Dell POWERVAULT MD3620I User Manual

Dell PowerVault MD3600i and

MD3620i 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 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™,
andOpenManage™ are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel® is a registered trademarks of Intel Corporation
inthe U.S. and other countries. Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows Server®, MS-DOS®, and
InternetExplorer® are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United Statesand/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.

2013 - 07 Rev. A02

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Management Station Requirements

. . . . . . . . . 7

Introduction to Storage Arrays

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

2 Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Planning the Storage Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . 11

Connecting the Storage Array

Cabling the Storage Array

Redundant and Non-Redundant Configurations

Direct-Attached Configurations

Network-Attached Configurations . . . . . . . . . 20

Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion
Enclosures

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Expanding With Previously Configured
PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion
Enclosures

Expanding With New PowerVault MD1200

Series Expansion Enclosures. . . . . . . . . . . . 27

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. . 12

. . . . . . . . . . 13

3 Installing PowerVault MD

Storage Software

Graphical Installation (Recommended) . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Contents 3

Console Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Silent Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Upgrading MD Storage Software . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4 Post Installation Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

iSCSI Configuration Worksheet

IPv4 Settings—Worksheet

IPv6 Settings—Worksheet

Configuring iSCSI on Your Storage Array

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . 42

Automatic Configuration Using the Modular
Disk Configuration Utility

Post Connection Establishment Steps

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . 46

Guidelines For Configuring Your Network
For iSCSI

Microsoft Windows Host Setup

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Using A DHCP server

Using static IP addressing

Using A DNS server

Using A WINS Server

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Linux Host Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Using DHCP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Using A Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

4 Contents

5 Uninstalling MD Storage Software . . . . . 51

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Windows . . 51

Uninstalling MD Storage Software From Linux

. . . . . 52

6 Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Locating Your System Service Tag . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Contacting Dell

Documentation Feedback

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

A Appendix—Manual Configuration

of iSCSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Step 1: Discover the Storage Array

(Out-of-band Management Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Default Management IPv4 Port Settings

Automatic Storage Array Discovery . . . . . . . . 57

Manual Storage Array Discovery

Setting Up the Array

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Step 2: Configure the iSCSI Ports on
the Storage Array

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

. . . . . . 56

. . . . . . . . . 58

Step 3: Perform Target Discovery From
the iSCSI Initiator

Step 4: Configure Host Access

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Understanding CHAP Authentication

What is CHAP?

Target CHAP

Mutual CHAP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . . . 64

Contents 5

CHAP Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Step 5: Configure CHAP Authentication on the
Storage Array (Optional)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Configuring Target CHAP Authentication on
the Storage Array

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Configuring Mutual CHAP Authentication on
the Storage Array

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Step 6: Configure CHAP Authentication on the
Host Server (Optional)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Step 7: Connect to the Target Storage Array
From the Host Server

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Step 8: (Optional) Set Up In-Band Management

. . . . . 74

B Appendix—Using Internet Storage

Naming Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

C Appendix—Load Balancing . . . . . . . . . . 79

Load Balance Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Round Robin With Subset

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Least Queue Depth With Subset . . . . . . . . . . 80

Least Path Weight With Subset

. . . . . . . . . . . 80

Changing Load Balance Policies on the

Windows Server 2008 Operating System . . . . . . 80

Increasing Bandwidth With Multiple
iSCSI Sessions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

D Appendix—Stopping iSCSI Services

in Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

6 Contents

1

Introduction

This guide provides information about deploying Dell PowerVault MD3600i
and Dell PowerVault MD3620i storage arrays. The deployment process
includes:

• Hardware installation

• Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) software installation

• Initial system configuration

Other information provided include 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 PowerVault MD3600i
series 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 MD3600i 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 Support Matrix available on dell.com/support/manuals.

Management Station Requirements

A management station uses MDSM to configure and manage storage arrays
across the network, and must meet the following minimum system
requirements:

• Intel Pentium or an equivalent processor (333 MHz or faster) with 512 MB
RAM (1024 MB recommended).

• 1 GB disk space.

Introduction 7

• Display resolution of 1024x768 with 16 million colors (1280x1024 32-bit
recommended).

• Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or SUSE Linux Enterprise
Server.

NOTE: Supported operating systems include both native and guest operating

systems.

NOTE: Supported hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer,

and VMware. For information about the supported versions, see the

Matrix

at dell.com/support.

• Administrator or equivalent permissions.

Support

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.
An enclosure containing physical disks accessed through RAID controller
modules is called a storage array.

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
host(s) 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
SAS 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 using SAS
connections.

Using MDSM, you can configure the physical disks in the storage array into
logical components called disk groups 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.

8 Introduction

Unconfigured capacity comprises physical disks not already assigned to a disk
group. When a virtual disk is created using unconfigured capacity, a 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 the way in which 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

.

Introduction 9

10 Introduction

2

Hardware Installation

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

•

Getting Started Guide

storage array provides information to configure the initial setup of the system.

• Planning section of the
information
your storage solution. See the

dell.com/support/manuals

about important concepts you must know before setting up

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 e-mail
alert notifications for error conditions.

• Design the configuration of virtual disks and 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.

—The

Getting Started Guide

Owner’s Manual—

Owner’s Manual

.

that shipped with the

The planning section provides

at

Hardware Installation 11

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.

Each RAID controller module has two iSCSI In port connectors that provide
Ethernet connections to the host server or switches. Each RAID controller
module also contains an Ethernet management port and a SAS Out port.
The Ethernet management port allows you to install a dedicated
management station (server or stand-alone system). The SAS Out port allows
you to connect the storage array to optional PowerVault MD1200 series
expansion enclosures for additional storage capacity.

Each PowerVault MD3600i series storage array can be expanded to a
maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using Premium Feature activation)
physical disks through a maximum of seven MD1200 series expansion
enclosures.

Cabling the Storage Array

The iSCSI interface enables different host-to-controller configurations.
The figures in this chapter are grouped according to the following categories:

• Direct-attached configurations (no Ethernet switches are used)

• Network-attached (SAN) configurations (Ethernet switches are used)

Redundant and Non-Redundant Configurations

Non-redundant configurations are configurations that provide only a single
data path from a host to the storage array. This type of configuration is only
recommended for non-critical data storage. Path failure from a failed or
removed cable, a failed NIC, or a failed or removed RAID controller module
results in loss of host access to storage on the storage array.

Redundancy is established by installing separate data paths between the host
and the storage array, in which each path is to one of the two RAID controller
modules installed in the storage array. Redundancy protects the host from
losing access to data in the event of path failure, because both RAID
controller modules can access all the disks in the storage array.

12 Hardware Installation

Direct-Attached Configurations

You can connect the Ethernet ports of the host servers directly to the storage
array RAID controller module iSCSI ports.

Single Path Data Configurations

With a single path configuration, a group of heterogeneous hosts can be
connected to the storage array through a single physical Ethernet port. Since
there is only one port, there is no redundancy, although each iSCSI portal
supports multiple connections. This configuration is supported for both
single controller and dual controller modes.

Hardware Installation 13

Figure 2-1 shows a non-redundant cabling configuration to the RAID

Corporate, public,
or private network

Storage array

Server 1 Server 2

controller modules using a single path data configuration.

Figure 2-1. Two Hosts Connected to a Single Controller

14 Hardware Installation

Figure 2-2 shows one host connected to a single controller array.

Corporate, public,
or private network

Storage array

Server

Figure 2-2. One Host Connected to a Single Controller

Hardware Installation 15

Figure 2-3 shows four stand-alone hosts supported in a dual controller array

Corporate, public,
or private network

Storage array

Server 2

Server 3 Server 4Server 1

configuration with a single data path.

Figure 2-3. Four Hosts in a Dual-Controller Configuration

16 Hardware Installation

Dual Path Data Configuration

In Figure 2-4, up to two servers are directly attached to the RAID controller
modules. If the host server has a second Ethernet connection to the array,
it can be attached to the iSCSI ports on the array's second controller.
This configuration provides improved availability by allowing two separate
physical paths for each host, which ensures full redundancy if one of the
paths fail.

In Figure 2-5, up to two cluster nodes are directly attached to two RAID
controller modules. Since each cluster node has redundant paths, loss of a
single path still allows access to the storage array through the alternate path.

Hardware Installation 17

Figure 2-4. Two Hosts Connected to Two Controllers

Storage array

Server 1

Server 2

Corporate, public,
or private network

18 Hardware Installation

Figure 2-5. Two Hosts Connected in a Dual-Controller Configuration

Corporate, public,
or private network

Storage array

Two node cluster server

Hardware Installation 19

Network-Attached Configurations

You can also cable the host servers to the RAID controller module iSCSI ports
through industry-standard 10G or 1G Ethernet switches. An iSCSI
configuration that uses Ethernet switches is frequently referred to as an IP
SAN. By using an IP SAN, the PowerVault MD3600i series storage array can
support up to 64 hosts simultaneously. This configuration supports either
single or dual path data configurations and either single or dual controller
modules.

Figure 2-6 shows up to 64 stand-alone servers attached (using multiple
sessions) to a single RAID controller module through a network. Hosts that
have a second Ethernet connection to the network allow two separate
physical paths for each host, which ensures full redundancy if one of the paths
fails. It is recommended you use two switches for more redundancy. However,
single switch configuration is also supported. Figure 2-7 shows how the same
number of hosts can be similarly attached to a dual RAID controller module
configuration.

Figure 2-8 shows up to 64 stand-alone servers attached (using multiple
sessions) to a single RAID controller module through a network using a 1G to
10G aggregation scheme. The NICs on the servers are 1G NICs and the
uplink ports on the 1G switches are 10G. Hosts that have a second Ethernet
connection to the network allow two separate physical paths for each host,
which ensures full redundancy if one of the paths fails. It is recommended you
use two switches for more redundancy. However, single switch configuration is
also supported.

Figure 2-9 shows how the same number of hosts can be similarly attached to a
dual RAID controller module configuration. Hardware redundancy is
achieved in this configuration, in case of any switch failure.

20 Hardware Installation

Corporate, public,
or private network

Up to 64 hosts

Switch

Storage array

Figure 2-6. 64 Servers Connected to a Single Controller

Hardware Installation 21

Figure 2-7. 64 Servers Connected to Two Controllers

Corporate, public,
or private network

Storage array

Up to 64 hosts

22 Hardware Installation

Figure 2-8. 64 Servers Connected to a Single RAID Controller

Up to 64 hosts

Storage array

1G NICs

1G Switches

10G Switch

10G Uplinks

Hardware Installation 23

Figure 2-9. 64 Servers Connected to Two RAID Controllers

Up to 64 hosts

1G NICs

1G Switches

10G Uplinks

10G Switches

Storage array

24 Hardware Installation

Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures

You can expand the capacity of your PowerVault MD3600i series storage array
by adding PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures. You can expand
the physical disk pool to a maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using
Premium Feature activation) physical disks using a maximum of seven
expansion enclosures.

Expanding With Previously Configured PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures

Use this procedure if your expansion enclosure is directly attached to and
configured on a Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) H800 adapter.
Data from virtual disks created on a PERC H800 adapter cannot be directly
migrated to a PowerVault MD3600i series storage array or to a PowerVault
MD1200 series expansion enclosure connected to a PowerVault MD3600i
series storage array.

CAUTION: If a PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosure that was

previously attached to PERC H800 adapter is used as an expansion enclosure to a
PowerVault MD3600i series storage array, the physical disks of the expansion
enclosure are reinitialized and data is lost. You must backup all data on the
expansion enclosure before attempting the expansion.

To attach previously configured PowerVault MD1200 series expansion
enclosures to the PowerVault MD3600i series storage array:

1

Back up all data on the expansion enclosure(s).

2

Upgrade the expansion enclosure firmware to the latest version available
at

dell.com/support

H800 controller.

Windows systems users can reference the
kernel users can reference the

while the enclosure is still attached to the PERC

DUP.bin

DUP.exe

package.

package and Linux

3

Ensure that the storage array software is installed and up to date before
adding the expansion enclosure(s).

For more information, see the

dell.com/support/manuals

Support Matrix

.

at

Hardware Installation 25

a

Install the software and driver package included on the PowerVault
MD series resource media.

For information about installing the software, see "Installing
PowerVault MD Storage Software" on page 31.

b

Update the storage array RAID controller module firmware and
NVSRAM to the latest versions available at
MDSM

c

Click

Enterprise Management Window

4

Stop all I/O and turn off the system and attached units.

a

Stop all I/O to the storage array and turn off the host systems attached

.

Tools Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware

(EMW).

dell.com/support,

using

in the

to the storage array.

b

Turn off the storage array.

c

Turn off the expansion enclosure(s) in the affected system.

5

Cable the expansion enclosure(s) to the storage array.

6

Turn on attached units:

a

Turn on the expansion enclosure(s). Wait for the enclosure status
LED to light blue.

b

Turn on the storage array and wait for the status LED to indicate that
the unit is ready:

• If the status LEDs are solid amber, the storage array is still coming
online.

• If the status LEDs are blinking amber, there is an error that can be
viewed using the MDSM.

• If the status LEDs are solid blue, the storage array is ready.

c

After the storage array is online and ready, turn on any attached host
systems.

7

After the PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosure is configured as
an expansion enclosure of the storage array, restore the data that was
backed up in step 1.

After the expansion enclosures are online, they can be accessed as a part of
the storage array.

26 Hardware Installation