Deployment Guide

Table 1. RAID controller module

Item Number Name Description

1 12 gbps SAS Host Ports (2) Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.

2 7–segment display Displays status of the RAID controller.

3 1G Ethernet Management (MGMT) Port (1) Allows for out of band management of storage array.

4 Reserved Ethernet Port (1) This is a reserved port.

5 12 gbps SAS Host Ports (2) Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.

6 SAS Expansion Ports (2) Allows you to connect the storage array to optional

PowerVault MD1200 series expansion enclosures for

additional storage capacity.

NOTE: Only one SAS OUT expansion port can be used at a time and the recommended expansion port is port 0.

NOTE: Do not cable the reserved management port.

Each PowerVault MD3400 and MD3420 storage array can be expanded to a maximum of 120 slots (or 192, if enabled using Premium

Feature activation) through a maximum of seven MD1200 series expansion enclosures.

Cabling storage array

Using SAS cables, you can connect the storage array to host servers with:

• Single path data conguration—A single path conguration allows you to connect a maximum of eight hosts. This is a nonredundant

conguration.

• Dual path data conguration—A dual path conguration allows you to connect a maximum of four hosts.

Choose the data conguration based on:

• Number of hosts required

• Level of data redundancy required

Redundant and non-redundant congurations

Non-redundant congurations are congurations that provide only a single data path from a host to the storage array. This type of

conguration is only recommended for noncritical data storage. Path failure from a failed or removed cable, 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. Each data path is connected to one of

the two RAID controller modules installed in the storage array. Redundancy protects the host from losing access to data if there is a path

failure, because both RAID controller modules can access all the disks in the storage array.

Single RAID controller congurations

The following gures show two and four hosts, each connected to only one RAID controller module. The hosts can share storage space but

without redundant paths, if one path fails, the server on that path would be disconnected from the storage array.

Hardware installation