Dell MD3620F User Manual 2

Dell PowerVault MD3600f and

MD3620f Storage Arrays

Owner’s Manual

Regulatory Model: E03J Series and E04J Series

Regulatory Type: E03J001 and E04J001

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

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

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed.

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

____________________

© 2013 Dell Inc.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, PowerEdge™, PowerVault™, and OpenManage™ are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel® is a registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows Server®, MS-DOS®, and Internet Explorer® are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Red Hat® and Red Hat Enterprise Linux® are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE® is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Regulatory Model: E03J Series and E04J Series

Regulatory Type: E03J001 and E04J001

201306

Rev. A02

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21
About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21
Inside the Box of the Dell PowerVault MD3600f	22
Series Storage Array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MD3600f Series Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . .	22
Dell PowerVault Modular Disk
Storage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	22
Other Information You May Need . . . . . . . . . . . .	23

2 Planning: About Your Storage Array . . . .	25
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	25
Hardware Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	26
Front-Panel Features and Indicators . . . . . . .	26
Back Panel Features and Indicators . . . . . . . .	29
Hard–Drive Indicator Patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	30
Power Supply and Cooling Fan Features . . . . . . . .	31
Power Indicator Codes and Features . . . . . . . . . .	32

3 Planning: RAID Controller Modules . . . .	33
RAID Controller Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	33

Contents 3

RAID Controller Module Connectors and Features . . .	34
Host Channel LED Link/Rate Indications . . . . . . . .	36
RAID Controller Module—Additional Features . . . . .	36
Battery Backup Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	36
Storage Array Thermal Shutdown . . . . . . . . .	37
System Password Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37
Cache Functions and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37
Cache Mirroring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37
Write–Back Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	38
Write–Through Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	38
SFP Transceivers, Fiber Optic, and SAS Cables. . . . .	38
Interoperability of 2 Gbps, 4 Gbps,	40
and 8 Gbps Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4Planning: MD3600f Series Storage

Array Terms and Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Physical Disks, Virtual Disks, and Disk Groups . . . . .	41
Physical Disks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	42
Physical Disk States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	42
Self-Monitoring Analysis and	43
Reporting Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virtual Disks and Disk Groups . . . . . . . . . . .	43
Virtual Disk States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	44

RAID Levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	45
RAID Level Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	45
Segment Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	47
Virtual Disk Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	47

4 Contents

Virtual Disk Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	47
Background Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	48
Foreground Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	48
Consistency Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	48
Media Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	48
Cycle Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
Virtual Disk Operations Limit . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
Disk Group Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	50
RAID Level Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	50
Segment Size Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	50
Virtual Disk Capacity Expansion . . . . . . . . . .	51
Disk Group Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	51
Disk Group Defragmentation . . . . . . . . . . . .	51
Disk Group Operations Limit . . . . . . . . . . . .	51
RAID Background Operations Priority . . . . . . . . .	52
Virtual Disk Migration and Disk Roaming. . . . . . . .	53
Disk Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	53
Disk Roaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	55
Advanced Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	55
Host Server–to–Virtual Disk Mapping . . . . . . .	55
Host Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	56
Snapshot Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	56
Snapshot Repository Virtual Disk. . . . . . . . . .	57
Virtual Disk Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	57
Virtual Disk Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	58
Using Snapshot and Disk Copy Together. . . . . .	59
Multi-Path Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	59
Preferred and Alternate Controllers	59
and Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virtual Disk Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	60

Contents 5

Load Balancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	60
Monitoring MD3600f Series System Performance . . .	61

5 Configuration: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . .	65
User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	65
Enterprise Management Window . . . . . . . . .	66
Array Management Window . . . . . . . . . . . .	67

6Configuration: About Your

Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Storage Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	70
Adding Storage Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	70
Setting Up Your Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . .	72
Locating Storage Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	73
Naming or Renaming Storage Arrays. . . . . . . .	73
Setting a Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	75
Viewing Storage Array Connections . . . . . . . .	76
Adding/Editing a Comment to an
Existing Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	77
Removing Storage Arrays. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	77
Enabling Premium Features. . . . . . . . . . . . .	78
Failover Alert Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	78
Changing the Cache Settings on the
Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	79
Changing Expansion Enclosure
ID Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	79
Changing the Enclosure Order in the
Physical Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	80

Configuring Alert Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Configuring E–mail Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

6 Contents

Configuring SNMP Alerts. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	83
Battery Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	85
Setting the Storage Array RAID Controller	86
Module Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 Configuration: Event Monitor . . . . . . . . .	87
Enabling or Disabling the Event Monitor . . . . . . . .	88
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	88
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	88

8 Configuration: About Your Host . . . . . . . .	89
Configuring Host Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	89
Using the Mappings Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	90
Defining a Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	90
Removing Host Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	92
Managing Host Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	92
Creating a Host Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	93
Moving a Host to a Different Host Group. . . . . .	94
Removing a Host Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	94
Host Topology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	95
Starting or Stopping the Host Context Agent. . . .	95
I/O Data Path Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	96
Managing Host Port Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . .	97

Contents 7

9Configuration: Disk Groups and

Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Creating Disk Groups and Virtual Disks . . . . . . . .	101
Creating Disk Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	102
Locating a Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	104
Creating Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	104
Changing the Virtual Disk
Modification Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	106
Changing the Virtual Disk Cache Settings . . . .	107
Changing the Segment Size of a
Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	109
Changing the I/O Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	110

Choosing an Appropriate Physical Disk Type . . . . .	111
Physical Disk Security With Self
Encrypting Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	112
Creating a Security Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	114
Changing a Security Key . . . . . . . . . . . . .	116
Saving a Security Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	117
Validate Security Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	118
Unlocking Secure Physical Disks . . . . . . . . .	119
Erasing Secure Physical Disks . . . . . . . . . .	119

Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks. . . . . . . . .	120
Hot Spares and Rebuild . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	122
Global Hot Spares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	122
Hot Spare Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	122
Hot Spare Drive Protection . . . . . . . . . . . .	123

Enclosure Loss Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	123
Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . .	125
Creating Host-to-Virtual Disk Mappings . . . . .	126

8 Contents

Modifying and Removing Host-to-Virtual

Disk Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	127
Changing Controller Ownership of the
Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	128
Removing Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping . . . . . .	129
Changing the RAID Controller Module
Ownership of a Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . .	129
Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group . . . . .	130
Removing a Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping
Using Linux DMMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	131
Restricted Mappings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	132

Changing the RAID Controller Module

Ownership of a Virtual Disk or a Disk Group . . . . 134

Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group. . . . . . . .	136
Storage Partitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	137
Disk Group and Virtual Disk Expansion . . . . . . . . .	138
Disk Group Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	138
Virtual Disk Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	139
Using Free Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	139
Using Unconfigured Capacity . . . . . . . . . . .	140
Disk Group Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	140
Export Disk Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	140
Exporting a Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	141
Import Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	141
Importing a Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	142
Storage Array Media Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	143
Changing Media Scan Settings . . . . . . . . . .	143
Suspending the Media Scan . . . . . . . . . . . .	144

Contents 9

10Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks . . . . . 145

Scheduling a Snapshot Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . .	146
Common Reasons for Scheduling a	146
Snapshot Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guidelines for Creating Snapshot
Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	147
Enabling and Disabling Snapshot
Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	148
Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using	148
the Simple Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Simple Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	149
Preparing Host Servers to Create the
Snapshot Using the Simple Path . . . . . . . . .	150
Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using
the Advanced Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	152
About the Advanced Path. . . . . . . . . . . . .	152
Preparing Host Servers to Create the
Snapshot Using the Advanced Path . . . . . . .	154
Creating the Snapshot Using
the Advanced Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	156
Specifying Snapshot Virtual Disk Names . . . . . . .	157
Snapshot Repository Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .	159
Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk. . . . . . . . . . .	162
Preparing Host Servers to Re-create a	163
Snapshot Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Re-creating Snapshot Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . .	164
Snapshot Rollback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	164
Rules and Guidelines for Performing a	165
Snapshot Rollback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 Contents

Protecting Against a Failed Snapshot

Rollback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	166
Previous Versions of the MD Storage
Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	166
Starting a Snapshot Rollback. . . . . . . . . . . .	166
Resuming a Snapshot Rollback . . . . . . . . . .	167
Canceling a Snapshot Rollback . . . . . . . . . .	168

11Configuration: Premium

Feature—Virtual Disk Copy . . . . . . . . . 169

Types of Virtual Disk Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	170
Offline Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	170
Online Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	171
Creating a Virtual Disk Copy for an
MSCS Shared Disk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	172
Virtual Disk Read/Write Permissions . . . . . . . . . .	172
Virtual Disk Copy Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	173
Creating a Virtual Disk Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	174
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	174
Virtual Disk Copy and Modification	175
Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create Copy Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	175
Failed Virtual Disk Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	175
Preferred RAID Controller Module Ownership . . . . .	176
Failed RAID Controller Module . . . . . . . . . . . . .	176
Copy Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	176
Copying the Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	177

Contents 11

Storage Array Performance During

Virtual Disk Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	178
Setting Copy Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	178
Stopping a Virtual Disk Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . .	179
Recopying a Virtual Disk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	179
Preparing Host Servers to Recopy a	180
Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Re-Copying a Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . .	181
Removing Copy Pairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	182

12Configuration: Premium Feature— Upgrading to

High–Performance Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

13Configuration: Premium Feature—

Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Switchable Host Access Configuration
Required With Remote Replication . . . . . . . .	185
Activating Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . .	186
Replication Repository Virtual Disks . . . . . . .	186
RAID Levels for Replication
Repository Virtual Disks. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	187
Primary and Secondary Virtual Disk Pairs . . . .	187
Using Remote Replication With
Other Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	188
Storage Partitioning With
Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	188
Snapshot Virtual Disk With
Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	189
Virtual Disk Copy With Remote Replication . . .	189

12 Contents

Virtual Disk Expansion With	189
Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Required Switch Zoning Configurations . . . . . .	190
Zoning Guidelines for Remote Replication . . . . .	190
Switch Cascading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	190
Journaling File Systems and
Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	191
Setting Up and Managing
Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	191
Activating the Remote Replication Premium
Feature and Creating Replication
Virtual Disks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	192
Activating and Creating Replication
Repository Virtual Disks From
the Storage Array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	192
Activating and Creating Replication
Repository Virtual Disks From an
Existing Disk Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	193
Creating a Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . .	194
Selecting the Secondary Virtual Disk . . . . . . .	195
Setting the Write Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	195
Setting Synchronization Priority and
Synchronization Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	196
Completing the Remote Replication . . . . . . . .	197
RAID Controller Module	198
Ownership/Preferred Path . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viewing Information About a Remote
Replication or Replication Repository
Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	198
Viewing the Properties Pane . . . . . . . . . . . .	200
Viewing Logical Elements of the
Secondary Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	200
Viewing the Physical Components or Logical
Elements of the Primary Virtual Disk . . . . . . . .	201
Virtual Disk Status Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	202
Changing Write Mode and Consistency
Group Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	202

Contents 13

Resynchronizing Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . .	204
Normally Synchronized Virtual Disks . . . . . . .	204
Changing Synchronization Priority
and Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	205
Unsynchronized Virtual Disks. . . . . . . . . . .	207
Automatically Resynchronizing Virtual Disks. . .	208
Manually Resynchronizing Virtual Disks . . . . .	208
Reversing Roles Between the Primary
and Secondary Virtual Disks . . . . . . . . . . .	209
Promoting the Secondary Virtual Disk or
Demoting the Primary Virtual Disk . . . . . . . .	210
Suspending a Remote Replication . . . . . . . .	210
Resuming a Remote Replication . . . . . . . . .	211
About Resumed Remote Replications . . . . . .	211
Testing Communication Between the
Primary and Secondary Virtual Disks. . . . . . .	212
Deleting a Virtual Disk From a Replicated Pair
in a Storage Array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	213
Deleting a Primary Virtual Disk . . . . . . . . . .	213
Deleting a Secondary Virtual Disk . . . . . . . .	214
Deleting a Primary Virtual Disk in a
Replicated Pair From a Storage Array . . . . . .	214
Deleting a Secondary Virtual Disk in a
Replicated Pair From a Storage Array . . . . . .	215
Removing a Remote Replication From a	215
Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deactivating the Remote Replication
on the Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	216
Disabling the Remote Replication
Premium Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	217

14Configuration: Device Mapper

Multipath for Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

219

14 Contents

Using DM Multipathing Devices . . . . . . . . . . . .	220
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	220
Device Mapper Configuration Steps . . . . . . . .	221
Limitations and Known Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	227
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	228

15Management: Firmware

Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Downloading RAID Controller and

NVSRAM Packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	229
Downloading Both RAID Controller and	230
NVSRAM Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downloading Only NVSRAM Firmware . . . . . . . . .	232
Downloading Physical Disk Firmware . . . . . . . . .	235
Downloading MD1200 Series Expansion	237
Module EMM Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Self-Monitoring Analysis and	238
Reporting Technology (SMART) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Media Errors and Unreadable Sectors . . . . . . . . .	239

16Management: Installing Array

Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

Recommended Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	241
Front Bezel (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	242
Removing the Front Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . .	242
Installing the Front Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	242

Contents 15

Hard Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	243
Removing a Hard-Drive Blank . . . . . . . . . .	243
Installing a Hard-Drive Blank . . . . . . . . . . .	244
Removing a Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	244
Installing a Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	246
Removing a Hard Drive From a
Hard-Drive Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	247
Installing a Hard Drive Into a
Hard-Drive Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	249

RAID Controller Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	249
Removing a RAID Controller Module Blank . . .	249
Installing a RAID Controller Module Blank . . . .	250
Removing a RAID Controller Module . . . . . . .	251
Installing a RAID Controller Module . . . . . . .	252
Opening the RAID Controller Module. . . . . . .	253
Closing the RAID Controller Module . . . . . . .	254

RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit. . . . .	255
Removing the RAID Controller Module	255
Backup Battery Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing the RAID Controller Module
Backup Battery Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	256

Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module . . . . . . . . . .	257
Removing a Power Supply/Cooling	257
Fan Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing a Power Supply/Cooling
Fan Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	258

Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	259
Removing the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . .	259
Installing the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . .	261
Backplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	262
Removing the Backplane . . . . . . . . . . . . .	262

16 Contents

Installing the Backplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

17 Management: Firmware Inventory . . . . 267

Viewing the Firmware Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

18 Management: System Interfaces . . . . . 269

Microsoft Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	269
Virtual Disk Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	269
Volume Shadow-Copy Service . . . . . . . . . . .	269

19Troubleshooting: Your Storage

Array Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Start–Up Routine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	271
Device Health Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	271
Storage Array Support Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	274
Automatically Collect the Support Bundle Data . . . .	275
Collecting the Physical Disk Data . . . . . . . . . . . .	276
Event Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	277
Recovery Guru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	278
Storage Array Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	278
Viewing the Logical Associations. . . . . . . . . . . .	280
Viewing the Physical Associations . . . . . . . . . . .	281
Finding Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	281

Contents 17

Using Go To. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	283
Recovering From an Unresponsive Storage	284
Array Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locating a Physical Disk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	287
Locating an Expansion Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . .	287
Capturing the State Information . . . . . . . . . . . .	288
SMrepassist Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	289
Unidentified Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	290
Recovering From an Unidentified Storage Array . . .	290
Starting or Restarting the Host Context	293
Agent Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

		20 Troubleshooting: Your Array . . . . . . . . .	295
		Safety First—For You and Your Array . . . . . . . . .	295
		Troubleshooting Storage Array Startup Failure . . . .	295
		Troubleshooting Loss of Communication . . . . . . .	295
		Troubleshooting an SFP Transceiver . . . . . . . . .	295
		Troubleshooting External Connections . . . . . . . .	298
		Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling	298
		Fan Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
		Troubleshooting Array Cooling Problems . . . . . . .	299
		Troubleshooting Expansion Enclosure
		Management Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	300
		Troubleshooting RAID Controller Modules . . . . . .	301
18		Contents

Troubleshooting Hard Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	302
Troubleshooting Array and Expansion	303
Enclosure Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting a Wet Storage Array . . . . . . . . . .	304
Troubleshooting a Damaged Array . . . . . . . . . . .	305
Troubleshooting RAID Controller Modules . . . . . . .	306
Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	306
21 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	309
Locating Your System Service Tag . . . . . . . . . . .	309
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	309
Documentation Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	310
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	311

Contents 19

20 Contents

1

Introduction

NOTE: Unless specified, MD3600f Series represents Dell PowerVault MD3600f and Dell PowerVault MD3620f storage arrays.

WARNING: See the Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information document for important safety information before following any procedures listed in this document.

About This Document

This guide familiarizes you with the functions of the Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series storage array. The guide is organized according to the tasks that you must complete after receiving your MD3600f Series storage array. The tasks are:

Planning—Information about the storage array and its features.

Configuration—Tasks that must be completed to ensure that your storage array performs optimally.

Management—Tasks that may be performed to ensure that the storage array components are up to date and performing properly, including removal and installation of storage array components.

Troubleshooting—Tasks that you must complete to resolve problems that may occur with the storage array.

Additional information on these and other topics can be found in the Dell PowerVault MD3600f and MD3620f Storage Array Deployment Guide at dell.com/support/manuals.

Introduction 21

Inside the Box of the Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series Storage Array

Your MD3600f Series product package includes:

•Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series storage array

•Small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver (2 per controller)

•Fiber optic cables (optional)

•Power cables (2)

•Front bezel (optional)

•Mounting rails (2) (optional)

•MD3600f Series resource media

•Rack Installation Instructions

•Getting Started With Your System (provides an overview of enclosure features, setting up your enclosure, and technical specifications)

MD3600f Series Storage Array

The MD3600f Series is a 2U rack-mounted external redundant array of independent disks (RAID) storage array capable of accommodating up to twelve 3.5" or twenty four 2.5" 6.0-Gbps Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) disks. The MD3600f Series storage arrays can be daisy-chained with MD1200 Series expansion enclosures, providing access to a maximum of 120 disks (or 192 disks with Premium Feature activation) in the entire storage array. Connectivity between the storage array and the host server is provided by a Fibre Channel (FC) host bus adapter (HBA).

Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager

Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) is a graphical user interface (GUI) application, used to configure and manage one or more MD3600f Series storage arrays. The MDSM software is located on the MD3600f Series resource media.

22 Introduction

Other Information You May Need

WARNING: See the safety and regulatory information that shipped with your system. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a separate document.

•The Getting Started Guide provides an overview of setting up and cabling your storage array.

•The Deployment Guide provides installation and configuration instructions for both software and hardware.

•The Storage Manager CLI Guide provides information about using the command line interface (CLI).

•The Resource media contains all system management tools.

•The Configuring Fibre Channel with the Dell MD3600f Series Storage Array provides information regarding configurations, host bus adapter (HBA) installation, and zoning. This document is available at dell.com/support/manuals.

•The Systems Support Matrix provides information on supported software and hardware for MD systems. The document is available at dell.com/support/manuals.

•The Dell PowerEdge Cluster Documentation is available at dell.com/support/manuals.

•Release notes or readme files are included to provide last-minute updates to the enclosure or documentation or advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or technicians.

•This document as well as Dell PowerVault MD 1200 Series Installation Guide is available at dell.com/support/manuals for users who incorporate MD1200 expansion enclosures.

•The Rack Installation Instructions included with your rack solution describes how to install your enclosure into a rack.

NOTE: Always check for updates on dell.com/support/manuals and read the updates first because they often supersede information in other documents.

Introduction 23

24 Introduction

2

Planning: About Your Storage Array

Overview

The MD3600f Series storage array is designed for high availability, offering redundant access to data storage. It’s features support for both single and dual RAID controller configurations.

The Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series storage array provides Fibre Channel (FC) connectivity to the host server and enables access for up to eight nonredundant servers or four redundant servers.

The MD3600f Series storage array includes a number of components. These are:

•RAID controller module(s)

•PSU/fan modules

•Disk drives (also called physical disks/hard drives in this document)

•A front bezel (optional)

•A system enclosure, into which, the other components are plugged

Planning: About Your Storage Array		25

Hardware Features

Front-Panel Features and Indicators

Figure 2-1. Front-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVault MD3600f

1

2

3 4

5

6

Figure 2-2. Front-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVault MD3620f

1

2 3 4

5

6

26		Planning: About Your Storage Array

Figure 2-3. Front-Bezel Features and Indicators

1

2

3

Item	Indicator, Button, or Icon			Description
	Connector
1	Enclosure status LED			The enclosure status LED lights when the
				enclosure power is on.
				Lights blue during normal operation.
				Blinks blue when a host server is identifying the
				enclosure or when the system identification
				button is pressed.
				Lights amber as enclosure boots or is reset.
				Blinks amber when the enclosure is either in a
				fault state or the hosts are not using the preferred
				path to a virtual disk.
2	Power LED			The power LED lights green when at least one
				power supply is supplying power to
				the enclosure.

Planning: About Your Storage Array		27

Item	Indicator, Button, or Icon				Description
	Connector
3	Split mode LED				This LED must be unlit as the split mode
					function is not supported by the MD3600f Series
					Storage Arrays.
4	System identification				The system identification button on the front
	button				control panel can be used to locate a particular
					enclosure within a rack. When the button is
					pushed, the system status indicators on the
					control panel and the RAID controller module(s)
					blink blue until the button is pushed again.
5	Hard drives				MD3600f—Up to twelve 3.5" SAS hot-swappable
					hard drives.
					MD3620f—Up to twenty four 2.5" SAS hot-
					swappable hard drives.
6	Enclosure mode				The function of this switch is not applicable to
	switch				your storage array. However, if MD1200 Series
					expansion enclosures are daisy chained to the
					storage array, the enclosure mode switches of the
					MD1200 Series expansion enclosures must be set
					to the Unified-Mode position.

NOTE: This switch must be set before turning on the MD1200 Series expansion enclosure. Changing the switch setting after the expansion enclosure is turned on has no effect on the enclosure configuration until the expansion enclosure goes through a complete power cycle.

28		Planning: About Your Storage Array

Back Panel Features and Indicators

Figure 2-4. Back-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series

1			2				3								4

1	600 W power supply/cooling fan	2	RAID Controller Module 0
	module
3	RAID Controller Module 1	4	600 W power supply/cooling fan
			module

Planning: About Your Storage Array		29

Hard–Drive Indicator Patterns

Figure 2-5. Hard Drive Indicators

1 2

1	hard-drive activity indicator (green)			2	hard-drive status indicator (green
					and amber)

30		Planning: About Your Storage Array