Dell MD3620F, MD3600f owner manual RAID Levels, RAID Level Usage

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RAID Levels

RAID levels determine the way in which data is written to physical disks. Different RAID levels provide different levels of accessibility, redundancy, and capacity.

Using multiple physical disks has the following advantages over using a single physical disk:

Placing data on multiple physical disks (striping) allows input/output (I/O) operations to occur simultaneously and improve performance.

Storing redundant data on multiple physical disks using mirroring or parity supports reconstruction of lost data if an error occurs, even if that error is the failure of a physical disk.

Each RAID level provides different performance and protection. You must select a RAID level based on the type of application, access, fault tolerance, and data you are storing.

The storage array supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. The maximum number of physical disks that can be used in a disk group depends on the RAID level:

192 for RAID levels 0, 1, and 10

30 for RAID levels 5 and 6.

RAID Level Usage

To ensure best performance, you must select an optimal RAID level when you create a system physical disk. The optimal RAID level for your disk array depends on:

Number of physical disks in the disk array

Capacity of the physical disks in the disk array

Need for redundant access to the data (fault tolerance)

Disk performance requirements

Planning: MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

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Contents Dell PowerVault MD3600f and MD3620f Storage Arrays Dell Inc Contents Planning MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts Cache Functions and FeaturesVirtual Disk Operations Limit Configuring Alert Notifications Configuring E-mail Alerts Configuration About YourMoving a Host to a Different Host Group Enabling or Disabling the Event MonitorStarting or Stopping the Host Context Agent Managing Host Port Identifiers111 101112 120136 132137 138148 146152 157171 Types of Virtual Disk Copies 170172 Virtual Disk Copy Restrictions 173178 Storage Array Performance DuringStopping a Virtual Disk Copy 179 Preparing Host Servers to Recopy a 180Virtual Disk Expansion With 189 219 Configuration Device MapperRemoving the Front Bezel 242 Installing the Front Bezel Using DM Multipathing Devices 220228 Downloading RAID Controller243 Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module 257249 255271 Viewing the Firmware Inventory274 275Safety First-For You and Your Array 295 Recovering From an Unresponsive Storage 284Troubleshooting an SFP Transceiver 295 Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling 298311 Contents About This Document IntroductionMD3600f Series Storage Array Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage ManagerOther Information You May Need Introduction Overview Planning About Your Storage ArrayFront-Panel Features and Indicators Hardware FeaturesPlanning About Your Storage Array Item Indicator, Button, or Icon Description Connector Back Panel Features and Indicators Hard Drive Indicators Hard-Drive Indicator PatternsDrive-Status Indicator Pattern Condition Power Supply and Cooling Fan FeaturesPower Indicator Codes and Features RAID Controller Modules Planning RAID Controller ModulesFunction RAID Controller Module Connectors and FeaturesComponent Function RAID Controller Module-Additional Features Battery Backup UnitHost Channel LED Link/Rate Indications System Password Reset Cache Functions and FeaturesStorage Array Thermal Shutdown Cache MirroringSFP Transceivers, Fiber Optic, and SAS Cables Write-Back CacheWrite-Through Cache Fiber Optic Cable Connection Interoperability of 2 Gbps, 4 Gbps, and 8 Gbps Devices Physical Disks, Virtual Disks, and Disk Groups Planning MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and ConceptsPhysical Disk States Physical DisksVirtual Disks and Disk Groups Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting TechnologyRAID Controller Virtual Disk States Description Virtual Disk StatesRAID Level Usage RAID LevelsRAID Segment Size Virtual Disk OperationsVirtual Disk Initialization Foreground Initialization Background InitializationConsistency Check Media VerificationVirtual Disk Operations Limit Cycle TimeDisk Group Operations RAID Level MigrationSegment Size Migration Disk Group Expansion Virtual Disk Capacity ExpansionDisk Group Defragmentation Disk Group Operations LimitRAID Background Operations Priority Disk Migration Virtual Disk Migration and Disk RoamingPlanning MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts Advanced Features Disk RoamingHost Server-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Snapshot Virtual Disks Host TypesVirtual Disk Copy Snapshot Repository Virtual DiskVirtual Disk Recovery Source Virtual DiskTarget Virtual Disk Using Snapshot and Disk Copy Together Multi-Path SoftwarePreferred and Alternate Controllers and Paths Virtual Disk Ownership Load BalancingMonitoring MD3600f Series System Performance Planning MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts Performance Monitor Table Description Column Headings Planning MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts User Interface Configuration OverviewEnterprise Management Window Array Management Window Inheriting the System SettingsConfiguration Overview In-Band Management Out-of-Band ManagementAdding Storage Arrays Storage ArraysAutomatic Discovery of Storage Arrays Manual Addition of a Storage ArraySelect Edit→ Add Storage Array Setting Up Your Storage Array Naming or Renaming Storage Arrays Locating Storage ArraysAMW, select Storage Array→ Blink→ Storage Array Stop All IndicationsName/Rename Storage Arrays dialog is displayed AMW Setup tab, select Rename Storage ArrayType the New password Setting a PasswordViewing Storage Array Connections Password GuidelinesRemoving Storage Arrays Adding/Editing a Comment to an Existing Storage ArraySelect Edit→ Comment Select Edit→ Remove→ Storage ArrayFailover Alert Display Enabling Premium FeaturesChanging the Cache Settings on the Storage Array Changing Expansion Enclosure ID NumberChange→ Enclosure ID Select Configure Alerts Configuring Alert NotificationsChanging the Enclosure Order in the Physical Pane AMW, select Storage Array→ Change→ Enclosure OrderConfiguring E-mail Alerts Configuration About Your Storage Array Configuring Snmp Alerts Configuration About Your Storage Array Battery Settings Setting the Storage Array RAID Controller Module Clocks Configuration Event Monitor Windows Enabling or Disabling the Event MonitorLinux Select Action→ PropertiesConfiguring Host Access Configuration About Your HostDefining a Host Using the Mappings TabSelect Mappings→ Define→ Host Removing Host Access Managing Host GroupsSelect Mappings→ Remove Select Mappings→ Define→ Host Group Creating a Host GroupAdding a Host to a Host Group Removing a Host From a Host GroupMoving a Host to a Different Host Group Removing a Host GroupSelect Mappings→ Move Host Topology Starting or Stopping the Host Context AgentLinux Data Path Protection WindowsClick Action→ Start Managing Host Port Identifiers Add Host Port Identifier dialog is displayed Configuration About Your Host 100 101 Creating Disk Groups and Virtual DisksCreating Disk Groups Introduction Create Disk Group window is displayed102 103 Locating a Disk Group Creating Virtual Disks104 105 Map later Using Mappings View Changing the Virtual Disk Modification Priority106 107 Changing the Virtual Disk Cache Settings108 109 Changing the Segment Size of a Virtual DiskChanging the I/O Type Select Virtual Disk→ Change→ Segment Size110 Choosing an Appropriate Physical Disk Type File system typical Database Multimedia Custom111 112 Physical Disk Security With Self Encrypting Disk113 Shows how to interpret the security status of a disk group114 Creating a Security Key115 Click Create Key116 Changing a Security KeySaving a Security Key Click Change Key117 118 Validate Security KeyUnlocking Secure Physical Disks Erasing Secure Physical Disks119 Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks Select Physical disk→ Hot Spare Coverage120 Hot Spare Physical Disk Options window is displayed Click Unassign121 Global Hot Spares Hot Spares and RebuildHot Spare Operation 122Enclosure Loss Protection Hot Spare Drive Protection123 Criteria for Enclosure Loss Protection RAID Level 124125 Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping126 Creating Host-to-Virtual Disk MappingsModifying and Removing Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Mapping127 128 Changing Controller Ownership of the Virtual DiskRemoving Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Select Virtual Disk→ Change→ Ownership/Preferred Path129 Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group Select Disk Group→ Change→ Ownership/Preferred Path130 Removing a Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Using Linux Dmmp Select Disk Group→ Change→ RAID Level131 Restricted Mappings 132Mapping Restrictions Operating System Highest LUN 133 134 135 136 Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group137 Storage PartitioningDisk Group and Virtual Disk Expansion Select Disk Group→ Add Free Capacity Physical Disks138 Using Free Capacity Virtual Disk Expansion139 Disk Group Migration Using Unconfigured CapacityExport Disk Group Non-Exportable ComponentsImport Disk Group Exporting a Disk Group141 Importing a Disk Group Non-Importable Components142 Changing Media Scan Settings Storage Array Media Scan143 144 Suspending the Media Scan145 Configuration Premium Feature- Snapshot Virtual DisksScheduling a Snapshot Virtual Disk Common Reasons for Scheduling a Snapshot Virtual Disk146 147 Guidelines for Creating Snapshot SchedulesEnabling and Disabling Snapshot Schedules Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using the Simple PathScheduled Snapshot Icons 148149 About the Simple Path150 151 Select Virtual Disk→ Snapshot→ Create. orCreating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using the Advanced Path About the Advanced Path152 153 154 155 156 Creating the Snapshot Using the Advanced PathSpecifying Snapshot Virtual Disk Names Specify Virtual Disk Parameters window is displayed157 158 159 Snapshot Repository Capacity160 Click Add Physical Disks161 Add Physical Disks window closes162 Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk163 Preparing Host Servers to Re-create a Snapshot Virtual DiskSnapshot Rollback Re-creating Snapshot Virtual DisksSelect Virtual Disk→ Snapshot→ Re-create 164165 Rules and Guidelines for Performing a Snapshot RollbackProtecting Against a Failed Snapshot Rollback Command Line OptionsPrevious Versions of the MD Storage Manager Starting a Snapshot RollbackRollback Resuming a Snapshot RollbackConfirm Rollback Snapshot Virtual Disk dialog is displayed 167168 Canceling a Snapshot Rollback183 184 169 Configuration Premium Feature- Virtual Disk CopyTypes of Virtual Disk Copies Offline Copy170 171 Online CopyCreating a Virtual Disk Copy for an Mscs Shared Disk Virtual Disk Read/Write Permissions172 173 Virtual Disk Copy RestrictionsCreating a Virtual Disk Copy Before You Begin174 Create Copy Wizard Virtual Disk Copy and Modification OperationsFailed Virtual Disk Copy 175Failed RAID Controller Module Preferred RAID Controller Module OwnershipCopy Manager 176177 Copying the Virtual DiskStorage Array Performance During Virtual Disk Copy Setting Copy PriorityAMW, select Virtual Disk→ Copy Manager 178Recopying a Virtual Disk Stopping a Virtual Disk CopySelect Change→ Copy Priority 179180 Preparing Host Servers to Recopy a Virtual DiskRe-Copying a Virtual Disk Select Copy→ Re-Copy181 Removing Copy Pairs Select Copy→ Remove Copy Pairs182 185 Configuration Premium Feature- Remote ReplicationActivating Remote Replication Replication Repository Virtual Disks186 RAID Levels for Replication Repository Virtual Disks Primary and Secondary Virtual Disk Pairs187 Using Remote Replication With Other Features Storage Partitioning With Remote Replication188 Virtual Disk Copy With Remote Replication Snapshot Virtual Disk With Remote ReplicationVirtual Disk Expansion With Remote Replication 189Switch Cascading Required Switch Zoning ConfigurationsZoning Guidelines for Remote Replication 190Journaling File Systems and Remote Replication Setting Up and Managing Remote ReplicationPrerequisites 191192 Preview Activate Remote Replication wizard is displayed Completed Activate Remote Replication message is displayed193 194 Creating a Remote ReplicationSetting the Write Mode Selecting the Secondary Virtual Disk195 196 Setting Synchronization Priority and Synchronization Method197 Completing the Remote Replication198 RAID Controller Module Ownership/Preferred Path199 Viewing the Storage Array ProfileViewing Logical Elements of the Secondary Virtual Disk Viewing the Properties PaneSelect View Associated Logical Elements 200201 Write Mode and Consistency Group Membership IconStatus Changing Write Mode and Consistency Group MembershipVirtual Disk Status Icons 202203 Select Change→ Write ModeResynchronizing Virtual Disks Normally Synchronized Virtual Disks204 205 Changing Synchronization Priority and Method206 207 Unsynchronized Virtual DisksAutomatically Resynchronizing Virtual Disks Manually Resynchronizing Virtual Disks208 209 210 Suspending a Remote ReplicationResuming a Remote Replication About Resumed Remote Replications211 212 Select Test Replication Communication213 Deleting a Primary Virtual Disk214 Deleting a Secondary Virtual Disk215 Removing a Remote Replication From a Storage Array216 Deactivating the Remote Replication on the Storage Array217 Disabling the Remote Replication Premium Feature218 219 Configuration Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxUsing DM Multipathing Devices Prerequisites220 Device Mapper Configuration Steps Scan for Newly Added Virtual Disks221 222 Create a New fdisk Partition on a Multipath Device Node Add a New Partition to Device Mapper223 Mount a Device Mapper Partition Create a File System on a Device Mapper PartitionReady for Use 224Blacklist Local Drive in Multi-path Driver Important Information About Special Partitions225 226 Device Mapper Commands Descriptions227 Limitations and Known IssuesTroubleshooting 228Question Answer 229 Downloading RAID Controller and Nvsram Packages230 Downloading Both RAID Controller and Nvsram FirmwareSelect Tools→ Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware Click Transfer231 232 Downloading Only Nvsram Firmware233 234 235 Downloading Physical Disk Firmware236 Download Physical Disk Introduction window is displayedDownloading MD1200 Series Expansion Module EMM Firmware AMW, select Advanced→ Maintenance→ Download→ EMM FirmwareDownload Environmental EMM Firmware dialog is displayed 237238 Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology Smart239 Media Errors and Unreadable Sectors240 241 Recommended ToolsFront Bezel Optional Installing the Front BezelRemoving the Front Bezel 242Hard Drives Safety Models AMT, E03J, and E04JRemoving a Hard-Drive Blank 243Installing a Hard-Drive Blank Removing a Hard Drive244 245 Removing and Installing a Hard Drive246 Installing a Hard Drive247 Removing a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive Carrier248 RAID Controller Module Installing a Hard Drive Into a Hard-Drive CarrierRemoving a RAID Controller Module Blank 249250 Installing a RAID Controller Module Blank251 Removing a RAID Controller Module252 Installing a RAID Controller Module253 Opening the RAID Controller Module254 Closing the RAID Controller ModuleRAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit Removing the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit255 256 Installing the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery UnitPower Supply/Cooling Fan Module Removing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module257 258 Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan ModuleControl Panel Removing the Control Panel259 260 261 Installing the Control PanelBackplane Removing the Backplane262 263 17. Removing and Installing the Backplane-PowerVault MD3620f 16. Removing and Installing the Backplane-PowerVault MD3600f265 Installing the Backplane266 267 Viewing the Firmware Inventory268 Virtual Disk Service Microsoft ServicesVolume Shadow-Copy Service 269270 Device Health Conditions Start-Up Routine271 Start-Up Routine Indications Look/Listen for ActionOn the Setup tab, select Manage a Storage Array 272Status Icon Description Additional Status Icons Description 273274 Storage Array Support DataAutomatically Collect the Support Bundle Data Enter the Execution summary275 276 Collecting the Physical Disk Data277 Event LogRecovery Guru Storage Array Profile278 279 Viewing the Logical Associations Select View→ Associated Logical Elements. or280 Viewing the Physical Associations Finding Nodes281 282 Select Find all free capacity nodesClick Find Next Using Go ToSelect View→ Go To→ Snapshot Virtual Disk Select View→ Go To→ Snapshot Repository Virtual DiskSelect View→ Go To→ Source Virtual Disk Recovering From an Unresponsive Storage Array ConditionSelect View→ Go To→ Target Virtual Disk 284285 286 Locating a Physical Disk Locating an Expansion Enclosure287 Capturing the State Information Select Physical Disk→ Blink→ Expansion Enclosure288 289 SMrepassist UtilityRecovering From an Unidentified Storage Array Unidentified Devices290 291 292 293 Starting or Restarting the Host Context Agent Software294 Troubleshooting Loss of Communication Troubleshooting an SFP Transceiver295 296 Removing an SFP Module 297Troubleshooting External Connections Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module298 299 Troubleshooting Array Cooling Problems300 Troubleshooting Expansion Enclosure Management Modules301 Troubleshooting RAID Controller Modules302 Troubleshooting Hard Drives303 Troubleshooting Array and Expansion Enclosure Connections304 Troubleshooting a Wet Storage Array305 Troubleshooting a Damaged ArrayConditions ECC ErrorsInvalid Storage Array 306Critical Conditions PCI ErrorsNoncritical Conditions 307308 Locating Your System Service Tag Contacting Dell309 310 Documentation FeedbackIndex 312 313 314 315 316 317 318
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MD3620F, MD3600f specifications

Dell's MD3620F and MD3600F storage arrays are designed for businesses seeking dependable, high-performance storage solutions tailored to meet the demands of modern data management. These models offer a blend of scalability, efficiency, and advanced features, making them well-suited for a range of applications, from virtual environments to critical database operations.

One of the primary features of the MD3620F and MD3600F is their support for a hybrid storage architecture. This approach allows organizations to combine flash storage with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) to optimize performance and cost. The MD3620F focuses heavily on all-flash configurations, delivering exceptional speed and lower latency, ideal for I/O-intensive workloads.

Scalability is another hallmark of these storage solutions. The MD3600F allows users to scale up to 120 drives, providing robust capacity to meet growing data needs. The MD3620F is engineered for environments where data availability and speed are paramount, with support for high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and consistent performance under stress.

In terms of data management, both systems integrate with Dell’s proprietary software, which enhances operational efficiency through features like automated tiering. This technology optimizes data placement between different storage types based on access frequency, ensuring that hot data is readily available while reducing costs associated with less critical data.

Reliability is crucial for businesses that depend on their storage systems. The MD3620F and MD3600F come equipped with advanced data protection mechanisms, such as RAID support, which safeguards against data loss, and snapshot capabilities that provide point-in-time copies of data. Moreover, these solutions include hot-swappable components, ensuring minimal downtime for maintenance and repairs.

Connectivity is also a strong suit of these storage arrays. They support multiple connectivity options, including SAS and iSCSI, allowing for flexible integration into existing IT infrastructures. This adaptability enhances their appeal to a wide range of enterprise environments.

In summary, the Dell MD3620F and MD3600F stand out as robust storage solutions with a combination of hybrid and all-flash configurations, scalability, advanced data management tools, and enhanced reliability features. These characteristics make them ideal for organizations looking to enhance their data storage capabilities while maintaining high performance and efficiency.