Advanced Features, Storage Partitions

•Enabling premium features before migration — Before migrating disk groups and virtual disks, enable the required premium features on the destination storage array. If a disk group is migrated from a storage array that has a premium feature enabled and the destination array does not have this feature enabled, an Out of Compliance error message can be generated. For specific procedures to correct the error, refer to the Recovery Guru.

Disk Roaming

Moving physical disks within an array is called disk roaming. The RAID controller module automatically recognizes the relocated physical disks and logically places them in the proper virtual disks that are part of the disk group. Disk roaming is permitted whether the RAID controller module is either online or powered off.

NOTE: The disk group must be offline before moving the physical disks.

Advanced Features

The RAID enclosure supports several advanced features:

•Storage Partitioning, including host-to-virtual disk mapping

•Virtual Disk Snapshots

•Virtual Disk Copy

NOTE: Virtual Disk Snapshot and Virtual Disk Copy are premium features that must be activated separately. If you have purchased these features, an activation card is supplied that contains instructions for enabling this functionality.

Storage Partitions

Storage partitioning enables hosts to share access to virtual disks in a storage array. A storage partition is a logical entity consisting of one or more virtual disks that can be accessed by a single host or shared among hosts that are part of a host group. To create a storage partition, you first define a host or host group, then define a host-to-virtual disk mapping.

NOTE: You must create a storage partition for each type of host.

Storage partitions give multiple hosts or host groups access to the same host-to-virtual disk mappings. With these mappings, you can control which host or host group may have access to a virtual disk in your storage array.

The first time you map a virtual disk to a specific host or host group, a storage partition is created. Any subsequent mappings to that host or host group do not create new storage partitions.

Under the following conditions, only a single storage partition is required:

•You have only one attached host that will access all of the virtual disks in the storage array. A single host can be attached to only one partition.

Using Your RAID Enclosure

MD3000 specifications

The Dell MD3000 is a renowned storage area network (SAN) solution recognized for its flexibility, scalability, and high performance. Designed to meet the demands of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprise environments, the MD3000 offers a plethora of features that enhance data management and storage capabilities.

One of the standout features of the MD3000 is its modular design. This allows users to start with a basic configuration and expand their storage capacity as their needs grow. The system can support up to 30 drives, including both SATA and SAS drives, giving users the ability to optimize cost and performance based on their specific requirements. With support for a diverse range of drive types, the MD3000 ensures that businesses can implement a storage solution that aligns perfectly with their performance and budgetary needs.

The MD3000 leverages advanced technologies to deliver exceptional performance and reliability. It is equipped with Intelligent Disk Pools that optimize the allocation of data across drives, ensuring improved access speeds and overall system efficiency. This dynamic management of data not only enhances performance but also extends the lifespan of the storage devices.

Data protection is another critical component of the MD3000. The system features various RAID configurations, allowing users to choose the level of redundancy that suits their operational requirements. Additionally, robust snapshot capabilities help businesses create point-in-time copies of their data, enabling quick recovery in case of data loss or corruption.

Connectivity options are abundant with the MD3000. It supports both iSCSI and Fibre Channel, providing users the flexibility to integrate it seamlessly into existing network infrastructures. This adaptability makes it an attractive option for organizations looking to modernize their storage systems without overhauling their entire architecture.

Furthermore, the MD3000 is equipped with a user-friendly management interface. The GUI enables quick provisioning and monitoring of storage resources while providing insightful analytics and alerts, allowing IT teams to maintain optimal performance with ease.

In summary, the Dell MD3000 is a highly versatile and efficient storage solution that meets diverse organizational needs. Its scalable architecture, advanced features, and strong support for data protection and management make it an ideal choice for businesses aiming to enhance their storage capabilities while ensuring reliability and performance. Whether for virtualization, database management, or general storage needs, the MD3000 stands out as an excellent investment in enterprise storage technology.