Dell POWERVAULT MD3600I User Manual

Online Method to Upgrade Your Dell

expansion
enclosures
(2)

PowerVault MD Storage Arrays From
Simplex to Duplex Mode

NOTE: Information in this document applies to Dell PowerVault MD3200, MD3220,

MD3200i, MD3220i, MD3600i, MD3620i, MD3600f, and MD3620f systems.

The Dell PowerVault Modular Disk (MD) RAID storage arrays support both
duplex (dual-controller) and simplex (single-controller) configurations. You can
upgrade your existing storage array from a simplex configuration to a duplex
configuration without taking the existing storage array offline.

A duplex configuration allows for full redundancy between RAID controller
modules, non-I/O components, virtual disk paths, and physical disk paths. A
simplex configuration contains only one RAID controller module and does not
support full RAID controller module redundancy, virtual disk path, and physical
disk channel redundancy.

Figure 1. Simplex MD Storage Array (With Expansion)

2012 - 03

Figure 2. Newly Upgraded Duplex MD Storage Array (With Expansion)

Asymmetric Cabling (Recommended) Symmetric Cabling

expansion
enclosures
(2)

NOTE: See the

dell.com/pvresources.

MD Family Disk Expansion SAS Quick Cabling Guide

at

Adding a RAID Controller Module to a Simplex Configuration

To upgrade your existing storage array from a simplex configuration to a duplex
configuration without taking the existing storage array offline:

1

Start

MD Storage Manager

The

Enterprise Management Window

2

Select and right-click the storage array you are upgrading and select

Script

.

The

Script Editor Window

3

In the

Script Editor Window

set storageArray redundancyMode=duplex;

4

Select

Tools

NOTE: When the command completes, the array status changes to Needs

Attention and the enclosure status LED lights amber. Disregard these indicators
and proceed with the next step.

Verify and Execute

.

is displayed.

Execute

is displayed.

, run the command:

.

5

Insert the second (new or replacement) controller module in the empty slot
(slot 1) of the enclosure.

For insertion procedures and slot labeling, see the

Hardware Owner’s Manual

for your MD storage array.

6

Connect the expansion enclosures (if present) to the controller module you
added in slot 1.

NOTE: Wait for the enclosure status LED to turn blue before proceeding to the

next step.

7

In

MD Storage Manager

The

Array Management Window

8

If not using DHCP or default IPv6 address, you may be required to manually

, double-click the storage array you are upgrading.

(AMW) is displayed.

specify the IP configuration. To manually specify the IP configuration:

a

b

c

d

e

9

In the

Storage Arrays

10

In the

The

Select the

Select
select

Select

Modify the configuration to match

Click OK.

Enterprise Management Window

Select Addition Method

Add New Storage Array – Manual

Setup

tab.

Configure Ethernet Management Ports

RAID Controller Module 1, Port 0

Specify configuration

.

.

RAID Controller Module 0

, select the

.

window, select

Manual

window is displayed.

and from

Setup

tab, and click

and click OK.

Ethernet port

,

.

Add

11

Select

12

Out-of-band management

In the

RAID Controller Module (DNS/Network name, IPv4 address or IPv6

address)

fields, enter the IP addresses of both the RAID controllers installed in

.

the storage enclosure.

13

Click

Add

.

14

A message prompts you if you want to add another storage array, click No.

NOTE: The Devices tab in the Enterprise Management Window displays both

management port IP addresses for the newly upgraded duplex storage array.

15

Adjust the virtual disk caching options:

a

Open the

b

Right-click on any virtual disk in the list.

c

Select

d

Select all virtual disks in the list.

e

Select the following options:

AMW

and select the

Logical

ChangeCache Settings...

tab.

•Enable read caching

• Enable write caching

• Enable write caching with mirroring

• Enable dynamic cache read prefetch

NOTE: Enable dynamic cache read prefetch must be disabled if the virtual disk is

used for database applications or applications with a large percentage of random
reads.

16

Rebalance the virtual disk ownership across both controllers for optimal
performance. To rebalance virtual disk ownership:

a

In the

AMW

, select the

b

Right click on every alternate virtual disk and select

Ownership/Preferred Path

c

Select

Yes

.

NOTE: Step 16 can be completed using Script Editor or CLI commands when you

have a large number of virtual disks. In script editor, run the following command
as described in Step 3:

Logical

tab.

Change

RAID Controller Module in Slot 1…

set virtualDisks [“virtualDiskName1”,
“virtualDiskName3”,…, “virtualDiskNameN”] owner=
1;

For more information on using the CLI, see the CLI Guide, at
support.dell.com/manuals.

This ensures that virtual disk ownership is evenly distributed across both
controllers.

___________________

Information in this publication is subject to change without notice.
© 2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

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