Reasons for more paths to an array LUN than expected
The primary reasons for an unexpected additional path to an array LUN are zoning issues and too many cables. Three paths to an array LUN is not best practice, but you are not required to fix this issue.
Example of storage array config show output
The FC initiator port pair on the ONTAP system is 0a and 0c. The following example shows an extra path, 0b, in the storage array config show
output:
mysystem1::> storage array config show LUN LUN Node Group Count Array Name Array Target Port Initiator ---------- ----- ----- ---------------- ------------------ ---------- mysystem1a 1 3 HITACHI_DF600F_1 50060e80004291c0 0a 50060e80004291c1 0b 0c 3 entries were displayed.
If an initiator in the |
Explanation
Three paths within a LUN group indicates that there is an extra path. For ONTAP configurations, the best practice is two or four paths.
Reasons there could be more paths than expected include the following:
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More cables were connected than are needed.
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A zoning configuration error caused an extra path.
Resolving the issue
Having an extra path is not a best practice, but it is not incorrect from the system perspective. You do not have to fix this issue. If you want to fix the issue to align with your intended configuration, complete the following steps:
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Check your cabling and the zoning configuration for the cause, and then fix the issue that is causing the extra path.
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After the issue is fixed, run
storage array config show
again to confirm that the extra path is gone.