Dell MD3800f, MD3820f User Manual

Dell PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f Series Storage Arrays

Deployment Guide

Notes, cautions, and warnings

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

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

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

intellectual property laws. Dell™ and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

2015 - 10

Rev. A01

Contents

1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 5

System Requirements............................................................................................................................5

Management Station Requirements............................................................................................... 5

Introduction to Storage Arrays..............................................................................................................5

Related Documentation........................................................................................................................6

2 Hardware Installation...........................................................................................7

Planning The Storage Configuration ................................................................................................... 7

Connecting The Storage Array .............................................................................................................7

Configuring Fibre Channel With Dell MD Series Storage Arrays......................................................... 8

Configuring Fibre Channel On SAN Attached Storage Arrays.............................................................8

Configuring Fibre Channel..............................................................................................................8

Other Information You May Need........................................................................................................ 9

Installing Supported Fibre Channel HBAs............................................................................................ 9

Installing Fibre Channel HBA On Your Host Server........................................................................9

Using Fibre Channel Switch Zoning..................................................................................................... 9

World Wide Name Zoning.............................................................................................................10

Switch Zoning Guidelines.............................................................................................................. 11

Setting Up Zoning On The Fibre Channel Switch Hardware........................................................11

Cabling The Storage Array ..................................................................................................................11

Redundant And Non-Redundant Cabling.....................................................................................11

SAN-Attached Cabling........................................................................................................................ 12

SAN-Attached Cabling Example................................................................................................... 12

Remote Replication Cabling Example.......................................................................................... 14

Mixed Environment........................................................................................................................17

Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures..............................................................18

Expanding With Previously Configured PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures..... 19

Expanding With New PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures..................................20

3 Installing PowerVault MD Storage Software................................................. 22

Installing Host Bus Adapters and Drivers............................................................................................23

Graphical Installation (Recommended)..............................................................................................23

Console Installation............................................................................................................................ 24

Silent Installation................................................................................................................................. 24

Silent Installation On Windows Systems...................................................................................... 24

Silent Installation On Linux Systems.............................................................................................24

Enabling Premium Features (Optional).............................................................................................. 24

Upgrading MD Storage Software........................................................................................................25

4 Post Installation Tasks.......................................................................................26

Verifying Storage Array Discovery...................................................................................................... 26

Initial Setup Tasks.......................................................................................................................... 27

5 Uninstalling MD Storage Software.................................................................. 28

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Windows........................................................................... 28

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Windows Server GUI Versions....................................28

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Windows Server Core Versions..................................28

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Linux..................................................................................28

6 Load Balancing....................................................................................................29

Load Balance Policy............................................................................................................................29

Round Robin With Subset............................................................................................................. 29

Least Queue Depth....................................................................................................................... 29

Least Path Weight..........................................................................................................................29

Changing Load Balance Policies On The Windows Server Operating System...........................30

Setting Load Balance Policies in Linux.........................................................................................30

Setting Load Balance Policies in VMware.................................................................................... 30

7 Working With SFP+ Modules and Fiber Optic Cables.................................. 31

Guidelines for Using SFP+ Modules....................................................................................................31

Removing SFP+ Modules.................................................................................................................... 31

Installing SFP+ Modules......................................................................................................................32

Guidelines for Using Fiber Optic Cables............................................................................................ 32

Removing Fibre Channel Cables........................................................................................................ 32

Installing Fibre Channel Cables.......................................................................................................... 32

8 Hardware Cabling Best Practices.................................................................... 34

Handling Static-Sensitive Components............................................................................................. 34

Host Cabling for Remote Replication................................................................................................ 34

Cabling for Performance.................................................................................................................... 34

Single-Controller and Dual-Controller Topologies...........................................................................35

Labeling Cables................................................................................................................................... 35

9 Getting help.........................................................................................................36

Contacting Dell................................................................................................................................... 36

Locating your Dell system Service Tag ............................................................................................. 36

Introduction

This document provides information about deploying Dell PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f Fibre Channel storage arrays. The deployment process includes:

• Hardware installation

• Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) software installation

• Initial system configuration

Other information includes system requirements, storage array organization, and utilities.

NOTE: For more information on product documentation, see dell.com/support/manuals.

MDSM enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for optimum usability. The version of 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.

System Requirements

Before installing and configuring the PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f series hardware and software, ensure that the minimum system requirements are met, and the supported operating system is installed. For more information, see the Dell PowerVault MD34/38 Series Support Matrix at dell.com/support/

manuals.

Management Station Requirements

A management station uses MDSM to configure and manage storage arrays across the network. For management station requirements, see Dell PowerVault MD34xx/38xx Series Support Matrix at dell.com/

powervaultmanuals.

Introduction to Storage Arrays

A storage array includes various hardware components, such as physical disks, RAID controller modules, fans, and power supplies, gathered into enclosures. The physical disks are accessed through the RAID controller modules.

One or more host servers attached to the storage array can access the data on the storage array. You can also establish multiple physical paths between the hosts and the storage array so that loss of any single path (for example, through failure of a host server port) does not result in loss of access to data on the storage array.

The storage array is managed by MDSM running on a:

• Host server — On a host server system, MDSM and the storage array communicate management requests and event information using in-band or out-of band-connections.

• Management station — On a management station, MDSM communicates with the storage array either through an Ethernet connection to the storage array management port or through an Ethernet connection to a host server. The Ethernet connection passes management information between the management station and the storage array connectivity.

Using MDSM, you can configure the physical disks in the storage array into logical components called disk groups or dynamic disk group and then divide the disk groups into virtual disks. Disk groups are created in the unconfigured capacity of a storage array. Virtual disks are created in the free capacity of a disk group.

Unconfigured capacity comprises physical disks not already assigned to a disk group. When a virtual disk is created using unconfigured capacity, a disk group or dynamic disk group is automatically created. If the only virtual disk in a disk group is deleted, the disk group is also deleted. Free capacity is space in a disk group that is not assigned to any virtual disk.

Data is written to the physical disks in the storage array using RAID technology. RAID levels define how data is written to physical disks. Different RAID levels offer different levels of accessibility, redundancy, and capacity. You can set a specified RAID level for each disk group and virtual disk on your storage array.

For more information about using RAID and managing data in your storage solution, see the Owner’s

Manual at dell.com/support/manuals.

Hardware Installation

Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the documents:

• Getting Started Guide — The Getting Started Guide shipped with the storage array provides information to configure the initial setup of the system.

• 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.

Planning The Storage Configuration

Consider the following before installing your storage array:

• Evaluate data storage needs and administrative requirements.

• Calculate availability requirements.

• Decide the frequency and level of backups, such as weekly full backups with daily partial backups.

• Consider storage array options, such as password protection and email alert notifications for error conditions.

• Design the configuration of virtual disks, disk groups, or dynamic disk groups according to a data organization plan. For example, use one virtual disk for inventory, a second for financial and tax information, and a third for customer information.

• Decide whether to allow space for hot spares, which automatically replace failed physical disks.

Connecting The Storage Array

The storage array is connected to a host using two hot-swappable RAID controller modules. The RAID controller modules are identified as RAID controller module 0 and RAID controller module 1. See the Owners Manual to know more about the functions of the different components of the storage controller.

The functions of the ports on each controller are described below:

• 16 gbps Fibre Channel Host Ports (4) — Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.

• 12 gpbs SAS Host Ports (2) — Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.

• 1 gbps Ethernet Management (MGMT) Port (1) — Management port allows for out of band management of storage array.

• Reserved Ethernet Port (1) — Reserved.

• SAS Expansion Ports (2) — Allows you to connect the storage array to optional PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures for additional storage capacity. Only one SAS OUT expansion port can be used at a time and the recommended expansion port is 0.

Each PowerVault MD3800f and MD3820f series storage array can be expanded to a maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using Premium Feature activation) physical slots.

Configuring Fibre Channel With Dell MD Series Storage Arrays

This section provides information about configuring Fibre Channel communication between the host server and the storage array. For basic setup information such as racking, power cabling, and recommended handling procedures, see the Getting Started Guide for your Storage Array at dell.com/

powervaultmanuals.

Configuring Fibre Channel On SAN Attached Storage Arrays

You must connect the host server to the storage array through direct attach or a storage area network (SAN) using supported Fibre Channel switch(es).

NOTE: For detailed information on supported Fibre Channel hardware, see the Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

The following steps shows the configuration order for connecting to a SAN. These steps assume you are setting up Fibre Channel storage for the first time.

NOTE: If you are adding an additional Fibre Channel storage array or if your host server is already configured to access Fibre Channel storage, some of the steps may not apply. Before proceeding, see the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix to confirm that your existing hardware components and host bus adapter (HBA) firmware and BIOS levels are supported.

Configuring Fibre Channel

To configure a Fibre Channel for connecting to a SAN:

1. Install the supported HBAs on your host server.

2. Cable the host server to the Fibre Channel switches.

For more information, see SAN-Attached Cabling Example and Remote Replication Cabling Example.

3. Install the required HBA drivers and firmware versions listed in the Dell PowerVault MD Series

Support Matrix available at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

4. Install and configure the MD Storage Manager software (included with your storage array) on your

host server.

5. Cable the storage array to the Fibre Channel switches.

6. Configure zoning on all Fibre Channel switches.

For more information, see Switch Zoning Guidelines.

7. Using MDSM, configure the host servers, storage arrays, and virtual disks.

8. Activate and configure premium features (if applicable).

NOTE: All equipment attached to the switch must be powered on before establishing zoning. For additional switch hardware requirements, see the manufacturer’s documentation.

Other Information You May Need

In addition to this document, see the documentation provided with the HBA and Fibre Channel switch hardware for vendor-specific information required to complete Fibre-Channel setup on your storage array.

Installing Supported Fibre Channel HBAs

The storage array supports a specific set of Fibre Channel HBAs, each requiring a unique driver and firmware level. See the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals for a list of supported 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.

CAUTION: Connecting the storage array to a non-supported host server HBA or installing nonqualified HBA drivers or firmware can cause instability or loss of access to your data.

Installing Fibre Channel HBA On Your Host Server

For instructions about physically installing an HBA in your host server and loading supported drivers and firmware, see the documentation supplied with your HBA hardware.

NOTE: During installation you must enter the manufacturer-specific timeout and/or node time values. See the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals for information related to your specific HBA.

Using Fibre Channel Switch Zoning

A Fibre Channel switch allows you to connect multiple devices to the SAN without compromising bandwidth or data throughput. Switch zoning implemented on each Fibre Channel switch hardware component using the manufacturer’s embedded utility, allows you to divide port traffic between the host server and storage array to maintain the highest level of redundancy.

The following figure shows each connection to the host server(s) routed to an individual logical zone on the SAN. Two physical switches provide an alternate (redundant) data path to the storage array. If a single HBA, switch or RAID controller fails, the host server(s) can still access data on the storage array through one of the alternate paths provided by the switches.

NOTE: For a list of supported Fibre Channel switches, see the Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

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. An advantage of using WWN port zoning (also called soft zoning) is that it allows you to remove and/or replace cabling to and from the fabric without reconfiguring the existing zone logic.

When implemented on the Fibre Channel switch, port WWN zoning causes the host server to query the World Wide Identifier (WWID) name of all attached physical disks and/or expansion enclosures each time it accesses the switch fabric. By zoning specific ports on the host server(s), switch and storage array

together, the switch allows the host server to see only devices included in that zone, decreasing the amount of time it would otherwise take for the host server to query attached, but out-of-zone, devices.

Switch Zoning Guidelines

The storage array imposes specific requirements that must be followed when setting up Fibre Channel switch zoning:

• If a Fibre Channel switch is used to connect your host server and storage array, it must be zoned. Unzoned or open switches cannot be used.

• WWN port zoning is recommended. While hard zoning (zoning by device ID) is supported, LUN masking uses the WWN identifier. You can mix WWN and hard-zoned ports in the same zone.

• Multi-port HBAs are supported. Each port in a multiple-port HBA represents one initiator. Each initiator must be connected to a single logical switch zone.

• No more than four paths (port-to-port segments) can be established from a single, physical host server(s) to a single RAID controller.

• A zone can contain multiple targets and span multiple storage arrays (single initiator can point to multiple targets).

NOTE: To simplify troubleshooting, you can assign a single initiator and single target to a zone.

• 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

Arrays Administrator's Guide at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage

Setting Up Zoning On The Fibre Channel Switch Hardware

Setting up zoning on Fibre Channel switches varies greatly between manufacturers. For detailed information on how to set up zoning on your switch, see the manufacturer’s product documentation or technical support website.

Cabling The Storage Array

Cabling the storage array depends on a number of factors such as:

• Required level of redundancy or throughput

• Number of host servers connected to the storage array

• Type of HBAs (dual- or single-port) used in the host server(s)

• Remote Replication premium feature (if applicable)

The cabling diagrams shown here do not represent every supported cabling scenario but the concepts of redundancy and switch logic can be used to build your own configuration.

Redundant And Non-Redundant Cabling

Non-redundant cabling configurations provide a single data path from host server(s) to the storage array. This type of configuration is only recommended for non-critical data storage. A path failure from a failed or removed cable, failed HBA, or failed or removed RAID controller module results in loss of host access to the storage array.

Redundant configurations establish separate data paths between the host server(s) and storage array. Each path is connected to separate RAID controller modules in the storage array. Redundancy protects

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