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Volume not on preferred path

A volume is currently owned by its non-preferred controller.

This problem occurs for the following reasons:

  • The preferred controller was manually placed offline.

  • The preferred controller was automatically placed offline after failing a diagnostic test.

  • A loose, damaged, or disconnected cable exists between the preferred controller and the host that is assigned to the affected volume.

  • The preferred controller is connected to a faulty switch or switch port.

  • The preferred controller is connected to a faulty host adapter.

Important
Because the volumes are currently owned by their non-preferred controller, they should still be accessible.

Recovery Steps

  1. Are any Host Redundancy Lost problems being reported in the Problems area?

    • If yes, correct the problem using the recovery steps in the Host Redundancy Lost procedure listed in the Problems area. This should resolve this problem as well.

    • If no, go to step 2.

  2. Are any Host Multipath Driver Incorrect problems being reported in the Problems area?

    • If yes, correct the problem using the recovery steps in the Host Multipath Driver Incorrect procedure listed in the Problems area. This should resolve this problem as well.

    • If no, go to step 3.

  3. Are any Controller Offline problems being reported in the Problems area?

    • If yes, correct the problem using the recovery steps in the Controller Offline procedure listed in the Problems area. This should resolve this problem as well.

    • If no, go to step 4.

  4. Have you recently changed the owning controller of the volumes shown in the Details area, or redistributed the storage array's volumes back to their preferred owner?

    • If yes, go to step 17.

    • If no, go to step 5.

  5. Are any SFP Failed problems being reported in the Problems area?

    • If yes, replace the failed SFP using the recovery steps in the SFP Failed procedure listed in the Problems area. This should resolve this problem as well.

    • If no, go to step 6.

  6. Repeat steps 7 to 17 for each host shown in the Details area.

  7. Are there any loose or damaged cables between the controller and the affected host?

    • If yes, fix the problem, and then go to step 16.

    • If no, go to step 8.

  8. Is the host connected to the storage array through one or more switches?

    • If yes, go to step 9.

    • If no, go to step 13.

  9. Do the switches connecting the host and storage array show any indications of a faulty port, SFP, or other failure?

    • If yes, correct the problem, and then go to step 16.

    • If no, go to step 10.

  10. Are the controller and host connected to the correct switches and switch zones?

    • If yes, go to step 11.

    • If no, correct the problem, and then go to step 16.

  11. Is the host connected to the storage array via iSCSI or Infiniband?

    • If yes, go to step 12.

    • If no, go to step 13.

  12. Is the host and affected controller's host ports and network sessions properly configured according to the applicable Express Guide for your host's OS and I/O interface type?

    • If yes, go to step 13.

    • If no, fix the problem and then go to step 17.

  13. Are volumes from any other storage arrays assigned to the affected host?

    • If yes, go to step 14.

    • If no, go to step 15.

  14. Check the status of the other storage arrays that have volumes assigned to the host.

    1. Open the appropriate storage management application for the storage arrays.

    2. Check to see if the storage arrays are optimal.

    Are any of the storage arrays that the affected host is connected to Optimal?

    • If yes, contact your Technical Support Engineer.

    • If no, the host's host adaptor is most likely faulty. Fix any problems with the host adapter, and then go to step 16.

  15. Is the host's host adapter operational?

    • If yes, contact your Technical Support Engineer.

    • If no, correct the problem, then go to step 16.

  16. Redistribute all volumes back to their preferred owner.

    1. Go to Storage > Volumes.

    2. Select Redistribute volumes under More.

  17. Wait at least 10 minutes and then select Recheck to ensure the problem has been resolved.