About The Storage Array Connections; Cabling The Storage Array; Redundant And Non-Redundant Configurations - Dell PowerVault MD3600f Deployment Manual

About the Storage Array Connections

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. For more information, see
the Getting Started Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
Each RAID controller module has four FCIN (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. For more information, see the Getting Started
Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.
NOTE:
When you connect a host server to a storage array FCIN port connector,
any Out port connector of the server's host bus adapter (HBA) 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.
You choose the data configuration based on:
• Number of hosts required
• Level of data redundancy required

Redundant and Non-Redundant Configurations

Non-redundant configurations are configurations that provide only a single
data path from a host to the storage array. This type of configuration is only
recommended for non-critical data storage. Path failure from a failed or
removed cable, a failed HBA, or a failed or removed RAID controller module
results in loss of host access to storage on the storage array.
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Hardware Installation