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FluidFS 3.0 Maintenance

Adding and Deleting NAS Appliances in a FluidFS Cluster

Use FluidFS Manager to add or delete a NAS appliance in a FluidFS cluster.

Adding NAS Appliances to the FluidFS Cluster

You can add a NAS appliance (two NAS controllers) to the FluidFS cluster to increase processing power. Adding a NAS appliance allows additional client connections and evenly redistributes client connections and FluidFS cluster operations among more NAS controllers contributing their resources.

For high availability reasons, you must add NAS appliances as NAS controller pairs. You cannot add a single NAS controller. Only one NAS appliance can be added at a time up to a maximum of two NAS appliances (four NAS controllers).

Adding a NAS appliance is a seamless operation that does not interrupt current FluidFS cluster operations. After the NAS appliance is successfully added, new client connections are automatically distributed to all NAS controllers, ensuring that there is efficient load balancing between all NAS controllers.

NOTE:

•The additional NAS appliance is mounted in a rack and cabled, and the NAS controllers are in standby mode and powered on. A NAS controller is on and in standby mode if the power LED is flashing green at around two flashes per second.

•NAS appliance service tags are recorded.

•New client VIP IP addresses are available to be added to the new NAS appliance. If client access to the FluidFS cluster is not through a router (in other words, a flat network), Dell recommends defining one client VIP for effective load balancing.

•New NAS controller IP addresses are available to be added to the new NAS appliance. Verify that there are two additional IP addresses available per NAS appliance.

NOTE: Due to the complexity and precise timing required, Dell recommends that you schedule a maintenance window to add the NAS appliance(s).

1.(Directly cabled internal network only) If the FluidFS cluster contains a single NAS appliance, with a direct connection on the internal network, re‐cable the internal network as follows.

a)Cable the new NAS appliance(s) to the internal switch.

b)Remove just one of the internal cables from the original NAS appliance.

c)Connect a cable from each NAS controller port vacated in Step b to the internal switch.

d)Remove the second internal cable from the original NAS appliance.

e)Connect a cable from each NAS controller port vacated in Step d to the internal switch.

2.Click the Hardware tab on the left.

3.Click the NAS Appliances tab on the top.

4.In the Overview pane, click .

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Dell NX3500, NX3610 Adding and Deleting NAS Appliances in a FluidFS Cluster, Adding NAS Appliances to the FluidFS Cluster
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NX3500, NX3600, NX3610 specifications

The Dell NX series, including the NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500, represents a robust and efficient solution for organizations seeking to optimize their storage solutions. These storage appliances are designed to meet the growing needs of data-driven businesses, providing a comprehensive platform that integrates software and hardware for optimal performance.

The Dell NX3610 is a high-performance storage solution that boasts an advanced dual-controller architecture. This model supports enhanced scalability and redundancy, ensuring that organizations can handle increasing data loads effortlessly. It is built for faster data access with a range of connectivity options, including 10GbE and iSCSI, enabling seamless integration into diverse IT environments. The NX3610 supports advanced file sharing capabilities, making it ideal for businesses requiring efficient collaboration and data access across multiple platforms. Furthermore, with features like snapshot and replication, users can ensure data integrity and security, minimizing downtime in case of system failures.

The NX3600, while slightly smaller in capacity compared to the NX3610, still delivers formidable performance and flexibility. It is designed to cater to mid-sized businesses that need a reliable and cost-effective storage solution. The NX3600 features a single-controller architecture, making it easier to manage and deploy in smaller IT environments. It offers support for various storage protocols, including NFS and CIFS, which are essential for organizations looking to support diverse application workloads. Its easy-to-use management interface makes it simple for IT teams to monitor and configure settings, ensuring optimal performance with minimal effort.

The NX3500 serves as an entry-level model within the NX series, specifically targeted at small to medium-sized businesses. It combines affordability with essential features needed for efficient data storage and sharing. The NX3500 is equipped with a user-friendly interface and includes support for both file-based and block-based storage, offering flexibility for diverse workloads. Moreover, the appliance features integrated backup solutions, which are crucial for ensuring data safety and compliance. Users will also appreciate its robust data deduplication and compression capabilities that significantly reduce storage costs by minimizing the amount of data stored.

In summary, the Dell NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500 are engineered to cater to various business sizes and storage demands. With their sophisticated technologies, including dual-controller systems, rich protocol support, and user-friendly management features, these appliances deliver reliable, scalable, and efficient storage solutions for any organization looking to enhance its data management capabilities.
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