Dell PowerVault MD3460 Series User manual

Dell PowerVault MD3460 Series 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 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.
Copyright ©2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and
intellectual property laws. Dell™and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other
jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
2014 - 02
Rev. A00

Contents
1 Introduction................................................................................................................5
System Requirements............................................................................................................................5
Management Station Requirements............................................................................................... 5
Introduction To Storage Arrays.............................................................................................................5
Related Documentation........................................................................................................................6
Contacting Dell......................................................................................................................................6
Documentation Feedback.....................................................................................................................7
2 Hardware Installation.............................................................................................. 9
Planning The Storage Configuration ................................................................................................... 9
Connecting The Storage Array ............................................................................................................ 9
Cabling The Storage Array.................................................................................................................. 10
Redundant And Non-Redundant Configurations.............................................................................. 10
Dual Controller Configurations.......................................................................................................... 10
Cabling PowerVault MD3060e Expansion Enclosures...................................................................... 16
Expanding With New PowerVault MD3060e Expansion Enclosures...........................................17
3 Installing MD Storage Manager...........................................................................19
Installing Host Bus Adapters And Drivers...........................................................................................20
Graphical Installation (Recommended)............................................................................................. 20
Console Installation ............................................................................................................................21
Silent Installation .................................................................................................................................21
Silent Installation On Windows..................................................................................................... 21
Silent Installation On Linux............................................................................................................21
Enabling Premium Features (Optional).............................................................................................. 22
Upgrading PowerVault MD Storage Manager....................................................................................22
4 Post Installation Tasks...........................................................................................23
Verifying Storage Array Discovery...................................................................................................... 23
Initial Setup Tasks................................................................................................................................24
5 Uninstalling MD Storage Manager..................................................................... 25
Uninstalling MD Storage Manager From Windows............................................................................25
Uninstall MD Storage Manager From Windows Server GUI Version.................................................25
Uninstall MD Storage Manager From Windows Server Core Versions............................................. 25
Uninstalling MD Storage Manager From Linux.................................................................................. 26
6 Load Balancing........................................................................................................27

Load Balance Policy............................................................................................................................ 27
Round Robin With Subset............................................................................................................. 27
Least Queue Depth........................................................................................................................27
Least Path Weight..........................................................................................................................27
Setting Load Balance Policies in Linux...............................................................................................28
Setting Load Balance Policies in VMware.......................................................................................... 28

1
Introduction
This guide provides information about deploying Dell PowerVault MD3460 storage arrays. The
deployment process includes:
• Hardware installation
• Modular Disk Storage Manager (MD Storage Manager) installation
• Initial system configuration
Other information provided include system requirements, storage array organization, and utilities.
NOTE: For more information on product documentation, see Related Documentation.
MD Storage Manager enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for optimum
usability. The version of MD Storage Manager included on the PowerVault MD Series resource media can
be used to manage both the PowerVault MD3460 Series and other PowerVault MD Series storage arrays.
MD Storage Manager is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
System Requirements
Before installing and configuring the PowerVault MD3460 Series hardware and software, ensure that the
supported operating system is installed and minimum system requirements are met. For more
information, see the Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
Management Station Requirements
A management station uses MD Storage Manager to configure and manage storage arrays across the
network. For more information on management station requirements, see the Support Matrix at
dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
Introduction To Storage Arrays
An enclosure containing physical disks accessed through RAID controller modules is called a storage
array. A storage array includes various hardware components, such as physical disks, RAID controller
modules, fans, and power supplies.
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 MD Storage Manager running on a:
• Host server — On a host server system, MD Storage Manager and the storage array communicate
management requests and event information using in-band or out-of-band connections.
• Management station — On a management station, MD Storage Manager communicates with the
storage array either through an Ethernet connection to the storage array management port or
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through an Ethernet connection to a host server. The Ethernet connection passes management
information between the management station and the storage array using array connectivity.
Using MD Storage Manager, you can configure the physical disks in the storage array into logical
components called disk groups and Dynamic Disk Pool (DDP), 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.
Unconfigured capacity comprises physical disks not already assigned to a disk group or DDP. 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 Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
Related Documentation
NOTE: For all PowerVault documentation, go to dell.com/powervaultmanuals and enter the
system Service Tag to get your system documentation.
NOTE: For all Dell OpenManage documents, go to dell.com/openmanagemanuals.
NOTE: For all storage controller documents, go to dell.com/storagecontrollermanuals.
Your product documentation includes:
•Dell PowerVault MD3460/MD3860i/MD3860f Storage Arrays Getting Started Guide — Provides an
overview of system features, setting up your system, and technical specifications. This document is
also shipped with your system.
•Dell PowerVault MD3460 Storage Arrays Owner’s Manual — Provides information about system
features and describes how to troubleshoot the system and install or replace system components.
• Rack Installation Instructions — Describes how to install your system into a rack. This document is
also shipped with your rack solution.
•Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide — Provides information about
configuring and managing the system using the MDSM GUI.
•Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Arrays CLI Guide — Provides information about configuring and
managing the system using the MDSM CLI.
•Dell PowerVault MD3460 Storage Arrays Deployment Guide — Provides information about deploying
the storage system in the SAN architecture.
•Dell PowerVault MD Series Support Matrix — Provides information about the software and hardware
compatibility matrices for the storage array.
Contacting Dell
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your
purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
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Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by
country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales,
technical support, or customer service issues:
1. Go to dell.com/contactdell.
2. Verify your country or region from the drop-down menu at the top left corner of the page.
3. Select your support category: Technical Support, Customer Support, Sales, or International
Support Services.
4. Select the appropriate service or support link based on your requirement.
NOTE: If you have purchased a Dell system, you may be asked for the Service Tag.
Documentation Feedback
If you have feedback for this document, write to [email protected]. Alternatively, you
can click on the Feedback link in any of the Dell documentation pages, fill out the form, and click Submit
to send your feedback.
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2
Hardware Installation
Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the:
•Dell PowerVault MD3460/MD3860i/MD3860f Storage Arrays Getting Started Guide — The Getting
Started Guide that is shipped with the storage array provides information to configure the initial setup
of the system.
•Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide — The Administrator's Guide provides
information about important concepts you must know before setting up your storage solution. For
more information, see dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
• The Rack Installation instructions — Provides information on how to rack your system. This document
is shipped with your system.
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, disk groups, and DDP 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.
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. The ports
on the RAID controller module and their functions are listed:
• 12 Gbps SAS Host Ports (4) — Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.
NOTE: When you connect a host server to a storage array SAS IN port connector, any OUT port
connector of the host bus adapter (HBA) of the server can be used.
• 1 Gbps Ethernet Management (MGMT) Port (1) — Management port allows for out of band
management of storage array.
• Reserved Ethernet Port (1) — Reserved port.
• SAS Expansion Ports (2) — Allows you to connect the storage array to an optional PowerVault
MD3060e expansion enclosure for additional storage capacity. Only one SAS OUT expansion port can
be used at a time and the recommended expansion port is 0.
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Each PowerVault MD3460 storage array can be expanded to a maximum of 120 (or 180, if enabled using
Premium Feature activation) physical disks through a maximum of two MD3060e series expansion
enclosures.
Cabling The Storage Array
You can cable the storage array to host servers with:
• Single path data configuration — A single path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of
eight hosts. This is a non-redundant configuration.
• Dual path data configuration — A dual path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of four
hosts.
You choose the data configuration based on:
• Number of hosts required
• Level of data redundancy required
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 HBA, 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, 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.
Dual Controller Configurations
The following figures show two and four hosts, each connected to two RAID controller modules. Since
each host has redundant paths, loss of a single path would still allow access to the storage array through
the alternate path.
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Figure 1. Two Hosts Connected to Two Controllers
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Figure 2. Four Hosts Connected to Two Controllers
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Figure 3. Four Hosts Connected to Two Controllers
The following figure shows eight hosts, each connected to only one RAID controller module. This
configuration allows the maximum number of hosts that may be connected, but provides no redundancy.
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Figure 4. Eight Hosts Connected to Two Controllers
The following figures show up to four cluster nodes connected to two RAID controller modules. Since
each cluster node has redundant paths, loss of a single path would still allow access to the storage array
through the alternate path.
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Figure 5. Four Cluster Nodes Connected to Two Controllers
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Figure 6. Four Cluster Nodes Connected to Two Controllers
Cabling PowerVault MD3060e Expansion Enclosures
You can expand the capacity of your PowerVault MD3460 Series storage array by adding PowerVault
MD3060e expansion enclosures. You can expand the physical disk pool to a maximum of 120 (or 180, if
enabled using Premium Feature activation) physical disks using a maximum of two expansion enclosures.
To connect the MD3060e expansion enclosure to your MD Series Dense RAID storage array:
1. Connect the supported SAS cable (MiniSAS HD end) to SAS OUT Port 0 on the MD Series Dense
storage array.
2. Connect the other end of the SAS cable to SAS port 1 on the MD3060e Enclosure Management
Modules (EMM).
3. To add a second MD3060e expansion enclosure, daisy chain it to the first expansion enclosure.
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CAUTION: Do not connect to SAS port 2 on the EMM.
NOTE: Hot plug of MD3060e expansion enclosure is not recommended. Power on all
MD3060e expansion enclosures before you power on the array enclosure. For helpful videos
and other resources on PowerVault MD series, see dell.com/PVresources.
Expanding With New PowerVault MD3060e Expansion Enclosures
Perform the following steps to attach new PowerVault MD3060e expansion enclosures to a PowerVault
MD3460 Series storage array:
1. Before adding the expansion enclosure(s), ensure that the storage array software is installed and is up
to date.
For more information, see the Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
2. Install the software and driver package included on the PowerVault MD Series resource media.
For information about installing the software, see Installing MD Storage Manager.
3. Using MD Storage Manager, update the RAID controller module firmware and NVSRAM to the latest
versions available on dell.com/support.
4. Click Tools → Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware from the Enterprise Management
Window (EMW) by selecting the array enclosure that you want to update.
5. Stop all I/O to the storage array and turn off affected host systems attached to the storage array.
6. Turn off the storage array.
7. Turn off any expansion enclosure(s) in the affected system.
8. Cable the expansion enclosure(s) to the storage array.
9. Turn on the expansion enclosure(s) and wait for the enclosure status LED to turn blue.
10. Turn on the storage array and wait for the status LED to indicate that the unit is ready:
– When power is on, the power on indicator lights solid green.
– If the Service action required indicator lights amber, the error can be viewed using the
PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager.
11. After the storage array is online and ready, turn on any attached host systems.
12. Using PowerVault MD Storage Manager, update all attached expansion enclosure firmware if it is out
of date.
13. From the EMW, select the enclosure that you want to update and launch the Array Management
Window (AMW).
14. From the Array Management Window, select Upgrade → EMM Firmware.
15. Click Select All to update all the attached expansion enclosures simultaneously.
16. Click Start.
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3
Installing MD Storage Manager
The PowerVault MD Series resource media contains software and drivers for both Linux and Microsoft
Windows operating systems.
The root of the media contains a readme.txt file describing changes to the software, updates, fixes,
patches, and other important data applicable to both Linux and Windows operating systems. The
readme.txt file also specifies requirements for accessing documentation, information regarding versions
of the software on the media, and system requirements for running the software.
CAUTION: Do not install MD Storage Manager exclusively on a virtual disk that is being actively
managed by MD Storage Manager. Instead, install at least one instance of MD Storage Manager
on a local disk that is running SMagent and SMmonitor. Installing management software only on
a virtual disk may prevent access to recovery information in the event of multiple physical disk or
enclosure failures.
For more information on supported hardware and software for Dell PowerVault systems, see the Support
Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
NOTE: As a first step towards managing the array, always use MD Storage Resource DVD media to
update and install MD Storage Manager. For the latest updates and Support Matrix, see dell.com/
powervaultmanuals.
The PowerVault MD3460 Series storage firmware installer provides features that include the core
software and providers. The core software feature includes the host-based storage agent, multipath
driver, and MD Storage Manager application used to configure, manage and monitor the storage array
solution. The providers feature include providers for the Microsoft Virtual Disk Service (VDS) and
Microsoft Volume Shadow-Copy Service (VSS) framework.
NOTE: For more information about the Microsoft VDS and Microsoft VSS providers, see the
Administrator's Guide at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
NOTE: To install the software on a Windows or Linux system, you must have administrative or root
privileges.
NOTE: If Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is not used, initial configuration of the
management station must be performed on the same physical subnet as the storage array.
Additionally, during initial configuration, at least one network adapter must be configured on the
same IP subnet as the storage array’s default management port (Controller 0 MGMT (port 0) :
192.168.128.101 or Controller 1 MGMT (port 0): 192.168.128.102). After the initial configuration, the
management ports are configured using MD Storage Manager and the management station’s IP
address can be changed back to the previous settings.
NOTE: Only two management ports (Port 0) per array are supported. Second port on each
controller is reserved.
The PowerVault MD Series resource media offers the following installation methods:
• Graphical Installation (Recommended) — This is the recommended installation procedure. The
installer presents a graphical wizard-driven interface that allows customization of components
installed.
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• Console Installation — This installation procedure is useful for Linux users who do not desire to install
an X-Window environment on their supported Linux platform.
• Silent Installation — This installation procedure is useful if you prefer to create scripted installations.
Installing Host Bus Adapters And Drivers
1. Install the host bus adapters (HBAs).
2. Connect the cables.
3. Install the HBA drivers and the operating system HBA patches/hotfixes.
4. Ensure that the recommended HBA settings are applied.
Graphical Installation (Recommended)
The MD Storage Manager configures, manages, and monitors the storage array. To install the MD storage
manager:
1. Insert the PowerVault MD Series resource media.
Depending on your operating system, the installer may launch automatically. If the installer does not
launch automatically, navigate to the root directory of the installation media (or downloaded installer
image) and run the md_launcher.exe file. For Linux-based systems, navigate to the root of the
resource media and run the autorun file.
NOTE: By default, Red Hat Enterprise Linux mounts the resource media with the –noexec
mount option which does not allow you to run executable files. To change this setting, see the
Readme file in the root directory of the installation media.
2. Select Install MD Storage Software.
3. Read and accept the license agreement.
4. Select one of the following installation options from the Install Set menu:
–Full (recommended) — Installs the MD Storage Manager (client) software, host-based storage
agent, multipath driver, and hardware providers.
–Host Only — Installs the host-based storage agent and multipath drivers. See Installing MD
Storage Manager.
–Management — Installs the management software and hardware providers.
–Custom — Allows you to select specific components.
NOTE: If you install the MD Storage Manager on a management station that is not connected to
a network or server, only the Management Station option is available.
5. Choose whether to start the event monitor service manually or automatically, when the host server
reboots.
NOTE: This option is applicable only to Windows client software installation.
6. Confirm the installation location and click Install.
7. If prompted, reboot the host server after the installation completes.
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