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Complete FC/iSCSI to FC conversion

If you previously had a combination of FC host ports and iSCSI host ports and you converted all ports to iSCSI, you might need to modify your existing configuration to use the new iSCSI ports.

You can use either of the following options to use the new iSCSI ports. The exact steps depend on your current and planned network topologies.

Option 1 assumes that you want to attach new iSCSI hosts to the array. Option 2 assumes that you want to convert the hosts from FC to iSCSI.

Option 1: Remove FC hosts and add iSCSI hosts​

  1. If you are not already using dual-protocol SFPs, remove any FC SFPs, and replace them with iSCSI SFPs or dual-protocol SFPs.
  2. Attach new iSCSI hosts to these ports, either directly or by using a switch.
  3. Configure iSCSI networking for the new hosts and ports.

Option 2: Convert FC hosts to iSCSI​

  1. Shut down the FC hosts connected to the ports you converted.
  2. Provide an iSCSI topology for these ports. For example, convert any switches connected to those hosts from FC to iSCSI.
  3. If you are not already using dual-protocol SFPs, remove the FC SFPs from the ports, and replace them with iSCSI SFPs or dual-protocol SFPs.
  4. Attach cables to the SFPs, and confirm they are connected to the correct iSCSI switch or host.
  5. Power on the hosts.
  6. Configure the iSCSI hosts.
  7. Edit the host partition to add the iSCSI host port IDs and remove the FC host port IDs.
  8. After the new iSCSI hosts reboot, use the applicable procedures on the hosts to register the volumes and to make them available to your operating system.
    • Depending on your operating system, two utilities are included with the storage management software (hot_add and SMdevices). These utilities help register the volumes with the hosts and also show the applicable device names for the volumes.
    • You might need to use specific tools and options that are provided with your operating system to make the volumes available (that is, assign drive letters, create mount points, and so on). Refer to your host operating system documentation for details.