[RHEL5.2] Multipath is using non-preferred "ghost" device paths instead of preferred "ready" ones on IBM DS4700 storage array

Solution Unverified - Updated -

Issue

  • multipathing is causing the server to move path(s) to non-preferred controller(s) after boot

  • multipath -v4 -ll shows the issue:

"Good" device (note "active" group with "ready" device):
mpath8 (3600a0b80004203aa0000076d47c17696) dm-8 IBM,1814      FAStT
[size=70G][features=1 queue_if_no_path][hwhandler=1 rdac]
\_ round-robin 0 [prio=-1][active]
\_ 0:0:0:8 sdi 8:128 [active][ready]
\_ round-robin 0 [prio=-1][enabled]
\_ 0:0:1:8 sds 65:32 [active][ghost]

"Bad" device (note "active" group with "ghost" device - upon use causes reported issue):

mpath9 (3600a0b800042043c000007de47c17691) dm-9 IBM,1814      FAStT
[size=70G][features=1 queue_if_no_path][hwhandler=1 rdac]
\_ round-robin 0 [prio=-1][active]
\_ 0:0:1:9 sdt 65:48 [active][ghost]
\_ round-robin 0 [prio=-1][enabled]
\_ 0:0:0:9 sdj 8:144 [active][ready]

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2

  • device-mapper-multipath-0.4.7-17.el5-i386

  • device-mapper-1.02.24-1.el5-i386
  • IBM DS4700 storage

Subscriber exclusive content

A Red Hat subscription provides unlimited access to our knowledgebase of over 48,000 articles and solutions.

Current Customers and Partners

Log in for full access

Log In
Close

Welcome! Check out the Getting Started with Red Hat page for quick tours and guides for common tasks.