Introducing a FC Switch in an existing Direct Attach Setup

Question

Hello - Current situation - Four Servers are direct attached to a Unity XT over Fibre Channel. The hosts are two ESXi and two WIndows host. The need - To introduce a pair of Fibre Channel Switch for higher availability and to increase number of host connections. CUstomer's wish list is to have the FC switch introduced without a downtime. Clarification - 1. If i manually trespass LUNS with SPA ownership to SPB ownership. Then perform a zone between one port of the server(s) to SPA.  Fail back the LUN ownership. Will the servers be able to access the LUNS? 2. If the above step is correct, and I perform the same to SPB, with a manual failure to SPA, I will have accomplished the requirement. 3. I read, that a LUN /Volume cannot have a Direct attach and a Switched connectivity.    Appreciate all guidance here.   Thanks BR

DELL-Sam L · Answer

Hello BRRAMAN,

You will need to setup some down time so that you can make the changes, as you are correct that you can’t have a lun connected to a host via direct connection and connected via a switch. Your system will panic and could cause data unavailable issues if you try to connect both at the same time.

Unity

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