Dell MD3000I Creating the Operating System Boot Image, Configure a PowerEdge system. To configure

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Creating the Operating System Boot Image

The following subsections describe the process of creating the operating system boot image on the virtual disk.

Configuring the Host

To create an operating system boot image:

1Configure a PowerEdge system. To configure:

a Install Microsoft Windows Server® 2003 SP1, Windows Server 2003 SP2, or Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system on the PowerEdge system that is temporarily configured with a local hard drive.

b Install the supported drivers for Broadcom NetXtreme Network adapter; or Broadcom NetExtreme II family of adapters.

NOTE: Do not configure the IP addresses of the LOMs or NICs manually. Configure the LOMs or NICs with DHCP so that the IP address is assigned when the iSCSI LUN is detected by the Broadcom NIC’s iSCSI boot firmware.

NOTE: NIC teaming is not supported with the NIC that is used for BFi.

2Install the latest supported version of the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator with integrated software boot support on the PowerEdge system. To download the iSCSI Software Initiator boot version, search www.microsoft.com for iSCSI initiator and follow the link.

NOTE: Ensure that you download the iSCSI initiator boot version by carefully reading the page, as the link may be in text, and not hyperlinked.

3To ensure that BFi is configured correctly, select the following options when prompted during the installation:

aSelect Initiator Service, Software Initiator, and Microsoft Multipath I/O (MPIO) Support for iSCSI.

NOTE: Do not select Microsoft Multipath I/O (MPIO) Support for iSCSI.

bSelect Configure iSCSI Network Boot Support and highlight at least one Intel NIC with an e1express service name.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you do not login to the iSCSI target manually. The iSCSI Software Initiator automatically retrieves the iSCSI boot configuration from the Broadcom NetXtreme and NetXtreme II Gigabit iSCSI Boot firmware. If you manually add connections in the initiator with the same paths as configured in the iSCSI boot firmware, the system may hang, display a blue screen or reboot during failover.

Instructions to Configure BFi for Broadcom NIC

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Contents W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m May Contents Pre-Installation Requirements Preparing the Host and Operating Adapters Configuration Worksheet Contents Overview Overview Instructions to Configure BFi for Intel NIC Media of the supported Microsoft operating system or a copy Pre-Installation RequirementsConfiguring the Host Creating the Operating System Boot ImageInstructions to Configure BFi for Intel NIC Perform the following procedure to manually register a host Configuring the PowerVault MD3000i Storage ArrayType gpedit.msc and click OK Click OKCreate a virtual disk and assign it to the host For additional help, type Iscsiutl -?at a command prompt Configuring the Intel iSCSI Boot MenuIscsiutl -SAVE -FILE Filename -NIC # Cloning Preparing the Host and Operating System Boot ImageRun Sysprep Method 3-Using an Imaging Server Method 2-Using Virtual Disk Copy Premium FeatureTroubleshooting Additional Information Disable the local hard drive and boot from the iSCSI LUNInstructions to Configure BFi for Intel NIC Using the F6 Option to Configure Intel BFi Pre-Installation Requirements Creating the Operating System Boot Image Enter a Name for the virtual disk Configuring the Intel iSCSI Boot Menu Installing the Operating System on the iSCSI LUN Using the F6 Option to Configure Intel BFi Type gpedit.msc, and click OK Iscsiutl -SAVE -FILE Filename -NIC # Run Sysprep Method 2-Using Virtual Disk Copy Premium Feature Method 3-Using an Imaging Server Troubleshooting Additional Information Instructions to Configure BFi for Broadcom NIC Pre-Installation Requirements Configure a PowerEdge system. To configure Click OK Configuring the PowerVault MD3000i Storage Array Configuring the Broadcom iSCSI Boot Menu Press Esc to go back to the Main Menu Configuration of General ParametersInstructions to Configure BFi for Broadcom NIC Preparing the Host and Operating System Boot Image Page Repeat and step Host now boots from the iSCSI LUNMethod 2-Using Virtual Disk Copy Premium Feature Method 3-Using an Imaging Server Troubleshooting Additional Information Instructions to Configure BFi for Broadcom NIC Replacing Intel NIC Configured for BFi Restoring the iSCSI Boot Configuration from a Backup File Retrieving the iSCSI Boot Configuration InformationNon-functional NIC Functional NICExecute the iscsiutl program and type a Iscsiutl -FE-ALL Record the IQN of the PowerVault MD3000i storage array Saving iSCSI Boot Configuration Settings from NvramRecord the RAID Controllers iSCSI host port IP Addresses Record the IQN of the hostConfiguring the Intel iSCSI Boot Menu Manually Entering Boot Settings from the iSCSI Boot MenuBacking Up iSCSI Boot Settings ISCSI Utility MS-DOS CommandsSave Replacing Intel NIC Configured for BFi Instructions for Booting a New Host Using Intel NIC Create a virtual disk and assign it to the host Select the iSCSI tab and click Configure iSCSI Host Ports Iscsiutl -SAVE -FILE Filename -NIC # Replacing Broadcom NIC Configured for BFi Retrieving the iSCSI Boot Configuration Functional NIC Boot to the bootable device Run ibcfg.exe and typeSaving iSCSI Boot Configuration Settings from Nvram Backing Up iSCSI Boot Settings GET Instructions for Booting a New Host Using Broadcom NIC Create a virtual disk and assign it to the host Select the iSCSI tab and click Configure iSCSI Host Ports Instructions for Booting a New Host Using Broadcom NIC Configuration Worksheet Configuration Worksheet Index Index
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MD3000I specifications

The Dell MD3000i is a high-performance storage solution designed to meet the demanding needs of businesses requiring reliable and scalable storage systems. Part of the Dell PowerVault series, the MD3000i offers a robust platform that supports both iSCSI and direct-attach connectivity options, making it versatile enough to fit various IT environments.

One of the primary features of the MD3000i is its ability to support multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, and 60, which ensures data protection and performance optimization. This flexibility allows organizations to tailor their storage setup based on their specific needs, whether prioritizing speed or redundancy.

The system supports up to 15 expansion enclosures, which allows users to scale their storage capacity significantly. The MD3000i can accommodate up to 192TB of raw storage when fully configured, making it suitable for environments with large amounts of data. Additionally, the modular design of the MD3000i means that businesses can easily add drives as needed, thereby reducing upfront costs.

In terms of performance, the MD3000i features hot-swappable drives, helping minimize downtime during maintenance and upgrades. This design philosophy extends to other components as well, allowing for easier management and greater efficiency. The system is also equipped with dual active controllers that provide failover capabilities, ensuring high availability for mission-critical applications.

Another significant aspect of the Dell MD3000i is its integration with various storage management software options, which allow for simplified administration and monitoring. Features such as snapshots and volume cloning aid in data protection and recovery processes, providing additional layers of security for critical information.

Moreover, the MD3000i supports seamless integration with existing server infrastructures and virtualization platforms, enhancing its appeal for organizations looking to modernize their data storage without complete overhauls of their systems. Its compatibility with multiple operating systems and environments makes it a flexible choice for companies of all sizes.

In summary, the Dell MD3000i stands out for its scalability, performance, and reliability in data storage. With features that promote ease of management and strong data protection mechanisms, it is an excellent choice for businesses looking to enhance their storage solutions in a cost-effective manner.