Virtual Disk Not On Preferred Path

What Caused the Problem?

There is a problem accessing the RAID controller module listed in the Recovery Guru Details area. Any virtual disks that have this RAID controller module assigned as their preferred path will be moved to the non-preferred path (alternate RAID controller module). This procedure will help you pinpoint the problem along the data path. Because the virtual disks will be moved to the alternate RAID controller module, they should still be accessible. Therefore, no action is required on the individual virtual disks.

Possible causes include:

The RAID controller module failed a manually initiated diagnostic test and was placed Offline.
The RAID controller module was manually placed Offline using the Advanced >> Recovery >> Place RAID Controller Module >> Offline menu option.
There are disconnected or faulty cables.
A Hub or Fabric switch is not functioning properly.
A host adapter has failed.
The storage array contains a defective RAID RAID controller module.

The Recovery Guru Details area provides specific information you will need as you follow the recovery steps.

Caution: Possible Loss of Data Access. Do not replace the RAID controller module until you are instructed to do so. This procedure will instruct you to check the components along the connection, check the host adapters, and eventually instruct you to replace the RAID controller module, if necessary.

Important Notes

When Auto Virtual Disk Transfer (AVT) is enabled, it can take several minutes for the host-based, multi-path failover driver to recognize a restored or modified preferred path (use the Storage Array Profile to determine whether you have AVT enabled on a mapped host; see the Recovery Steps, below). A Virtual Disk Not On Preferred Path error will be reported during this time. If you have recently modified the preferred path using the Disk Group >> Change >> Ownership/Preferred Path or Virtual Disk >> Change >> Ownership/Preferred Path menu options or performed a recovery procedure that has restored a preferred path, wait at least 10 minutes and run the Recovery Guru again using the Recheck button. If this error is reported again, perform the recovery procedures listed below.
Not all models of storage arrays contain batteries. If your storage array does not contain batteries, you can ignore any references to them in the following steps. To determine if your storage array contains batteries, use the Storage Array >> View >> Profile option and select the Enclosures tab. Storage arrays without batteries will not have those components listed.
If the RAID controller modules for this storage array are located in an enclosure containing both RAID controller modules and physical disks, you may have to insert the battery from the old RAID controller module module into the new replacement RAID controller module module. Consult the following steps and your hardware documentation for details.

Recovery Steps

If...	Then...
The RAID controller module was manually placed Offline	Place the RAID controller module back Online by highlighting the RAID controller module in the Physical View of the Array Management Window and selecting Advanced >> Recovery >> Place RAID Controller Module >> Online. Go to step 6.
The RAID controller module was NOT manually placed Offline	Go to step 2.

Check the following components on both ends of the connection for loose connections or visible damage:

External cables
Hubs and switches

If...	Then...
The connection components are OK	Go to step 3.
There is a problem with the connection	Fix the connection problem. Then, go to step 6.

Use the information in the following table to determine the action to take.

If...	Then...
The host connected to this storage array is NOT connected to any other storage arrays	Verify that its host adapter is operational. If the host adapter is operational, the RAID controller module in the storage array is probably defective. Go to step 4. If the host adapter is defective, correct the problem, then go to step 6.
The host connected to this storage array is connected to other storage arrays	Check the Enterprise Management Window for storage arrays showing a Needs Attention status. If one or more storage arrays connected to this host/host adapter does not have a Needs Attention status, then the RAID controller module in the storage array is probably defective. Go to step 4. If every storage array connected to this host/host adapter has a Needs Attention status, then the associated host adapter is probably defective. Fix the host adapter problem, then go to step 6.

Place the affected RAID controller module offline using the following steps. The affected RAID controller module is listed in the Details area.

a	Select the RAID controller module in the Array Management Window.
b	Select Advanced >> Recovery >> Place RAID Controller Module >> Offline.
c	Complete the instructions in the dialog, then select Yes.

Read all of the following steps before taking any action.

a	Click the Recheck button to rerun the Recovery Guru.
b	Select the Offline RAID Controller Module problem that is being reported in the Summary area.
c	Complete the Recovery Steps in the Offline RAID Controller Module to replace the RAID controller module.

Click the Recheck button to rerun the Recovery Guru. The failure should no longer appear in the Summary area. If the failure appears again, contact your technical support representative.