Manual

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 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 The Storage Array

You can cable the storage array to host servers with:

• Single path data configuration — A single path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of

eight hosts. This is a non-redundant configuration.

• Dual path data configuration — A dual path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of four

hosts.

Choose the data configuration based on:

• Number of hosts required

• Level of data redundancy required

Redundant And Nonredundant Configurations

Nonredundant configurations are configurations that provide only a single data path from a host to the

storage array. This type of configuration 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 in the event of path failure, because both RAID

controller modules can access all the disks in the storage array.