Automatic port group assignment

Port groups represent a set of Fibre Channel SAN storage access ports that will be assigned, usually in pairs, to a server profile SAN attachment path. When an FC storage system is imported into a HPE OneView appliance, the storage controller ports can be manually placed into logical, user-defined groups. These port groups are used when volumes are attached to a server profile. This grouping determines which subset of ports are automatically assigned to a path to provide access to the volume. Prior to HPE OneView version 5.2, the port group with the least number of profiles assigned was used for each new path created for a volume attachment. Starting from HPE OneView version 5.2, the port group identified for the first volume path is preferred for all additional paths for the same volume on that profile.

Automatic port group assignment improves the predictability and consistency for port group usage by:
  • Knowing the volume path use across all fabric connections

  • Enabling the administrator to define the ports manually to include all the storage controllers in an array

  • Placing alternative paths to the volume from any redundant SAN into the same port group

  • Requiring manual port group creation for new storage system additions

The following illustration shows how the paths are assigned by profile connection, using the least used group for each volume. In this case, a different port group, highlighted in red, is used to connect to the same storage array from the second fabric.

The next illustration shows how the port group assignments change from a per fabric SAN assignment to a per volume attachment assignment. The port group used for the SAN A fabric, is the same for the SAN B fabric.

NOTE:

If the SAN B fabric does not have a port group with the same name, HPE OneView uses the port group with the least number of profiles assigned.