Dell FE655WI User Manual

Dell™ PowerEdge™ Cluster

FE655Wi Systems

Platform Guide

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

____________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2006–2007 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, OpenManage, PowerConnect, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and

Windows Server are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; EMC,
FLARE, and Navisphere are registered trademarks of EMC Corporation; Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

April 2007 Rev. A02

Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Supported Cluster Configurations

iSCSI Initiator Support
Ethernet Switch Support for iSCSI Network
System Configurations Support
Rules and Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Attaching Your Cluster to a Shared Storage System
Through Direct-Attached Configuration

Rules and Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Attaching Your Cluster Shared Storage System through
iSCSI Switch-Attached Configuration

Rules and Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Contents 3

4 Contents

This document provides information for installing and connecting peripheral hardware, storage, and
Internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) network components to your Dell™ PowerEdge™
cluster FE655Wi solution. The configuration information in this document is specific to the
Microsoft

This document covers the following topics:

• PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution overview.

• Configuration information for installing peripheral and embedded hardware components into

• Configuration rules and guidelines for iSCSI direct-attached and switch-attached configurations.

•

®

Windows Server® 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x64 operating systems.

NOTE: Reference to Windows Server 2003 in this guide implies reference to Microsoft Windows Server 2003,

Enterprise Edition and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition, unless explicitly stated. Reference to
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x64 implies reference to Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition and
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise x64 Edition.

PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi configurations. These components include the Ethernet daughter cards
(for iSCSI traffic), the internal Gigabit Ethernet switch or pass-through modules, and the embedded
server module network interface cards (NICs).

Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix.

NOTE: Configurations not listed in this document may not be certified or supported by Dell or Microsoft.

Overview

The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution is attached to a self-contained iSCSI storage area network
formed by server modules from one or more PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosure(s). The server
modules are interconnected to one or more storage systems in an iSCSI direct-attached configuration or
an iSCSI switch-attached configuration using one of the following methods:

• Self-contained iSCSI network with internal Ethernet switch modules or Ethernet pass-through modules

• External iSCSI network using Ethernet pass-through modules

• External iSCSI network using Ethernet switch modules

The PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosure provides up to ten server modules and two Gigabit Ethernet
switch modules or pass-through modules for iSCSI communication interface. Each server module has
two embedded NICs and one Gigabit Ethernet daughter card with two ports for iSCSI data paths.

Supported Cluster Configurations

This section provides information about the supported cluster configurations for your PowerEdge cluster
solution. Table 1-1 provides a list of the supported cluster configurations for the PowerEdge cluster
FE655Wi solution running Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003, x64 operating system.

NOTE: Each cluster node in a PowerEdge cluster configuration must be identical and must be running the same

operating system.

Platform Guide 5

Table 1-1. PowerEdge Cluster FE655Wi Supported Cluster Configurations

PowerEdge
Systems

1855 Intel® PRO/1000 MB

1955

NOTE: Broadcom 5708 Gigabit

Ethernet Daughter Card
(for iSCSI)

dual-port server

Broadcom 5708 Gigabit

-

port NIC controller

dual
(TCP/IP offload engine
[TOE] enabled)

be enabled to use the TOE capability.

Storage Systems Ethernet Modules Cluster Interconnect

(for the
Private Network)

Dell|EMC AX150i

Dell|EMC AX150SCi

Dell|EMC CX3-10c

Dell|EMC CX3-20c

Dell|EMC CX3-40c

dual-port

NIC controller is only supported with PowerEdge 1955 system and it can

Dell PowerConnect™
5316M Ethernet
embedded switch
module

Embedded Gigabit
Ethernet
pass-through module

Embedded NIC

NOTE: Dell|EMC CX3-10c, CX3-20c, and CX3-40c storage systems represent a combo feature of iSCSI and Fibre

Channel technologies. The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution uses only the iSCSI feature of the storage arrays.
For more information on configuring high-availability clusters that use Fibre Channel connections on these storage
systems, see the Dell PowerEdge Cluster FE655W Systems Platform Guide.

NOTE: The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support AX150SCi storage system in a switch-attached

configuration.

iSCSI Initiator Support

The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi configurations support Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator with
Gigabit Ethernet daughter cards in the PowerEdge server enclosure.

Ethernet Switch Support for iSCSI Network

The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution supports Ethernet switches for iSCSI network.

• External Gigabit Ethernet switches are supported

• Dual (redundant) iSCSI networks configuration is required

System Configurations Support

The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution supports the following direct-attached and switch-attached
system configurations:

• Ethernet embedded switches connected to one or two storage systems

• Ethernet pass-through modules connected to a storage system

• Ethernet embedded switches connected to external Ethernet switches

• Ethernet pass-through modules connected to external Ethernet switches

6 Platform Guide

Rules and Guidelines

When you are connecting two or more PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosures in a cluster consider the
parameters in this section,

All cluster nodes must contain identical versions of the following:

• Operating systems and service packs

• Hardware, drivers, firmware or BIOS for the embedded NICs, Ethernet daughter cards, and any other
peripheral hardware components

• Systems management software, such as Dell OpenManage™ systems management software and

Maximum Distance Between Cluster Nodes

The maximum distance allowed between two PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosures with embedded
switches, or from a PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosure directly connected to a storage system or to an
external switch, or from a switch to a storage system is 300 meters (984 feet) using multimode fiber at
2 Gbps. The maximum distance is 100 meters (328 feet) when using multimode fiber at 4 Gbps.

The total distance between a PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosure and a storage system, or between
two PowerEdge 1855/1955 server enclosures with Fibre Channel pass-through modules, may be
increased through the use of single-mode or multi-mode switch Inter-Switch Links (ISLs). The
maximum cable length for Fast Ethernet and copper Gigabit Ethernet is 100 meters (328 feet), and for
optical Gigabit Ethernet is 550 meters (1804 feet). This distance may be extended using switches and
virtual local area network (VLAN) technology.

The maximum latency for a round-trip network packet between nodes is 500 milliseconds.

®

EMC

Navisphere® storage management software

Obtaining More Information

For hardware and software installation and configuration information of high availability clusters, see the
Dell PowerEdge Cluster FE655Wi Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Attaching Your Cluster to a Shared Storage System Through Direct-Attached Configuration

This section provides the rules and guidelines for attaching your cluster nodes to the shared storage
system using a direct connection (without the switches for iSCSI access).

A direct-attached configuration supports up to two cluster nodes with AX150i and CX3-10c storage
systems and up to four nodes with CX3-20c and CX3-40c storage systems.

Platform Guide 7

Rules and Guidelines

The rules and guidelines described in Table 1-2 apply to direct-attached clusters.

Table 1-2. Direct-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines

Rule/Guideline Description

Operating system

Windows Server 2003
service pack

Windows Server 2003,
x64 service pack

Primary storage

iSCSI Initiator Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator

iSCSI Initiator version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported

NICs for iSCSI traffic

TOE NICs for iSCSI traffic Ethernet daughter card: Broadcom 5708 Gigabit dual-port NIC controller for

NIC driver version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported

SNP Microsoft Scalable Networking Pack (SNP) required to enable TOE capability on

Ethernet modules Two Gigabit Ethernet pass-through modules.

Dell|EMC AX150SCi and
AX150i core software (EMC

®

FLARE

Dell|EMC CX3-10c, CX3-20c
and, CX3-40c core software

)

Each direct-attached cluster must run Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server
2003, x64 operating system.

Windows Server 2003 is supported with all CX-series and AX-series storage
systems. See
supported versions.

Windows Server 2003, x64 is supported with CX-series storage systems only. See

"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10

Only one storage system (AX150i, AX150SCi, CX3-10c, CX3-20c, or CX3-40c) can
be directly attached to the cluster.

"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10

for the supported versions.

for the

NOTE: The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support Windows Server 2003,

x64 with the Dell|EMC AX-series storage systems.

Each Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 x64 cluster can support up to
22 unique drive letters for shared logical drives and additional physical drives
through mount points.

versions.

Ethernet daughter cards: Intel PRO/1000 MB dual-port server adapter for
PowerEdge 1855 systems only.

PowerEdge 1955 systems only.

versions.

the PowerEdge 1955 systems.

See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported
versions.

See

"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10

versions.

for the supported

8 Platform Guide

Attaching Your Cluster Shared Storage System through iSCSI Switch-Attached Configuration

This section provides the rules and guidelines for attaching your PowerEdge cluster nodes to the shared
storage systems through an iSCSI switch-attached configuration using redundant Ethernet switch fabrics.

The switch-attached configuration supports two to eight cluster nodes connected to the storage system
through an iSCSI network. In a PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution, a system can support up to four
storage systems using an Ethernet network switch.

NOTE: The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support AX150SCi storage system in a switch-attached

configuration.

Rules and Guidelines

The rules and guidelines described in Table 1-3 apply to iSCSI switch-attached clusters.

Table 1-3. iSCSI Switch-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines

Rule/Guideline Description

Operating system Each switch-attached cluster must run Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003,

x64 operating system.

Windows Server 2003
service pack

Windows Server 2003, x64
service pack

Primary storage

iSCSI Initiator Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator

iSCSI Initiator version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.

iSNS Microsoft Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) Server.

iSNS version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.

NICs for iSCSI traffic

Windows Server 2003 is supported with all CX-series and AX-series storage systems.

"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10

See

Windows Server 2003, x64 is supported on CX-series storage systems only.
See

"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10

Up to two supported Dell|EMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
using embedded Ethernet switches.

Up to four supported Dell|EMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
using external Ethernet switches.

for the supported versions.

for the supported versions.

NOTE: PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support Windows Server 2003, x64

with Dell|EMC AX-series storage systems.

Each Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003, x64 cluster can support up to
22 unique drive letters for shared logical drives and additional physical drives through
mount points.

Ethernet daughter card: Intel PRO/1000 MB dual-port server adapter for PowerEdge
1855 systems only.

Platform Guide 9

Table 1-3. iSCSI Switch-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines (continued)

Rule/Guideline Description

TOE NIC for iSCSI traffic

NIC driver version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.

SNP Microsoft SNP required to enable TOE capability on PowerEdge 1955 systems.

Switch configuration for
iSCSI traffic

Switches for external
iSCSI network

Ethernet modules for
iSCSI traffic

AX150i core software
(FLARE)

CX3-10c, CX3-20c, and
CX3-40c core software

Ethernet daughter card: Broadcom 5708 Gigabit dual-port NIC controller for PowerEdge
1955 systems only.

Dual switch fabrics are required.

Gigabit Ethernet switches are required.

• Two Gigabit Ethernet pass-through modules.

• Two PowerConnect 5316M Ethernet switch modules.

See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.

See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.

Obtaining More Information

For more information about iSCSI-based clusters, see Dell PowerEdge Cluster FE655Wi Systems
Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix

The Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix provides the latest supported drivers, firmware, and the
operating system versions for your PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution. To obtain the supported drivers
and the firmware version for the operating system that is running on your PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi
nodes:

1

Open a Web browser.

2

Navigate to the Dell High Availability Clustering website at

3

Click the

4

In the Product Offerings window, click

Products & Services

The Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix appears.

Locate the appropriate drivers and firmware that are supported on your hardware and software

5

components and the operating system version.

10 Platform Guide

tab.

FE655Wi

.

www.dell.com/ha

.