Dell MD3200i, MD3220i owner manual Load Balancing, Virtual Disk Ownership

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•Physically removed

•Updating firmware

•Involved in an event that caused failover to the alternate controller

Paths used by the preferred RAID controller module to access either the disks or the host server are called the preferred paths; redundant paths are called the alternate paths. If a failure causes the preferred path to become inaccessible, the storage array automatically uses the alternate path to access data, when this occurs the enclosure status LED blinks amber.

Virtual Disk Ownership

MDSM can be used to automatically build and view virtual disks. It uses optimal settings to stripe the disk group. Virtual disks are assigned to alternating RAID controller modules when they are created. This default assignation provides a simple means for load balancing the workload of the RAID controller modules.

Ownership can later be modified to balance workload according to actual usage. If virtual disk ownership is not manually balanced, it is possible for one controller to have the majority of the work, while the other controller is idle. Limit the number of virtual disks in a disk group. If multiple virtual disks are in a disk group, consider:

•The impact each virtual disk has on other virtual disks in the same disk group.

•The patterns of usage for each virtual disk.

•Different virtual disks have higher usage at different times of day.

Load Balancing

A load balance policy is used to determine which path is used to process I/O. Multiple options for setting the load balance policies lets you optimize I/O performance when mixed host interfaces are configured.

You can choose one of these load balance policies to optimize I/O performance:

•Round robin with subset—The round robin with subset I/O load balance policy routes I/O requests, in rotation, to each available data path to the RAID controller module that owns the virtual disks. This policy treats all

Planning: MD3200i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

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Contents Dell PowerVault MD3200i and MD3220i Storage Arrays May Contents Planning RAID Controller Modules Cache Functions and FeaturesVirtual Disk Operations Limit Out-of-Band and In-Band Management Configuring Alert NotificationsEdit, Remove, or Rename Host Topology Setting the Storage Array RAIDEnabling or Disabling the Event Monitor 103 Managing Host Port Identifiers113 132 Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks 121124 Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping 126146 139140 141Creating a Virtual Disk Copy for ContentsDisabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk177 Using DM Multipathing Devices 178Limitations and Known Issues 184 174199 Downloading MD1200 Series Expansion197 198Viewing the Firmware Inventory 221 Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module 211215 217231 Recovering From an Unresponsive229 Collecting the Physical Disk Data 230258 250Getting Help Contacting Dell Index Contents About This Document IntroductionOther Information You May Need Dell PowerVault MD3200i Series Storage ArrayDell PowerVault Modular Disk Storage Manager Dell PowerVault Modular Disk Configuration UtilityIntroduction 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 Item LED Type Icon Description Power Indicator CodesRAID Controller Modules Planning RAID Controller ModulesMD3200i Series iSCSI RAID Controller Module RAID Controller Module Connectors and FeaturesLED Component FunctionItem Component Function RAID Controller Module-Additional FeaturesBattery Backup Unit Storage Array Thermal ShutdownWrite-Back Cache Cache Functions and FeaturesSystem Password Reset Cache MirroringWrite-Through Cache Physical Disks Physical Disks, Virtual Disks, and Disk GroupsPhysical Disk States Virtual Disks and Disk Groups Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting TechnologyVirtual Disk States RAID LevelsRAID Controller Virtual Disk States Description RAID RAID Level UsageSegment Size Foreground Initialization Virtual Disk OperationsVirtual Disk Initialization Background InitializationCycle Time Media VerificationVirtual Disk Operations Limit RAID Level Migration Disk Group OperationsSegment Size Migration Disk Group Operations Limit Virtual Disk Capacity ExpansionDisk Group Expansion Disk Group DefragmentationRAID Background Operations Priority Disk Migration Virtual Disk Migration and Disk RoamingPlanning MD3200i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts Disk Roaming Advanced FeaturesHost Server-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Snapshot Virtual Disks Host TypesVirtual Disk Copy Snapshot Repository Virtual DiskTarget Virtual Disk Virtual Disk RecoveryUsing Snapshot and Disk Copy Together Source Virtual DiskPreferred and Alternate Controllers and Paths Multi-Path SoftwareVirtual Disk Ownership Load BalancingMonitoring MD3200i Series System Performance Planning MD3200i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts Performance Monitor Table Description Column Headings User Interface Configuration OverviewEnterprise Management Window Array Management Window Inheriting the System SettingsSelect Tools→ Inherit System Settings Select Inherit system settings for color and fontConfiguration Overview Out-of-Band and In-Band Management Configuration About Your Storage ArrayOut-of-Band Management Adding Storage Arrays Storage ArraysIn-Band Management Manual Addition of a Storage Array Automatic Discovery of Storage ArraysSelect Edit→ Add Storage Array Setting Up Your Storage Array Locating Storage Arrays Name/Rename Storage Arrays dialog appears Naming or Renaming Storage ArraysPassword Setting a PasswordType the New password Viewing Storage Array Connections Password GuidelinesSelect Edit→ Remove→ Storage Array Adding/Editing a Comment to an Existing Storage ArrayRemoving Storage Arrays Select Edit→ CommentChanging the Cache Settings on the Storage Array Enabling Premium FeaturesFailover Alert Display Changing the Enclosure Order in the Physical Pane Changing Expansion Enclosure ID NumbersAMW, select Storage Array→ Change→ Enclosure Order Select All storage arrays Configuring Alert NotificationsConfiguring E-mail Alerts Select Configure AlertsConfiguration About Your Storage Array Configuration About Your Storage Array Configuring Snmp Alerts Battery Settings Setting the Storage Array RAID Controller Module Clocks Configuration About Your Storage Array Enter the Target Chap secret Configuration Using iSCSIChanging the iSCSI Target Authentication Select Manage iSCSI SettingsCreating Chap Secrets Entering Mutual Authentication PermissionsSelect the Mutual Authentication tab Click OK in the Manage iSCSI Settings windowValid Ascii Characters for Chap Secrets Initiator Chap SecretTarget Chap Secret Valid Characters for Chap SecretsSelect the Target Discovery tab Changing the iSCSI Target Discovery SettingsChanging the iSCSI Target Identification Select the Target Identification tabConfiguring the iSCSI Host Ports Configuration Using iSCSI Advanced iSCSI Host Port Settings Description Advanced iSCSI Host Ports SettingsViewing or Ending an iSCSI Session Click Set Baseline Viewing iSCSI Statistics and Setting Baseline StatisticsMappings→ Move Edit, Remove, or Rename Host TopologyEnabling or Disabling the Event Monitor Configuration Event MonitorLinux WindowsConfiguring Host Access Configuration About Your HostDefining a Host Using the Mappings TabSelect Mappings→ Define→ Host Configuration About Your Host Select Mappings→ Remove Removing Host AccessManaging Host Groups Creating a Host GroupSelect Mappings→ Move Moving a Host to a Different Host GroupAdding a Host to a Host Group Removing a Host From a Host GroupHost Topology Removing a Host GroupLinux Starting or Stopping the Host Context AgentWindows Click Action→ Start Data Path Protection100 Add Host Port Identifier dialog appears Managing Host Port Identifiers101 102 Creating Disk Groups and Virtual Disks Configuration Disk Groups and Virtual Disks103 Introduction Create Disk Group window is displayed Creating Disk Groups104 105 Creating Virtual Disks Locating a Disk Group107 108 Customize settingsMap later Using Mappings View Changing the Virtual Disk Modification PriorityToolbar, select Virtual Disk→ Change→ Cache Settings Changing the Virtual Disk Cache Settings109 110 Select Virtual Disk→ Change→ Segment Size Changing the Segment Size of a Virtual Disk111 File system typical Database Multimedia Custom Changing the I/O Type112 Physical Disk Security with Self Encrypting Disk Choosing an Appropriate Physical Disk Type113 114 115 116 Creating a Security KeyClick Create Key Changing a Security Key117 Click Change Key Confirm Change Security Key window is displayed118 119 Saving a Security KeyErasing Secure Physical Disks Unlocking Secure Physical Disks120 Select Physical disk→ Hot Spare Coverage Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks121 Click Unassign Hot Spare Physical Disk Options window is displayed122 Hot Spare Drive Protection Hot Spares and RebuildGlobal Hot Spares Hot Spare Operation124 Enclosure Loss ProtectionCriteria for Enclosure Loss Protection RAID Level 125Creating Host-to-Virtual Disk Mappings Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping126 127 128 Modifying and Removing Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping129 Changing Controller Ownership of the Virtual DiskRemoving Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping Select Virtual Disk→ Change→ Ownership/Preferred Path130 Select Disk Group→ Change→ Ownership/Preferred PathSelect Disk Group→ Change→ RAID Level Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group131 132 Restricted MappingsOperating System Highest LUN 133 134 135 Changing the RAID Level of a Disk Group136 Storage PartitioningSelect Disk Group→ Add Free Capacity Physical Disks Disk Group and Virtual Disk Expansion137 138 Using Free CapacityUsing Unconfigured Capacity Virtual Disk ExpansionNon-Exportable Components Disk Group MigrationExport Disk Group Exporting a Disk GroupImporting a Disk Group Import Disk Group140 Non-Importable Components Storage Array Media Scan141 142 Changing Media Scan Settings143 Suspending the Media Scan144 145 Configuration Premium Feature- Snapshot Virtual DisksAbout the Simple Path Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using the Simple Path146 147 148 About the Advanced Path Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Using the Advanced Path149 150 151 152 Specify Virtual Disk Parameters window is displayed Creating the Snapshot Using the Advanced Path153 154 Specifying Snapshot Virtual Disk Names155 156 Snapshot Repository Capacity157 Click Add Physical Disks158 Add Physical Disks window closes159 Re-creating Snapshot Virtual DisksDisabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk Select Virtual Disk→ Snapshot→ Re-create160 Preparing Host Servers to Re-create a Snapshot Virtual DiskSelect Virtual Disk → Snapshot→ Re-create Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk161 162 163 Configuration Premium Feature- Virtual Disk Copy164 Creating a Virtual Disk Copy for an Mscs Shared DiskVirtual Disk Copy Restrictions Virtual Disk Read/Write Permissions165 166 Creating a Virtual Disk Copy167 Before you BeginVirtual Disk Copy and Modification Operations Create Copy Wizard168 Preferred RAID Controller Module OwnershipFailed RAID Controller Module Failed Virtual Disk CopyCopying the Virtual Disk Copy Manager169 Storage Array Performance During Virtual Disk Copy Setting Copy Priority170 Select Change→ Copy Priority Stopping a Virtual Disk Copy171 Preparing Host Servers to Recopy a Virtual Disk Recopying a Virtual Disk172 Select Copy→ Re-Copy Recopying the Virtual Disk173 174 Removing Copy Pairs175 176 177 Configuration Device Mapper Multipath for LinuxPrerequisite Steps Using DM Multipathing Devices178 Scan for newly added Virtual Disks Device Mapper Configuration Steps179 180 Add a new Partition to Device Mapper Create a New fdisk Partition on a Multipath Device Node181 182 Create a file system on a Device Mapper PartitionMount a Device Mapper Partition Ready For UseImportant Information About Special Partitions Linux Host Server Reboot Best Practices183 Useful Device Mapper Commands Descriptions Limitations and Known Issues184 185 TroubleshootingQuestion Answer QuestionAnswer 186187 Downloading RAID Controller and Nvsram Packages188 Downloading Both RAID Controller and Nvsram Firmware189 Click Transfer190 Downloading Only Nvsram FirmwareUpgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware window appears Select Tools→ Upgrade RAID Controller Module Firmware191 192 Downloading Physical Disk Firmware193 194 Downloading MD1200 Series Expansion Module EMM FirmwareDownload Environmental EMM Firmware dialog appears AMW, select Advanced→ Maintenance→ Download→ EMM Firmware195 Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology Smart Media Errors and Unreadable Sectors196 Recommended Tools Management Installing Array Components197 198 Installing the Front BezelFront Bezel Optional Removing the Front Bezel199 Safety Models AMT, E03J, and E04JHard Drives Removing a Drive BlankRemoving a Hard Drive Installing a Drive Blank200 201 Removing and Installing a Hard DriveRemoving a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive Carrier Installing a Hard Drive202 203 204 205 Installing a Hard Drive Into a Drive CarrierRAID Controller Module Removing a RAID Controller Module Blank206 Installing a RAID Controller Module Blank207 Removing a RAID Controller ModuleOpening the RAID Controller Module Installing a RAID Controller Module208 209 Closing the RAID Controller ModuleRemoving the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit210 211 Power Supply/Cooling Fan ModuleInstalling the RAID Controller Module Backup Battery Unit Removing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module212 213 214 Installing a Power Supply/Cooling Fan ModuleRemoving the Control Panel Control Panel215 216 Installing the Control PanelRemoving the Backplane Backplane217 218 17. Removing and Installing the Backplane-PowerVault MD3220i 16. Removing and Installing the Backplane-PowerVault MD3200i220 Installing the BackplaneViewing the Firmware Inventory Management Firmware Inventory221 222 Management System Interfaces Microsoft ServicesVirtual Disk Service Volume Shadow-Copy Service224 225 Troubleshooting Your Storage Array SoftwareStart-Up Routine Device Health Conditions226 On the Setup tab, select Manage a Storage ArrayStatus Icon Description 227 Additional Status Icons Description 228229 Storage Array Support DataAutomatically Collect the Support Bundle Data Enter the Execution summary230 Collecting the Physical Disk Data231 Event Log232 Recovery GuruStorage Array Profile Select Storage Array→ View→ Profile233 Viewing the Physical Associations Viewing the Logical Associations234 235 Finding Nodes236 Using Go ToSelect Find all free capacity nodes Click Find Next237 Recovering From an Unresponsive Storage Array Condition238 239 240 Locating a Physical DiskSelect Physical Disk→ Blink→ Expansion Enclosure Locating an Expansion Enclosure241 242 Capturing the State Information243 SMrepassist UtilityUnidentified Devices Recovering From an Unidentified Storage Array244 245 246 Starting or Restarting the Host Context Agent Software247 248 249 Troubleshooting Your ArrayTroubleshooting Loss of Communication Troubleshooting External Connections250 Troubleshooting Power Supply/Cooling Fan ModuleTroubleshooting Expansion Enclosure Management Modules Troubleshooting Array Cooling Problems251 252 253 Troubleshooting RAID Controller Modules254 Troubleshooting Hard DrivesTroubleshooting a Wet Storage Array Troubleshooting Array and Expansion Enclosure Connections255 256 Troubleshooting a Damaged Array257 ECC ErrorsConditions Invalid Storage Array258 PCI ErrorsCritical Conditions Noncritical ConditionsClick All Support from Support menu Getting HelpContacting Dell Visit support.dell.com260 261 Index262 263 264 265 266 267 268
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MD3200i, MD3220i specifications

The Dell MD3220i and MD3200i are part of Dell's extensive line of modular storage solutions, designed to support organizations in optimizing their data management and scalability requirements. These models offer reliable performance and flexible features, making them suitable for various workloads including virtualization, cloud storage, and disaster recovery.

One of the standout features of the MD3220i and MD3200i is their support for iSCSI storage networking. By utilizing the Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) protocol, these systems provide organizations with a cost-effective way to connect their storage over existing network infrastructure, enabling efficient data transfers and management.

Both models are equipped with dual controllers that ensure high availability and failover capabilities, which are crucial for meeting uptime requirements in mission-critical environments. The dual controllers also facilitate load balancing and increase overall system performance, as they allow multiple paths to the storage, enhancing I/O performance.

Scalability is another key characteristic of the MD3220i and MD3200i. These storage arrays can be expanded to meet growing storage demands, supporting up to 240TB of raw capacity with up to 16 additional expansion enclosures. This flexibility allows organizations to start with a smaller configuration and grow their storage capabilities without a complete overhaul of the existing infrastructure.

The units also support multiple disk types, including traditional spinning disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), and a combination of both. This versatility enables users to tailor storage configurations to their specific performance and budgetary needs. Furthermore, the systems feature advanced data management technologies such as snapshots and remote replication, providing essential tools for data protection.

With their ease of management, the MD3220i and MD3200i are designed for straightforward configuration and operation. The intuitive management interfaces allow IT professionals to monitor performance, configure storage, and manage data effectively, ensuring businesses can maintain optimal system availability.

In summary, the Dell MD3220i and MD3200i are robust, scalable, and versatile storage solutions that cater to diverse organizational needs. Their integrated technologies, such as iSCSI support, dual controller architecture, and advanced data management features, make them an ideal choice for modern data centers looking to enhance storage capabilities while ensuring reliability and performance.
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