instructions:

Step 1 At http://www.cisco.com, under Technical Documentation, click Technical Documentation on Cisco Connection Online.

Step 2 At the Cisco Documentation web page, under Cisco Product Documentation, click Storage Networking Products.

Step 3 At the Storage Networking Products documentation web page, click the appropriate links to access the appropriate documentation.

Upgrading from Version 1.8.1

Note Before installing and starting the iSCSI driver, use the SN 5400 Series system CLI command show scsirouter all to verify that the reserve proxy feature is disabled for all SCSI routing instances to which the driver will connect. The reservey proxy feature is disabled by default. If necessary, use the scsirouter reserveproxy command to disable the reserve proxy feature. See the appropriate SN 5400 Series system Storage Router Software Configuration Guide for complete command syntax and details.

To upgrade to iSCSI driver version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2 from version 1.8.1, follow these instructions. You must have super-user (root) authority to upgrade the iSCSI driver.

Step 1 Stop all applications using iSCSI devices, unmount all iSCSI filesystems and manually stop the iSCSI driver. For example: 

/sbin/init.d/NuScsiTcp stop

Step 2 Use SAM to remove the iSCSI driver, or remove the driver manually. The removal procedure compiles a new kernel that will not include the iSCSI driver. Existing /etc/NuScsiTcp.conf and /etc/fstab.iscsi files are not deleted. For example: 

swremove ISCSI

Step 3 Reboot the HP-UX system.

Step 4 Copy the new hpux10.2-iscsi-<version>.tar.Z file to a working directory, such as /opt/depot/iscsi. Make the directory if it does not exist. The <version> is the three digit version of the driver. For example: 

mkdir -p /opt/depot/iscsi

cp /tmp/hpux10.2-iscsi-2.1.2.tar.Z /opt/depot/iscsi

Step 5 Change to the working directory created in Step 4 and uncompress the file using the tar command. For example: 

cd /opt/depot/iscsi

uncompress hpux10.2-iscsi-2.1.2.tar.Z

tar xvf hpux10.2-iscsi-2.1.2.tar

The working directory now contains the iSCSI package.

Step 6 Register the working directory with the system as a software depot. This will allow installation of the iSCSI driver software from this depot. Use SAM to register the working directory, or register it manually. For example: 

swreg -l depot /opt/depot/iscsi

Step 7 Use the swlist command to verify that the depot has been successfully registered with the system. The listing should include the working directory. For example: 

swlist -l depot

Step 8 Ensure that there is sufficient disk space available in the kernel compilation directory (typically /stand) and install the iSCSI driver. You can use SAM or install manually. For example: 

swinstall -s /opt/depot/iscsi ISCSI

The install procedure will compile a new kernel which will include the iSCSI server driver. The new kernel will be placed in the directory /stand/vmunix.

Step 9 Review any existing /etc/NuScsiTcp.conf file, and then update the new /etc/iscsi.conf file to include the IP addresses for the iSCSI targets. The iscsi.conf file man page has a more detailed description of the configuration file format. To read the man page: 

man iscsi.conf

Step 10 (Optional) You may need to verify the order of the boot script to ensure that the iSCSI daemon is started after the network has been initialized. You may also need to verify the order of the startup and shutdown scripts. The iSCSI start script (/sbin/rc2.d/S890iscsi) must be placed after scripts that enable network features; the iSCSI stop script (/sbin/rc1.d/K310iscsi) must be placed before the scripts that shutdown networking features.

Step 11 Reboot the HP-UX system to load and start the iSCSI drivers. The first reboot configures devices and causes the iSCSI driver to be loaded.

Step 12 Compare the existing /etc/fstab.iscsi file with the new /etc/fstab.iscsi.<version> file. Update the file as needed. The <version> is the three digit version of the driver.

See the README file for additional information about installing iSCSI driver software.

Uninstalling iSCSI Driver Software

To uninstall the iSCSI driver software, follow these instructions. You must have super-user (root) authority to remove the iSCSI driver.

Step 1 Stop all applications using iSCSI devices, unmount all iSCSI filesystems and manually stop the iSCSI driver. For example: 

/sbin/init.d/iscsi stop

Step 2 Use SAM to remove the iSCSI driver, or remove the driver manually. The removal procedure compiles a new kernel that will not include the iSCSI driver. For example: 

swremove ISCSI

Step 3 Reboot the HP-UX system.

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior or defects in iSCSI software versions. Severity 1 caveats are the most serious caveats; severity 2 caveats are less serious.

This document describes open and resolved severity 1 and 2 caveats and selected caveats of other severities:

•The "Open Caveats" section lists open caveats that apply to the current version and may apply to previous versions.

•The "Resolved Caveats" section list caveats resolved in this version, but open in previous versions.

Within the sections, the caveats are sorted alphanumerically by caveat number.

Note If you have an account with Cisco.com, you can use Bug Navigator II to find caveats of any severity for any version. You can reach Bug Navigator II on Cisco.com at Service & Support:
http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/Support/Bugtool/launch_bugtool.pl.

Open Caveats

There are no severity 1 or 2 caveats open against the iSCSI driver version 2.1.2. For a more complete list of caveats against this release, access Cisco.com as described in the section "Cisco.com" at the end of this document.

Resolved Caveats

•CSCdx14423

If the iSCSI driver configuration file contains IP addresses for multiple SCSI routing instances, only the first entry is used. The remaining entries are ignored.

Workaround: Configure a single SCSI routing instance to support the required targets for the HP-UX iSCSI driver. The SCSI routing instance can be configured in an SN 5420 Storage Router that is configured either in a cluster or as a stand-alone storage router.

Related Documentation

The following sections describe the related documentation available for the iSCSI Driver version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2 and the Cisco SN 5400 Series system. These documents consist of the iSCSI driver release notes, readme and example configuration files, and the SN 5400 Series system hardware installation and software configuration guides.

The SN 5400 Series system hardware installation and software configuration documentation sets are available as printed manuals or electronic documents. The iSCSI driver README file and example configuration file are available in electronic format, as part of the software download package. See the "Obtaining the iSCSI Driver and Updated SN 5400 Series System Software" section for details.

Release-Specific Documents

This release notes document is the only document specific to iSCSI Driver version 2.1.2 for HP-UX 10.2. It is located on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

Each release of SN 5400 Series system software includes an associated release notes document, which is also available as an electronic document on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

Hardware Documents

Refer to the appropriate SN 5400 Series system hardware installation guide for hardware installation procedures. The Cisco SN 5420 Storage Router Hardware Installation Guide provides hardware installation procedures for SN 5420 Storage Routers. The Cisco SN 5428 Storage Router Hardware Installation Guide provides hardware installation procedures for SN 5428 Storage Routers. These documents are available as printed manuals. They are also available as electronic documents on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM

Software Documents

Refer to the appropriate SN 5400 Series system software configuration guide for software configuration information. The Cisco SN 5420 Storage Router Software Configuration Guide Release 2.1 provides configuration information for SN 5420 Storage Routers. The Cisco SN 5428 Storage Router Software Configuration Guide (Release 2.2 or later) provides configuration information for SN 5428 Storage Routers. These documents are available as printed manuals. They are also available as electronic documents on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

For documentation on the SN 5400 Series system web-based GUI, refer to the SN 5400 Series system web-based GUI online Help system.

Service and Support

For service and support for a product purchased from a reseller, contact the reseller, who offers a wide variety of Cisco service and support programs described in "Service and Support" of Cisco Information Packet shipped with your product.

Note If you purchased your product from a reseller, you can access Cisco.com as a guest. Cisco.com is Cisco Systems' primary real-time support channel. Your reseller offers programs that include direct access to Cisco.com services.

For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use Cisco.com.

Software Configuration Tips on the Cisco TAC Home Page

A variety of Cisco SN 5400 Series system software and iSCSI driver installation, configuration and usage tips are available on the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Web Site.

For example, you can access Cisco SN 5420 "tech tips" by following these instructions:

Step 1 At http://www.cisco.com, log in to Cisco.com. Click Technical Support , and select Hardware Support from the menu.

Step 2 At the Hardware Support web page, click Storage Networking Devices from the Hardware Support menu.

Step 3 At the Storage Networking Devices web page, click the appropriate link for your system. For example, click the SN 5420 Storage Routers link.

Step 4 Click the Troubleshooting link, and then click the appropriate links for information about installing, configuring, and troubleshooting SN 5400 Series system software and iSCSI drivers.

Obtaining Documentation

These sections explain how to obtain documentation from Cisco Systems.

World Wide Web

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com

Translated documentation is available at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM package, which is shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated monthly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual subscription.

Ordering Documentation

You can order Cisco documentation in these ways:

•Registered Cisco.com users (Cisco direct customers) can order Cisco product documentation from the Networking Products MarketPlace:

http://www.cisco.com/public/ordsum.html

•Registered Cisco.com users can order the Documentation CD-ROM through the online Subscription Store:

http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription

•Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order documentation through a local account representative by calling Cisco Systems Corporate Headquarters (California, U.S.A.) at 408 526-7208 or, elsewhere in North America, by calling 800 553-NETS (6387).

Documentation Feedback

You can submit comments electronically on Cisco.com. In the Cisco Documentation home page, click the Fax or Email option in the "Leave Feedback" section at the bottom of the page.

You can e-mail your comments to bug-doc@cisco.com.

You can submit your comments by mail by using the response card behind the front cover of your document or by writing to the following address:

Cisco Systems
Attn: Document Resource Connection
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883

We appreciate your comments.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco provides Cisco.com as a starting point for all technical assistance. Customers and partners can obtain online documentation, troubleshooting tips, and sample configurations from online tools by using the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Web Site. Cisco.com registered users have complete access to the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC Web Site.

Cisco.com

Cisco.com is the foundation of a suite of interactive, networked services that provides immediate, open access to Cisco information, networking solutions, services, programs, and resources at any time, from anywhere in the world.

Cisco.com is a highly integrated Internet application and a powerful, easy-to-use tool that provides a broad range of features and services to help you with these tasks:

•Streamline business processes and improve productivity

•Resolve technical issues with online support

•Download and test software packages

•Order Cisco learning materials and merchandise

•Register for online skill assessment, training, and certification programs

If you want to obtain customized information and service, you can self-register on Cisco.com. To access Cisco.com, go to this URL:

http://www.cisco.com

Technical Assistance Center

The Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is available to all customers who need technical assistance with a Cisco product, technology, or solution. Two levels of support are available: the Cisco TAC Web Site and the Cisco TAC Escalation Center.

Cisco TAC inquiries are categorized according to the urgency of the issue:

•Priority level 4 (P4)—You need information or assistance concerning Cisco product capabilities, product installation, or basic product configuration.

•Priority level 3 (P3)—Your network performance is degraded. Network functionality is noticeably impaired, but most business operations continue.

•Priority level 2 (P2)—Your production network is severely degraded, affecting significant aspects of business operations. No workaround is available.

•Priority level 1 (P1)—Your production network is down, and a critical impact to business operations will occur if service is not restored quickly. No workaround is available.

The Cisco TAC resource that you choose is based on the priority of the problem and the conditions of service contracts, when applicable.

Cisco TAC Web Site

You can use the Cisco TAC Web Site to resolve P3 and P4 issues yourself, saving both cost and time. The site provides around-the-clock access to online tools, knowledge bases, and software. To access the Cisco TAC Web Site, go to this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/tac

All customers, partners, and resellers who have a valid Cisco service contract have complete access to the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC Web Site. The Cisco TAC Web Site requires a Cisco.com login ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or password, go to this URL to register:

http://www.cisco.com/register/

If you are a Cisco.com registered user, and you cannot resolve your technical issues by using the Cisco TAC Web Site, you can open a case online by using the TAC Case Open tool at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen

If you have Internet access, we recommend that you open P3 and P4 cases through the Cisco TAC Web Site.

Cisco TAC Escalation Center

The Cisco TAC Escalation Center addresses priority level 1 or priority level 2 issues. These classifications are assigned when severe network degradation significantly impacts business operations. When you contact the TAC Escalation Center with a P1 or P2 problem, a Cisco TAC engineer automatically opens a case.

To obtain a directory of toll-free Cisco TAC telephone numbers for your country, go to this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml

Before calling, please check with your network operations center to determine the level of Cisco support services to which your company is entitled: for example, SMARTnet, SMARTnet Onsite, or Network Supported Accounts (NSA). When you call the center, please have available your service agreement number and your product serial number.

This document is to be used in conjunction with the documents listed in the "Related Documentation" section.

Copyright © 2002, Cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.