Deployment Guide

SAS host server configuration for VMware ESXi
The following sections describe how to configure SAS host servers running VMware ESXi:
Prerequisites
● Complete the PowerVault Manager guided system and storage setup process.
● Refer to the cabling diagrams within this guide before attaching a host to the storage system; careful planning ensures a
successful deployment.
●
Install the required version of the ESXi operating system and configure it on the host.
Attach an ESXi host with SAS HBAs to the storage system
Perform the following steps to attach the ESXi host with SAS HBAs to the storage system:
1. Ensure that all HBAs have the latest supported firmware and drivers as described on the Dell Support portal. For a list
of supported standard SAS HBAs, see the Dell EMC ME4 Support Matrix on the Dell website. For OEMs, contact your
hardware provider.
2. Use the SAS cabling diagrams to cable the host servers either by using switches or attaching them directly to the storage
system.
3. Log in to the VMware vCenter Server and add the newly configured ESXi host to the Datacenter.
4. On the Configure tab, select Storage > Storage Adapters.
5. Verify that the required SAS storage adapters are listed, then record the HBA WWNs as listed under Properties.
NOTE:
SAS HBAs have two ports. The World Wide Port Name (WWPN) for port 0 ends in zero and the WWPN for port
1 ends in one.
Register a Linux host with SAS HBAs and create and map volumes
Perform the following steps to register the Linux host with SAS HBAs, create volumes, and map volumes:
1. Log in to the PowerVault Manager.
2. Access the Host Setup wizard by doing one of the following:
● From the Welcome screen, click Host Setup.
● From the Home topic, click Action > Host Setup.
3. Confirm that you have met the listed prerequisites, then click Next.
4. Type a hostname in the Host Name field.
5. Using the information from step 5 of the Attach a Linux host with SAS HBAs to the storage system on page 55, select the
SAS initiators for the host you are configuring, then click Next.
6. Group hosts together with other hosts.
a. For cluster configurations, group hosts together so that all hosts within the group share the same storage.
● If this host is the first host in the cluster, select Create a new host group, then provide a name and click Next.
● If this host is being added to a host group that exists, select Add to existing host group. Select the group from the
drop-down list, then click Next.
NOTE:
The host must be mapped with the same access, port, and LUN settings to the same volumes or volume
groups as every other initiator in the host group.
b. For stand-alone hosts, select the Do not group this host option, then click Next.
7. On the Attach Volumes page, specify the name, size, and pool for each volume, and click Next.
To add a volume, click Add Row. To remove a volume, click Remove.
NOTE: Dell EMC recommends that you update the name with the hostname to better identify the volumes.
8. On the Summary page, review the host configuration settings, and click Configure Host.
If the host is successfully configured, a Success dialog box is displayed
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Perform host setup