Deployment Guide

Format volumes on the Windows server

Perform the following steps to format a volume on a Windows server:

1. Open Server Manager.

2. Select Tools > Computer Management.

3. Right-click Disk Management and select Rescan Disks.

4. Right-click on the new disk and select Online.

5. Right-click on the new disk again select Initialize Disk. The Initialize Disk dialog box opens.

6. Select the partition style for the disk and click OK.

7. Right-click on the unallocated space, select the type of volume to create, and follow the steps in the wizard to create the volume.

Update the iSCSI initiator

Perform the following steps to configure all available volumes and devices on a Windows server:

1. Open Server Manager.

2. Click Tools > iSCSI initiator.

3. Click the Volumes and Devices tab.

4. Click Auto Configure.

5. Click OK to close the iSCSI Initiator Properties window.

SAS host server configuration for Windows Server

The following sections describe how to configure SAS host servers running Windows Server:

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.

Attach SAS hosts to the storage system

Perform the following steps to attach SAS hosts to the storage system:

1. Ensure that all HBAs have the latest supported firmware and driversas described on Dell.com/support. For a list of supported SAS

HBAs, see the Dell EMC ME4 Series Storage System Support Matrix on Dell.com/support.

2. Use the SAS cabling diagrams to cable the hosts directly to the storage system.

3. Install MPIO on the SAS hosts:

a. i. Open Server Manager.

ii. Click Manage > Add Roles and Features.

iii. Click Next until you reach the Features page.

iv. Select Multipath I/O.

v. Click Next, click Install, and click Close.

vi. Reboot the Windows server.

4. Identify and document the SAS HBA WWNs:

a. Open a Windows PowerShell console.

b. Type Get-InitiatorPort and press Enter.

c. Locate and record the SAS HBA WWNs . The WWNs are needed to map volumes to the server.

Perform the following steps to register hosts and create volumes using the PowerVault Manager:

1. Log in to the PowerVault Manager.

2. Access the Host Setup wizard:

• 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.

Perform host setup