Dell MD3220, MD3200 Host Server-to-Virtual Disk Mapping, Host Types, Snapshot Virtual Disks

Host Server-to-Virtual Disk Mapping

The host server attached to a storage array accesses various virtual disks on the storage array through its host ports. Specific virtual disk-to-LUN mappings to an individual host server can be defined. In addition, the host server can be part of a host group that shares access to one or more virtual disks.

You can manually configure a host server-to-virtual disk mapping. When you configure host server-to-virtual disk mapping, consider these guidelines:

•You can define one host server-to-virtual disk mapping for each virtual disk in the storage array.

•Host server-to-virtual disk mappings are shared between RAID controller modules in the storage array.

•A unique LUN must be used by a host group or host server to access a virtual disk.

•Not every operating system has the same number of LUNs available for use.

Host Types

A host server is a server that accesses a storage array. Host servers are mapped to the virtual disks. Host servers have the following attributes:

•Host name—A name that uniquely identifies the host server.

•Host group (used in Cluster solutions only)—Two or more host servers associated together to share access to the same virtual disks.

This host group is a logical entity you can create in MDSM. All host servers in a host group must be running the same operating system.

•Host type—The operating system running on the host server.

Snapshot Virtual Disks

Asnapshot is a point-in-time image of a virtual disk. The snapshot provides an image of the virtual disk at the time the snapshot was created. You create a snapshot so that an application (for example, a backup application) can access the snapshot and read the data while the source virtual disk remains

Planning: MD3200 Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

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