With DellEMC AX-series storage systems

Attaching Your Cluster Shared Storage System through iSCSI Switch-Attached Configuration

This section provides the rules and guidelines for attaching your PowerEdge cluster nodes to the shared storage systems through an iSCSI switch-attached configuration using redundant Ethernet switch fabrics.

The switch-attached configuration supports two to eight cluster nodes connected to the storage system through an iSCSI network. In a PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution, a system can support up to four storage systems using an Ethernet network switch.

NOTE: The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support AX150SCi storage system in a switch-attached configuration.

Rules and Guidelines

The rules and guidelines described in Table 1-3 apply to iSCSI switch-attached clusters.

Table 1-3. iSCSI Switch-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines

Rule/Guideline	Description

Operating system	Each switch-attached cluster must run Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003,
	x64 operating system.
Windows Server 2003	Windows Server 2003 is supported with all CX-series and AX-series storage systems.
service pack	See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
Windows Server 2003, x64 Windows Server 2003, x64 is supported on CX-series storage systems only.
service pack	See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
Primary storage	Up to two supported DellEMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
	using embedded Ethernet switches.
	Up to four supported DellEMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
	using external Ethernet switches.
	NOTE: PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support Windows Server 2003, x64
	with DellEMC AX-series storage systems.
	Each Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003, x64 cluster can support up to
	22 unique drive letters for shared logical drives and additional physical drives through
	mount points.
iSCSI Initiator	Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator
iSCSI Initiator version	See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
iSNS	Microsoft Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) Server.
iSNS version	See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
NICs for iSCSI traffic	Ethernet daughter card: Intel PRO/1000 MB dual-port server adapter for PowerEdge
	1855 systems only.

Platform Guide

Rules and Guidelines

with DellEMC AX-series storage systems.