Deployment Guide

Hardware Installation
Before using this guide, ensure that you review the instructions in the:
• Dell PowerVault MD3460/MD3860i/MD3860f Storage Arrays Getting Started Guide — The Getting Started Guide that is shipped
with the storage array provides information to configure the initial setup of the system.
• Dell PowerVault MD Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide — The Administrator's Guide provides information about important
concepts you must know before setting up your storage solution. For more information, see dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
• The Rack Installation instructions — Provides information on how to rack your system. This document is shipped with your system.
Topics:
• Planning The Storage Configuration
• Connecting The Storage Array
• Cabling The Storage Array
• Consistent And Non-Consistent Configurations
• Dual RAID Controller Configurations
• Cabling PowerVault MD3060e Expansion Enclosures
Planning The Storage Configuration
Consider the following before installing your storage array:
• Evaluate data storage needs and administrative requirements.
• Calculate availability requirements.
• Decide the frequency and level of backups, such as weekly full backups with daily partial backups.
• Consider storage array options, such as password protection and e-mail alert notifications for error conditions.
• Design the configuration of virtual disks, disk groups, and DDP according to a data organization plan. For example, use one virtual disk
for inventory, a second for financial and tax information, and a third for customer information.
• Decide whether to allow space for hot spares, which automatically replace failed physical disks.
Connecting The Storage Array
The storage array is connected to a host using two hot-swappable RAID controller modules. The RAID controller modules are identified as
RAID controller module 0 and RAID controller module 1. The ports on the RAID controller module and their functions are listed:
• 12 Gbps SAS Host Ports (4) — Allows you to connect host servers to the storage array.
NOTE:
When you connect a host server to a storage array SAS IN port connector, any OUT port connector of the
host bus adapter (HBA) of the server can be used.
• 1 Gbps Ethernet Management (MGMT) Port (1) — Management port allows for out of band management of storage array.
• Reserved Ethernet Port (1) — Reserved port.
• SAS Expansion Ports (2) — Allows you to connect the storage array to an optional PowerVault MD3060e expansion enclosure for
additional storage capacity. Only one SAS OUT expansion port can be used at a time and the recommended expansion port is 0.
Each PowerVault MD3460 storage array can be expanded to a maximum of 120 (or 180, if enabled using Premium Feature activation)
physical disks through a maximum of two MD3060e 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-consistent
configuration.
• Dual path data configuration — A dual path configuration allows you to connect a maximum of four hosts.
You choose the data configuration based on:
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