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8 Configuring and Deploying the Dell PS Series Multi-Path I/O Device Specific Module with Microsoft Windows | TR1036
2 Getting started
Before installing PS Series HIT/Microsoft (that allows configuration of the PS Series MPIO DSM), plan the
networking configuration.
 More than one network interface should be dedicated to iSCSI SAN traffic from each server.
 Separate the iSCSI SAN traffic from LAN network. This is especially important when implementing
10Gb and 1Gb infrastructures.
 The following two documents provide additional information and should be consulted before getting
started.
- Dell PS Series Configuration Guide
- Dell PS Series Storage iSCSI Initiator and Operating System Considerations
2.1 10Gb networking with PS Series arrays
10 Gigabit Ethernet is designed to handle ten times the throughput as Gigabit Ethernet. If planned and
configured properly, great throughput and performance increases can be expected on the iSCSI SAN. Ideally,
all networking components from the server, through the network switch and to the SAN should support a
10Gb infrastructure and have Jumbo Frames enabled. This helps to prevent potential bottlenecks along the
network path. When planning a 10Gb SAN infrastructure, restrict management access to 1Gb interfaces, so
that the 10Gb NICS can be dedicated to SAN traffic. These settings can be confirmed through the PS Series
Group Manager GUI. See Figure 4.
Lastly, as a best practice when mixing 1Gb and 10Gb PS Series arrays, dedicate a Storage Pool to 10Gb
PS Series members, so that volumes are not potentially cross-striped across 1Gb and 10Gb arrays - which
would not take advantage of a truly optimized 10Gb solution. If a Storage Pool crosses 1Gb and 10Gb
members, then the performance will be potentially limited by the 1Gb member(s). The storage group
dedicated 10Gb storage pool and the firmware network load balancer, in conjunction with the server
PS Series MPIO DSM and EHCM service will ensure that the 10Gb iSCSI connections are always optimally
routed to the proper 10Gb member of the storage group - even in a multi-member group comprised of both
10Gb and 1Gb arrays.