Dell MD3460 Manual - Free PDF Download

Page 1 - Deployment Guide Title Page

Title page for the Dell PowerVault MD3460 Series Storage Arrays Deployment Guide.

Page 2 - Informational Marker Definitions

Definitions for NOTE, CAUTION, and WARNING markers used throughout the manual to indicate helpful tips, potential data loss risks, and serious safety hazards.

Page 3 - Table of Contents

Outline covering installation, configuration, and uninstallation procedures for Dell MD Storage Manager software and hardware setup.

Page 4 - Load Balancing Policies Overview

Topics related to Load Balancing, including policies such as Load Balance Policy, Round Robin With Subset, Least Queue Depth, and Least Path Weight settings in Linux and VMware environments.

Page 5 - Storage Array Deployment Overview

Introduction to the deployment guide detailing hardware installation, MD Storage Manager setup, system configuration requirements, and storage array management overview.

Page 6 - MD Storage Manager Functionality and RAID

Details on how MD Storage Manager communicates with hosts, configuring physical disks into logical components like disk groups, and describing RAID technology for data storage.

Page 7 - Support and Feedback Procedures

Instructions for contacting Dell support, submitting documentation feedback via email, and locating contact information without an internet connection.

Page 8 - Hardware Installation and Port Functions

Steps for hardware installation planning, connecting the storage array to a host, and detailing functions of RAID controller ports including SAS host ports, Ethernet management ports, and expansion ports.

Page 9 - Host Cabling Configurations

Instructions on cabling PowerVault MD3460 arrays for single-path (non-redundant) and dual-path (redundant) configurations, and the trade-offs based on host count and redundancy requirements.

Page 10 - Two-Controller Server Connection Diagram

Diagram illustrating the connection of two servers to a storage array via two controllers with separate management network connections.

Page 11 - Four Hosts Connected via HBA Ports

Diagram showing four servers connected to a storage array via HBA ports, each with a separate management network connection for configuration.

Page 12 - Non-Redundant Storage Network Configuration

Diagram illustrating a storage network where four servers connect to the array via two RAID controller modules, showing a configuration that offers no redundancy.

Page 13 - Redundant Storage Network Configuration

Diagram illustrating a storage network supporting up to eight servers connected via two RAID controller modules with redundant paths for fault tolerance.

Page 14 - Cluster Node Network Topology

Network topology diagram showing how four cluster nodes are connected to a storage array and management network using two controllers.

Page 15 - Expansion Enclosure Cabling

Instructions and diagrams for cabling PowerVault MD3060e expansion enclosures to a PowerVault MD3460 Series array, detailing capacity expansion methods.

Page 16 - Single Expansion Configuration Diagram

Diagram illustrating the cabling setup required to connect an MD3060e Storage Array to a single expansion enclosure.

Page 17 - Array Expansion Procedure and Warnings

Instructions for expanding the storage array by attaching expansion enclosures, including cabling diagrams, warnings against hot-plugging, and required power-on sequence.

Page 18 - Firmware Upgrade Procedure

Step-by-step instructions for upgrading firmware on the Dell PowerVault MD storage array and expansion enclosures using software and management windows.

Page 19 - MD Storage Manager Installation Guidelines

Installation process for MD Storage Manager, covering required software components, system prerequisites, installation guidelines, and cautions regarding virtual disk installations and administrative privileges.

Page 20 - Host Bus Adapter and Driver Installation

Methods for installing PowerVault MD Series components, including host bus adapters and drivers, focusing on the recommended graphical installation process using MD Storage Manager.

Page 21 - MD Storage Manager Installation Procedures

Installation steps for MD Storage Manager, including discovering arrays, activating premium features, performing silent installations on Windows and Linux systems, and console installation for Linux.

Page 22 - Linux MD Storage Manager Upgrade

Instructions for installing and upgrading the PowerVault MD Storage Manager on Linux, including configuring silent installation via properties file and enabling feature upgrades.

Page 23 - Post-Installation Tasks and Verification

Tasks following installation, including setting network configurations for RAID controllers, launching MD Storage Manager, verifying array discovery, and handling arrays with unresponsive status.

Page 24 - Initial Array Setup Configuration

Step-by-step instructions for initial setup of the PowerVault MD3460 series array, including renaming, password setting, alert configuration, and virtual disk creation via the management window.

Page 25 - MD Storage Manager Uninstallation (Windows)

Step-by-step instructions for uninstalling the MD Storage Manager software from various versions of Windows Server operating systems.

Page 26 - MD Storage Manager Uninstallation (Linux)

Step-by-step instructions for removing the Dell MD Storage Manager software from a Linux system.

Page 27 - Multi-path I/O Load Balancing Policies

Explanation of load balancing policies for multi-path I/O in RAID systems, detailing Round Robin with Subset, Least Queue Depth, and Least Path Weight routing mechanisms.

Page 28 - Virtual Disk I/O Load Balancing Comparison

Comparison of load balancing policies for virtual disk I/O between Linux and VMware, noting support differences for Round Robin, Asymmetric Logical Unit Access (ALUA), Most Recently Used (MRU), and Least Path Weight.