Dell PowerVault MD3600i andMD3620i Storage ArraysOwner’s ManualRegulatory Model: E03J Series and E04J SeriesRegulatory Type: E03J001 and E04J001book.b

10 ContentsStorage Partitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147Disk Group and Virtual Disk Expansion. . . . . . . . 148Disk Group Expansio

100 Configuration: About Your HostThe host topology is reconfigurable. You can perform the following tasks:• Create a host and assign an alias or user

Configuration: About Your Host 101Defining a Host You can use the Define Host Wizard in the AMW to define a host for a storage array. Either a known u

102 Configuration: About Your HostThe Specify Host Type window is displayed.7In Host type, select the relevant operating system for the host.The Host

Configuration: About Your Host 103Managing Host GroupsA host group is a logical entity of two or more hosts that share access to specific virtual disk

104 Configuration: About Your HostRemoving a Host From a Host GroupYou can remove a host from the Topology pane on the Mappings tab of the Array Manag

Configuration: About Your Host 105Removing a Host GroupTo remove a host group:1In the AMW, select the Mappings tab, select the host node in the Topolo

106 Configuration: About Your HostStarting or Stopping the Host Context AgentThe host context agent discovers the host topology and starts and stops w

Configuration: About Your Host 107I/O Data Path ProtectionYou can have multiple host-to-array connections for a host. Ensure that you select all the c

108 Configuration: About Your HostManaging Host Port IdentifiersYou can manage the host port identifiers that are added to the storage array. You can:

Configuration: About Your Host 1095Select the method to add a host port identifier to the host. You can select:•Add by selecting a known unassociated

Contents 11Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using the Advanced Path. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162About the Advanced Path . . . . . . . .

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Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 11110Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksCreating Disk Groups and Virtual DisksDisk groups are cr

112 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksA disk group must be organized according to its related tasks and subtasks. For example, if you create

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 1133Type the name of the disk group (up to 30 characters) in Disk group name.4Select the appropriate Phys

114 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksLocating a Disk GroupYou can physically locate and identify all of the physical disks that comprise a

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 115 NOTE: Ensure that you create disk groups before creating virtual disks.To create virtual disks:1Choo

116 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks5In Advanced virtual disk parameters, you can select:•Use recommended settings.•Customize settings.6If

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 1174Select one or more virtual disks. Move the Select modification priority slider bar to the desired pri

118 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksTo select nonadjacent virtual disks, press <Ctrl> click. To select adjacent virtual disks, press

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 119Changing the Segment Size of a Virtual DiskYou can change the segment size on a selected virtual disk.

12 ContentsVirtual Disk Read/Write Permissions . . . . . . . . . 182Virtual Disk Copy Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Creating a Virtual

120 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksThe segment size modification operation begins. The virtual disk icon in the Logical pane shows an Ope

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 121The corresponding dynamic cache read prefetch setting and segment size values that are typically well

122 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disksthe physical disks and RAID controller modules in a storage array share the same security key. The sha

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 123•Save Security Key File• Validate Security Key•Unlock Drives NOTE: If you have not created a security

124 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksThe storage array password protects a storage array from potentially destructive operations by unautho

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 1254In New password, enter a string for the storage array password. If you are creating the storage array

126 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksThe pass phrase that you enter is masked. NOTE: Create Key is active only if the pass phrase meets th

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 127for storage on other media. When you change a security key, you also provide information to create a s

128 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks6In Confirm pass phrase, re-enter the exact string you entered in Pass phrase.Make a record of the pas

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 1294In Confirm pass phrase, re-enter the exact string you entered in Pass phrase.Make a record of the pas

Contents 1313 Configuration: Premium Feature—Upgrading to High-Performance-Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19314 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipat

130 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksErasing Secure Physical DisksIn the AMW, when you select a security enabled physical disk that is not

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 131• The availability of enclosure loss protection for a disk group depends on the location of the physic

132 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks8Select the relevant physical disks in the Unassigned physical disks area, as hot spares for the selec

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 133Hot Spare OperationWhen a physical disk fails, the virtual disk automatically rebuilds using an availa

134 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disksspare physical disk. To make sure that enclosure loss protection is not affected, you must replace a f

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 135Host-to-Virtual Disk MappingAfter you create virtual disks, you must map them to the host(s) connected

136 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks• Each host has its own LUN address space. MDSM permits the same LUN to be used by different hosts or

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 1374In Host group or host, select the appropriate host group or host.All defined hosts, host groups, and

138 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks• Select a single virtual disk, and select Mappings Change Mapping.• Right-click the virtual disk, a

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 139associated source virtual disk. Changing the RAID controller module ownership of a virtual disk change

14 ContentsMedia Errors and Unreadable Sectors . . . . . . . . 21616 Management: Installing Array Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

140 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual DisksYou can change the RAID controller module ownership of a standard virtual disk or a snapshot repositor

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 141Changing the RAID Level of a Disk GroupChanging the RAID level of a disk group changes the RAID levels

142 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks [size=1.6T][features=3 queue_if_no_path pg_init_retries 50][hwhandler=1 rdac] \_ round-robin 0

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 143• If a new LUN is mapped, the new LUN is detected and given a multi-pathing device node• If you increa

144 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks• If there is a host with a restricted host type that is part of a specific storage partition, all of

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 145disk copy, ownership of the target virtual disk is also changed. Under certain operating system enviro

146 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks CAUTION: Possible loss of data access—Changing ownership at the disk group level causes every virtua

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 147Storage PartitioningA storage partition is a logical entity consisting of one or more virtual disks th

148 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks• All mappings are defined. NOTE: You can include a secondary virtual disk in a storage partition. Ho

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 149 NOTE: You cannot mix different media types or different interface types within a single disk group o

Contents 15Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module . . . . . . . . . . . 234Removing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

150 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Diskscapacity, in the form of unassigned physical disks to the disk group of the standard virtual disk or t

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 151Exporting a Disk GroupOn the source storage array:1Save the storage array configuration. 2Stop all I/O

152 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks2Review the Import Report for an overview of the disk group that you are importing. 3Check for non-imp

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks 153error is reported to the event log. For virtual disks without redundancy protection (RAID level 1, RAI

154 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks NOTE: A consistency check scans the data blocks in a RAID level 5 virtual disk, or a RAID level 6 vi

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 15511Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks NOTE: If you ordered this feature, y

156 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disksrepository uses less disk space than a full physical copy, because the only data blocks that

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 157Scheduling a Snapshot Virtual DiskWhen you create a snapshot virtual disk, you can choose whe

158 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksFor more information on creating snapshot virtual disk schedules, see the following sections

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 159For more information on scheduling snapshots virtual disks, see the PowerVault Modular Disk S

16 ContentsRetrieving Trace Buffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Collecting Physical Disk Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Event Log. . . .

160 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksUsing the simple path, the following defaults are used for the other parameters of a snapshot

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 161• You cannot create a snapshot of a virtual disk that contains unreadable sectors. • You must

162 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks8Enter the snapshot repository virtual disks capacity as a percentage of the source virtual d

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 163• Snapshot Virtual Disk Name—A user-specified name that helps you associate the snapshot virt

164 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks• Schedule—Creates the snapshot virtual disk at a specified time, or according to a regularly

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 165• You cannot create a snapshot of a virtual disk that contains unreadable sectors. • You must

166 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksIf you want to use a snapshot regularly, such as for backups, use the Disable Snapshot and Re

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 1678In the Snapshot virtual disk parameters area, select the relevant mapping option, you can se

168 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksThe default name for the associated snapshot repository virtual disk that is shown in the Sna

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 169Snapshot Repository CapacityIf you receive a warning that the capacity for the snapshot repos

Contents 17Troubleshooting Storage Array Startup Failure . . . . . 273Troubleshooting Loss of Communication . . . . . . . . 273Troubleshooting Exter

170 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disksfree capacity is available, the maximum free space is displayed in the Increase capacity by f

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 171 NOTE: The physical disks that are displayed have a capacity that is either the same size or

172 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksDisabling a Snapshot Virtual DiskDisable a snapshot virtual disk if one of the following cond

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 173Before re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, both the host server and the associated virtual d

174 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks NOTE: Failing to follow these additional instructions could create unusable snapshot virtua

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 175• Rolling back a base virtual disk to a snapshot virtual disk does not affect the contents of

176 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual DisksProtecting Against a Failed Snapshot Rollback To protect your base virtual disk data, it is r

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks 177Resuming a Snapshot RollbackIf an error occurs during the snapshot rollback and the operation

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Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 17912Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy NOTE: A virtual disk copy overwrites data on t

18 ContentsIndex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285book.book Page 18 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

180 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk CopyReasons to use virtual disk copy include:• Copying data for improved access—As your storage requir

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 181formatted with a journaling file system, any attempt to issue a read request to the source virtual

182 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk CopyCreating a Virtual Disk Copy for an MSCS Shared DiskTo create a virtual disk copy for a Microsoft

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 183• To enable Read-Only permission, select Change Tar get Virt ua l Di sk Permissions Enable Rea

184 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy NOTE: The following host preparation sections also apply when using the virtual disk copy featur

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 185Virtual Disk Copy and Modification OperationsIf a modification operation is running on a source vi

186 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk CopyPreferred RAID Controller Module OwnershipDuring a virtual disk copy, the same RAID controller mod

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 187A virtual disk copy automatically makes the target virtual disk read-only to hosts. You may want t

188 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy9Ty p e yes and click Finish. NOTE: Operation in Progress icons are displayed on the source virt

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 1892In the table, select one or more copy pairs.3Select Change Copy Priority.The Change Copy Priorit

Introduction 191Introduction NOTE: Unless specified, MD3600i Series represents Dell PowerVault MD3600i and Dell PowerVault MD3620i storage arrays. WA

190 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk CopyRecopying a Virtual DiskYou can recopy a virtual disk when you have stopped a virtual disk copy an

Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy 1914Remove the drive letter(s) of the source and (if mounted) virtual disk in Windows or unmount the

192 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy5Select Copy Re-Copy.The Re-Copy window is displayed.6Set the copy priority. NOTE: There are 5

Configuration: Premium Feature—Upgrading to High-Performance-Tier 19313Configuration: Premium Feature—Upgrading to High-Performance-Tier The High Perf

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Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 19514Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxOverviewThe MD3600i Series storage array uses a

196 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxUsing DM Multipathing Devices NOTE: Using or modifying any nodes other than the multipathing devi

Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 197Using the MDSM software:1Map the host server to the MD3600i Series storage array.2Create the Virtu

198 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxScan for Newly Added Virtual Disks The rescan_dm_devs command scans the host server system looking

Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 199The following is an example of SLES output:mpathb(360080e500017b2f80000c6ca4a1d4ab8) dm-21 DELL,MD

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indica

20 Introduction• Mounting rails (2) (optional)• MD3600i Series resource media •Rack Installation Instructions•Getting Started With Your System (provid

200 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxAdd a New Partition to Device MapperThe kpartx command adds the new fdisk partition to the Device

Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 201Create a File System on a Device Mapper PartitionUse the standard mkfs command to create the file

202 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linuxor blacklist { device { vendor vendor_string model model_string }; NOTE: RedHat version 6

Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 2033Flush the Device Mapper multipath maps list to remove any old or modified mappings:# multipath –F

204 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxLimitations and Known Issues• In certain error conditions with the no_path_retry or the queue_if_n

Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux 205• Failback can be slow when the host system is experiencing heavy I/O. The problem is exacerbated

206 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxI removed a LUN. But the multipathing mapping is still available.The multipathing device is still

Management: Firmware Downloads 20715Management: Firmware DownloadsDownloading RAID Controller and NVSRAM PackagesA version number exists for each firm

208 Management: Firmware DownloadsDownloading Both RAID Controller and NVSRAM Firmware NOTE: I/O to the array can continue while you are upgrading RA

Management: Firmware Downloads 2097Click Transfer.Keep these guidelines in mind:–If the Transfer button is inactive, ensure that you either select an

Introduction 21Other Information You May Need WARNING: See the safety and regulatory information that shipped with your system. Warranty information

210 Management: Firmware DownloadsThe Select File dialog is displayed.13Select the file to download.14Click OK.15If you want to download the NVSRAM fi

Management: Firmware Downloads 211Downloading Only NVSRAM FirmwareUse the command line interface (CLI) to download and activate NVSRAM to several stor

212 Management: Firmware Downloads7Perform one of these actions:• Select Tools Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware.• Select the Setup tab, and cl

Management: Firmware Downloads 21312Click OK.The Confirm Download dialog is displayed.13Click Yes.The download starts and a progress indicator is disp

214 Management: Firmware Downloads• Make sure that the firmware that you download to the physical disks are compatible with the physical disks that yo

Management: Firmware Downloads 215Downloading MD1200 Series Expansion Module EMM Firmware NOTE: Due to a limitation with Linux, expansion enclosure E

216 Management: Firmware Downloads NOTE: If you click Stop while a firmware download is in progress, the download-in-progress finishes before the ope

Management: Firmware Downloads 217controller encounters an error while accessing a peer disk, it is unable to recover the data and affected sectors ar

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Management: Installing Array Components 21916Management: Installing Array ComponentsRecommended ToolsYou may need the following items to perform the p

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220 Management: Installing Array ComponentsFront Bezel (Optional)Removing the Front Bezel1Using the system key, unlock the front bezel (if locked).2Li

Management: Installing Array Components 221Hard DrivesSAFETY: Models AMT, E03J, and E04JModels AMT, E03J, and E04J are intended for installation only

222 Management: Installing Array ComponentsFigure 16-3. Removing and Installing a 2.5" Hard-Drive Blank (MD3620i Only)Installing a Hard-Drive Bla

Management: Installing Array Components 2232From the Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) software, prepare the drive for removal. Wait until the hard-

224 Management: Installing Array ComponentsInstalling a Hard Drive CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You must

Management: Installing Array Components 225Removing a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive CarrierRemove the screws from the slide rails on the hard-drive car

226 Management: Installing Array ComponentsFigure 16-6. Removing and Installing a Hard Drive Into a 2.5" Hard-Drive Carrier1 screws (4) 2 hard-d

Management: Installing Array Components 227Installing a Hard Drive Into a Hard-Drive Carrier1 Insert the hard drive into the hard-drive carrier with t

228 Management: Installing Array Components5Connect all the power cables to the array.6Turn on the array and the host server.Figure 16-7. Removing and

Management: Installing Array Components 229Removing a RAID Controller Module CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technicia

Planning: About Your Storage Array 232Planning: About Your Storage ArrayOverviewThe Dell PowerVault MD3600i Series storage array is designed for high

230 Management: Installing Array ComponentsInstalling a RAID Controller Module CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technic

Management: Installing Array Components 231Figure 16-9. Opening and Closing the RAID Controller ModuleClosing the RAID Controller Module CAUTION: Man

232 Management: Installing Array ComponentsRAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit Removing the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit CAUTIO

Management: Installing Array Components 233Installing the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a cert

234 Management: Installing Array ComponentsPower Supply/Cooling Fan Module NOTE: Your storage array includes two integrated, hot-swappable power supp

Management: Installing Array Components 235Figure 16-11. Removing and Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module1 release tab 2 power supply3 power

236 Management: Installing Array ComponentsInstalling a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service

Management: Installing Array Components 237Control PanelRemoving the Control Panel1Turn off the array and host server.2Disconnect all the power cables

238 Management: Installing Array ComponentsFigure 16-14. Removing and Installing the Control Panel-PowerVault MD3620iInstalling the Control Panel1Alig

Management: Installing Array Components 239Backplane CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You must only perform

24 Planning: About Your Storage ArrayHardware FeaturesFront-Panel Features and Indicators Figure 2-1. Front-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVa

240 Management: Installing Array ComponentsFigure 16-15. Removing and Installing the RAID Controller Module/Power Supply Cage1 screws (6) 2 RAID cont

Management: Installing Array Components 241Figure 16-16. Removing and Installing the Backplane-PowerVault MD3600iFigure 16-17. Removing and Installing

242 Management: Installing Array ComponentsInstalling the Backplane1Align the holes on the backplane with the holes on the array.2Tighten the captive

Management: Firmware Inventory 24317Management: Firmware InventoryA storage array is made up of many components, which may include RAID controller mod

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Management: System Interfaces 24518Management: System InterfacesMicrosoft ServicesVirtual Disk ServiceThe Microsoft Virtual Disk Service (VDS) is a co

246 Management: System InterfacesVSS attaches to the service and uses it to coordinate the creation of snapshot virtual disks on the storage array. VS

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 24719Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareStart-Up Routine Look and listen during the array’s star

248 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareTo launch the AMW, perform one of these actions:•On the Devices tab, in either the Tree view or the Ta

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 249In the Table view, every managed storage array is listed once, regardless of the number of attachments

Planning: About Your Storage Array 25Figure 2-3. Front-Bezel Features and IndicatorsItem Indicator, Button, or ConnectorIcon Description1 Enclosure st

250 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareIn the Tree view, icons can are displayed in a string to convey more information. For example, the fol

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 251Storage Array Support DataYou can gather various types of inventory, status, and performance data that

252 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software WARNING: Use this option only under the guidance of your Technical Support representative. NOTE: Ena

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 253• A time stamp.• The version number for the RAID controller module firmware.• The version number for t

254 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareCollecting Physical Disk DataYou can use the Collect Physical Disk Data option to collect log sense da

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 255Event LogYou can use the Event Log Viewer to view a detailed list of events that occur in a storage ar

256 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareRecovery GuruThe Recovery Guru is a component of MDSM that diagnoses critical events on the storage ar

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 2572Perform one of these actions in the Storage Array Profile dialog:• View detailed information—Go to st

258 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareViewing the Logical AssociationsYou can use the Associated Logical Elements option to view the logical

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 259Finding NodesYou can use the Find option to search for a particular node on the Logical tab, the Physi

26 Planning: About Your Storage Array3 Split mode LED This LED must be unlit as the split mode function is not supported by the MD3600i Series storage

260 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software7To search for all Free Capacity nodes with a particular capacity, perform these steps: NOTE: This op

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 2612Select View Go To Snapshot Virtual Disk. The selection jumps to the associated snapshot virtual dis

262 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software• Out-of-band managed storage array—Go to step 6.• In-band managed storage array—Go to step 12.6For an

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 263If you started the host system before you were connected to the RAID controller module in the storage

264 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareLocating a Physical DiskYou can use the Locate Physical Disk option to physically locate and identify

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 265Locating an Expansion EnclosureYou can use the Blink option to physically locate and identify an expan

266 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareCapturing the State InformationUse the Troubleshooting Capture State Information option to capture in

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 267SMrepassist UtilitySMrepassist (replication assistance) is a host-based utility for Windows platforms.

268 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwareUnidentified DevicesAn unidentified node or device occurs when MDSM cannot access a new storage array.

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 269bMake sure that the network can access the host by using the ping command in the following syntax: pin

Planning: About Your Storage Array 27Back-Panel Features and IndicatorsFigure 2-4. Back-Panel Features and Indicators—Dell PowerVault MD3600i Series S

270 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array SoftwaredMake sure that the applicable network configuration tasks are done (for example, the IP addresses are

Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software 271Starting or Restarting the Host Context Agent SoftwareThe Host Context Agent software module is the so

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Troubleshooting: Your Array 27320Troubleshooting: Your ArraySafety First—For you and Your Array CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified

274 Troubleshooting: Your ArrayTroubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technici

Troubleshooting: Your Array 275Troubleshooting Array Cooling Problems CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You m

276 Troubleshooting: Your ArraycReseat the EMM module and wait for 30 seconds. See "Removing an EMM" in the MD1200 and MD1220 Storage Enclos

Troubleshooting: Your Array 277wait for up to 5 minutes to check if the LED has turned blue. See "Recovery Guru" on page 256.bIf following t

278 Troubleshooting: Your ArrayTroubleshooting Hard Drives CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You must only pe

Troubleshooting: Your Array 279Troubleshooting Array and Expansion Enclosure Connections1Verify that the RAID controller module port link status LED a

28 Planning: About Your Storage ArrayHard-Drive Indicator PatternsFigure 2-5. Hard Drive Indicators1 hard-drive activity indicator (green) 2 hard-dri

280 Troubleshooting: Your Array2Remove the following components from the array. See "Management: Installing Array Components" on page 219.•H

Troubleshooting: Your Array 281Troubleshooting RAID Controller ModulesConditionsCertain events can cause a RAID controller module to fail and/or shut

282 Troubleshooting: Your ArrayPCI ErrorsThe storage array firmware can detect and only recover from PCI errors when the RAID controller modules are c

Getting Help 28321Getting HelpContacting DellFor customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355). NOTE: If you do not have an activ

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Index 285Index AAccess Virtual Disk, 68Advanced FeatureUsing Snapshot and Disk Copy Together, 5 4Advanced Features, 51Snapshot Repository Virtual Disk

Index 286contacting Dell, 283control panelinstalling, 238removing, 237Copy Manager, 186DDefining a Host, 101Dellcontacting, 283Disk GroupCreating, 112

Index 287Free Capacity, 149front bezelinstalling, 220removing, 220Hhard drivedrive carrier, 225installing, 224removing, 222Hard-Drive Indicator Patter

Index 288Media Errors and Unreadable Sectors, 216Media ScanChanging settings, 153Suspending, 154MicrosoftVirtual Disk Service, 245Volume Shadow-Copy S

Index 289front bezel, 220hard drive, 222hard drive from a drive carrier, 225power supply/cooling fan module, 234Removing Copy Pairs, 192Removing Host

Planning: About Your Storage Array 29Power Supply and Cooling Fan FeaturesThe MD3600i Series storage array includes two integrated, hot-swappable powe

Index 290Recovery Guru, 256Starting or Restarting the Host-Agent Software, 271Start-Up Routine, 247Storage Array Profile, 256Storage Array Support Dat

Index 291Virtual Disk Operations Limit, 45Virtual Disk Ownership, 55Virtual Disk States, 40Virtual DiskCopyTa rg e t , 5 3Virtual Disks and Disk Group

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Contents 3Contents1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Inside

30 Planning: About Your Storage ArrayPower Indicator Codes and FeaturesFigure 2-6. Power Indicator Codes and Features Item LED Type Icon Description1

Planning: RAID Controller Modules 313Planning: RAID Controller ModulesRAID Controller ModulesThe RAID controller modules provide high-performance, adv

32 Planning: RAID Controller ModulesRAID Controller Module Connectors and FeaturesFigure 3-1. MD3600i Series iSCSI RAID Controller ModuleItem Componen

Planning: RAID Controller Modules 338 Controller power LED Lights green when controller is turned on.Off when controller is not turned on.9 Controller

34 Planning: RAID Controller ModulesRAID Controller Module—Additional FeaturesBattery Backup UnitEach RAID controller contains a two-cell Lithium ion

Planning: RAID Controller Modules 35System Password ResetTo reset a forgotten password, push and hold down the password reset switch for at least 5 se

36 Planning: RAID Controller ModulesWrite-Through CacheIn write-through cache, data is written to the physical disk before completion status is return

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 374Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsThis chapter describes the stora

38 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsPhysical DisksOnly Dell supported 6.0-Gbps SAS physical disks are supported in the storage

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 39If a disk drive rebuild fails because of a source drive failure or because the drive is to

4 Contents3 Planning: RAID Controller Modules. . . . 31RAID Controller Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31RAID Controller Module Connector

40 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts3Provide host server access.4Create mappings to associate the virtual disks with the host

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 41RAID LevelsRAID levels determine the way in which data is written to physical disks. Diffe

42 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsI/O performance is greatly improved by spreading the I/O load across many physical disks.

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 43actual storage. RAID 10 is automatically used when a RAID level of 1 is chosen with four o

44 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsForeground InitializationThe storage array supports foreground initialization for virtual

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 45The storage array tracks the cycle for each disk group independent of other disk groups on

46 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsSegment Size MigrationSegment size refers to the amount of data (in KB) that the storage a

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 47Disk Group DefragmentationDefragmenting consolidates the free capacity in the disk group i

48 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts• Segment size migration• Disk group expansion• Disk group defragmentationThe priority of

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 49recognize the migrating metadata and that data is lost. In this case, MD3600i storage arra

Contents 5Media Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Cycle Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Virtual Disk Operations

50 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts• Migrating virtual disks to a storage array with no existing physical disks—Turn off the

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 51Host TypesA host server is a server that accesses a storage array. Host servers are mapped

52 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsSnapshots are used to recover previous versions of files that have changed since the snaps

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 53• Restore snapshot virtual disk data to the source virtual disk. Virtual disk copy generat

54 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsUsing Snapshot and Disk Copy TogetherYou can use the Snapshot Virtual Disk and Virtual Dis

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 55controller module owner of a virtual disk after it is created. If a host is connected to o

56 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsLoad BalancingA load balance policy is used to determine which path is used to process I/O

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 57Monitoring MD3600i Series System PerformanceYou can use the Performance Monitor to select

58 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsEach time the polling interval elapses, the Performance Monitor queries the storage array

Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts 59Table 4-3. Performance Monitor Table DescriptionFor more information, see the online help

6 Contents5 Configuration: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . 61User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Enterprise Management

60 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Conceptsbook.book Page 60 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

Configuration: Overview 615Configuration: OverviewDell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) online help contains information on how to use t

62 Configuration: OverviewEnterprise Management WindowThe EMW provides high-level management of storage arrays. When you start MDSM, the EMW is displa

Configuration: Overview 63• Obtain information about the firmware inventory including the version of the RAID controller modules, physical disks, and

64 Configuration: Overview• Disk groups and virtual disks•Logical tab—You can view the organization of the storage array by virtual disks, disk groups

Configuration: Overview 65book.book Page 65 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

66 Configuration: Overviewbook.book Page 66 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 676Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayOut-of-Band and In-Band ManagementYou can manage a storage array in

68 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayIn-Band ManagementUsing in-band management, commands, events, and data travel through the host-to-controller

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 69 NOTE: Verify that your host or management station network configuration— including station IP address, sub

Contents 7Setting the Storage Array RAID Controller Module Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847 Configuration: Using iSCSI . . . . . .

70 Configuration: About Your Storage Array•In-band management—Enter a name or an IP address for the Host through which the storage array is attached t

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 71• Configure iSCSI host ports—Configure network parameters for each iSCSI host port automatically or specify

72 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayLocating Storage ArraysYou can use the Blink option to physically locate and identify a storage array. NOT

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 73The Name/Rename Storage Arrays dialog is displayed.2Select the relevant storage array from the Select storag

74 Configuration: About Your Storage Array• Select the Setup tab, and then click Set a Storage Array Password.• In the AMW, select the Logical tab, ri

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 75Viewing Storage Array ConnectionsYou can use the View Connections option to view the expansion enclosures co

76 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayRemoving Storage ArraysYou can remove a storage array from the list of managed arrays if you no longer want

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 77Displaying Failover Alert You can change the failover alert delay for a storage array. The failover alert de

78 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayChanging Expansion Enclosure ID NumbersWhen an MD1200 series expansion enclosure is connected to an MD3600i

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 79Configuring Alert NotificationsMDSM can send an alert for any condition on the storage array that requires y

8 Contents9 Configuration: About Your Host . . . . . . . 99Configuring Host Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99Using the Mappings Tab. . .

80 Configuration: About Your Storage Array•All storage arrays—Select this option to send an e-mail alert about events on all storage arrays.•An indivi

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 81• Validating an e-mail address—Type the e-mail address in Email address or select the e-mail address in the

82 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayConfiguring SNMP AlertsTo add a management console to the list of addresses configured to receive SNMP alert

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 83• Replacing an SNMP address—Select the SNMP address in the Configured SNMP addresses area, type the replacem

84 Configuration: About Your Storage ArrayA learn cycle starts automatically when you install a new battery module. Learn cycles for batteries in both

Configuration: About Your Storage Array 851In the AMW, select Storage Array Synchronize RAID Controller Module Clocks.2If a password is set, in the E

86 Configuration: About Your Storage Arraybook.book Page 86 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

Configuration: Using iSCSI 877Configuration: Using iSCSIChanging the iSCSI Target Authentication1In the AMW, select the Setup tab.2Select Manage iSCSI

88 Configuration: Using iSCSIEntering Mutual Authentication PermissionsMutual authentication or two-way authentication enables a client or a user to v

Configuration: Using iSCSI 89Initiator CHAP SecretThe initiator CHAP secret is set on the host using the iSCSI initiator configuration program provide

Contents 9Choosing an Appropriate Physical Disk Type . . . . . . 121Physical Disk Security with Self Encrypting Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90 Configuration: Using iSCSIChanging the iSCSI Target IdentificationYou cannot change the iSCSI target name, but you can associate an alias with the

Configuration: Using iSCSI 91• Select Specify Configuration, and type the IPv4 address to activate the target discovery.• Type the iSNS server IP addr

92 Configuration: Using iSCSI4In the Configured Ethernet port speed list, select a network speed for the iSCSI host port.The network speed values in t

Configuration: Using iSCSI 93Advanced iSCSI Host Ports Settings NOTE: Configuring the advanced iSCSI host ports settings is optional.Use the advanced

94 Configuration: Using iSCSIViewing or Ending an iSCSI SessionYou may want to end an iSCSI session for the following reasons:• Unauthorized access—If

Configuration: Using iSCSI 95Viewing iSCSI Statistics and Setting Baseline StatisticsTo view iSCSI statistics and set baseline statistics:1In the AMW

96 Configuration: Using iSCSIEdit, Remove, or Rename Host TopologyIf you give access to the wrong host or the wrong host group, you can remove or edit

Configuration: Event Monitor 978Configuration: Event MonitorAn event monitor is provided with Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM). The

98 Configuration: Event MonitorEnabling or Disabling the Event MonitorYou can enable or disable the event monitor at any time.Disable the event monito

Configuration: About Your Host 999Configuration: About Your HostConfiguring Host AccessDell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) software is