RAID Levels, Virtual Disk States | Dell MD3220i, MD3200i manual

Disk groups are always created in the unconfigured capacity of a storage array. Unconfigured capacity is the available physical disk space not already assigned in the storage array.

Virtual disks are created within the free capacity of a disk group. Free capacity is the space in a disk group that has not been assigned to a virtual disk.

Virtual Disk States

The storage array recognizes the following virtual disk states.

Table 4-2. RAID Controller Virtual Disk States

State	Description

Optimal	The virtual disk contains physical disks that are all online.
Degraded	The virtual disk with a redundant RAID level contains an inaccessible
	physical disk. The system can still work properly, but performance
	may be affected and additional disk failures may result in data loss.
Offline	A virtual disk with one or more member disks in an inaccessible
	(failed, missing, or offline) state. Data on the virtual disk is no longer
	accessible.
Force online	The storage array forces a virtual disk that is in an Offline state to an
	Optimal state. If all the member physical disks are not available, the
	storage array forces the virtual disk to a Degraded state. The storage
	array can force a virtual disk to an Online state only when a sufficient
	number of physical disks are available to support the virtual disk.

RAID Levels

RAID levels determine the way in which data is written to physical disks. Different RAID levels provide different levels of accessibility, redundancy, and capacity.

Using multiple physical disks has the following advantages over using a single physical disk:

•Placing data on multiple physical disks (striping) allows input/output (I/O) operations to occur simultaneously and improve performance.

•Storing redundant data on multiple physical disks using mirroring or parity supports reconstruction of lost data if an error occurs, even if that error is the failure of a physical disk.

Planning: MD3200i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

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.

Dell MD3220i, MD3200i owner manual RAID Levels, RAID Controller Virtual Disk States Description

Models: MD3200i MD3220i