Linux

You can attach NVM Express (NVMe) over RDMA or NVMe over TCP hosts that run the Linux® operating system.

Attachment requirements for hosts that are running Linux

Ensure that the host is running a supported operating system and adapter cards. Refer to vendor documentation if updates are needed.
Note: For supported levels, see IBM® System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC).
NVM-Express user space tools for Linux are required. Install these tools by using the following commands:
  • SLES: zypper install nvme-cli
  • RHEL: yum install nvme-cli

Use the following version of the nvme-cli tool:

  • On SLES, only nvme-cli version 1.13 is supported.
  • On RHEL 8.4, use nvme-cli version 1.12.
  • On RHEL 8.6 or later, use nvme-cli version 1.16.

Configuring the host attachment

  1. For connectivity and performance benefits, the following sysctl settings on host are recommended:
    • net.ipv4.conf.all.arp_filter is enabled
    • net.ipv4.conf.all.arp_ignore is set to 2
    • TCP Delayed ACK is enabled

    Refer to Operating System documentation for configuration instructions.

  2. Use the following command to identify the host NVMe Qualified Name (NQN) address:
    cat /etc/nvme/hostnqn
  3. On the storage system, create the NVMe host object using the Hosts panel on the GUI, or the mkhost command on the CLI.
  4. On the storage system, map volumes to the NVMe host using the Volumes panel on the GUI, or the mkvdiskhostmap command on the CLI.
  5. To discover and connect to NVMe targets on the host, use the nvme discover and nvme connect commands. Refer to your operating system documentation for more information.