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OpenSolaris Project: Multi-pathing software (MPxIO)

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Logical Domains
Storage

Introduction

MPxIO provides a multipathing solution for direct access block devices accessible through multiple physical paths. MPxIO was initially delivered by PSARC/1999/647. It abstracts physical paths to a device, providing unified access via a single virtual device. Physical path failures are transparently recovered, so failures are not exposed to the applications using the virtual device.

The scsi_vhci driver registers with the MPxIO framework and is the virtual host controller providing the abstraction for SCSI protocol devices.

MPxIO Essentials – Presentation

  • Take a look at MPxIO Essentials to view a presentation detailing the implementation of MPxIO in Solaris.

Release Status

  • MPxIO is included as part of the distribution in Solaris 10 onward. So when you download OpenSolaris sources or a binary distributions, you will automatically have access to this capability.
  • MPxIO for Tape is integrated in OpenSolaris sources. This release targeted tape drivers with Fibre Channel connectivity only. Other protocols will be supported in subsequent releases.

Documentation

You will find the information on how to setup and use MPxIO here.

Sources

The source code for MPxIO is provided under the CDDL license. The source code for disk MpxIO is provided as part of the current OpenSolaris code base, so, will not be placed on this page. However, since MPxIO for tape is still under development, we have included the current Tape MPxIO Webrev here for your review and scrutiny.

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