Dell ISCSI manual Installation And Configuration Of a Failover Cluster, Volume Collections

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Volume Collections

NOTE: Do not use the Group Manager GUI to mount the clone of a clustered disk to a node in the same cluster.

A volume collection consists of one or more volumes from any pool and simplifies the creation of snapshots and replicas. Volume collections are useful when you have multiple, related volumes. In a single operation, you can create snapshots of the volumes (a snapshot collection) or replicas of the volumes (a replica collection).

Creating Volume Collections

To create a volume collection:

1.Click Volume Collections → Create volume collection.

The Create Volume Collection – General window is displayed.

2.Specify a name for the collection and an optional description.

3.Click Next.

The Create Volume Collection – Components window is displayed.

4.Select up to eight volumes for a collection. A volume collection can contain volumes from different pools.

5.Click Next.

The Create Volume Collection – Summary window is displayed.

6.If the configuration is correct, click Finish to create the volume collection.

7.To make changes, click Back.

After creating a volume collection, you can create snapshots or replicas.

Thin Provisioning

You can use thin provisioning technology to provision the storage more efficiently, while still meeting application and user storage needs. A thin-provisioned volume is initially allocated only a portion of the volume size. As data is written to the volume, more space is automatically allocated (if available) from the free pool, and the volume reserve increases up to the user-defined limit. If space is not available, the auto-grow operation fails. If in-use space, typically the volume size, consumes all the volume reserve, the volume is set offline. Thin provisioning is not always appropriate or desirable in an IT environment. It is most effectively used when you know how a volume grows over time, the growth is predictable, and users do not need immediate, guaranteed access to the full volume size. Regular event messages are generated as space is used, giving the administrator the opportunity to make adjustments, as needed. With thin- provisioned volumes, you can utilize storage resources more efficiently, while eliminating the need to perform difficult resize operations on the host.

Installation And Configuration Of A Failover Cluster

You can configure the operating system services on your Failover Cluster, after you have established the private and public networks and have assigned the shared disks from the storage array(s) to the cluster nodes. The procedures to configure the Failover Cluster are different and depends on the Windows Server operating system you use.

For more information on deploying your cluster with Windows Server 2003 operating systems, see the Dell Failover

Clusters with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Installation and Troubleshooting Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.

For more information on deploying your cluster with Windows Server 2008 operating systems, see the Dell Failover

Clusters with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Installation and Troubleshooting Guide at support.dell.com/manuals.

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Contents Hardware Installation and Troubleshooting Guide Page Contents Page Connectivity Cluster SolutionCluster Storage Cluster Hardware RequirementsCluster Nodes Cluster Storage Requirements Network Switches Dedicated To iSCSIDell EqualLogic PS Series Storage Array Requirements NICs Dedicated To iSCSINetwork Configuration Recommendations ISCSI SAN-Attached Cluster Supported Cluster ConfigurationsOther Documents You May Need Page Mouse, Keyboard, And Monitor Cabling Information Power Supplies Cabling InformationPrivate network Cluster Cabling Information For Public And Private NetworksNetwork Connection Description Public network Method Hardware Components For Public NetworkFor Private Network NIC Teaming Storage Arrays Cabling InformationCabling The Storage For Your iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster Dual-Port Network Adapters UsageTwo-Node iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster Sixteen-Node iSCSI SAN-Attached Cluster Cabling The Dell EqualLogic PS4110/PS6110 Storage ArraysFor more information, see the figures below Dell EqualLogic PS6110 storage system Cluster node Switch Cabling The Dell EqualLogic PS5000/PS5500 Storage Arrays Dell EqualLogic PS5000 storage system Dell EqualLogic PS6000 storage system Switch Dell EqualLogic PS6500 storage system Obtaining More Information Page Preparing Your Systems For Clustering Configuring a ClusterHost Integration Tools Installation OverviewAdditional Information For Installing iSCSI NICs Running The Remote Setup Wizard Installing The Host Integration ToolsArray Configuration EqualLogic PS Series Arrays And GroupsInitializing An Array And Creating a Group Group ConfigurationMember Successfully Added to Group Initializing An Array And Expanding a GroupEnabling Computer Access To a Group Computer Access To a GroupConfiguring Multipath I/O Between a Computer And a Group Configuring Group Access dialog box, click FinishConfiguring Firewall To Allow Icmp Echo Requests Installing The Microsoft iSCSI Software InitiatorConfiguration Overview Of Shared Storage Arrays Modifying The Registry SettingsClick Volumes and Create volume Creating VolumesRunning The Group Manager GUI Group Manager GUI ComponentsCreating Access Control Records Connecting Hosts To Volumes Advanced Storage FeaturesRestoring Snapshots SnapshotsCreating Snapshots Cloning Volumes VolumesRestoring Volumes Clone Volume Space Reserve dialog box is displayedReplication Replicating VolumesVolume Collections Installation And Configuration Of a Failover ClusterCreating Volume Collections Thin ProvisioningPage Support.microsoft.com Problem Probable Cause Corrective ActionSelect Advanced → Minimum ClusterSelect Modify Volume Settings Problem Probable CauseClick Cluster Services ServiceDo you want to proceed y/nn Additional Networks Cluster InformationPage ISCSI Configuration Worksheet
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