Dell PowerVault NX3600 Quick reference guide

Dell FluidFS NAS Solutions NX3600/NX3610
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.
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2012 - 05
Rev. A00

Contents
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings...................................................................................................2
1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................5
Setting Up The Environment.....................................................................................................................................5
Selecting The Topology......................................................................................................................................5
MD Topology......................................................................................................................................................5
Choosing The Switch Topology..........................................................................................................................7
Best Practice Solution In The HA Option...........................................................................................................8
Dedicated SAN Solution In The Non-Redundant Option...................................................................................9
All-In-One High-Availability Option..................................................................................................................10
All-In-One Non-Redundant Option...................................................................................................................11
Preparing Your Management Station...............................................................................................................12
2 Running The NAS IDU..............................................................................................................15
Installing The NAS IDU...........................................................................................................................................15
Launching The NAS IDU.........................................................................................................................................15
Deploying The NAS Appliance Using The NAS IDU...............................................................................................15
3 Setting Up Your MD Storage Solution...................................................................................19
Creating Disk Groups..............................................................................................................................................19
Creating Disk Groups Automatically................................................................................................................19
Creating Disk Groups Manually........................................................................................................................20
Creating Virtual Disks.............................................................................................................................................21
Creating A Host Group............................................................................................................................................21
Creating A Host.......................................................................................................................................................22
Adding Virtual Disks To A Host Group....................................................................................................................22
Creating Host-To-Virtual Disk Mappings................................................................................................................23
Accessing The NAS Manager Web Interface........................................................................................................23
4 NAS Manager Configuration Wizard.....................................................................................25
Configuring Additional Client VIPs..........................................................................................................................28
5 PowerVault FluidFS NAS Setup Worksheet.........................................................................29
6 Getting Help................................................................................................................................31
Contacting Dell.......................................................................................................................................................31

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1
Overview
Setting Up The Environment
To set up the environment:
1. Choose the topology and cable your solution.
2. Complete the NAS system setup worksheet.
See Appendix.
3. Prepare your management station.
NOTE: Your solution requires a properly grounded electrical outlet, a compatible rack, and a rack installation kit.
For information on installing the solution in the rack, see Setting Up Your PowerVault Network Attached Storage
Solution that shipped with your product.
Selecting The Topology
Selecting the topology involves choosing the MD topology and the switch topology.
MD Topology
Your PowerVault MD32x0i array is equipped with eight iSCSI ports across two controllers. You can configure the
MD32x0i array for your solution to serve both NAS and Block.
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Figure 1. The MD Switch Topology
MD32x0i controllers have four iSCSI data ports. Note the following when configuring the ports:
• Ports 2 and 3 must not be configured on the same subnets as ports 0 and 1.
• Ports 2 and 3 can be used for additional block level iSCSI access by other hosts.
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Choosing The Switch Topology
The PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 supports four switch topologies. The topologies are listed in the table with their benefits
and challenges. Choose the ideal topology for your environment and cable the solution accordingly.
Table 1. Switch Topologies for PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 in the Non-Redundant and High Availability Options
Topology Description High-
Availability
Redundant Number of
Switches
Dedicated SAN — High
Availability (HA)
This topology leverages the best
practices of the industry relating
to iSCSI and separates the SAN
and LAN/Client traffic. The client
cables are connected to a client
switch and the SAN cables are
connected to a SAN switch.
Yes Yes 4
Dedicated SAN — Non-
Redundant
No No 2
All-in-one solution — HA A basic topology where the SAN
and the client cables are
connected to the same switch.
Yes Yes 2
All-in-one solution — Non-
Redundant
No No
Ensure the following settings are enabled in the SAN switch:
• Spanning Tree Portfast
• Flow control
• Jumbo frames (9000 MTU)
NOTE: Dell PowerConnect switches need to be configured to 9216 MTU or greater to accept frames of size 9000
MTU. Non-Dell switches may require a different MTU configuration for similar frame sizes. For more information on
MTU configuration for non-Dell switches, see the switch-specific manual.
NOTE: Jumbo frames and flow control settings are mandatory for all ports used only by PowerVault NX3600/
NX3610 and file access.
NOTE: For the best practice solution in the HA option, connect the PowerVault NX3600/3610 and MD ports to the
appropriate switch as shown in the following figure.
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Figure 2. NX3600/NX3610 Controller NIC Cabling
NOTE:
• NX3600 supports one NAS appliance and one MD storage array.
• NX3610 supports up to two NAS appliances and two MD storage arrays.
Best Practice Solution In The HA Option
It is recommended to isolate the SAN traffic from the LAN or client traffic with redundant switches for HA. All the client
cables are split between the redundant client switches, and the SAN or internal network cables are split between the
redundant SAN switches. Peer connections are always back to back.
MD32x0i controllers have four iSCSI data ports. Note the following when configuring the ports:
• Ports 2 and 3 must not be configured on the same subnets as ports 0 and 1.
• Ports 2 and 3 can be used for additional block level iSCSI access by other hosts.
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Figure 3. Dedicated SAN Solution in the High Availability Option
Dedicated SAN Solution In The Non-Redundant Option
The dedicated SAN solution in the non-redundant option isolates the SAN traffic from the client traffic, but without
redundant switches. All the client cables are connected to the client switch and the SAN or internal network cables are
connected to the SAN switch. Peer connections are always back to back.
CAUTION: In this configuration, the switches become a single point of failure.
NOTE: It is recommended that you separate the SAN subnets using virtual LANs.
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Figure 4. Dedicated SAN Solution in the Non-Redundant Option
All-In-One High-Availability Option
In an all-in-one high-availability option, the redundant switches host both SAN or internal and client network traffic. The
SAN or internal and client cables are split between the redundant switches. Peer connections are always back to back.
NOTE: It is recommended that you separate the SAN subnets using virtual LANs.
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Figure 5. All-in-One High-Availability Option
All-In-One Non-Redundant Option
In an all-in-one non redundant option, both the SAN or internal and client cables are connected to the same switch.
CAUTION: In this configuration, the switch is a single point of failure.
NOTE: It is recommended that you separate the SAN subnets using virtual LANs.
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Figure 6. All-in-One Non-Redundant Option
Preparing Your Management Station
A management station is required to manage and configure the NAS cluster solution. The NAS cluster solution can be
accessed using either the CLI or the Dell PowerVault NAS Manager.
NOTE: You can either log on to the CLI or the NAS Manager. It is highly recommended that you do not attempt to
log on to both the CLI and NAS Manager at the same time.
The minimum requirements for the management station are as follows:
• IPv6 must be enabled.
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• The NAS Initial Deployment Utility (IDU) must be installed.
NOTE: You can download and install the Dell NAS IDU from support.dell.com.
• The NAS cluster solution must be cabled appropriately and for the initial deployment, both the management
station and NAS Appliance(s) must be connected to the same physical client or LAN switch.
• Either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox must be installed with JavaScript enabled.
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2
Running The NAS IDU
The Dell NAS Initial Deployment Utility (IDU) guides you through the steps necessary to set up the network configuration
and pair the controllers together. It also starts the process of pairing the system to the PowerVault MD3 2x 0i storage
appliance. It is recommended that you determine your network configuration and IP address allocation for your
controllers before executing this utility.
Before running the NAS IDU, ensure that:
• The NAS IDU is installed and executed from a management station that has IPv6 enabled. The utility connects to
and configures your controllers through the local link Ipv6 address. Ipv6 can be disabled, but only after the
installation and configuration is complete.
• The management station is connected to the same switch as the client connections on your controllers (see the
Switch Topologies for PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 table).
NOTE: Use the NAS IDU only for initial configuration. After the NAS cluster solution is configured, use the NAS
Manager to make changes to the configuration.
Installing The NAS IDU
To install the NAS IDU:
NOTE: Before deploying the NAS IDU, ensure that IPv6 is enabled on all network interface devices connected to
the Client or LAN switch(es).
1. Download the NAS IDU installer from support.dell.com.
2. Double-click on FluidFS-NAS-IDU-installer.exe.
The NAS Deployment Utility screen is displayed.
3. Follow the prompts in the installer to complete the installation.
Launching The NAS IDU
To launch the NAS IDU, select Start → All Programs → Dell → FluidFS → NAS Deployment Utility. The NAS IDU
welcome screen is displayed.
NOTE: The actual configuration is not applied until all settings are confirmed in the Configuration Summary screen.
NOTE: Use this utility only to configure unconfigured appliances. Do not attempt to use this utility on fully
configured or clustered PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 NAS solutions or to reconfigure IP addresses. This utility does
not check for duplicate IPs or null entries.
Deploying The NAS Appliance Using The NAS IDU
To deploy the NAS appliance:
1. Launch the NAS Deployment Utility.
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The NAS Initial Deployment Utility Screen is displayed.
2. Click Next.
The NAS Discovery screen is displayed.
– All un-configured NAS appliances are displayed in the NAS Discovery screen. Select the appropriate NAS
appliance model and go to step 8.
– If un-configured NAS controllers are not discovered automatically, go to step 3.
3. On the NAS Discovery screen, click Next.
The MAC Controller Discovery screen is displayed.
4. Connect a monitor and keyboard to an un-configured controller.
The Controller MAC Address is displayed on the monitor that you connect to the controller.
5. On the MAC Controller Discovery screen, in MAC Address, enter the MAC address that is displayed on the monitor
connected to the un-configured NAS controller.
6. Click Connect to test connection with the controller.
7. To change the entered MAC address, click Edit.
8. Click Next.
The NAS Cluster Selection screen is displayed. The NAS Controller Discovery screen displays the controllers of the
un-configured NAS appliance, the service tag, and the status of the NAS appliance.
9. In the NAS Cluster Selection screen, click Next.
The NAS Cluster Identification screen is displayed.
10. In NAS Cluster Name, enter the name for the NAS cluster and click Next.
The Network Configuration screen is displayed.
11. Enter the following IP addresses:
a) Client VIP
b) NAS Management VIP
c) Gateway
d) Subnet Mask
NOTE: The IP addresses for the controllers are assigned automatically by using the Client VIP. For example, if the
client VIP is set to 10.10.79.155 , the controller 0 IP will be 10.10.79.156 and so on.
12. From the Interconnect Subnets list, select a subnet that is not being used and does not conflict with any other
subnet on your network.
If default subnets are not available, you can enter the IP address of the subnet manually.
13. You can assign the IP addresses of the controllers manually or allow the NAS IDU to automatically assign the IP
addresses. To assign the IP addresses for the controllers manually, click Advanced.
NOTE: To allow the NAS IDU to assign the IP addresses automatically, click Next, the NAS iSCSI network screen is
displayed. Proceed to step 9.
The Client access network screen is displayed.
a) Enter the IP address for each controller and click Next.
The Management network screen is displayed.
b) If blank, enter the IP addresses for the Controllers, Winbind, and Subnet Mask.
NOTE: If you select Advanced in the Network Configuration screen and enter the relevant IP addresses in the
Client access network screen, the fields in the Management network screen are populated automatically.
c) Click Next.
The Internal interconnect network screen is displayed.
d) If blank, enter the IP addresses for the Controllers, Winbind, and Subnet Mask.
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NOTE: If you select Advanced in the Network Configuration screen and enter the relevant IP addresses in the
Client access network screen, the fields in the Management network screen are populated automatically.
The NAS iSCSI network screen is displayed.
14. Enter the IP addresses for the following:
–SAN Network A
–SAN Network B
–Subnet mask
For SAN Networks A and B, enter the first IP address and as you enter the SAN network IP addresses the IP Range
for Controllers get updated.
15. To modify the IP Range for Controllers, click Modify and modify the IP addresses manually.
16. From the Network MTU list, select the appropriate MTU.
NOTE: In most cases, the required MTU is 9000.
17. Click Next.
The iSCSI Target Discovery screen is displayed.
18. In iSCSI Discovery Address for MD Array, enter one of the IP addresses for the iSCSI target.
19. Click Next.
NOTE: It is highly recommended to copy the configuration details from the Configuration Summary screen and
paste it in a different file (.doc or .txt) for future reference.
The Configuration Summary screen displays all the configuration details for the selected NAS appliance.
20. Click Next.
The NAS IDU applies the cluster configuration to the selected NAS appliance. After the configuration is complete,
the Configuration Results screen is displayed. The NAS controller IQNs are displayed in the Configuration Results
screen.
NOTE: It is highly recommended to copy the NAS controller IQN details from the Configuration Results screen and
paste it in a different file (.doc or .txt) for future reference. You must match these NAS controller IQNs in the
MDSM.
21. Set up your MD storage array using MDSM.
For more information, see Setting Up Your MD Storage Solution.
22. Click Finish.
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3
Setting Up Your MD Storage Solution
This section assumes you have discovered and completed the initial configuration (naming, assigning iSCSI, and
management port IPs) of your PowerVault MD32x0i/MD36x0i storage arrays in accordance with the topology you plan to
use.
This section provides the steps necessary to configure the host group and virtual disks that are required for the NAS
cluster solution. For additional information regarding a task such as creating virtual disks, see the PowerVault Modular
Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) Help or the Dell PowerVault MD32x0i Owner’s Manual at support.dell.com/manuals.
CAUTION: Correctly preparing the PowerVault Modular Disk (MD) storage array is critical for successfully
configuring your NAS solution.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you set up SMTP email alerts on the MD-Series array to be cautioned in case
of failures that can impact data availability.
NOTE: PowerVault MDSM is available for download on support.dell.com.
NOTE: See the MD storage array documentation at support.dell.com/manuals.
NOTE: Additional configuration is required after completing the steps in the PowerVault Configuration Utility.
Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) must be disabled on the PowerVault MD32x0i storage array
and the storage array must be configured for two logical SANs.
Use the PowerVault MDSM to complete the following tasks:
1. Create disk groups.
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a disk group for each virtual disk. However, you can create multiple
virtual disks in a disk group.
2. Create virtual disk pairs.
3. Create hosts and host group.
4. Map the virtual disks to the host group.
Creating Disk Groups
You can create disk groups either:
• Automatically
• Manually
Creating Disk Groups Automatically
To create disk groups automatically:
1. Launch the PowerVault MDSM software on the management station.
2. Select the MD storage array you plan to use for your NAS storage.
See the Dell PowerVault MD32x0i storage array Deployment Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
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3. Start the Create Disk Group Wizard using one of the following methods:
a) On the Logical tab, select Unconfigured Capacity, or right-click Unconfigured Capacity and select Create Disk
Group from the pop-up menu.
b) On the Physical tab, select one or more unassigned physical disks of the same physical disk type, or right-click
the unassigned physical disks and select Create Disk Group from the pop-up menu.
The Introduction (Create Disk Group) window is displayed.
4. In the Introduction (Create Disk Group) window, click Next.
The Disk Group Name & Physical Disk Selection window is displayed.
5. Type a name for the disk group in Disk Group Name.
It is recommended that you use the name of the NAS cluster appended by disk group and number for the disk group
name. For example, NX3600-Disk-Group-0 .
NOTE: The disk group name must not exceed 30 characters.
6. In Physical Disk selection, select Automatic and click Next.
7. In the RAID Level and Capacity window, select the appropriate RAID level from the RAID level list.
You can select RAID levels 1/10, 5, or 6. Depending on the RAID level chosen, the physical disks available for the
selected RAID level are displayed in Select Capacity table.
8. In the Select Capacity table, select the relevant disk group capacity, and click Finish.
The Disk Group Created screen is displayed. If you are going to use two disk groups, repeat the procedure and then
proceed to Creating Virtual Disks.
Creating Disk Groups Manually
To create disk groups manually:
1. Launch the PowerVault MDSM software on the management station.
2. Select the MD storage array you plan to use for your NAS storage.
See the Dell PowerVault MD32x0i storage array Deployment Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
3. Start the Create Disk Group Wizard using one of the following methods:
– On the Logical tab, select Unconfigured Capacity, or right-click Unconfigured Capacity and select Create
Disk Group from the pop-up menu.
– On the Physical tab, select one or more unassigned physical disks of the same physical disk type, or right-
click the unassigned physical disks and select Create Disk Group from the pop-up menu.
The Introduction (Create Disk Group) window is displayed.
4. In the Introduction (Create Disk Group) window, click Next.
The Disk Group Name & Physical Disk Selection window is displayed.
5. Type a name for the disk group in Disk group name.
It is recommended that you use the name of the NAS cluster appended by disk group and number for the Disk
group name. For example, NX3600-Disk-Group-0 .
NOTE: The disk group name must not exceed 30 characters.
6. In Physical Disk selection choices, select Manual and click Next.
7. In the RAID Level and Capacity window, select the appropriate RAID level from the RAID level list.
You can select RAID levels 1/10, 5, or 6. Depending on the RAID level chosen, the physical disks available for the
selected RAID level are displayed in Unselected Physical Disks table.
8. In the Unselected Physical Disks table, select the relevant disk group capacity, and click Add.
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