Introduction; Overview - Dell PowerVault MD3200i Hardware Installation And Troubleshooting Manual

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Introduction

This document provides information for installing and managing your
Cluster solution using Dell PowerVault MD3200i and MD3220i storage
systems. It is intended for experienced IT professionals who need to configure
the cluster solution, and for trained service technicians who perform upgrade
and maintenance procedures. This document also addresses readers who are
new to clustering.

Overview

A Microsoft Windows Server Failover Clustering combines specific hardware
and software components to provide enhanced availability for applications
and services that are run on the cluster. A failover cluster is designed to reduce
the possibility of any single point of failure within the system that can cause
the clustered applications or services to become unavailable. It is
recommended that you use redundant components like system and storage
power supplies, connections between the nodes and the storage array(s),
connections to client systems, or other systems in the multi-tier enterprise
application architecture in your cluster.
This guide addresses the configuration of your Dell MD3200i and MD3220i
iSCSI storage arrays for use with one or more Windows Server failover
clusters. It provides information and specific configuration tasks that enable
you to deploy the shared storage for your cluster.
For more information on deploying your cluster, see the Dell Failover Clusters
with Microsoft Windows Server Installation and Troubleshooting Guide at
support.dell.com/manuals.
NOTE:
Throughout this document, Windows Server 2008 refers to Windows Server
2008 x64 Enterprise Edition or Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Enterprise Edition.
For a list of recommended operating systems, hardware components, and
driver or firmware versions for your Dell Windows Server Failover Cluster, see
the Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrices at dell.com/ha.
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Introduction