318 Implementing the IBM Storwize V7000 with IBM Spectrum Virtualize V8.2.1
8.1  Host attachment overview 
The IBM Storwize V7000 system supports a wide range of host types (both IBM and 
non-IBM). This feature makes it possible to consolidate storage in an open systems 
environment into a common pool of storage. Then, you can use and manage the storage pool 
more efficiently as a single entity from a central point on the storage area network (SAN). 
The ability to consolidate storage for attached open systems hosts provides the following 
benefits:
/SM590000Easier storage management
/SM590000Increased utilization rate of the installed storage capacity
/SM590000Advanced Copy Services functions offered across storage systems from separate vendors
/SM590000Only one multipath driver is required for attached hosts
Hosts can be connected to Storwize V7000 system using any of the following protocols:
/SM590000Fibre Channel (FC)
/SM590000Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
/SM590000Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)
/SM590000iSCSI Extensions over RDMA (iSER)
/SM590000Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe)
Hosts that connect to the Storwize V7000 system by using fabric switches that use FC or 
FCoE protocol must be zoned correctly, as described in 3.6, “SAN configuration planning” on 
page 50.
Hosts that connect to the Storwize V7000 system with iSCSI protocol must be configured 
correctly, as described in Chapter 3, “Planning” on page 43.
For load balancing and access redundancy on the host side, the use of a host multipathing 
driver is required in the following situations:
/SM590000Protection from fabric link failures, including port failures on the IBM Spectrum Virtualize 
system nodes
/SM590000Protection from a host HBA failure (if two HBAs are in use)
/SM590000Protection from fabric failures if the host is connected through two HBAs to two separate 
fabrics
/SM590000Provide load balancing across the host HBAs
For more information about various host operating systems and versions that are supported 
by IBM Storwize V7000, see this page of the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center 
(SSIC).
For more information about how to attach various supported host operating systems to IBM 
Storwize V7000, see IBM Knowledge Center.
If your host operating system is not in SSIC, you can ask an IBM representative to submit a 
special request for support by using the Storage Customer Opportunity REquest (SCORE) 
tool for evaluation (log in required).
Note: Certain host operating systems can be directly connected to the Storwize V7000 
system without the need for FC fabric switches. For more information, see this page of the 
IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC).