Hardware Installation; Planning The Storage Configuration; Connecting The Storage Array; Cabling The Storage Array - Dell PowerVault MD3260 Series Storage Arrays Deployment Manual

Hardware Installation

Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the:
Getting Started Guide — The Getting Started Guide that shipped with the storage array, provides information to
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configure the initial setup of the system.
Dell PowerVault MD3260/3260i/3660i/3660f/3060e Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide — The Administrator's
•
Guide provides information about important concepts you must know before setting up your storage solution.
See the Administrator's Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
• The Rack Installation instructions, that shipped with the storage array, provides information on how to rack your
system.

Planning The Storage Configuration

Consider the following 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.

Connecting The Storage Array

The storage array is connected to a host using two hot-swappable RAID controller modules. The RAID controller
modules are identified as RAID controller module 0 and RAID controller module 1.
Each RAID controller module has four FC IN (host) port connectors that provide FC connections to the host or node. Each
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 stand-alone system). The SAS OUT
port allows you to connect the storage array to optional expansion enclosures for additional storage capacity.
NOTE: When you connect a host server to a storage array FC IN port connector, any OUT port connector of the
host bus adapter (HBA) of the server can be used.

Cabling The Storage Array

You can cable the storage array to host servers with:
• Single path data configuration — A single path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of eight hosts.
This is a non-redundant configuration.
• Dual path data configuration — A dual path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of four hosts.
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