Dell SC8000 Deployment Manual

Contents

Dell SC8000 Deployment Manual Manual pdf 107 page image

Front-End Connectivity ModesDell Compellent 97Virtual Port ModeVirtual port mode provides port and controller redundancy by connecting multiple activeports to each Fibre Channel or Ethernet switch.In virtual port mode, each physical port has a WWN (World Wide Name), and is alsoassigned an additional virtual WWN. Servers target only the virtual WWNs. Duringnormal conditions, all ports process IO. If a port or controller fails, a virtual WWN can bemoved to another physical WWN in the same fault domain. When the failure is resolvedand ports are rebalanced, the virtual port returns to the preferred physical port.Virtual port mode provides the following advantages over legacy mode: Increased performance: Because all ports are active, additional front‐end bandwidth isavailable without sacrificing redundancy. Improved redundancy: Ports can fail over individually instead of by controller. Simplified iSCSI configuration: Each fault domain has an iSCSI control port thatcoordinates discovery of the iSCSI ports in the domain. When a server targets the iSCSIport IP address, it automatically discovers all ports in the fault domain.Fault Domains in Virtual Port ModeFault domains group front‐end ports that are connected to the same Fibre Channel fabricor Ethernet network. Ports that belong to the same fault domain can fail over to each otherbecause they have the same connectivity.The following requirements apply to fault domains in virtual port mode: A separate fault domain must be created for each front‐end Fibre Channel fabric orEthernet network. A fault domain must contain a single type of transport media (FC or iSCSI, but notboth). Dell Compellent recommends configuring at least two connections from each controllerto each Fibre Channel or Ethernet network (fault domain).Requirements for Virtual Port ModeThe following requirements must be met to configure a Storage Center in virtual portmode.Note: Dell Compellent strongly recommends using virtual port mode unless thenetwork environment does not meet the requirements for virtual port mode.Requirement DescriptionLicense The Storage Center must be licensed for virtual port mode.Switches Front‐end ports must be connected to Fibre Channel or Ethernet switches;servers cannot be directly connected to controller front‐end ports.