Users Guide

Configuring VMware ESXi hosts

Configuring ALUA SUPPORT

Firmware versions 7.84 and later allows for support of an Asymmetric Logical Unit Access (ALUA)

configuration when the Target Port Group Support (TPGS) flag is set to ‘on’ (default for 7.84). This support

allows for active-active I/O throughput between all paths to the current owning RAID controller module

and LUN transfer to the alternate RAID controller module in failure scenarios. On the basis of your

environment, you may be able to achieve higher performance by switching the default multipath policy

from MRU to Round Robin (RR). This performance is accomplished by performing the following task:

1. Identify current SATP claim rule in use for your storage.

Figure 11. esxcli storage nmp device list

2. Identify default PSP rule for SATP in use.

(Optional) Change default PSP rule to VMware RR.

Adding ALUA SATP claim rule

1. To create a new claim rule, enter the following at the CLI:

#esxcli storage nmp satp rule add -s VMW_SATP_ALUA -V LSI -M INF-01-00 -c

tpgs_on -P VMW_PSP_RR -e “LSI ALUA Claim Rule”

This command creates a new claim rule for the VMW_SATP_ALUA satp rule to claim any LUNs

matching the following:

Vendor ID = LSI

Model ID = INF-01-00

TPGS Flag = on

2. Assign the default path selection policy to round robin (VMW_PSP_RR).

NOTE: There are different methods to manage SATP claim rules; and your environment may

require different parameters to enable ALUA support. Consult the VMware Knowledge Base for

additional information.