Dell PowerVault 3000i System Installation Manual

Also see for PowerVault MD3000i: Getting started Tuning guide User guide Hardware owner's manual Information update

Contents

Dell PowerVault 3000i System Installation Manual Manual pdf 9 page image

Hardware Installation 9Hardware InstallationThis chapter provides guidelines for planning the physical configuration of your Dell™ PowerVault™MD3000i storage array and for connecting one or more hosts to the array. For complete informationon hardware configuration, see the Dell™ PowerVault™ MD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual.Storage Configuration PlanningConsider the following items 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 errorconditions.• 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 athird for customer information.• Decide whether to allow space for hot spares, which automatically replace failed physical disks.• If you will use premium features, consider how to configure virtual disk copies and snapshotvirtual disks.About the Enclosure ConnectionsThe RAID array enclosure is connected to an iSCSI-enabled host server via one or two RAIDcontroller modules. The RAID controller modules are identified as RAID controller module 0 andRAID controller module 1 (see the PowerVault MD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual for moreinformation).Each RAID controller module contains two iSCSI In port connectors that provide direct connectionsto the host server or switches. iSCSI In port connectors are labeled In-0 and In-1(see the PowerVaultMD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual for more information).Each MD3000i RAID controller module also contains an Ethernet management port and a SAS Outport connector. The Ethernet management port allows you to install a dedicated managementstation (server or standalone system). The SAS Out port allows you to connect the RAID enclosureto an optional expansion enclosure (MD1000) for additional storage capacity.