Dell EqualLogic PS4100 User Manual

Dell EqualLogic PS4100 Storage Arrays

Installation and Setup Guide

Version 1.0

Regulatory Model Series E03J and E04J

© Copyright 2013 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Dell™ and EqualLogic® are trademarks of Dell Inc.
All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell is strictly for-

bidden.
Published: May 2013
Part Number: FW4G8-EN-A00

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Table of Contents

Preface
1 Understanding the Array Installation Procedure
2 Rack Mounting the Array

Before You Begin 3
Protecting Hardware 4
Steps for Mounting an Array in a Rack 5

3 Connecting the Array Cables

Network Requirements and Recommendations 9
Minimum and Recommended Cable Configurations 10
Connect the Array to the Network 10
Set Up a Serial Connection to the Array 11

4 Software Configuration

Choose a Configuration Method 15
Collect Configuration Information 15
Start the Software Configuration 16
Set the Member RAID Policy 18

5 Storage Allocation

Create a Volume 21
Connect a Computer to a Volume

6 Where to Go After Setting Up a Group

Common Group Customization Tasks

7 Other Information You May Need

NOM Information (Mexico Only)

Index

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1
3

9

15

21

25
27
27
29
29
31

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Installation and Setup Guide Table of Contents

iv

Preface

This manual describes how to install Dell™ EqualLogic® PS4100 storage array hardware, configure the
software, and start using the iSCSI SAN array.

With one or more PS Series storage arrays, you can create a PS Series group—a self-managing, iSCSI storage
area network (SAN) that is affordable and easy to use, regardless of scale.

Audience

The information in this guide is intended for the administrators responsible for installing array hardware.
Administrators are not required to have extensive network or storage system experience. However, it is helpful
to understand:

• Basic networking concepts

• Current network environment

• User disk storage requirements

• RAID configurations

• Disk storage management

Note: Although this manual provides examples of using PS Series arrays in some common network

configurations, detailed information about setting up a network is beyond its scope.

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Organization

This manual is organized as follows:

• Chapter 1, Understanding the Array Installation Procedure describes the general steps for installing and
setting up an array.

• Chapter 2, Rack Mounting the Array describes how to install the array in a rack.

• Chapter 3, Connecting the Array Cables describes the network cable requirements and how to install the
power and network cables.

• Chapter 4, Software Configuration describes how to initialize the array and either create a group with the
array as the first member, or add the array to an existing group.

• Chapter 5, Storage Allocation describes how to create and connect to a volume.

• Chapter 6, Where to Go After Setting Up a Group describes basic and advanced group administration tasks
and where to find information about them.

Technical Support and Customer Service

Dell’s support service is available to answer your questions about PS Series SAN arrays. If you have an Express
Service Code, have it ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s automated-support telephone system direct
your call more efficiently.

Contacting Dell

Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and
product, and some services might not be available in your area.

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Installation and Setup Guide Preface

For customers in the United States, call 800-945-3355. For a listing of International Dell EqualLogic support
numbers, visit support.dell.com/global.

Note: If you do not have access to an Internet connection, contact information is printed on your invoice,

packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
Use the following procedure to contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues:

1. Visit support.dell.com or the Dell support URL specified in information provided with the Dell product.

2. Select your locale. Use the locale menu or click on the link that specifies your country or region.

3. Select the required service. Click the “Contact Us” link, or select the Dell support service from the list of

services provided.

4. Choose your preferred method of contacting Dell support, such as e-mail or telephone.

Online Services

You can learn about Dell products and services using the following procedure:

1. Visit www.dell.com (or the URL specified in any Dell product information).

2. Use the locale menu or click on the link that specifies your country or region.

Warranty Information

The PS4100 array warranty is included in the shipping box. For information about registering a warranty, visit

www.onlineregister.com/dell.

Further Information

For basic storage array information, maintenance information, and troubleshooting information, refer to the
Hardware Owner's Manual for your PS Series hardware.

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1 Understanding the Array Installation Procedure

To set up your array and start using the iSCSI SAN array, follow these steps:

1. Install the array in a rack. See Rack Mounting the Array on page 3.

2. Connect the array to power and the network. See Connect and Secure the Power Cables on page 1 and

Connect the Array to the Network on page 10.

3. Configure the PS Series software. First, initialize an array to make it accessible on the network. Then, either
create a group with the array as the first group member or add the array to an existing group. When you
expand a group, capacity and performance increase automatically. See Choose a Configuration Method on

page 15.

4. Start using the iSCSI SAN array. Allocate group storage space to users and applications by creating
volumes. A volume appears on the network as an iSCSI target. Use a computer’s iSCSI initiator to connect
to a volume. Once you connect to a volume, it appears as a regular disk on the computer. See Storage

Allocation on page 21.

After getting started, you can customize the group and use its more advanced features. See Where to Go After

Setting Up a Group on page 27.

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Installation and Setup Guide

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1 Understanding the Array Installation Procedure

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2 Rack Mounting the Array

For proper operation, a PS Series storage array must be properly installed in a rack. This section contains
general electrostatic, safety, network, and installation information for PS Series arrays.

After installing the array in a rack, connect the power and network cables, as described in Chapter 3.

Before You Begin

Before installing the array:

• Read the installation safety precautions. See Installation Safety Precautions on page 3.

• Make sure the rack meets the rack requirements. See Rack Requirements on page 3.

• Make sure the array and installation location meet the environmental requirements. See Environmental

Requirements on page 4.

• Unpack the rail kit (if ordered) and make sure you have all the necessary parts and tools. The rail kit is

located in the array shipping box. You must supply your own tools. See Shipping Box Contents and Required

Hardware on page 4.

Installation Safety Precautions

Follow these safety precautions:

• Dell recommends that only individuals with rack mounting experience install an array in a rack.

• Make sure the array is fully grounded at all times to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge.

• When handling the array hardware, you must use the electrostatic wrist guard shipped with the array or a

similar form of protection.

• You need at least two people to lift the array chassis from the shipping box.

Rack Requirements

The rack and the array installation must meet the following requirements:

• Use an industry standard, EIA-310-D compliant, four-post 19 inch rack with universal square hole or

unthreaded round hole spacing.

• The rack is rated for 540 kg (1200 pounds) static load or greater.

• The minimum rack depth is 100 cm (40 inches) from the front of the rack to the rear of the rack.

• For the ReadyRails™ II rail kits, the distance between the outside surfaces of the front and rear rack posts

(the mounting surfaces) can range from 595 mm to 914 mm (23.4” to 36.0”) for square-hole racks, 581 mm to
907 mm (22.9” to 35.7”) for round-hole racks and 595 mm to 929 mm (23.4” to 36.6”) for threaded-hole
racks.

• The rack is secured to the floor for added stability.

• Load a rack with arrays from the bottom to the top.

• There is at least 4.1 cm (1.6 inches) between the rack door and the front of the array to accommodate the

array front bezel.

• The rack (with installed arrays) meets the safety requirements of UL 60950-1 and IEC 60950-1, available at

http://ulstandards.

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Installation and Setup Guide

• Mount the array in a horizontal orientation, or you will void your array warranty and support contract.

2 Rack Mounting the Array

Environmental Requirements

The rack location must meet the following environmental requirements:

• The power source can supply a voltage range of 100V to 240V AC.

• The power source has sufficient electrical overload protection:
In North America, connect the array to a source of power with over-current protection provided by a

double pole 20A or less device (UL 489 circuit breakers).
In Europe, the over-current protection must be provided by a 20A or less device (IEC circuit breakers).

• There is sufficient space for air flow in front of and behind the array.

• The location is properly vented.

• Your environment supports all of the requirements listed in the Technical Specifications on page 29.

Protecting Hardware

Protect your PS Series array from electrostatic discharge. When handling array hardware, use an electrostatic
wrist strap or a similar form of protection. To use a wrist strap:

1. Connect the steel snap on the coil cord to the stud on the elastic band. See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Using an Electrostatic Wrist Strap

2. Fit the band tightly around your wrist.

3. Connect the band to ground. You can either plug the banana connector into a matching grounded receptacle,

or attach it to the matching alligator clip and connect the clip to a grounded device. Examples of an
appropriate ground would be an ESD mat, or the metal frame of a grounded piece of equipment.

Shipping Box Contents and Required Hardware

Make sure you have all the items supplied in the shipping box, described in Table 1. You must provide additional
hardware that is specific to your environment and not included in the shipping box. See Table 2.

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Installation and Setup Guide

1. Determine where to place the mounting rails in the rack.

2. Attach the mounting rails to the rack.

3. Slide the chassis into the rack.

4. Attach the chassis to the front of the mounting rails.

5. Install the bezel.

These steps are described in detail in the following sections.

2 Rack Mounting the Array

Determine Where to Place the Mounting Rails in the Rack

Make sure there is enough space in the rack for the chassis. In a standard rack, a 2U chassis will span six holes.

Installing the Rails and Array in a Rack

Install the rails in the rack following the safety instructions and the rack installation instructions provided with
your rail kit.

If installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly, the operating ambient temperature of the rack environment
may be greater than room ambient. Therefore, make sure you install the equipment in an environment compatible
with the maximum ambient temperature (Tma) specified by the manufacturer. For more information, see

Technical Specifications on page 29.

Slide the Chassis into the Rack

Figure 2 shows the front view of the 3.5-inch drive array.

Figure 2: 3.5-Inch Drive Array - Front View (without Bezel)

Figure 3 shows the front view of the 2.5-inch drive array.

Figure 3: 2.5-Inch Drive Array - Front View (without Bezel)

Caution: Be careful when lifting the chassis.

With assistance, lift the chassis and slide it onto the mounting rails. Keep the chassis level.

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Attach the Chassis to the Mounting Rails

Make sure the chassis captive fasteners on the front of the array line up with the threaded holes on the front of
the mounting rails, and manually secure the captive fasteners to the rails.

Caution: Do not use an automatic driver to tighten the thumbscrews.

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