Virtual Disk Migration and Disk Roaming

Virtual disk migration is moving a virtual disk or a hot spare from one array to another by detaching the physical disks and re-attaching them to the new array. Disk roaming is moving a physical disk from one slot to another on the same array.

Disk Migration

You can move virtual disks from one array to another without taking the target array offline. However, the disk group being migrated must be offline prior to performing the disk migration. If the disk group is not offline prior to migration, the source array holding the physical and virtual disks within the disk group marks them as missing. However, the disk groups themselves migrate to the target array.

An array can import a virtual disk only if it is in an optimal state. You can move virtual disks that are part of a disk group only if all members of the disk group are being migrated. The virtual disks automatically become available after the target array has finished importing all the disks in the disk group.

When you migrate a physical disk or a disk group from one MD3600f array to another, the MD3600f array you migrate to, recognizes any data structures and/or metadata you had in place on the migrating MD3600f array. However, if you are migrating from any device other than a MD3600f Series Storage Array, the MD3600f array does not recognize the migrating metadata and that data is lost. In this case, the MD3600f initializes the physical disks and mark them as unconfigured capacity.

NOTE: Only disk groups and associated virtual disks with all member physical disks present can be migrated from one storage array to another. it is recommended that you only migrate disk groups that have all their associated member virtual disks in an optimal state.

NOTE: The number of physical disks and virtual disks that a storage array supports limits the scope of the migration.

Planning: MD3600f Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

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Dell MD3620F, MD3600f owner manual Virtual Disk Migration and Disk Roaming
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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.
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