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All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell is strictly forbidden. July 2008...
Table of Contents Preface ......................v Audience ........................v Organization ......................v Documentation ......................vi Technical Support and Customer Service ............vii 1 Introduction....................1-1 PS Series Arrays and Groups................1-1 Steps for Getting Started..................1-3 2 Hardware Installation ................... 2-1 Protecting Hardware ................... 2-1 Network Requirements and Recommendations..........
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Installation and Setup Table of Contents Step 3: Start the Software Configuration............3-4 Using the setup Utility to Configure the Software........3-4 Using the Remote Setup Wizard to Configure the Software ....... 3-6 Step 4: Set the Member RAID Policy..............3-7 Using the CLI to Set the RAID Policy............
Preface With one or more PS Series storage arrays, you can create a PS Series group—a self-managing, iSCSI storage area network (SAN) that is affordable and easy to use, regardless of scale. This manual describes how to install PS5000 and PS5500 array hardware, configure the software, and start using the SAN.
Host Integration Tools Release Notes. Provides the latest information about the Host Integration Tools, including the Remote Setup Wizard. • Host Integration Tools User Guide. Describes how to install and use the Host Integration Tools. for the latest documentation. support.dell.com/EqualLogic...
Preface Technical Support and Customer Service Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about PS Series arrays. If you have an Express Service Code, have it ready when you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system direct your call more efficiently.
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Installation and Setup Preface • (Latin American countries) www.dell.com/la • (Canada only) www.dell.ca You can access Dell Support through the following websites: • support.dell.com • support.dell.com/EqualLogic • (Japan only) support.jp.dell.com • Europe only) support.euro.dell.com ( viii...
1 Introduction This chapter provides an introduction to PS Series storage arrays and groups and describes the steps for getting started. PS Series Arrays and Groups PS Series storage arrays deliver the benefits of consolidated storage in a storage area network (SAN) that is affordable and easy to use—regardless of its size. With intelligent, automated management and fast, flexible scalability, PS Series arrays greatly reduce storage acquisition and management costs.
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Installation and Setup Introduction Figure 1-1: Group With One Member To connect to a volume, a computer needs only a standard iSCSI initiator. Volume access can be restricted through IP address, initiator name, or CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) credentials. Once connected, the volume is seen by the computer as a regular disk that can be formatted as usual.
Installation and Setup Introduction Steps for Getting Started To set up a SAN and start using your array, follow these steps: 1. Set up the PS Series array hardware configuration. This manual includes hardware installation information for the PS5000 array and the PS5500 array. See Chapter 2, Hardware Installation.
2 Hardware Installation The first step in using your PS Series array is to install the hardware. This chapter contains installation information for PS5000 arrays and PS5500 arrays. • Protecting Hardware on page 2-1 • Network Requirements and Recommendations on page 2-2 •...
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Network Requirements and Recommendations The minimum network configuration for a PS Series array consists of a connection between Ethernet 0 on each control module and a computer or a network switch. To increase performance and availability, configure multiple network interfaces on an array and connect them to multiple switches.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Table 2-1: Network Recommendations (Continued) Recommendation Description No STP functionality If possible, do not use Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) on switch on switch ports that ports that connect end nodes (iSCSI initiators or array network connect end nodes interfaces).
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware PS5000 Environmental Requirements You must meet these environmental requirements: • Only operate an enclosure from a power source with a voltage range of 100 to 240 VAC. • Make sure each power source has sufficient electrical overload protection. •...
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware PS5000 Shipping Box Contents and Required Hardware See the PS5000 Unpacking Instructions for information about unpacking the array shipping box. After unpacking the shipping box, make sure you have the hardware described in Table 2-3. You must also provide additional hardware that is specific to your environment and not included in the shipping box.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Table 2-3: Description of Shipping Box Contents (Continued) Component Description Power cables Connects an array to power sources. The shipping box may contain different types of power cables to meet the electrical requirements of the country in which the array will reside. Use the cable type that is right for your environment.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Optional hardware you can use with an array is described in Table 2-5. Table 2-5: Optional Hardware – Not Supplied Component Description Uninterruptible power Provides a highly available source of power to an array. Each UPS system should be on a different circuit and must provide the supply (UPS) systems correct type of voltage for an adequate amount of time.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware The following sections describe the installation steps in detail. After completing the hardware installation, see Chapter 3, Software Configuration. Step 1: Connect the PS5000 to Power A PS5000 array includes two modules that supply both power and cooling. One functioning power supply and cooling module connected to a source of power is required for array operation.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Figure 2-2: Recommended PS5000 Power Configuration Step 2: Connect the PS5000 to the Network A PS5000 array includes two control modules of the same type and color. Each control module has three network interface ports, labeled Ethernet 0, Ethernet 1, and Ethernet 2.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Figure 2-3: Minimum PS5000 Network Configuration For maximum network bandwidth and availability, it is recommended that you use six network cables to connect all the network interfaces to multiple network switches. The switches must be connected together with interswitch links that have sufficient bandwidth.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Step 3: Turn on Power to the PS5000 Before turning on power, make sure the array is at room temperature. To turn on power, press – on the switch (located below the power plug) on both power supply and cooling modules.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Figure 2-5: Connecting a Serial Cable to a PS5000 After completing the PS5000 hardware installation, see Chapter 3, Software Configuration. PS5500 Hardware Installation The following sections describe the PS5500 hardware installation. Before You Begin to Install a PS5500 You must meet these prerequisites before beginning a PS5500 installation: •...
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware PS5500 Environmental Requirements You must meet these environmental requirements: • Only operate an enclosure from a power source with a voltage range of 100 to 240 VAC. • Make sure your power source has sufficient electrical overload protection. •...
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware PS5500 Shipping Box Contents and Required Hardware See the PS5500 Unpacking Instructions document for information about unpacking the PS5500 shipping box. After unpacking the shipping box, make sure you have the hardware described in Table 2-7.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Installing the PS5500 Hardware After you complete the preliminary tasks described in Before You Begin to Install a PS5500 on page 2-12, follow these steps: 1. Connect the power cables. Do not turn on power to the array at this time. See Step 1: Connect the PS5500 to Power on page 2-16.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware For increased availability, follow these power recommendations: • Connect the power supply and cooling modules to different power sources on separate circuits. See Figure 2-7. • Connect two power supply and cooling modules to UPS systems and connect the other module to a different source of power.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Figure 2-8: Cable Management System – Not Installed The cable management system is attached to the rear of the array chassis and to the rack rails. See Figure 2-9. Figure 2-9: Cable Management System – Installed See the PS5500 Rack Mount Instructions for information about installing the cable management system.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware To use the cable management system: 1. Gather the power cables and route the cables along the top arm of the three- arm assembly, going from number 1 to number 2, as shown in Figure 2-10. Notes: Make sure you connect all three fasteners on the arm and place the cables below the arms.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware 3. Route the cables along the one-arm assembly (connected to the top of the left and right rails), going from number 5 to number 6 in Figure 2-10. After routing the cables, the installation should resemble Figure 2-12 Figure 2-12: Cables Attached to the Cable Management System Note: Do not turn on power to the array.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware At a minimum, connect network cables to Ethernet 0 on both control modules and then connect the cables to a network switch. See Figure 2-13. Figure 2-13: Minimum PS5500 Network Configuration For maximum bandwidth and availability, it is recommended that you use six network cables to connect all the network interfaces to multiple network switches.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Make sure you use the cable management system to organize the network cables, along with the power cables. See Figure 2-8 to Figure 2-12. Step 3: Turn on Power to the PS5500 Before turning on power, make sure the array is at room temperature. To turn on power and transition the array from standby mode to full-power mode: 1.
Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Figure 2-17: Detaching the Bezel from the Chassis 4. Press the blue power button on the front panel. Note: Batteries will start to charge and some hardware components will start to synchronize when power is turned on. Array LEDs may indicate this on- going activity, which is normal array behavior.
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Installation and Setup Installing Array Hardware Note: Make sure you keep the serial cable. You can use the serial cable to manage the group or array if there is no network access. Obtain the serial cable that was shipped with the array and attach the cable to the serial port on the active control module (ACT LED will be green) and to a console terminal or a computer running a terminal emulator.
3 Software Configuration After you complete the array hardware installation, you can initialize the array and create a PS Series group with the array as the first group member. Alternately, you can add the array to an existing group. When you expand a group, capacity and performance scale automatically with no impact on users.
Installation and Setup Configuring the Software • utility is an interactive, command line utility that prompts for setup information about the array and group configuration. The only utility requirement is a serial connection between the array setup and a console terminal or a computer running a terminal emulator. See Step 4: Set Up a Serial Connection to the PS5000 on page 2-11 or Step 4: Set Up a Serial Connection to the PS5500 on page 2-23.
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Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Table 3-1: Array Configuration (Continued) Prompt Description RAID policy RAID level and spare disk drive configuration for the array: • RAID 10 – Striping on top of multiple RAID 1 (mirrored) sets, with one or two spare disks. RAID 10 provides good performance for random writes, in addition to the highest availability.
Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Step 3: Start the Software Configuration After collecting the configuration information, use the utility or the setup Remote Setup Wizard to initialize the array and either create a group with the array as the first group member or add the array to an existing group. Once you complete the software configuration, the array becomes a member of a group and its disk storage is available for use.
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Figure 3-1: Example of the setup Utility Login: grpadmin Password: xxxxxxxx Welcome to Group Manager Copyright 2001 - 2008 Dell, Inc. It appears that the storage array has not been configured. Would you like to configure the array now? (y/n) [n] y Group Manager Setup Utility...
Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Using the Remote Setup Wizard to Configure the Software The Remote Setup wizard is located on the Host Integration Tools CD-ROM and must be installed on a Windows computer. The Host Integration Tools User Guide provides detailed information about using the full capabilities of the Remote Setup Wizard.
Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Step 4: Set the Member RAID Policy Before you can use the storage space in a new group member (array), RAID must be configured on the member. A RAID policy consists of a RAID level and a spare disk configuration.
Installation and Setup Configuring the Software 2. At the Group Manager command prompt, enter the following command: member select member_name raid-policy policy Specify , or for the variable. The PS5500 RAID50 RAID5 RAID10 policy array supports only RAID50 For example, the following command configures member1 with RAID50: member select member1 raid-policy raid50 group1>...
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Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Figure 3-3: Group Summary – RAID Policy Is Not Set on Member 3. In the warning message dialog box that appears, click to configure RAID on the member. 4. In the Configure Member – General Settings dialog box (Figure 3-4), click Next Figure 3-4: Configure Member –...
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Installation and Setup Configuring the Software 5. In the Configure Member – RAID Configuration dialog box (Figure 3-5), do the following and then click Next • Select the RAID policy. You will not be able to select a RAID policy that is not supported by the array model.
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Installation and Setup Configuring the Software Figure 3-6: Configure Member – Summary Once you set the RAID policy, the array storage is ready to use. See Figure 3-7. Figure 3-7: Group Summary – RAID Policy Is Set on Member 3–11...
4 Storage Allocation After configuring the software, you can allocate group storage space to users. • Step 1: Create a Volume on page 4-1. • Step 2: Connect a Computer to a Volume on page 4-5. After allocating storage, you can customize the group and use its more advanced features.
Installation and Setup Using the SAN Optionally, you can set aside space for volume snapshots or configure a volume for thin provisioning. However, thin provisioning is not appropriate for all storage environments. See the PS Series Group Administration manual for information about advanced volume functionality.
Installation and Setup Using the SAN Using the GUI to Create a Volume To use the GUI to create a volume, follow these steps: 1. Log in to the group. Specify the group IP address in a Web browser. Then, in the login dialog box (Figure 3-2), enter the account name and the password that you grpadmin...
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Installation and Setup Using the SAN 3. In the Create Volume – Space Reserve dialog box (Figure 4-2), enter the volume size and click . The table values will reflect the size you specify. Next Figure 4-2: Create Volume – Space Reserve 4.
Configure your initiator using the instructions provided by the vendor. Note: Dell recommends that you visit the Technical Support website to obtain important information about using initiators to access PS Series group volumes.
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Installation and Setup Using the SAN 2. Ensure that the computer matches one of the volume’s access control records. To display the records for a volume: • Using the CLI, enter the following command: volume select volume_name access show • Using the GUI, expand in the far-left panel, select the volume Volumes...
Add network connections Multiple network connections increase performance and to a group member. availability and are required for multipath I/O. Dell recommends that you connect all the network interfaces on both control modules to multiple network switches and then use the GUI or CLI to assign an IP address and netmask to the interfaces.
Installation and Setup Where to Go Next Advanced Group Administration Tasks Table 5-2 describes the advanced group administration tasks. These tasks are fully documented in the PS Series Group Administration manual. Table 5-2: Advanced Administration Tasks Task Description Add a member to the Although a one-member group is fully functional, adding group.
Index accessing volumes connecting to volumes access controls Flow Control recommendation protecting volumes Jumbo Frames recommendation setting up with CLI setting up with GUI control modules accounts, configuring after setup PS5000 support array, see PS5000 array and PS5500 2-14 PS5500 support array restriction on mixing bezel...
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Installation and Setup Index PS5000 configurations 2-20 creating volumes PS5500 configurations 3-7, 3-8 setting RAID policy recommendations requirements network interfaces Host Integration Tools, description configuring hosts NTP server, configuring Flow Control recommendation Jumbo Frames recommendation power PS5000 requirements 2-16 PS5500 requirements initiator (iSCSI) accessing a volume PS5000 array...
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Installation and Setup Index PS5500 array description 2-23 bezel installation requirements 2-22 bezel removal 2-17, cable management system setup utility 2-22 configuring the software 2-20 connecting network cables description 2-16 connecting power cables requirements 2-23 connecting the serial cable 2-14 control module restriction snapshots, reserving space 2-13...
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Installation and Setup Index creating with GUI defined VLAN recommendation naming volumes reported size access controls snapshot space accessing from a computer target name for connecting to thin provisioning settings creating creating with CLI Index-4...