Dell POWERVAULT MD3600I User Manual

Online Method to Upgrade Your Dell

expansion
enclosures
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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:

.