Shared Multi Port Array (SMPA)
Use Cases and Suggested Practices Guide
Explore this Page
- Overview
- Change Summary
- Controller Firmware
- Disk Type Considerations
- Asymmetrical Logical Unit Access (ALUA)
- Backend (BE) Connection Types
- Multipathing Software
- Tested Storage Arrays
Overview
This document lists all storage arrays that have been tested using DataCore’s own SMPA validation tests. Entries that are marked as ‘passed’ can be used as SMPA arrays with SANsymphony. Entries that are marked as ‘failed’ cannot be used as SMPA arrays with SANsymphony. Notes regarding array controller firmware, SANsymphony versions and backend connection requirements are explained, in more detail, within the document
Change Summary
Changes since April 2021
| Added | Content Changes |
|---|---|
| Huawei Oceanstor Dorado ‘V6’ arrays |
Added (v.1) Added support for 3000/5000/6000/8000/18000 with Controller Firmware 6.0.0 Added (v.2) Added support for LPe35000 and LPe35002 HBAs with SANsymphony 10.0 PSP12 and later. |
Refer to Shared Multi Port Array (SMPA) for a list of earlier updates to this FAQ.
SMPA storage qualification notes
Refer to the SANsymphony : Qualifying a Storage for use as a Shared Multi-Port Array (SMPA) FAQ documentation for more information.
Overview of SMPA validation
Entries marked as ‘passed’
These will state both a minimum controller firmware and a SANsymphony version supported with SMPA for the array.
Entries marked as ‘failed’
Entries marked as ‘failed’ cannot be used with SMPA for the array, but can be re-tested using later versions of the controller firmware.
Controller Firmware
Using later versions of controller firmware
Later versions of controller firmware (for the same entry) are always supported and do not need to be retested.
Upgrading an existing SMPA array’s controller firmware
Already-installed SMPA configurations can have their array’s controller firmware upgraded without having to be retested.
Controller Firmware for Hewlett-Packard Arrays
Some HP arrays include a 'Controller Hardware ID' as part of the controller firmware version. For example ‘Controller Firmware: HSC400 11001100’, where 'HSC400' is the Hardware ID of the array and ‘11001100’ is the actual firmware version.
If an entry is listed as ‘passed’ but either the 'Hardware ID' or the ‘controller firmware’ is different to your own array, a new SMPA validation test will need to be run for your specific ‘Hardware ID/Controller Firmware’ combination. Refer to Shared Multi-Port Array Support for more information.
Disk Type Considerations
NVMe disks
NVMe disk arrays are (currently) not able to support SCSI-3 Persistent Reservations so cannot be used as a SANsymphony SMPA storage array.
Advanced Format disk sector types
- 512 byte sector and Advanced Format ‘512e’ (emulation). These format types are supported for SMPA.
- l520/528 byte sector and Advanced Format ‘4K Native’. These format types are not supported for SMPA.
Asymmetrical Logical Unit Access (ALUA)
Even if as array is ‘ALUA-capable’ it does not mean that the connections to the array must also be ‘ALUA-capable’, please verify with the storage vendor if ALUA is a requirement or not.
- DataCore’s Backend Failover Driver is not ALUA-capable
- Microsoft’s own MPIO is ALUA-capable – also see the section Multipathing Software
- For storage vendor MPIO (i.e. not Microsoft’s MPIO) that is ALUA-capable see the section Multipathing Software on the next page.
Backend (BE) Connection Types
ISCSI
Arrays connected to DataCore Servers using iSCSI must be tested separately from all other connection types. If an entry is listed as ‘passed’ but it is not marked as having been tested with iSCSI connections then it can only be used for other connections types and a new SMPA validation test will need to be run for the iSCSI connections.
All other connection types
Any entry that is listed as ‘passed’ can be used for any other connection type even if the entry is marked as having been tested with iSCSI connections.
Multipathing Software
DataCore’s Backend Failover
Any entry that is listed as ‘passed’ can be used with DataCore Servers own backend failover.
DataCore’s Backend Failover only works with DataCore’s own fibre channel drivers connected to the array.
Microsoft’s own MPIO
Any entry that is listed as ‘passed’ can be used with Microsoft’s own MPIO.
- Microsoft’s own MPIO cannot be used with DataCore’s own fibre channel drivers connected to the array.
- Microsoft’s own MPIO must be used with the ‘Failover Only Load Balancing’ policy Other policies – e.g. ‘Round Robin’, ‘Round Robin with Subset’, ‘Least Queue Depth’, Weighted Paths’ or ‘Least Blocks’ - are not supported.
- If an entry is listed as ‘passed’ but it is not marked as having been tested with iSCSI connections then it can only be used for other connections types and a new SMPA validation test will need to be run for the iSCSI connections.
Storage vendor’s own MPIO
Arrays connected to DataCore Servers using a storage vendor’s own MPIO (i.e. not Microsoft’s MPIO) must be tested separately from all other multipathing software.
If an entry is listed as ‘passed’ but it is not marked as having been tested with a storage vendor’s own MPIO a new SMPA validation test will need to be run.
Tested Storage Arrays
| Vendor | Model | Firmware / Microcode | Test Result |
| AccelStor | NeoSapphire 3706-ES1 | Controller: 1.0.0, iSCSI only | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 1 |
| Bull | Store Way™ Optima3600 | Controller: 010A | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Cybernetics | iSAN-D 6140 | Controller: 6.26XG2 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | Compellent SC30 | Controller: 5.5.6.18 | Failed |
| Dell EMC | Compellent SC40 | Controller: 6.5 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | Compellent SC4020 | Controller: 6.5.20 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | Compellent SC8000 | Controller: 6.5.3.10 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | CX3-40 | Controller: 6.26.22.0.50 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | CX4-120 | Controller: 04.29.000.5.019 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | EQ PS4000 | Controller: 5.1.1 | Failed |
| Dell EMC | MD 3620i | Controller: 07.80.41.60 | Failed |
| Dell EMC | ME 4024 | Controller: GT275R003-01 Loader Code: 29.015 CPLD: 3.9 | Passed – 10.0 PSP8 |
| Dell EMC | SC7020 | SCOS version: 7.1.1.86 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 |
| Dell EMC | SCv2000 / SCv2020 | Controller: 6.6.5.19 | Passed – 10.0 PSP4 |
| Dell EMC | SCv2080 | - | - |
| Dell EMC | Unity 300 | Controller: 4.1.1.9138882 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | VNX 5200 | Controller: 05.33.000.5.051 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | VNX 5300 | Controller: 05.31.000.5.720 05.32.000.5.216 | Passed – PSP4 U4 / PSP6 U4 |
| Dell EMC | VNX 5400 | Controller: 05.33.000.5.038 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | VNX 5500 | Controller: 05.32.000.5.017 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Dell EMC | VNX 5700 | Controller: 05.32.000.5.216 | Passed – 10.0 PSP3 |
| Dell EMC | vMAX 2067 | Firmware: 5876.272.177 build 222 Must include EMC fix #84527 | Passed – 10.0 PSP4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 372x | Controller: TS240P003 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 382x | Controller: GL105R004 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 383x | Controller: GL200P002 GL222P013 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 1 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 392x | Controller: T230P03 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 473x | Controller: CF100P002 CF205R002 CF205R008 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 482x | Controller: GL200R007 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 483x | Controller: GL105R004 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| DotHill | AssuredSAN 484x | Controller: GL210R006-8 | Passed – 10.0 PSP3 |
| Fujitsu | AF150 S3 | Controller: V11L30 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | AF250 | Controller: V10L60-0000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP5 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | AF250 S2 | Controller: V10L80 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 5 |
| Fujitsu | AF250 S3 | Controller: V11L30 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | AF650 | Controller: V10L60-0000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP5 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | AF650 S2 | Controller: V10L80 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 5 |
| Fujitsu | AF650 S3 | Controller: V11L20 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX60 S4 | Controller: V10L70-0000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX60 S5 | Controller: V11L30 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX90 | Controller: V10L25-0000 | Failed |
| Fujitsu | DX80 S2 | Controller: V10L50 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Fujitsu | DX100 S3 | Controller: V10L14-0000 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Fujitsu | DX100 S4 | Controller: V10L70-0000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX100 S5 | Controller: V11L30 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX200 S3 | Controller: V10L14-0000 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Fujitsu | DX200 S4 | Controller: V10L70-0000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX200 S5 | Controller: V11L30 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX400 S2 | Controller: V10L50 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Fujitsu | DX500 S3 | Controller: V10L14-0000 / V10L20-4000 | Passed / Failed |
| Fujitsu | DX500 S4 | Controller: V10L80 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 5 |
| Fujitsu | DX500 S5 | Controller: V11L20 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX600 S3 | Controller: V10L14-0000 / V10L20-4000 | Passed / Failed |
| Fujitsu | DX600 S4 | Controller: V10L80 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 5 |
| Fujitsu | DX600 S5 | Controller: V11L20 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX900 S5 | Controller: V11L20 | Passed – 10.0 PSP9 |
| Fujitsu | DX8000 S2 | Controller: V10L50 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Fujitsu | DX8100 S3 | Controller: V10L82 | Passed – 10.0 PSP7 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX8700 S3 | Controller: V10L82 | Passed – 10.0 PSP7 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX8900 S3 | Controller: V10L82 | Passed – 10.0 PSP7 Update 2 |
| Fujitsu | DX8900 S4 | Controller: V11L10 | Passed – 10.0 PSP7 Update 2 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR 7200 | Controller: 3.2.2.612 | Passed – 10.0 PSP7 Update 2 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR 7400 | Controller: 3.1.2.278 Controller: 3.1.3 MU1 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR 7450c | Controller: 3.2.1.200 MU2 (Patches 07, 10, 11 and 12) | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR 8200 | Controller: 3.2.2 MU2 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 1 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR 10000 | Controller: 3.1.2.322 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 3PAR F400 | Controller: 3.1.2 MU1 (Patch 03) | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | EVA4400 | Controller: HSV300 113000000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 1 |
| Hewlett-Packard | EVA6000 | Controller: CR1A11xc3p-6240 | Failed |
| Hewlett-Packard | EVA6300 | Controller: HSC340 11200000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 5 |
| Hewlett-Packard | EVA6400 | Controller: HSC400 11001100 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | EVA6500 | Controller: HSV360 11300000 | Passed – 10.0 PSP4 Update 1 |
| Hewlett-Packard | MSA 2040 | Controller: GLS101R01-01 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | MSA 2050 | Controller: VLS270R01-01 | Passed – 10.0 PSP8 |
| Hewlett-Packard | P6000 | Controller: HSV340 XCS 11001000 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | P2000 G3 | Controller: T240P02-01 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hewlett-Packard | P2000 G3 | Controller: TS240P003 | Failed |
| Hitachi | HUS 110 | Controller: 0945/D-S – Unique Reserve Mode 2: Enabled | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hitachi | HUS 130 | Controller: 0945/D-S – Unique Reserve Mode 2: Enabled | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hitachi | HUS 150 | Controller: 0945/D-S – Unique Reserve Mode 2: Enabled Controller: 0985/B-H – Unique Reserve Mode 2: Enabled | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 Passed – 10.0 PSP6 Update 4 |
| Hitachi | Unified Storage VM (HUS VM) |
SVP Microcode: 73-03-35/00 DKC Microcode: 73-03-34-00/00 |
Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F200 | Controller: 83-01-23-20/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP3 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F350 | Controller: 88-03-23-00/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP10 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F370 | Controller: 88-03-23-00/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP10 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F400 | Controller: 83-01-23-20/00 Controller: 83-03-02-40/00 |
Passed – 10.0 PSP3 Passed – 10.0 PSP4 Update 1 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F600 | Controller: 83-01-23-20/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP3 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F700 | Controller: 88-03-23-00/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP10 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F800 | Controller: 83-01-23-20/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP3 |
| Hitachi | VSP G/F900 | Controller: 88-03-23-00/00 | Passed – 10.0 PSP10 |
| Huawei | OceanStor 18000 Series | Controller: V100R001 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Huawei | S2600T / S5500T / S5600T / S5800T / S6800T | Controller: V200R002 | Passed – 9.0 PSP4 Update 4 |
| Huawei | OceanStor ‘V3’ arrays: 2100/2200, 2600/2800, 5300(F)/5500(F), 5600(F)/5800(F), 6800(F)/18000(F) |
- V300R001 and V300R002 - V300R003, V300R003C20, V300R005, V300R006 - V300R007 |
Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 Passed - 10.0 PSP 5 Update 2 Passed - 10.0 PSP 8 |
| Huawei | OceanStor ‘V5’ arrays: 2800, 5110(F)/5210(F), 5300(F)/5500(F), 5600(F)/5800(F), 6800(F)/18000(F) | Controller: V500R007 | Passed – 10.0 PSP8 |
| Huawei | OceanStor Dorado 2100 G2 | Controller Firmware: V100R001 Controller Firmware: V300R001 |
Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 Passed - 10.0 PSP 5 Update 1 |
| Huawei | OceanStor Dorado ‘V3’ arrays: 3000/5000, 6000/18000 | Controller: V300R002 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 8 |
| Huawei | OceanStor Dorado ‘V6’ arrays: 3000/5000/6000/8000/18000 | Controller: 6.0.0 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 10 |
| IBM | DS3524 Model 1746-A4D | 07.83.22.00 w/NVSRAM: N1746D35R0783V09 | Failed |
| IBM | FlashSystem 900 | Flare Code 1.2.1.6 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| IBM | FlashSystem 900 | Flare Code 1.3.03 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 3 |
| IBM | FlashSystem 900 | Flare Code 1.3.04 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 3 |
| IBM | Storwize v3700 | 6.4.1.1 | Failed |
| IBM | Storwize v5010 | 8.1.2.1 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 7 Update 1 |
| IBM | Storwize v5010e (MTM 2072-224) | 8.2.1.3 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 8 |
| IBM | Storwize v5030f | 7.8.1.1 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 7 |
| IBM | Storwize v7000 | 7.7.1.8 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 10 |
| IBM | XIV 2812-A14 | NA | Failed |
| Infinidat | Infinibox F-series | 2.2 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 |
| Infortrend | DS S24F-R2840-4 | 3.88A.50 Boot record 1.12A | Failed |
| Infortrend | DS S24F-R2851 | 5.11E.03 Boot record 2.11A | Failed |
| Infortrend | DS 4000 | 6.51G.02 Boot Record 1.11C | Passed - 10.0 PSP 5 Update 2 |
| Kaminario | K2 Flash Array | 5.5.0.65 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 3 |
| Lenovo | DM3000 / DM5000 / DM7000 | Data Ontap Release 9.6P3 C-Model | Passed - 10.0 PSP 9 Update 1 |
| Lenovo | DM3000 / DM5000 / DM7000 | Data Ontap Release 9.7 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 10 |
| Lenovo | DS3200 | GL221R019-05 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 2 |
| Lenovo | DS4200 | GT250R003-07 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 4 |
| Lenovo | DS6200 | GN250R007 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 7 Update 1 |
| Lenovo | DS6200 | G265 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 7 Update 1 |
| LSI | Syncro CS 9286-8e | 3.17 | Failed |
| Microsoft | StorSimple 8000 | 6.3.9660.17584 (GU 1.2) | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 |
| N-Tec | ICEBOX-R iX6SR | N/A | Failed |
| NEC | M500 | 010A | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| NetApp | DE6000 | Data Ontap 08.52.00.00 | Failed |
| NetApp | FAS2552 HA | Data Ontap 8.2.3.7-Mode | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| NetApp | FAS3220 HA | Data Ontap 8.1.4P1 7-Mode | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| NetApp | E-series (any) | Not applicable for SMPA. See known issues article 1277 | N/A |
| Nexsan | E48 | Q011.1100 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| Nimble Storage | CS700 (SSD or SATA) | OS 2.3.4 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| Promise | Vtrak E830 | 4.09.0000.00 | Failed |
| Promise | VessR2600 ti | 1.05.0000.81 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 5 |
| PureStorage | FA-400 | 3.1.1 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| PureStorage | FA-400 | 3.4.0 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| PureStorage | FA-m10 | 4.5.16 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| PureStorage | FA-m20 | 4.5.16 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| PureStorage | FA-m20 | 4.8.2 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 2 |
| PureStorage | FA-m20 | 4.9.2 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 2 |
| PureStorage | FA-m50 | 4.5.16 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| PureStorage | FA-m50 | 4.8.10 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 6 Update 4 |
| PureStorage | FA-m70 | 4.5.16 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| Tegile | HA2100 | .1.2.1.140619 | Failed |
| Tegile | T3100 | .1.3.5.150819 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| Wortmann | Terra SAN 382x | GL210R006-8 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| Wortmann | Terra SAN 383x | GL210R006-8 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| Wortmann | Terra SAN 482x | GL210R006-8 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| Wortmann | Terra SAN 483 | GL210R006-8 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 4 Update 1 |
| X-IO | ISE1 | Not supported for SMPA configurations | N/A |
| X-IO | ISE2 | Controller Firmware: 2.8.2 | Failed |
| X-IO | ISE2 | Controller Firmware: 2.8.3 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| X-IO | ISE G3 | Controller Firmware: 3.2.0 | Passed - 9.0 PSP 4 Update 4 |
| X-IO | ISE 4400 (G4) | Controller Firmware: 4.2.0 | Passed - 10.0 PSP 7 Update 2 |