HPE MSA 2050 User manual

MSA 2050 Cable Configuration Guide
Part Number: 729691-003
Published: June 2017
Edition: 1
Abstract
This document contains cable configuration information for HPE MSA 2050 controller enclosures
and supported expansion disk enclosures.

© Copyright 2017, 2017 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Contents
Overview.......................................................................................................4
About this document............................................................................................................................4
Complete system example.................................................................................................................. 4
Configuration notes............................................................................................................................. 5
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to remote management hosts..............6
Connecting the MSA 2050 array to expansion disk enclosures............. 7
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
Websites..................................................................................................... 12
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
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: http://www.hpe.com/
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.
1
2
3
4
5
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 http://www.hpe.com/support/msa2050.
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
HPE D2700 Disk Enclosure (supported in MSA
1040/2040 upgrade scenarios only)
25-disk SFF enclosure
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.
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-
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 fault-
tolerant 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
2
3
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 straight-
through 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).
8Connecting 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 straight-
through 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
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
2
3
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