Multiprotocol Array Groups

Version 5.1.x and later supports multiprotocol array groups, providing the ability to present volumes to iSCSI or Fibre Channel (FC) hosts from the same array.

The multi-protocol feature enables you to use both iSCSI and FC protocols simultaneously on a single array or group to access different volumes.

A volume can be accessed via FC on an array where other volumes are accessed via iSCSI. This feature provides flexibility in environments with both iSCSI and FC hosts, and it facilitates migrating from one protocol environment to the other.

Note the following prerequisites and limitations for multiprotocol support:

• Every array in the group must have similar hardware capabilities. At least one FC HBA or one iSCSI NIC is required per controller.
• Protocols are enabled on the entire group. Every array in the group has the same protocols enabled.
• When Peer Persistence is deployed, only one protocol is permitted on the arrays in the group, and both arrays must use the same protocol.
• A volume can only be accessed via one protocol at a time.
• An initiator group cannot contain a mix of iSCSI and FC hosts.
• SMI-S does not support using multiprotocols.