Esx/Esxi Host San Configuration - Dell PowerVault MD3060e Installation And Configuration Manual

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ESX/ESXi Host SAN Configuration

The MD vCenter Plug-in allows an ESX/ESXi host to be automatically configured to use a Dell MD storage
array by detecting the installed Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) within the host and configuring new hosts on the
storage array with the Worldwide Names (WWNs) of the HBAs from the host. The default ESX/ESXi multi-
pathing mode for Dell MD storage arrays is Most Recently Used (MRU). To ensure optimum performance for
the ESX/ESXi host with more than two HBAs, the host should be configured to use the storage array in pairs
of HBAs. This method allows for maximum I/O throughput from the host to the storage array. Using this
method requires proper SAN configuration and balancing of LUNs between hosts/host groups. The following
figure shows a properly configured two-HBA ESX/ESXi host SAN configuration utilizing two fabric switches
and a dual-controller storage array.
Figure 20. Dual-Port HBA Configuration
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