Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks

Guidelines to configure host spare physical disks:

•You can use only unassigned physical disks with Optimal status as hot spare physical disks.

•You can unassign only hot spare physical disks with Optimal, or Standby status. You cannot unassign a hot spare physical disk that has the In Use status. A hot spare physical disk has the In Use status when it is in the process of taking over for a failed physical disk.

•If a hot spare physical disk does not have Optimal status, follow the Recovery Guru procedures displayed by the MDSM application to correct any problem before trying to unassign the physical disk.

•Hot spare physical disks must be of the same media type and interface type as the physical disks that they are protecting.

•If there are secure disk groups and security capable disk groups in the storage array, the hot spare physical disk must match the security capability of the disk group.

•Hot spare physical disks must have capacities equal to or larger than the used capacity on the physical disks that they are protecting.

•The availability of enclosure loss protection for a disk group depends on the location of the physical disks that comprise the disk group. To make sure that enclosure loss protection is not affected, you must replace a failed physical disk to initiate the copyback process. See "Enclosure Loss Protection" on page 124.

CAUTION: If a hot spare physical disk does not have Optimal status, follow the Recovery Guru procedures to correct the problem before you try to unassign the physical disk. You cannot assign a hot spare physical disk if it is in use (taking over for a failed physical disk).

To assign or unassign hot spare physical disks:

1In the AMW, select the Physical tab.

2Select one or more physical disks.

3Perform one of these actions:

• Select Physical disk→ Hot Spare Coverage.

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

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Dell MD3200i, MD3220i owner manual Configuring Hot Spare Physical Disks, Select Physical disk→ Hot Spare Coverage, 121
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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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