MDSM enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for optimum usability. The version of MDSM included on the PowerVault MD series resource media can be used to manage both the PowerVault MD3200i series and the earlier PowerVault MD series storage arrays. MDSM is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
NOTE: Supported hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and VMware. For information about the supported versions, see the Support Matrix at support.dell.com. • Administrator or equivalent permissions 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.
Page 9
You can set a specified RAID level for each disk group and virtual disk on your storage array. For more information about using RAID and managing data in your storage solution, see the Owner’s Manual at support.dell.com/manuals. Introduction...
Planning section of the Owner’s Manual—The planing section provides information about important concepts you must know before setting up your storage solution. See the Owner’s Manual at support.dell.com. Planning the Storage Configuration Consider the following before installing your storage array: •...
PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures for additional storage capacity. Each PowerVault MD3200i series storage array can be expanded to a maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using Premium Feature activation) physical disks through a maximum of seven PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures.
Direct-Attached Configurations You can connect the Ethernet ports of the host servers directly to the storage array RAID controller module iSCSI ports. Single Path Data Configurations With a single path configuration, a group of heterogeneous hosts can be connected to the storage array through a single physical Ethernet port. Since there is only one port, there is no redundancy, although each iSCSI portal supports multiple connections.
Page 14
Figure 2-1 shows a non-redundant cabling configuration to the RAID controller modules using a single path data configuration. Figure 2-1. Four Hosts Connected to a Single Controller Server 1 Server 2 Server 3 Server 4 Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
Page 15
Figure 2-2 shows two hosts connected to a single controller array. Figure 2-2. Two Hosts Connected to a Single Controller Server 1 Server 2 Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
Page 16
Figure 2-3 shows eight stand-alone hosts supported in a dual controller array configuration with a single data path. Figure 2-3. Eight Hosts in a Dual-Controller Configuration Up to 8 hosts Server 1 Server 3 Server 4 Server 8 Server 2 Storage array Corporate, public, or private network...
Page 17
Dual-Path Data Configuration In Figure 2-4, up to four servers are directly attached to the RAID controller modules. If the host server has a second Ethernet connection to the array, it can be attached to the iSCSI ports on the array's second controller. This configuration provides improved availability by allowing two separate physical paths for each host, which ensures full redundancy if one of the paths fail.
Page 18
Figure 2-4. Four Hosts Connected to Two Controllers Server 1 Server 2 Server 3 Server 4 Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
Page 19
Figure 2-5. Four Hosts Connected in a Dual-Controller Configuration Four node cluster server Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
1GB Ethernet switches. An iSCSI configuration that uses Ethernet switches is frequently referred to as an IP SAN. By using an IP SAN, the PowerVault MD3200i series storage array can support up to 64 hosts simultaneously. This configuration supports either single- or dual-path data configurations and either single or dual controller modules.
Page 21
Figure 2-6. 64 Servers Connected to a Single Controller Up to 64 hosts Switch Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
Page 22
Figure 2-7. 64 Servers Connected to Two Controllers Up to 64 hosts Switch Storage array Corporate, public, or private network Hardware Installation...
Cabling PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures You can expand the capacity of your PowerVault MD3200i series storage array by adding PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures. You can expand the physical disk pool to a maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using Premium Feature activation) physical disks using a maximum of seven expansion enclosures.
Page 24
For information about installing the software, see "Installing PowerVault MD Storage Software" on page 25. Update the storage array RAID controller module firmware and NVSRAM to the latest versions available at support.dell.com, using PowerVault MDSM. Click Tools Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware in the Enterprise Management Window (EMW).
Expanding With New PowerVault MD1200 Series Expansion Enclosures Perform the following steps to attach new PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures to a PowerVault MD3200i series storage array: 1 Before adding the expansion enclosure(s), ensure that the storage array software is installed and up to date. For more information, see the Support Matrix at support.dell.com/manuals.
Page 26
Turn off any expansion enclosure(s) in the affected system. 3 Cable the expansion enclosure(s) to the storage array. 4 Turn on attached units: Turn on the expansion enclosure(s). Wait for the enclosure status LED to turn blue. Turn on the storage array and wait for the status LED to indicate that the unit is ready: •...
Installing PowerVault MD Storage Software The Dell PowerVault MD series resource media contains software and drivers for both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The root of the media contains a readme.txt file covering changes to the software, updates, fixes, patches, and other important data applicable to both Linux and Windows operating systems.
NOTE: If Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is not used, initial configuration of the management station must be performed on the same physical subnet as the storage array. Additionally, during initial configuration, at least one network adapter must be configured on the same IP subnet as the storage array’s default management port (192.168.128.101 or 192.168.128.102).
Page 29
9 When the reboot is complete, the PowerVault MDCU may launch automatically. If the PowerVault MDCU does not launch automatically, launch it manually. • In a Windows-based operating system, click StartDellModular Disk Configuration Utility. • In a Linux-based operating system, double-click the Modular Disk Configuration Utility icon on the desktop.
The MD Storage Manager installer automatically installs the required drivers, firmware, and operating system patches/hotfixes to operate your storage array. These drivers and firmware are also available at support.dell.com. In addition, see the Support Matrix at support.dell.com/manuals for any additional settings and/or software required for your specific storage array.
2 Modify the custom_silent.properties file to reflect the features, models and installation options to be used. Then, save the file. 3 Once the custom_silent.properties file is revised, run the following command to begin the installation: ./mdss_install.bin –f <host_server_path>/custom_silent.properties Upgrading PowerVault MD Storage Software To upgrade from a previous version of the MD Storage Manager application, uninstall the previous version (see "Uninstalling PowerVault MD Storage Software"...
Post Installation Tasks Before using the storage array for the first time, complete a number of initial configuration tasks in the order shown. These tasks are performed using the MD Storage Manager (MDSM) software. NOTE: If Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is not used, initial configuration using the management station must be performed on the same physical subnet as the storage array.
Table 4-1. Standard Terminology Used in iSCSI Configuration Term Definition iSCSI initiator The iSCSI-specific software installed on the host server that controls communications between the host server and the storage array. iSCSI host port The iSCSI port (two per controller) on the storage array.
IPv4 Settings host server Mutual CHAP Secret 192.168.128.101 (management network port) 192.168.133.101 (In 3 default) 192.168.132.101 (In 2 default) 192.168.131.101 (In 1 default) 192.168.130.101 (In 0 default) Target CHAP Secret PowerVault MD32xxi 192.168.130.102 (In 0 default) 192.168.131.102 (In 1 default) 192.168.132.102 (In 2 default) 192.168.128.102 (management network port) 192.168.133.102 (In 3 default)
IPv6 Settings host server Mutual CHAP Target CHAP PowerVault MD32xxi If you need additional space for more than one host server, use an additional sheet. Host iSCSI port 1 Host iSCSI port 2 ___ . ___ . ___ . ___ ___ .
Configuring iSCSI on Your Storage Array The following sections contain step-by-step instructions for configuring iSCSI on your storage array. However, before beginning, it is important to understand where each of these steps occur in relation to your host server/storage array environment. Table 4-2 below shows each specific iSCSI configuration step and where it occurs.
NOTE: PowerVault MDCU is only applicable to iSCSI-based PowerVault MD3200i series storage arrays. It does apply to SAS-based PowerVault MD3200 series storage arrays.
Page 40
4 Configure the IP protocols and addresses for the management ports. 5 Configure the IP protocols and addresses for the iSCSI ports. 6 Specify the CHAP authentication method. 7 Apply the settings after reviewing a summary. 8 Repeat the process starting from step 2 to configure additional arrays. Host Configuration (Host Connectivity Configuration) After you have completed configuring your iSCSI-based storage arrays, the next task is to run this utility on all hosts that need to access the storage...
Page 41
1 Launch the utility (if it is not launched automatically) from the server with access to the management ports of the storage array(s) to be configured. For Windows, click StartAll ProgramsDellMD Storage SoftwareModular Disk Configuration Utility. For Linux, click the MDCU icon on the desktop or navigate to the /opt/dell/mdstoragesoftwaare/mdconfigurationutility directory in a terminal window and run PowerVault MDCU.
Page 42
• Automatic Discovery—Automatic discovery queries the local sub-network for all iSCSI-based storage arrays and may take several minutes to complete. • Manual Discovery—Manual discovery allows you to locate iSCSI-based storage arrays that are outside of the local sub-network. Manual discovery requires selecting whether your storage array has a single controller (simplex) or dual controllers (duplex) and whether to use IPv4 or IPv6 protocol for communicating with the management port of the storage array.
Page 43
If you have not selected Specify Configuration Manually for any of the two protocols, then you can skip step 8. 8 If you have selected Specify Configuration Manually for any of the two protocols in the last step, a series of screens showing the backend view image of the storage array controllers is displayed.
Page 44
15 If you selected Yes in the last step, then the Select Storage Array screen is displayed. Select the storage array that you want to configure for connectivity to the local host. NOTE: The storage arrays configured by the utility are marked as Configuration Complete against their names in the list.
Page 45
Configure the Host Connectivity Using PowerVault MDCU To configure the host connectivity for an iSCSI-based storage array(s) using PowerVault MDCU: 1 Launch the utility (if it is not launched automatically) from the server which needs to be configured for access to the iSCSI-based storage array(s).
Page 46
7 In the Storage Array Login screen, in the Controller# column, select the iSCSI host port of the storage array that needs to be configured and its IP address(es). In the Host Address column, from drop-down menu list, select the host IP address that logs into the iSCSI host port of the storage array. See "Source Port Selection for iSCSI Host Ports"...
Page 47
This automatic selection attempts to ensure that a host IP address (up to two IP addresses for PowerVault MD3000i storage arrays and up to four IP addresses for PowerVault MD3200i and MD3220i storage arrays) establishes an iSCSI session with each storage array controller and that the host IP address is logged into a maximum of one iSCSI port per controller.
MDSM and these virtual disks can be utilized by the host server(s). For more information about storage planning and using MDSM, see the Owner’s Manual at support.dell.com/manuals. Post Installation Tasks...
Guidelines for Configuring Your Network for iSCSI This section provides general guidelines for setting up your network environment and IP addresses for use with the iSCSI ports on your host server and storage array. Your specific network environment may require different or additional steps than shown here, so make sure you consult with your system administrator before performing this setup.
Page 50
3 On the General tab (for a local area connection) or the Networking tab (for all other connections), select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties. 4 Select Use the following IP address and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway addresses.
7 To specify the location of the file that you want to import into the Lmhosts file, select Import LMHOSTS and then select the file in the Open dialog box. 8 Enable or disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. If using Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Core Version, use the netsh interface command to configure the iSCSI ports on the host server.
Page 52
If you are using a static IP address (root users only): 1 Edit the /etc/sysconfig/network file as follows: NETWORKING=yes HOSTNAME=mymachine.mycompany.com GATEWAY=255.255.255.0 2 Edit the configuration file for the connection you want to configure, either /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ethX (for Red Hat Enterprise Linux) or /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-eth-id-XX:XX:XX:XX:XX (for SUSE Enterprise Linux).
Modular Disk Storage Software from Microsoft Windows operating systems other than Microsoft Windows Server 2008: 1 From the Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs. 2 Select Dell MD32xxi Storage Software from the list of programs. 3 Click Change/Remove. The Uninstall Complete window appears.
NOTE: By default, Dell PowerVault MD Storage Manager is installed in the \Program Files\Dell\MD Storage Software directory. If another directory was used during installation, navigate to that directory before beginning the uninstallation procedure. 2 From the installation directory, type the following command and press <Enter>:...
Appendix—Manual Configuration of iSCSI The following sections contain step-by-step instructions for configuring iSCSI on your storage array. However, before beginning, it is important to understand where each of these steps occur in relation to your host server or storage array environment. Table A-1 below shows each iSCSI configuration step and where it occurs.
Step 1: Discover the Storage Array (Out-of-band Management Only) Default Management Port Settings By default, the storage array management ports are set to Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). If the controllers on your storage array are unable to get IP configuration from a DHCP server, it times out after 10 seconds and falls back to a default static IP address.
Automatic Storage Array Discovery 1 Launch MD Storage Manager (MDSM). If this is the first storage array to be set up, the Add New Storage Array window is displayed. 2 Select Automatic and click OK. It may take several minutes for the discovery process to complete. Closing the discovery status window before the discovery process completes cancels the discovery process.
Set up alert notifications To notify individuals (by e-mail) and/or storage enterprise management consoles, such as Dell Set up e-mail alerts Management Console, (by SNMP) when a Set up SNMP alerts storage array component degrades or fails, or an adverse environmental condition occurs.
Page 59
Controller 1, Port 1: IP: 192.168.131.102 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Port: 3260 Controller 1, Port 2: IP: 192.168.132.102 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Port: 3260 Controller 1, Port 3: IP: 192.168.133.102 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Port: 3260 NOTE: No default gateway is set. To configure the iSCSI ports on the storage array: 1 From MDSM navigate to the Setup tab on the AMW.
3 To enable ICMP PING responses for all ports, select Enable ICMP PING responses. 4 Click OK when all iSCSI storage array port configurations are complete. 5 Test the connection by performing a ping command on each iSCSI storage array port. Step 3: Perform Target Discovery From the iSCSI Initiator This step identifies the iSCSI ports on the storage array to the host server.
Page 61
6 Click OK to exit the Advanced menu and click OK again to exit the Add Target Portals screen. 7 To exit the Discovery tab, click OK. If you plan to configure CHAP authentication, do not perform discovery on more than one iSCSI port at this point. Go to "Step 4: Configure Host Access"...
Verify that the following time-out value is set to 30: node.session.timeo.replacement_timeout = 30 Save and close the /etc/iscsi/iscsid.conf file. 5 From the console, restart the iSCSI service with the following command: service iscsi start 6 Verify that the iSCSI service is running during boot using the following command from the console: chkconfig iscsi...
5 Select the host type. 6 Select whether or not the host server will be part of a host server group that shares access to the same virtual disks as other host servers. Select Yes only if the host is part of a Microsoft cluster. 7 Click Next.
CHAP is an optional feature and is not required to use iSCSI. However, if you do not configure CHAP authentication, any host server connected to the same IP network as the storage array can read from and write to the storage array. NOTE: When using CHAP authentication, you should configure it on both the storage array (using MDSM) and the host server (using the iSCSI initiator) before...
Configuring Target CHAP Authentication on the Storage Array 1 From MDSM, click the iSCSI tab and then click Change Target Authentication. Select one of the CHAP settings described in Table A-4. Table A-4. CHAP Setting Option Description None This is the default selection. If None is the only selection, the storage array allows an iSCSI initiator to log on without supplying any type of CHAP authentication.
Configuring Mutual CHAP Authentication on the Storage Array The initiator secret must be unique for each host server that connects to the storage array and must not be the same as the target CHAP secret. Change the initiator authentication settings in the Change Target Authentication window.
Page 67
5 Under Target Portals, select the IP address of the iSCSI port on the storage array and click Remove. The iSCSI port you configured on the storage array during target discovery disappears. 6 Under Target Portals, click Add and re-enter the IP address or DNS name of the iSCSI port on the storage array (removed above).
Page 68
5 Remove the target portal that you configured on the storage array during target discovery: iscsicli RemoveTargetPortal <IP_address> <TCP_listening_port> 6 Add the target portal with CHAP defined: iscsicli QAddTargetPortal <IP_address_of_iSCSI_port_on_storage_array> [CHAP_username] [CHAP_password] where, [CHAP_username] is the initiator name and [CHAP_password] is the target CHAP secret.
Page 69
<CHAP_target_password> 7 The final configuration contained in the /etc/iscsi/iscsid.conf file might look like this: node.session.auth.authmethod = CHAP node.session.auth.username = iqn.2005- 03.com.redhat01.78b1b8cad821 node.session.auth.password password_1 node.session.auth.username_in= iqn.1984- 05.com.dell:powervault.123456 node.session.auth.password_in test1234567890 discovery.sendtargets.auth.authmethod CHAP discovery.sendtargets.auth.username = iqn.2005- 03.com.redhat01.78b1b8cad821 discovery.sendtargets.auth.password password_1 Appendix—Manual Configuration of iSCSI...
= iqn.1984- 05.com.dell:powervault.123456 discovery.sendtargets.auth.password_in = test1234567890 If you are using SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SP3 using the GUI: 1 Click DesktopYaSTiSCSI Initiator. 2 Click Service Start, then select When Booting. 3 Select Discovered Targets, then select Discovery. 4 Enter the IP address of the port.
Page 71
3 Click Log On. 4 Select Automatically restore this connection when the system boots. 5 Select Enable multi-path. 6 Click Advanced and configure the following settings under the General tab: • Local Adapter—Must be set to Microsoft iSCSI Initiator. • Source IP—The source IP address of the host server you want to connect from.
Page 72
If you are using Windows Server 2008 Core Version: 1 Set the iSCSI initiator services to start automatically (if not already set): sc \\<server_name> config msiscsi start= auto 2 Start the iSCSI service (if necessary): sc start msiscsi 3 Log on to the target: iscsicli PersistentLoginTarget <Target_Name>...
Page 73
For example, your log on command might look like this: iscsicli PersistentLoginTarget iqn.1984- 05.com.dell:powervault.6001372000ffe3332xx0000046 72edf2 3260 T 192.168.130.101 * * * 0x2 * * * * * To view active sessions to the target, run the following command: iscsicli SessionList To support storage array controller failover, the host server must be connected to at least one iSCSI port on each controller.
The management station you are using must be configured for network communication to the same IP subnet as the PowerVault MD32xxi host ports. 1 Establish an iSCSI session to the PowerVault MD3200i RAID storage array. 2 Restart the SMagent service.
Appendix—Using Internet Storage Naming Service Internet Storage Naming Service (iSNS) server, supported only on Microsoft Windows iSCSI environments, eliminates the need to manually configure each individual storage array with a specific list of initiators and target IP addresses. Instead, iSNS automatically discovers, manages, and configures all iSCSI devices in your environment.
Page 76
Appendix—Using Internet Storage Naming Service...
Appendix—Load Balancing Load Balance Policy Multi-path drivers select the I/O path to a virtual disk through a specific RAID controller module. When the multi-path driver receives a new I/O to process, the driver tries to find a path to the current RAID controller module that owns the virtual disk.
Least Queue Depth With Subset The least queue depth with subset policy is also known as the least I/Os or least requests policy. This policy routes the next I/O request to a data path that has the least outstanding I/O requests queued. For this policy, an I/O request is simply a command in the queue.
Increasing Bandwidth With Multiple iSCSI Sessions The PowerVault MD3200i series storage array in a duplex configuration supports two active/active asymmetric redundant controllers. Each controller has four 1 Gbps Ethernet ports that support iSCSI. The bandwidth of the four ports on the same controller can be aggregated to provide optimal performance.
Page 81
Two sessions with one TCP connection are configured from the host to each controller (one session per port), for a total of four sessions. The multi-path failover driver balances I/O access across the sessions to the ports on the same controller.
Appendix—Stopping and Starting iSCSI Services in Linux To manually stop the iSCSI services in Linux, certain steps must be followed to maintain parallel processing between the storage array and the host server. 1 Stop all I/O. 2 Unmount all correlated file systems. Stop iSCSI service by running the following command: /etc/init.d/open-iscsi stop Appendix—Stopping and Starting iSCSI Services in Linux...
Page 84
Appendix—Stopping and Starting iSCSI Services in Linux...