asymmetric-namespace-access · shipping · also ANA, NVMe ANA

Asymmetric Namespace Access

Asymmetric Namespace Access is the NVMe mechanism for reporting namespace access states through different controllers.

Linux native NVMe multipath prefers an optimized path over a non-optimized path before applying its NUMA, round-robin or queue-depth policy. ANA is distinct from SCSI ALUA. It informs path selection, not application leader election or exclusive write ownership.

Relations

related

nvme, multipath-nvme, multipath-io, alua, io-fencing

Citations

1. Linux kernel documentation: Linux NVMe multipath, introduction and policies. (accessed 2026-10-11)
2. Storage fencing: why a lost heartbeat does not stop writes (accessed 2026-10-11)

JSON: /data/terms/asymmetric-namespace-access.json