Table 9-2. Criteria for Enclosure Loss Protection (continued)

RAID Level Criteria for Enclosure Loss Protection

RAID level 1 Ensure that each physical disk in a mirrored pair is located in a different expansion enclosure. This enables you to have more than two physical disks in the disk group within the same expansion enclosure.

For example, if you are creating a six physical disk, disk group (3- mirrored pairs), you can achieve enclosure loss protection with only two expansion enclosures by specifying that the physical disk in each mirrored pair are located in separate expansion enclosures. For example:

Mirror pair 1—Physical disk in enclosure 1, slot 1 and physical disk in enclosure 2, slot 1.

Mirror pair 2—Physical disk in enclosure 1, slot 2 and physical disk in enclosure 2, slot 2.

Mirror pair 3—Physical disk in enclosure 1, slot 3 and physical disk in enclosure 2,slot 3.

Because a RAID level 1 disk group requires a minimum of two physical disks, enclosure loss protections cannot be achieved if your storage array has less than two expansion enclosures.

RAID level 0 Because RAID level 0 does not have consistency, you cannot achieve enclosure loss protection.

Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping

After you create virtual disks, you must map them to the host(s) connected to the array.

Guidelines to configure host-to-virtual disk mapping:

Each virtual disk in the storage array can be mapped to only one host or host group.

Host-to-virtual disk mappings are shared between controllers in the storage array.

A unique LUN must be used by a host group or host to access a virtual disk.

Each host has its own LUN address space. MDSM permits the same LUN to be used by different hosts or host groups to access virtual disks in a storage array.

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

125

Page 125
Image 125
Dell MD3620F, MD3600f owner manual Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping, 125

MD3620F, MD3600f specifications

Dell's MD3620F and MD3600F storage arrays are designed for businesses seeking dependable, high-performance storage solutions tailored to meet the demands of modern data management. These models offer a blend of scalability, efficiency, and advanced features, making them well-suited for a range of applications, from virtual environments to critical database operations.

One of the primary features of the MD3620F and MD3600F is their support for a hybrid storage architecture. This approach allows organizations to combine flash storage with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) to optimize performance and cost. The MD3620F focuses heavily on all-flash configurations, delivering exceptional speed and lower latency, ideal for I/O-intensive workloads.

Scalability is another hallmark of these storage solutions. The MD3600F allows users to scale up to 120 drives, providing robust capacity to meet growing data needs. The MD3620F is engineered for environments where data availability and speed are paramount, with support for high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and consistent performance under stress.

In terms of data management, both systems integrate with Dell’s proprietary software, which enhances operational efficiency through features like automated tiering. This technology optimizes data placement between different storage types based on access frequency, ensuring that hot data is readily available while reducing costs associated with less critical data.

Reliability is crucial for businesses that depend on their storage systems. The MD3620F and MD3600F come equipped with advanced data protection mechanisms, such as RAID support, which safeguards against data loss, and snapshot capabilities that provide point-in-time copies of data. Moreover, these solutions include hot-swappable components, ensuring minimal downtime for maintenance and repairs.

Connectivity is also a strong suit of these storage arrays. They support multiple connectivity options, including SAS and iSCSI, allowing for flexible integration into existing IT infrastructures. This adaptability enhances their appeal to a wide range of enterprise environments.

In summary, the Dell MD3620F and MD3600F stand out as robust storage solutions with a combination of hybrid and all-flash configurations, scalability, advanced data management tools, and enhanced reliability features. These characteristics make them ideal for organizations looking to enhance their data storage capabilities while maintaining high performance and efficiency.