This detailed how to guides to achieve high availability and performance on Debian and CentOS for accessing storage space at IBM DS8300 Data Storage Systems.

Tested on Debian GNU/Linux 5.x Lenny 64 bits and CentOS 5.3 64 bits running on 8 cores blades, with Host Bus Adapters Qlogic and Emulex Light Pulse Fiber Channel in deployed systems at SERPRO.

Also, there are listed a number of previously not clearly documented critical pitfalls to avoid.
Every detail matters.

Before start, you must have LUNs at IBM DS8300 storage configured for high availability and performance as explained at the article How to configure maximum performance storage space for Debian GNU/Linux on IBM DS 8300 Data Storage Systems.