URGENT: Multi Vendor Array LUNs on single host with PowerPath & MPIO

Hi All,

We have a Windows 2008 R2 host (x64) with PowerPath 5.5...

When I installed PowerPath on this machine, it activated the MicroSoft MPIO layer (PowerPath is EMC's DSM on top of MPIO right?)

This host used to be connected ONLY to an EMC Storage array, so no problems at all...

Today however, we need to connect a SECOND storage array to this same host, so the host now has to see LUNs from the EMC Clariion CX380 and a 3PAR v800...

As PowerPath does not support the 3PAR, I have only introduced the 3PAR in the Microsoft MPIO (Using the command: MPCLAIM -r -I -d "3PARdataVV" )

My questions to all PowerPath gurus out there:

1) PowerPath is EMC's DSM on top of MPIO right?

2) Is this combination supported and does it work without problems?

i.e.:

EMC Clariion LUNs via PowerPath 5.5 (And MPIO, as I understand PP is a DSM on top of MPIO)

3PAR LUNs via basic MPIO only

3) Are there any gotcha's I need to know?

4) Are there any specific PowerPath versions that are needed for this to work together?

5) Are there any alternatives (I really don't want to go MPIO only for the Clariion LUNs as well, as that would need ALUA setup, right?)

Hope you guys can help me

Thanks

Fred

Message was edited by: Fredster