Dell PowerVault MD3600f Series Quick reference guide

Dell PowerVault MD3600f and
MD3620f Storage Arrays
Deployment Guide
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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.
____________________
Information in this publication is subject to change without notice.
© 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, and PowerVault™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Intel®and Pentium®are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows Server®are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/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. VMware® is a registered
trademark or trademark (the “Marks”) of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions.
Citrix®is a registered trademark or trademark of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other
countries.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
2011-05 Rev. A00
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Contents 3
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Introduction to Storage Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2 Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Storage Configuration Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
About the Storage Array Connections. . . . . . . . . . 12
Cabling the Storage Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Redundant and Non-Redundant
Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series
Expansion Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Expanding With Previously Configured
PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion
Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Expanding With New PowerVault MD1200
Series Expansion Enclosures. . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3 Software Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Installing Host Bus Adapters and Drivers. . . . . . . . 17
Installing MD Storage Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Graphical Installation (Recommended) . . . . . . 18
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4Contents
Console Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Silent Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Enabling Premium Features (Optional) . . . . . . . . . 20
4 Post Installation Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Verifying Storage Array Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Initial Setup Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5 Uninstalling Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Uninstalling From Microsoft Windows . . . . . . . . . 25
Uninstalling From Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
A Load Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Windows Load Balance Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Round Robin With Subset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Least Queue Depth With Subset . . . . . . . . . . 27
Changing Load Balance Policies in
Windows Sever 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Setting Load Balance Policies in Linux . . . . . . . . . 29
B Working With SFP Modules and
Fiber Optic Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Guidelines for Using SFP Modules . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Installing and Removing SFP Modules . . . . . . . . . 32
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Contents 5
Guidelines for Using Fiber Optic Cables . . . . . . . . 33
Installing and Removing Fibre Channel Cables. . . . . 34
C Hardware Cabling Best Practices. . . . . . 35
Handling Static-Sensitive Components . . . . . . . . . 35
Host Cabling for Remote Replication . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cabling for Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Single-Controller and Dual-Controller Topologies . . . 36
Labeling Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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6Contents
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Introduction 7
1
Introduction
NOTE: Throughout the document, Dell PowerVault MD3600f series storage array
refers to both Dell PowerVault MD3600f and Dell PowerVault MD3620f.
This guide provides information about deploying Dell PowerVault MD3600f
and MD3620f 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
support.dell.com/manuals.
MDSM enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for
optimum usability. The version of MDSM included on the MD3600f series
resource media can be used to manage both the MD3600f series and the
earlier generation MD3000 series storage arrays. MDSM is compatible with
both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
Introduction to Storage Arrays
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 Fibre
Channel (FC) connections.
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8Introduction
• Management station—On a management station, MDSM communicates
with the storage array either through an Ethernet connection to the
storage array management port or though an Ethernet connection to a
host server, which passes management information between the
management station and the storage array using FC 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.
Unconfigured capacity comprises of 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 support.dell.com/manuals .
System Requirements
Before installing and configuring the MD3600f series hardware and software,
ensure that the operating system is supported and minimum system
requirements are met. For more information, see the Support Matrix at
support.dell.com/manuals.
A management station uses MDSM to configure and manage storage arrays
across the network. A management station 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
• Display resolution of 1024x768 with 16 million colors (1280x1024 32-bit
recommended)
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Introduction 9
• Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or SUSE Linux Enterprise
Server. Operating system installations can be either native or hypervisior
guest configurations. Supported hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V,
Citrix XenServer, and VMware. For information about the supported
versions, see the
Support Matrix at support.dell.com/manuals .
• Administrator or equivalent permissions
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10 Introduction
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Hardware Installation 11
2
Hardware Installation
Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the:
• Getting Started Guide —The Getting Started Guide that shipped with the
storage array provides information to configure the initial setup of the system.
• Planning section of the
Owner’s Manual— The planning section provides
information
about important concepts you should know before setting up
your storage solution.
•
Configuring Fibre Channel With the Dell MD3600f Series Storage Array —
This document provides information about configurations, host bus
adapter (HBA) installation, and zoning.
Storage Configuration Planning
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.
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12 Hardware Installation
About the Storage Array Connections
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. For more information, see
the
Getting Started Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
Each RAID controller module has four FCIN (host) port connectors that
provide FC connections to the host or node. Each RAID controller module
also contains an Ethernet management port and a SAS Out port connector.
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 expansion enclosures for
additional storage capacity. For more information, see the
Getting Started
Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
NOTE: When you connect a host server to a storage array FCIN port connector,
any Out port connector of the server's host bus adapter (HBA) can be used.
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.
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Hardware Installation 13
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.
For detailed information about all cabling configurations including direct and
SAN-attached hosts, cabling for remote replication environments, the use of
zoning, and HBA installation, see Configuring Fibre Channel With the Dell
MD3600f Series Storage Array, at support.dell.com/manuals.
Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion
Enclosures
You can expand the capacity of your PowerVault MD3600f series storage array
by adding PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures. You can expand
the physical disk pool to a maximum of 96 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 PERC H800 adapter. Data from virtual disks created on
a PERC H800 adapter cannot be directly migrated to a PowerVault MD3600f
series storage array or to a PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosure
connected to a PowerVault MD3600f series storage array.
CAUTION: If a PowerVault MD1200 series enclosure that was previously attached
to PERC H800 adapter is used as an expansion enclosure to a PowerVault MD3600f
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 MD3600f series storage array:
1
Back up all data on the expansion enclosure(s).
2 While the enclosure is still attached to the PERC H800 controller,
upgrade the expansion enclosure firmware to the latest version available
at
support.dell.com .
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14 Hardware Installation
Windows systems users can reference the DUP.exe package and Linux
kernel users can reference the
DUP.bin package.
NOTE: Before adding the expansion enclosure(s), ensure that the storage array
software is installed and up to date. For more information, see the
Support Matrix at
support.dell.com/manuals.
3 Install the software and driver package included on the PowerVault
MD3600f series resource media. For information about installing the
software, see "Software Installation" on page 17.
4 Using MDSM, update the storage array RAID controller module firmware
and NVSRAM to the latest versions available at
support.dell.com. In the
Enterprise Management Window (EMW), Click Tools  Upgrade RAID
Controller Module Firmware
.
5 Stop all I/O and turn off the solution.
a Stop all I/O to the array and turn off the host systems attached to the
storage array.
b Turn off the storage array.
c Turn off the expansion enclosure(s) in the affected system.
6 Cable the expansion enclosure(s) to the storage array.
7 Turn on the solution:
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 light 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 light solid blue, the storage array is ready.
c After the storage array is online and ready, turn on any attached
host systems.
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Hardware Installation 15
8 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 PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures are online, they
can be accessed as a part of the storage array.
Expanding With New PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures
Perform the following steps to attach new PowerVault MD1200 series
expansion enclosures to a PowerVault MD3600f series storage array:
NOTE: Before adding the expansion enclosure(s), ensure that the storage array
software is installed and up to date. For more information, see the
Support Matrix at
support.dell.com/manuals.
1 Install the software and driver package included on the PowerVault
MD3600f series
resource media. For information about installing the
software, see "Software Installation" on page 17.
2 Set up the MD1200 series expansion enclosure(s). For information about
setting up the MD1200 series expansion enclosure(s), see the
Hardware
Owner’s Manual
at support.dell.com/manuals .
3 Using MDSM, update the RAID controller module firmware and
NVSRAM to the latest versions available on
support.dell.com . From the
Enterprise Management Window (EMW), click
Tools  Upgrade RAID
Controller Module Firmware
.
4 Stop I/O and turn off the solution:
a Stop all I/O to the storage array and turn off affected host systems
attached to the storage array.
b Turn off the storage array.
c Turn off any expansion enclosure(s) in the affected system.
5 Cable the expansion enclosure(s) to the storage array.
6 Turn on the solution:
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:
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16 Hardware Installation
• If the status LEDs light 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 MDSM.
• If the status LEDs light solid blue, the storage array is ready.
c After the storage array is online and ready, turn on any attached host
systems.
7 Using MDSM, update all attached expansion enclosure firmware if it is out
of date:
a From the EMW, select the enclosure that you want to update and
enter the
Array Management Window (AMW). Click Advanced 
Maintanence  Download  EMM Firmware .
b Select Select All to update all the attached expansion enclosures
simultaneously.
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Software Installation 17
3
Software Installation
The PowerVault MD3600f 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 covering 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.
For more information on supported hardware and software for Dell PowerVault
systems, see the Support Matrix located at support.dell.com/manuals.
NOTE: It is recommended that you install all the latest updates available at
support.dell.com.
Installing Host Bus Adapters and Drivers
NOTE: Ensure that you read the Configuring Fibre Channel With the Dell MD3600f
Series Storage Array document before continuing with this procedure.
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.
Installing MD Storage Software
The PowerVault MD3600f series storage software 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
Owner's Manual at support.dell.com/manuals.
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18 Software Installation
NOTE: To install the software on a Windows or Linux system, you must have
administrative or root privileges.
The PowerVault MD3600f series resource media provided offers the following
three installation methods:
• Graphical Installation (Recommended)—This is the recommended
installation procedure for most users. The installer presents a graphical
wizard-driven interface that allows customization of which components
are installed.
• Console Installation—This installation procedure is useful for Linux users
that do not desire to install an X-Window environment on their supported
Linux platform.
• Silent Installation—This installation procedure is useful for users that
prefer to create scripted installations.
Graphical Installation (Recommended)
1 Close all other programs before installing any new software.
2 Insert the resource media.
3 Select Install MD36 xx f Storage Software .
4 Install the MD Storage Manager software. Select one of the following
installation options:
• Full (recommended)—This package installs core software and
providers. It includes the necessary host-based storage agent,
multipath driver, MD Storage Manager, and providers.
• Host Only—This package includes the host-based storage agent and
multipath drivers.
• Management Station—This package includes the MD Storage
Manager and providers.
• Custom—This option allows you to select specific components.
5 Reboot each host server.
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Software Installation 19
6 Start the MD Storage Manager and discover the array(s).
NOTE: If Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is not used on the network
where the MD storage array’s management ports are connected, it is
recommended that you enable IPv6 on the management station to discover
the storage array(s).
7 Configure single initiator and multiple target zoning on your switches. For
information about zoning, see
Configuring Fibre Channel with the Dell
MD3600f Series Storage Array
at support.dell.com/manuals .
8 Perform the remaining post-installation tasks.
NOTE: The MD Storage Manager software installer automatically installs
operating system patches/hotfixes.
Console Installation
NOTE: Console installation only applies to Linux systems that are not running a
graphical environment.
The autorun script in the root of the resource media detects when there is no
graphical environment running and automatically starts the installer in a
text-based mode. This mode provides the same options as graphical installation.
Silent Installation
This option allows you to install the software in an unattended mode.
To run the silent installation in a Windows system:
1
To begin the installation with all the default options, navigate to the
windows folder on the resource media and run the following command:
md36xxf_install.exe -i silent
2
To specify which features are to be installed silently, modify the
custom_silent.properties file located in the same directory and copy it
to a writable location on the host server. This file contains a list of
supported features and their descriptions. To utilize the modified
custom_silent.properties file, run the command:
md36xxf_install.exe -f
C:\path\to\custom_silent.properties
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20 Software Installation
NOTE: Before proceeding with the following silent install commands on a Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 6 operating system, ensure that you run the following script
# md_prereq_install.sh from the Resource DVD's root directory to install
prerequisite packages.
To run the silent installation in a Linux system:
1
To begin the installation with all the default options, navigate to the linux
folder on the resource media and run the following command:
./md36xxf_install.bin –i silent
2
To specify which features are to be installed silently, you must modify the
custom_silent.properties file located in the same directory and copy it to a
writable location on the host server. This file contains a list of supported
features and their descriptions. To utilize the modified
custom_silent.properties file, run the command:
./md36xxf_install.bin -f
/path/to/custom_silent.properties
Enabling Premium Features (Optional)
If you ordered premium features, follow the instructions on the Premium
Features Card to install the additional features.
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