FSPM Features

FSPM works with the Linux Multipath Tools and Device Mapper to provide the following functions:

Routes I/O to Oracle FS System LUNs using the best available data paths
Allocates traffic among the available paths to ensure that access to the LUNs is not interrupted if a path fails
Automatically configures the host information in the Oracle FS System Manager (GUI) and updates the host configuration information if the host information changes

Automatic configuration of host information enables the GUI to report information about the instance of FSPM running on the host. An example is the number of working paths reported to the GUI from FSPM. In some environments, automatic configuration includes features such as load balancing.

Each FSPM release provides different features and the features provided for each platform vary. The following table describes the specific features implemented in FSPM 4.

Table 1 FSPM for Linux features
Feature	Benefit
Automatic data path failover	Automatically switches to the most suitable paths available after a path failure or fail back.
Automatic recognition of SAN hosts by the Oracle FS System Services.	Sends a description of the host to each Pilot management controller on connected Oracle FS Systems, enabling the Oracle FS System Services to create a host definition. This definition provides information including the WWNs for each host FC port, iSCSI Initiator Names associated with the hosts, and the version of FSPM running on the host.
Call‑Home log collection	When an Oracle FS administrator uses Oracle FS System Manager (GUI) to collect system information, the Oracle FS System can be instructed to send a request to each connected FSPM host. The FSPM host collects diagnostic information and sends the information to the Oracle FS System, where the information is bundled with any other requested information. The Oracle FS System can transmit this information to Oracle Customer Support The information collected from each FSPM host includes Log files from the FSPM components Configuration and status information from the operating system System and error logs from the operating system No customer data is transmitted. Note: For more information on Call-Home, refer to the Oracle Flash Storage System Administrator’s Guide.
Support for FC connections to Controllers	Makes connections to Oracle FS System storage arrays over a high-speed FC network infrastructure.
Support for iSCSI connections to Controllers	Makes connections to Oracle FS System storage arrays over long distances using an IP network infrastructure. Note: iSCSI connections to FC ports on Controllers require iSCSI-to-FC routers.
Support for clustering	Makes connections to clustered systems operating in a SAN.
Support for virtualization	FSPM supports any Xen or KVM hypervisor included in the operating system.
Support for Boot from SAN	FSPM can be on a host which is booted from an Oracle FS System or Pillar Axiom LUN. FSPM is not part of the boot process; if the Linux version supports booting from a multipath LUN managed by Multipath Tools, then FSPM may be used with the system.
FCoE CNAs	FC over Ethernet (FCoE) Converged Network Adapters (CNAs) are supported on the host.
Support for load balancing	Both static and round-robin load balancing options are supported.
Oracle Virtual Networking	Oracle Fabric Interconnect and Oracle Virtual Networking host software provide Ethernet and FC emulation over Infiniband.