the failed physical disk to the hot spare physical disk. When you have physically replaced the failed physical disk, a copyback operation occurs from the hot spare physical disk to the replaced physical disk.

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. For example, a non-security capable physical disk cannot be used as a hot spare for a secure disk group.

NOTE: For a security capable disk group, security capable hot spare physical disks are preferred. If security capable physical disks are not available, non-security capable physical disks may be used as hot spare physical disks. To ensure that the disk group is retained as security capable, the non-security capable hot spare physical disk must be replaced with a security capable physical disk.

If you select a security capable physical disk as hot spare for a non-secure disk group, a dialog box appears indicating that a security capable physical disk is being used as a hot spare for a non-secure disk group.

The availability of enclosure loss protection for a disk group depends on the location of the physical disks that comprise the disk group. The enclosure loss protection might be lost because of a failed physical disk and location of the hot spare physical disk. To make sure that enclosure loss protection is not affected, you must replace a failed physical disk to initiate the copyback process.

The virtual disk remains online and accessible while you are replacing the failed physical disk, because the hot spare physical disk is automatically substituted for the failed physical disk.

Enclosure Loss Protection

Enclosure loss protection is an attribute of a disk group. Enclosure loss protection guarantees accessibility to the data on the virtual disks in a disk group if a total loss of communication occurs with a single expansion enclosure. An example of total loss of communication might be loss of power to the expansion enclosure or failure of both RAID controller modules.

CAUTION: Enclosure loss protection is not guaranteed if a physical disk has already failed in the disk group. In this situation, losing access to an expansion enclosure and consequently another physical disk in the disk group causes a double physical disk failure and loss of data.

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Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

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Dell MD3220i, MD3200i owner manual Enclosure Loss Protection, 124
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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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