Dell MD3600f/3620f/MD3660f manual Direct-Attached Cabling, Single Controller Configurations

Direct-Attached Cabling

Direct-attached cabling configurations provide simple, non-switched connections between the host server and storage array. Redundancy is achieved in a direct-attached configuration if two RAID controllers are installed in the storage array and multiple paths between the host sever and storage array are established.

A single RAID controller, direct-attached configuration is supported, but is not recommended due to the low level of redundancy offered.

Single Controller Configurations

The following figures show two and four host servers, each connected to one RAID controller module. The host servers share storage space without redundant paths. If one path fails, the host server on that path is disconnected from the storage array.

NOTE: The MD Series Dense storage arrays do not support single-controller (simplex) configurations.

Figure 2. Two Host Servers With Dual Port HBAs Connected to a Single-Controller Storage Array

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