Dell PowerVault MD3800f series Deployment Manual
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Dell PowerVault MD3800f series Deployment Manual

Storage array
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See also: Owner's Manual
Dell PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f
Series Storage Arrays
Deployment Guide

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Summary of Contents for Dell PowerVault MD3800f series

  • Page 1 Dell PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f Series Storage Arrays Deployment Guide...
  • Page 2 WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    2 Hardware Installation...................8 ....................8 Planning The Storage Configuration ......................8 Connecting The Storage Array ............9 Configuring Fibre Channel With Dell MD Series Storage Arrays .............9 Configuring Fibre Channel On SAN Attached Storage Arrays ......................9 Configuring Fibre Channel ...................... 10 Other Information You May Need ..................
  • Page 4 ....................23 Enabling Premium Features (Optional) ......................24 Upgrading MD Storage Software 4 Post Installation Tasks..................25 ...................... 25 Verifying Storage Array Discovery .......................... 26 Initial Setup Tasks 5 Uninstalling MD Storage Software..............27 ................27 Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Windows ........

  • Page 5: Introduction

    MDSM included on the PowerVault MD series resource media can be used to manage both the Dell PowerVault PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f systems and the earlier PowerVault MD series storage arrays. MDSM is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.

  • Page 6: Related Documentation

    NOTE: For all storage controller documents, go to dell.com/storagecontrollermanuals . You product documentation includes: • Dell PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f Storage Arrays Getting Started Guide — Provides an overview of system features, setting up your system, and technical specifications. This document is also shipped with your system.

  • Page 7: Contacting Dell

    Contacting Dell Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area.

  • Page 8: Hardware Installation

    • Planning section of the Owner’s Manual — The planning section provides information about important concepts to set up your storage solution. See the Owner’s Manual at dell.com/support/ manuals. • Rack Installation Instructions — Provides information on how to rack your system. This document is shipped with your system.

  • Page 9: Configuring Fibre Channel With Dell Md Series Storage Arrays

    SAN-Attached Cabling Example Remote Replication Cabling Example. Install the required HBA drivers and firmware versions listed in the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix available at dell.com/powervaultmanuals. Install and configure the MD Storage Manager software (included with your storage array) on your host server.

  • Page 10: Other Information You May Need

    HBAs. If an HBA is already installed on your host server, verify that it is supported in the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix. If the HBA is not listed, it should not be used to connect to the storage array.

  • Page 11: World Wide Name Zoning

    Figure 1. Example of Switch Zoning on SAN on an MD38xxf-series Fibre-Channel Storage Array World Wide Name Zoning There are several different switch zoning techniques used across various SANs. When configuring zoning with your storage array, using a 64 bit World Wide Name (WWN) to uniquely identify each component in your Fibre Channel switch fabric is recommended.

  • Page 12: Switch Zoning Guidelines

    If the Remote Replication premium feature is activated, a separate zone for each replication port is required. Only data traffic related to Remote Replication can move through that zone. For more details and requirements regarding Remote Replication, see the Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

  • Page 13: San-Attached Cabling

    the host server(s) from losing access to data in the event of a path failure since both RAID controller modules can independently access all the physical disks in the storage array. SAN-Attached Cabling SAN-attached cabling configurations provide the highest level of redundancy and alternate-path connectivity between the host server and storage array.
  • Page 14 Figure 2. Three SAN-Attached Host Servers Connected to a Storage Array Using Multiple Paths Switch Fabric A Switch Fabric B Zone1_Server1_HBA_0 Zone4_Server1_HBA_1 Server1_HBA_0 Server1_HBA_1 Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-0-3 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-3 Zone2_Server2_HBA_0 Zone5_Server2_HBA_1...

  • Page 15: Remote Replication Cabling Example

    Switch Fabric A Switch Fabric B Server2_HBA_0 Server2_HBA_1 Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-0-3 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-3 Zone3_Server3_HBA_0 Zone6_Server3_HBA_1 Server3_HBA_0 Server3_HBA_1 Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-0-3 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-3 Remote Replication Cabling Example Remote Replication is a storage array premium feature that provides online, real-time replication of data between storage arrays.
  • Page 16 Figure 3. Remote Replication Cabling Switch Fabric A Switch Fabric B Zone1_Server1_HBA_0 Zone6_Server1_HBA_1 Server1_HBA_0 Server1_HBA_1 Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Zone2_Server2_HBA_0_0 Zone7_Server2_HBA_0_1 Server2_HBA_0_0 Server2_HBA_0_1 Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Zone3_Server2_HBA_1_0 Zone8_Server2_HBA_1_1 Server2_HBA_1_0 Server2_HBA_1_1...

  • Page 17: Mixed Environment

    Switch Fabric A Switch Fabric B Array1_Ctrl-0-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-1 Array1_Ctrl-1-0 Array1_Ctrl-0-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-2 Array1_Ctrl-1-1 Zone4_Server3_HBA_0_1 Zone9_Server3_HBA_0_0 Server3_HBA_0_1 Server3_HBA_0_0 Array2_Ctrl-0-1 Array2_Ctrl-0-0 Array2_Ctrl-0-2 Array2_Ctrl-1-0 Array2_Ctrl-1-1 Array2_Ctrl-1-2 Zone5_Server3_HBA_1_1 Zone10_Server3_HBA_1_0 Server3_HBA_1_1 Server3_HBA_1_0 Array2_Ctrl-0-1 Array2_Ctrl-0-0 Array2_Ctrl-0-2 Array2_Ctrl-1-0 Array2_Ctrl-1-1 Array2_Ctrl-1-2 Replication_Zone_1 Replication_Zone_2 Array1_Ctrl-0-3 Array1_Ctrl-1-3 Array2_Ctrl-0-3 Array2_Ctrl-1-3 Mixed Environment The following figure shows mixed configuration, that is SAS direct attached and host connectivity via the SAN (that is FC/Ethernet switch).

  • Page 18: Cabling Powervault Md1200 Series Expansion Enclosures

    Expanding With Previously Configured PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures Use this procedure if your expansion enclosure is directly attached and configured with a Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) H800 adapter. Data from virtual disks created on a PERC H800 adapter cannot be...

  • Page 19: Expanding With New Powervault Md1200 Series Expansion Enclosures

    PowerVault MD34xx/38xx series storage arrays: Before adding the expansion enclosures, ensure that the storage array software is installed and is up to date. For more information, see the Dell PowerVault MD34xx/38xx Support Matrix at dell.com/ support/manuals. a. Install the software and driver package included on the PowerVault MD series resource media. For information about installing the software, see the topic “Installing PowerVault MD Storage...
  • Page 20 Set up the PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures. For information about setting up the PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures, see the Owner’s Manual at dell.com/support/ manuals. c. Using MDSM, update the RAID controller module firmware and NVSRAM to the latest versions available on dell.com/support/manuals.

  • Page 21: Installing Powervault Md Storage Software

    Installing PowerVault MD Storage Software The Dell PowerVault MD series resource media contains software and drivers for both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The root of the media contains a readme.txt file covering changes to the software, updates, fixes, patches, and other important data applicable to both Linux and Windows operating systems.

  • Page 22: Installing Host Bus Adapters And Drivers

    Installing Host Bus Adapters and Drivers Ensure that you read the Configuring Fibre Channel With the Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays document before continuing with this procedure. Install the host bus adapters (HBAs). Connect the cables. Install the HBA drivers and the operating system HBA patches/hotfixes Ensure that the recommended HBA settings are applied.

  • Page 23: Console Installation

    Console Installation NOTE: Console installation only applies to Linux systems that are not running a graphical environment. The autorun script in the root of the resource media detects when there is no graphical environment running and automatically starts the installer in a text-based mode. This mode provides the same options as graphical installation with the exception of the MDCU specific options.

  • Page 24: Upgrading Md Storage Software

    Upgrading MD Storage Software To upgrade from a previous version of the MDSM application, uninstall the previous version (see Uninstalling MD Storage Software), and then follow the instructions in this chapter to install the new version.

  • Page 25: Post Installation Tasks

    Post Installation Tasks Before using the Dell PowerVault storage array for the first time, complete these initial configuration tasks in the order shown. These tasks are performed using the MD Storage Manager (MDSM) software. For out-of-band management, you must set the network configuration for each RAID controller module, including its Internet Protocol (IP) address, subnetwork mask (subnet mask), and gateway.

  • Page 26: Initial Setup Tasks

    If the array still shows an Unresponsive status, contact Dell. Initial Setup Tasks Enter the context of your task here (optional). This is where introductory content goes. The name of the first storage array found is displayed in the Devices tab of the EMW. To see a list of all storage arrays found on the local network, expand the discovered storage arrays tab in the Device pane of the EMW.

  • Page 27: Uninstalling Md Storage Software

    If another directory was used during installation, navigate to that directory before beginning the uninstallation procedure. From the installation directory, open the Uninstall Dell MD Storage Software directory and run the file Uninstall Dell MD Storage Software.exe. When the uninstallation is complete, it goes back to the root prompt.

  • Page 28: Load Balancing

    Load Balancing Load Balance Policy Multi-path drivers select the I/O path to a virtual disk through a specific RAID controller module. When the multi-path driver receives a new I/O to process, the driver tries to find a path to the current RAID controller module that owns the virtual disk.

  • Page 29: Changing Load Balance Policies On The Windows Server Operating System

    If more than one data path to the virtual disk has the same weight value, the round robin with subset path selection policy is used to route I/O requests between the paths with the same weight value. The least path weight load balance policy is not supported on Linux operating systems. Changing Load Balance Policies On The Windows Server Operating System Load balancing with the PowerVault MD series storage array can be done from the default round robin with subset by using either the:...

  • Page 30: Working With Sfp+ Modules And Fiber Optic Cables

    FC devices. Before installing SFP+ modules and fiber-optic cables, read the following information: • Use only Dell supported SFP+s with the Dell PowerVault MD3600f series storage arrays. Other generic SFP+s are not supported and may not work with the storage arrays. •...

  • Page 31: Installing Sfp+ Modules

    With the SFP+ module latch in the unlocked position, remove the SFP+ module. For SFP+ modules that contain wire tabs, grasp the wire latch and pull the SFP+ module out of the port. Replace the protective cap on the SFP+ module and the host port. Place the SFP+ module into a static-protective package.
  • Page 32 Before installing an FC cable, see Guidelines for Using Fiber Optic Cables. If applicable, remove the protective cap from the SFP+ module and store the protective cap for future use. Remove the two protective caps from one end of the cable and store them for future use. Insert the cable into an SFP+ module that is installed in the storage array.

  • Page 33: Hardware Cabling Best Practices

    Hardware Cabling Best Practices Handling Static-Sensitive Components Static electricity can damage memory modules, system boards, and other static-sensitive components. To prevent damaging the system, follow these precautions: • Move and store all components in the static-protective packaging. • Place components on a grounded surface before removing them from their static-protective packaging.

  • Page 34: Single-Controller And Dual-Controller Topologies

    Single-Controller and Dual-Controller Topologies While creating a topology for a RAID enclosure that contains only one RAID controller module, attach expansion enclosures that contain only one single environmental services monitor (ESM). Do not attach an expansion enclosure that contains two ESMs to a single-controller RAID enclosure. Labeling Cables Cabling is an important part of creating a robust storage array.

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