Dell PowerVault MD3600i Getting Started Manual

Also see for PowerVault MD3600i Series: Manual Support Matrix Cli guide Support Matrix Support Matrix

Contents

Dell PowerVault MD3600i Getting Started Manual Manual pdf 7 page image

Getting Started With Your System 5Before You BeginBefore setting up your Dell PowerVault MD36xxi storage array, you mustconsider certain best practices to ensure that your storage array operates atmaximum efficiency and offers full redundancy (if required).• The PowerVault MD36xxi is a 10GBase-T product that requires a10GBase-T capable infrastructure that consists of Category 6 or highercables, 10GBase-T capable patch panels, and switches.• Existing 1GBase-T infrastructures can be used either through a 10GBase-Tswitch, that interconnects the 10GBase-T network, or by manuallyconfiguring the iSCSI ports to run at 1GBase-T speeds. You can alsouse the Modular Disk Configuration Utility (MDCU) to configurethe port speeds. For more information about MDCU, see "Installing theMD Storage Software" on page 16.NOTE: Auto-negotiation is not supported and the operation speed must beconfigured manually.• Throughout the network, always use a Category 6 (or higher) Ethernet cable.• It is recommended that you use a dedicated IP SAN for iSCSI datatransmission. Management traffic can be isolated on a separatemanagement network.• Complete the iSCSI configuration worksheet before configuring iSCSI.See "Completing the iSCSI Worksheet" on page 7. This worksheet gathersphysical network information in a single source.• After completing the iSCSI worksheet, draw the configuration beforesetting up the solution.• Always configure redundant iSCSI data paths to provide alternate paths toand from the host server should one of the data paths become disabled.