Technical information

6 EqualLogic Configuration Guide | Version 15.2 | August 2014
Abstract
This configuration guide provides technical guidance for designing and implementing Dell EqualLogic
PS Series storage solutions in iSCSI SAN environments.
This guide includes:
 Details on the capacity and capabilities of the EqualLogic PS Series family and the FS Series family of
NAS Appliances
 iSCSI SAN design guidelines for optimizing redundancy, availability, and performance of EqualLogic
storage arrays
With the Dell™ EqualLogic™ PS Series of storage arrays, Dell provides a storage solution that delivers the
benefits of consolidated networked storage in a self-managing, iSCSI storage area network (SAN) that is
affordable and easy to use, regardless of scale. By eliminating complex tasks and enabling fast and flexible
storage provisioning, these solutions dramatically reduce the costs of storage acquisition and ongoing
operations.
To be able to leverage the advanced features provided by an EqualLogic array, a robust, standards-
compliant iSCSI SAN infrastructure must be created. While almost any industry standard, enterprise class
Ethernet switch can be used to connect hosts to the EqualLogic-based virtual storage volumes, some
switches, network interface controllers (NICs), iSCSI Host Bus Adapters (HBAs), and iSCSI initiators can
directly impact the overall performance of the SAN storage solution. The Dell EqualLogic Configuration
Guide is provided as an aid to help storage administrators determine how best to build an iSCSI
infrastructure for use within an EqualLogic SAN solution. This document focuses on network
configuration, host integration, and other topics that help to ensure a smooth deployment with optimum
PS Series SAN and FS Series NAS appliance performance.
Unless otherwise stated, recommendations in this document are applicable to both file and block
environments.
This document should be used strictly as a guide in planning an EqualLogic storage solution. It should not
be considered a statement of support for any specific configuration. Actual viability of any configuration
will depend on the capabilities of the individual components (for example, switches, network interface
controllers, initiators) that make up the SAN infrastructure.