12 Hardware Installation
Connecting the Storage Array
The storage array is connected to a host using two hot-swappable RAID
controller modules. The RAID controller modules are identified as RAID
controller module 0 and RAID controller module 1.
Each RAID controller module has four iSCSI In port connectors that provide
Ethernet connections to the host server or switches. Each RAID controller
module also contains an Ethernet management port and a SAS Out port. The
Ethernet management port allows you to install a dedicated management
station (server or stand-alone system). The SAS Out port allows you to
connect the storage array to optional PowerVault MD1200 series expansion
enclosures for additional storage capacity.
Each PowerVault MD3200i series storage array can be expanded to a
maximum of 120 (or 192, if enabled using Premium Feature activation)
physical disks through a maximum of seven PowerVault MD1200 series
expansion enclosures.
Cabling the Storage Array
The iSCSI interface enables different host-to-controller configurations. The
figures in this chapter are grouped according to the following categories:
• Direct-attached configurations (no Ethernet switches are used)
• Network-attached (SAN) configurations (Ethernet switches are used)

Redundant and Non-Redundant Configurations

Non-redundant configurations are configurations that provide only a single
data path from a host to the storage array. This type of configuration is only
recommended for non-critical data storage. Path failure from a failed or
removed cable, a failed NIC, or a failed or removed RAID controller module
results in loss of host access to storage on the storage array.
Redundancy is established by installing separate data paths between the host
and the storage array, in which each path is to one of the two RAID controller
modules installed in the storage array. Redundancy protects the host from
losing access to data in the event of path failure, because both RAID
controller modules can access all the disks in the storage array.
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