MSA 2050 Cable Configuration Guide
Abstract
This document contains cable configuration information for HPE MSA 2050 controller enclosures
and supported expansion disk enclosures.
Part Number: 729691-003
Published: June 2017
Edition: 1
©
Copyright 2017, 2017 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
Notices
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Contents
Overview.......................................................................................................4
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to remote management hosts..............6
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures............. 7
Websites..................................................................................................... 12
About this document............................................................................................................................4
Complete system example.................................................................................................................. 4
Configuration notes............................................................................................................................. 5
Supported expansion disk enclosures.................................................................................................7
Disk enclosure connection guidelines................................................................................................. 7
Fault-tolerant and straight-through disk enclosure cabling..................................................................7
Single disk enclosure configurations................................................................................................... 9
Mixed-connect disk enclosure configurations......................................................................................9
Example of the maximum number of enclosures.............................................................................. 10
Support and other resources................................................................... 13
Accessing Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support................................................................................13
Accessing updates............................................................................................................................ 13
Customer self repair.......................................................................................................................... 13
Remote support.................................................................................................................................14
Warranty information......................................................................................................................... 14
Regulatory information...................................................................................................................... 15
Documentation feedback...................................................................................................................15
Contents 3
Overview
1
2
3
4
5
About this document
This document contains cable configuration information for HPE MSA 2050 controller enclosures and
supported expansion disk enclosures. The information is for the person who installs, administers, and
troubleshoots servers and storage systems. HPE assumes that you are qualified in servicing and installing
computer equipment, and are trained in recognizing hazards in products and hazardous energy levels.
For complete information on installing and configuring your product, see the user guide provided with your
HPE MSA 2050. User documents are provided on the HPE MSA 2050 support website and with the product.
For the latest version of a document, see the HPE MSA 2050 support website:
support/msa2050.
Complete system example
The following figure shows an example of a dual-controller, direct-connect enclosure configuration with two
servers accessing the storage.
Two servers are direct-connected to a dual-controller HPE MSA 2050 array. The MSA 2050 array is in turn
connected to two dual-I/O module HPE MSA 2050 6Gb 3.5” large form factor (LFF) or 2.5" small form factor
(SFF) enclosures using Mini-SAS to Mini-SAS cables.
http://www.hpe.com/
4 Overview
1. Server 2. Server
3. MSA 2050 array controller 4. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
5. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
Configuration notes
• A maximum of eight enclosures (including the controller enclosure) are allowed in the storage system.
• For Windows computers that are connected to the MSA 2050 controller CLI port, a special device driver
file must be downloaded and installed on the Windows computer prior to using the CLI port. This device
driver file can be found at http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050.
1. Select your product from the HPE Support & Drivers page.
2. Click Download drivers and software.
3. Choose the appropriate Windows operating system.
4. Select Driver - Storage Controller.
5. Click Download to obtain the appropriate USB Driver for your Windows operating system.
Configuration notes 5
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to remote
management hosts
The management host manages systems out-of-band over an Ethernet network.
To connect the MSA 2050 array to a remote management host, connect an RJ-45 Ethernet cable from the
Ethernet network management port on each MSA 2050 controller to a switch that your management host can
access (preferably on the same subnet).
6 Connecting the MSA 2050 array to remote management hosts
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion
disk enclosures
To connect the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures, connect a Mini-SAS to Mini-SAS cable from
the SAS expansion port on each MSA 2050 controller to an I/O module in the disk enclosure. Cabling varies,
depending on which of the two supported cabling schemes you use:
• Fault-tolerant cabling
• Straight-through cabling
For more information about these cabling schemes, see
For more information about your MSA 2050, see the HPE MSA 2050 Best Practices guide, available on the
HPE website
Supported expansion disk enclosures
The MSA 2050 supports the following disk enclosures:
Disk enclosure model Description
HPE MSA 2040 LFF Disk Enclosure 12-disk LFF enclosure
http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050.
HPE D2700 Disk Enclosure (supported in MSA
1040/2040 upgrade scenarios only)
HPE MSA 2050 SFF Disk Enclosure 24-disk SFF enclosure
HPE MSA 2050 LFF Disk Enclosure 12-disk LFF enclosure
NOTE:
For more information on D2700 disk enclosure connectivity, see the HPE MSA 2040 Cable
Configuration Guide. Support for D2700 is only available for MSA 1040/2040 upgrades.
25-disk SFF enclosure
Disk enclosure connection guidelines
• Expansion disk enclosures can be connected to an operational MSA 2050 array.
• Use only supported cables. For more information, see the HPE MSA 2050 QuickSpecs, available on the
HPE website: http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050.
• Mini-SAS to Mini-SAS 0.5 m (1.64 ft) cables are provided with the MSA 2050, and D2700 disk enclosures
(one for each I/O module).
• The maximum length cable supported for connecting disk enclosures is 2 m (6.56 ft).
• Cables longer than those supplied with the disk enclosure must be purchased separately. For a list of
cables available from HPE, see the HPE MSA 2050 QuickSpecs.
• Eight enclosures maximum (including the array enclosure) are supported.
Fault-tolerant and straight-through disk enclosure cabling
MSA 2050 firmware supports both fault-tolerant and straight-through SAS cabling.
Fault-tolerant cabling allows any disk enclosure to fail or be removed while maintaining access to other
enclosures. When connecting multiple disk enclosures, use fault-tolerant cabling to ensure the highest level of
fault tolerance.
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures 7
Straight-through cabling does not provide the same level of fault-tolerance as fault-tolerant cabling. Straight-
1
2
3
through cabling does provide some performance benefits, as well as ensuring that all disks are visible to the
array.
Fault-tolerant cabling example
The following figure shows an MSA 2050 array connected to two MSA 2050 disk enclosures using faulttolerant cabling.
I/O modules A on the disk enclosures are shaded blue. I/O modules B on the disk enclosures are shaded
orange. Fault-tolerant cabling requires that you connect controller A to I/O module A of the first disk enclosure
and cascade this connection on to I/O module A of the last disk enclosure cables (shown in blue). Likewise,
you must connect controller B to I/O module B of the last disk enclosure and cascade this connection on to
I/O module B of the first disk enclosure cables (shown in orange).
1. MSA 2050 array controller
2. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
3. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
Straight-through cabling example
The following figure shows a MSA 2050 array connected to two MSA 2050 disk enclosures using straightthrough cabling.
Straight-through cabling requires that you connect MSA 2050 controller A to I/O module A of the first disk
enclosure which is in turn connected to I/O module A of the last disk enclosure cables (shown in blue). MSA
2050 controller B is connected to I/O module B of the first disk enclosure which is in turn connected to I/O
module B of the last disk enclosure cables (shown in orange).
8 Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures
1
2
3
1. MSA 2050 array controller
2. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
3. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
IMPORTANT:
Fault-tolerant cabling provides the highest level of fault-tolerance protection for the array. Using straightthrough cabling can sometimes provide increased performance in the array. However, straight-through
cabling also increases the risk of losing access to one or more enclosures if an enclosure fails or is
removed.
Single disk enclosure configurations
The following figure shows a MSA 2050 array connected to a MSA 2050 disk enclosure.
Mixed-connect disk enclosure configurations
The following illustration shows an example of expanding storage from an array enclosure to multiple disk
enclosures of different models.
Single disk enclosure configurations 9
Connecting an MSA 2050/D2700 mixed-connect configuration
1
2
3
The following figure shows a dual-controller array connected to MSA 2050 and D2700 disk enclosures. There
are no restrictions to the order of enclosures when adding MSA 2050 disk enclosures and D2700 disk
enclosures.
1. MSA 2050 array controller
2. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
3. D2700 disk enclosure
Example of the maximum number of enclosures
The following figure shows an example of an array configuration that displays the maximum number of
enclosures that are allowed in an array configuration. The maximum number of enclosures allowed, including
the controller enclosure, is eight.
An array is connected to seven disk enclosures. Each disk enclosure contains 12 drives, and the LFF
controller enclosure contains 12 drives. Combined, the total number of drives is 96 LFF drives. No additional
enclosures can be connected, because the maximum of eight enclosures has already been reached.
NOTE:
When connecting more than two disk enclosures, you may be required to purchase additional 1 m
cables or 2 m cables. Spanning six or seven enclosures requires a 2 m Mini-SAS cable to enable the
proper bend radius.
10 Example of the maximum number of enclosures
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. MSA 2050 array controller 2. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
3. MSA 2050 disk enclosure 4. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
5. MSA 2050 disk enclosure 6. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
7. MSA 2050 disk enclosure 8. MSA 2050 disk enclosure
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures 11
Websites
General websites
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Information Library
www.hpe.com/info/EIL
Single Point of Connectivity Knowledge (SPOCK) Storage compatibility matrix
www.hpe.com/storage/spock
Storage white papers and analyst reports
www.hpe.com/storage/whitepapers
MSA websites
MSA 2050 manuals page:
http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050
MSA 2050 product page:
http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050
HPE Passport for MSA arrays
http://h20564.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_nac05349541
12 Websites
Support and other resources
Accessing Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support
• For live assistance, go to the Contact Hewlett Packard Enterprise Worldwide website:
http://www.hpe.com/assistance
• To access documentation and support services, go to the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center
website:
http://www.hpe.com/support/hpesc
Information to collect
• Technical support registration number (if applicable)
• Product name, model or version, and serial number
• Operating system name and version
• Firmware version
• Error messages
• Product-specific reports and logs
• Add-on products or components
• Third-party products or components
Accessing updates
• Some software products provide a mechanism for accessing software updates through the product
interface. Review your product documentation to identify the recommended software update method.
• To download product updates:
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center
www.hpe.com/support/hpesc
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center: Software downloads
www.hpe.com/support/downloads
Software Depot
www.hpe.com/support/softwaredepot
• To subscribe to eNewsletters and alerts:
www.hpe.com/support/e-updates
• To view and update your entitlements, and to link your contracts and warranties with your profile, go to the
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center More Information on Access to Support Materials page:
www.hpe.com/support/AccessToSupportMaterials
IMPORTANT:
Access to some updates might require product entitlement when accessed through the Hewlett Packard
Enterprise Support Center. You must have an HPE Passport set up with relevant entitlements.
Customer self repair
Hewlett Packard Enterprise customer self repair (CSR) programs allow you to repair your product. If a CSR
part needs to be replaced, it will be shipped directly to you so that you can install it at your convenience.
Support and other resources 13
Some parts do not qualify for CSR. Your Hewlett Packard Enterprise authorized service provider will
determine whether a repair can be accomplished by CSR.
For more information about CSR, contact your local service provider or go to the CSR website:
http://www.hpe.com/support/selfrepair
Remote support
Remote support is available with supported devices as part of your warranty or contractual support
agreement. It provides intelligent event diagnosis, and automatic, secure submission of hardware event
notifications to Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which will initiate a fast and accurate resolution based on your
product's service level. Hewlett Packard Enterprise strongly recommends that you register your device for
remote support.
If your product includes additional remote support details, use search to locate that information.
Remote support and Proactive Care information
HPE Get Connected
www.hpe.com/services/getconnected
HPE Proactive Care services
www.hpe.com/services/proactivecare
HPE Proactive Care service: Supported products list
www.hpe.com/services/proactivecaresupportedproducts
HPE Proactive Care advanced service: Supported products list
www.hpe.com/services/proactivecareadvancedsupportedproducts
Proactive Care customer information
Proactive Care central
www.hpe.com/services/proactivecarecentral
Proactive Care service activation
www.hpe.com/services/proactivecarecentralgetstarted
Warranty information
To view the warranty for your product or to view the Safety and Compliance Information for Server, Storage,
Power, Networking, and Rack Products reference document, go to the Enterprise Safety and Compliance
website:
www.hpe.com/support/Safety-Compliance-EnterpriseProducts
Additional warranty information
HPE ProLiant and x86 Servers and Options
www.hpe.com/support/ProLiantServers-Warranties
HPE Enterprise Servers
www.hpe.com/support/EnterpriseServers-Warranties
HPE Storage Products
www.hpe.com/support/Storage-Warranties
HPE Networking Products
www.hpe.com/support/Networking-Warranties
14 Remote support
Regulatory information
To view the regulatory information for your product, view the Safety and Compliance Information for Server,
Storage, Power, Networking, and Rack Products, available at the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center:
www.hpe.com/support/Safety-Compliance-EnterpriseProducts
Additional regulatory information
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is committed to providing our customers with information about the chemical
substances in our products as needed to comply with legal requirements such as REACH (Regulation EC No
1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council). A chemical information report for this product can be
found at:
www.hpe.com/info/reach
For Hewlett Packard Enterprise product environmental and safety information and compliance data, including
RoHS and REACH, see:
www.hpe.com/info/ecodata
For Hewlett Packard Enterprise environmental information, including company programs, product recycling,
and energy efficiency, see:
www.hpe.com/info/environment
Documentation feedback
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Regulatory information 15
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