Dell PowerVault 3000i User guide

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Dell™ PowerVault™ Modular Disk 3000i

Systems Installation Guide

Notes, Notices

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of

your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data

and tells you how to avoid the problem.

____________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly

forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel

and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell

Inc. in the United States and other countries; Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Server are either

registeredtrademarksortrademarksofMicrosoftCorporationintheUnitedStatesandothercountries;

Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are registered trademarks of Red Hat Inc. in the United States

and other countries.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming

the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and

trade names other than its own.

February 2008

Contents 3

Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Management Station Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Introduction to Storage Arrays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2 Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Storage Configuration Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

About the Enclosure Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Cabling the Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Redundancy vs. Nonredundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Direct-Attached Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Network-Attached Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Attaching MD1000 Expansion Enclosures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Expanding with Previously Configured MD1000 Enclosures . . . . . . . . 16

Expanding with New MD1000 Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3 Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

System Assembly and Startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Install the iSCSI Initiator Software (iSCSI-attached Host Servers Only) . . . . 19

Installing the iSCSI Initiator on a Windows Host Server . . . . . . . . . . 20

Installing the iSCSI Initiator on a Linux Host Server . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Installing MD Storage Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Installing MD Storage Software on an iSCSI-attached Host

Server (Windows). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Installing MD Storage Software on an iSCSI-attached Host

Server (Linux) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Installing a Dedicated Management Station (Windows and Linux) . . . . 27

4Contents

Documentation for Windows Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Viewing Resource CD Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Installing the Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Documentation for Linux Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Viewing Resource CD Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Installing the Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4 Array Setup and iSCSI Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

iSCSI Configuration Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Configuring iSCSI on your Storage Array. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Using iSNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Step 1: Discover the Storage Array (Out-of-band management only). . . . . . 36

Default Management Port Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Automatic Storage Array Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Manual Storage Array Discovery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Set Up the Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Step 2: Configure the iSCSI Ports on the Storage Array. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Step 3: Perform Target Discovery from the iSCSI Initiator . . . . . . . . . . . 40

If you are using Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008

GUI version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

If you are using Windows Server 2008 Core Version. . . . . . . . . . . . 40

If you are using Linux Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

If you are using RHEL 5 or SLES 10 SP1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Step 4: Configure Host Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Understanding CHAP Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

What is CHAP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Target CHAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Mutual CHAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

CHAP Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

How CHAP Is Set Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Contents 5

Step 5: Configure CHAP Authentication on the Storage Array (optional). . . . 47

Configuring Target CHAP Authentication on the Storage Array . . . . . . 47

Configuring Mutual CHAP Authentication on the Storage Array. . . . . . 48

Step 6: Configure CHAP Authentication on the Host Server (optional) . . . . . 49

If you are using Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008

GUI version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

If you are using Windows Server 2008 Core Version. . . . . . . . . . . . 50

If you are using Linux Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

If you are using RHEL 5 or SLES 10 SP1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

If you are using SLES10 SP1 via the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Step 7: Connect to the Target Storage Array from the Host Server . . . . . . . 54

If you are using Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 GUI . . . 54

If you are using Windows Server 2008 Core Version. . . . . . . . . . . . 55

If you are using a Linux Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Viewing the status of your iSCSI connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Step 8: (Optional) Set Up In-Band Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Premium Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Troubleshooting Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

5 Uninstalling Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Uninstalling From Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Uninstalling From Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

6 Guidelines for Configuring Your Network for iSCSI . . . . . . 63

Windows Host Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Linux Host Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Configuring TCP/IP on Linux using DHCP (root users only) . . . . . . . . 65

Configuring TCP/IP on Linux using a Static IP address

(root users only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6Contents

Introduction 7

Introduction

This guide outlines the steps for configuring the Dell™ PowerVault™ Modular Disk 3000i

(MD3000i). The guide also covers installing the MD Storage Manager software, installing and

configuring the Microsoft®iSCSI and Linux initiators, and accessing documentation from the

PowerVault MD3000i Resource CD. Other information provided includes system requirements,

storage array organization, initial software startup and verification, and discussions of utilities and

premium features.

MD Storage Manager enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for optimum

usability. MD Storage Manager operates on both Microsoft®Windows®and Linux operating

systems and can send alerts about storage array error conditions by either e-mail or Simple Network

Management Protocol (SNMP). These alerts can be set for instant notification or at regular intervals.

System Requirements

Before installing and configuring the MD3000i hardware and MD Storage Manager software, ensure

that the operating system is supported and minimum system requirements are met. For more

information, refer to the Dell™PowerVault™MD3000i Support Matrix available on

support.dell.com.

Management Station Hardware Requirements

A management station uses MD Storage Manager to configure and manage storage arrays across the

network. Any system designated as a management station must be an x86-based system that meets

the following minimum requirements:

•Intel

Pentium

or equivalent CPU (133 MHz or faster)

• 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)

• 120 MB disk space available

• Administrator or equivalent permissions

• Minimum display setting of 800 x 600 pixels with 256 colors (1024 x 768 pixels with 16-bit color

recommended)

8Introduction

Introduction to Storage Arrays

A storage array includes various hardware components, such as physical disks, RAID controller modules,

fans, and power supplies, gathered into enclosures. An enclosure containing physical disks accessed

through RAID controller modules is called a RAID enclosure.

One or more host servers attached to the storage array can access the data on the storage array. You can

also establish multiple physical paths between the host(s) and the storage array so that loss of any single

path (through failure of a host server port, for example) does not result in total loss of access to data on the

storage array.

The storage array is managed by MD Storage Manager software running either on a host server or a

dedicated management station. On a host server system, MD Storage Manager and the storage array

communicate management requests and event information directly via iSCSI ports. On a dedicated

management station, MD Storage Manager communicates with the storage array either through an

Ethernet connection on the RAID controller modules or via the host agent installed on the host server.

Using MD Storage Manager, you configure the physical disks in the storage array into logical components

called disk groups, then divide the disk groups into virtual disks. You can make as many disk groups and

virtual disks as your storage array configuration and hardware permit. Disk groups are created in the

unconfigured capacity of a storage array, while virtual disks are created in the free capacity of a disk

group.

Unconfigured capacity is comprised of the physical disks not already assigned to a disk group. When a

virtual disk is created using unconfigured capacity, a disk group is automatically created. If the only

virtual disk in a disk group is deleted, the disk group is also deleted. Free capacity is space in a disk group

that has not been assigned to a virtual disk.

Data is written to the physical disks in the storage array using RAID technology. RAID levels define the

way in which data is written to physical disks. Different RAID levels offer different levels of accessibility,

redundancy, and capacity. You can set a specified RAID level for each disk group and virtual disk on your

storage array.

You can also provide an additional layer of data redundancy by creating disk groups that have a RAID

level other than 0. Hot spares can automatically replace physical disks marked as Failed.

For more information on using RAID and managing data in your storage solution, see the Dell™

PowerVault™ Modular Disk Storage Manager User’s Guide.

Hardware Installation 9

Hardware Installation

This 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 information

on hardware configuration, see the Dell™PowerVault™MD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual.

Storage Configuration Planning

Consider 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 error

conditions.

• 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 a

third 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 snapshot

virtual disks.

About the Enclosure Connections

The RAID array enclosure is connected to an iSCSI-enabled host server via one or two RAID

controller modules. The RAID controller modules are identified as RAID controller module 0 and

RAID controller module 1 (see the PowerVault MD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual for more

information).

Each RAID controller module contains two iSCSI In port connectors that provide direct connections

to the host server or switches. iSCSI In port connectors are labeled In-0 and In-1(see the PowerVault

MD3000i Hardware Owner’s Manual for more information).

Each MD3000i RAID controller module also contains an Ethernet management port and a SAS Out

port connector. The Ethernet management port allows you to install a dedicated management

station (server or standalone system). The SAS Out port allows you to connect the RAID enclosure

to an optional expansion enclosure (MD1000) for additional storage capacity.

10 Hardware Installation

Cabling the Enclosure

You can connect up to 16 hosts and two expansion enclosures to the storage array.

To plan your configuration, complete the following tasks:

Evaluate your data storage needs and administrative requirements.

Determine your hardware capabilities and how you plan to organize your data.

Calculate your requirements for the availability of your data.

Determine how you plan to back up your data.

The iSCSI interface provides many versatile host-to-controller configurations. For the purposes of this

manual, the most conventional topologies are described. The figures in this chapter are grouped

according to the following general categories:

• Direct-attached solutions

• Network-attached (SAN) solutions

Redundancy vs. Nonredundancy

Nonredundant configurations, configurations that provide only a single data path from a host to the

RAID enclosure, are recommended only for non-critical data storage. Path failure from a failed or

removed cable, a failed NIC, or a failed or removed RAID controller module results in loss of host access

to storage on the RAID enclosure.

Redundancy is established by installing separate data paths between the host and the storage array, in

which each path is to different RAID controller modules. Redundancy protects the host from losing

access to data in the event of path failure, because both RAID controllers can access all the disks in the

storage array.

Direct-Attached Solutions

You can cable from the Ethernet ports of your host servers directly to your MD3000i RAID controller

iSCSI ports. Direct attachments support single path configurations (for up to four servers) and dual path

data configurations (for up to two servers) for both single and dual controller modules.

Single Path Data Configurations

With a single path configuration, a group of heterogeneous clients can be connected to the MD3000i

RAID controller through a single physical Ethernet port. Because there is only the single port, there is no

redundancy (although each iSCSI portal supports multiple connections). This configuration is

supported for both single controller and dual controller modes.

Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2 show the supported nonredundant cabling configurations to MD3000i RAID

controller modules using the single path data configuration. Figure 2-1 shows a single controller array

configuration. Figure 2-2 shows how four standalone servers are supported in a dual controller array

configuration.

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