HP StoreAll Storage Network Best Practices Guide

3 StoreAll 93xx/8x00 platform networking
The StoreAll 93xx/8x00 platform uses discrete servers and storage components to form a storage
solution. A minimal 93xx/8x00 installation has the following components:
• Two rack mounted servers with expansion cards supporting SAS and high-speed Ethernet
connections.
• Network manager storage enclosure (MSA, 9320 only) or attached block storage (does not
require a network connection).
Since the 93xx/8x00 platform is composed of discrete components, all networking connections
between the platform components are accomplished using external patch cables and
customer-provided networking infrastructure.
Network attached components
Rack mounted server
The StoreAll 93xx/8x00 platform uses discrete rack mounted servers to implement StoreAll nodes.
Each server is a self-contained unit with independent power supplies. The expansion slots in the
server are populated with interface cards that provide the high speed storage and network
connections necessary for a node. To provide management functions, the server motherboard has
an Integrated Lights Out management process with a dedicated Ethernet port on the rear of the
server case.
The server must have continuous access to the user, cluster, and management networks to function
properly in an StoreAll cluster.
Integrated Lights Out Controller (iLO)
The HP Integrated Lights Out Controller (iLO) is an independent management processor that has
been integrated with the server electronics to provide remote management of the server. The iLO
can remotely perform most functions that otherwise would require a visit to servers at the data
center, computer room, or remote location. The iLO also provides health monitoring capabilities
for its associated server.
To perform these remote management functions, the iLO processor has a dedicated Ethernet
connection that is exposed on the server’s rear panel.
MSA storage enclosure (network managed storage, 9320 only)
NOTE: This component only applies to the StoreAll 9320 configuration. The other 9300/8x00
configurations have attached block storage, but the storage is not managed over the network.
The MSA disk array provides the storage pathways, RAID controllers, and physical drive storage
used by the nodes to implement the StoreAll file system. To provide redundant paths to the storage,
the MSA enclosure has slots for two independent storage controllers. The controller in the upper
slot is referred to as controller-A. The controller in the lower slot is referred to as controller-B.
Each controller has an RJ-45 connector on its face plate for an Ethernet connection to its management
interface. The management interface is connected to the management subnet so that the nodes
can provide health monitoring and management of the MSA enclosures.
Flat network
NOTE: A flat network may also be referred to a unified network. The ASCII Installation Wizard
was changed in StoreAll OS v6.5 to use the term “flat network” exclusively.
Network attached components 55