Dell MD3460 manual Hardware Installation, Planning The Storage Configuration

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Hardware Installation

Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the:

•Dell PowerVault MD3460/MD3860i/MD3860f Storage Arrays Getting Started Guide — The Getting Started Guide that is shipped with the storage array provides information to configure the initial setup of the system.

•Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide — The Administrator's Guide provides information about important concepts you must know before setting up your storage solution. For more information, see dell.com/powervaultmanuals.

•The Rack Installation instructions — Provides information on how to rack your system. This document is shipped with your system.

Planning The Storage Configuration

Consider the following before installing your storage array:

•Evaluate data storage needs and administrative requirements.

•Calculate availability requirements.

•Decide the frequency and level of backups, such as weekly full backups with daily partial backups.

•Consider storage array options, such as password protection and e-mail alert notifications for error conditions.

•Design the configuration of virtual disks, disk groups, and DDP according to a data organization plan. For example, use one virtual disk for inventory, a second for financial and tax information, and a third for customer information.

•Decide whether to allow space for hot spares, which automatically replace failed physical disks.

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. The ports on the RAID controller module and their functions are listed:

•12 Gbps SAS Host Ports (4) — Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.

NOTE: When you connect a host server to a storage array SAS IN port connector, any OUT port connector of the host bus adapter (HBA) of the server can be used.

•1 Gbps Ethernet Management (MGMT) Port (1) — Management port allows for out of band management of storage array.

•Reserved Ethernet Port (1) — Reserved port.

•SAS Expansion Ports (2) — Allows you to connect the storage array to an optional PowerVault MD3060e expansion enclosure for additional storage capacity. Only one SAS OUT expansion port can be used at a time and the recommended expansion port is 0.

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