Deployment Guide

Multipath I/O

MPIO allows a server to use multiple paths for I/O if they are available.

MPIO software offers redundancy at the path level. MPIO typically operates in a round-robin manner by sending packets first down

one path and then the other. If a path becomes unavailable, MPIO software continues to send packets down the functioning path.

MPIO is required to enable redundancy for servers connected to a Storage Center with SAS front-end connectivity.

NOTE: MPIO is operating-system specific, and it loads as a driver on the server or it is part of the server operating

system.

MPIO Behavior

The server must have at least two FC, iSCSI, or SAS ports to use MPIO.

When MPIO is configured, a server can send I/O to multiple ports on the same storage controller.

MPIO Configuration Instructions for Host Servers

To use MPIO, configure MPIO on the host server.

If a Dell Storage Manager Client wizard is used to configure host server access to the Storage Center, the Dell Storage Manager

Client attempts to automatically configure MPIO with best practices.

NOTE: Compare the host server settings applied by the Dell Storage Manager Client wizard against the latest Dell

Storage Center Best Practices document on the Dell TechCenter site (http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/

storage/). .

Table 2. MPIO Configuration Documents

Operating System Document with MPIO Instructions

Linux

• Dell Storage Center with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6x Best Practices

• Dell Storage Center with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7x Best Practices

• Dell Compellent Best Practices: Storage Center with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11

VMware vSphere 5.x

• Dell Storage Center Best Practices with VMware vSphere 5.x

• Dell Storage Center Best Practices with VMware vSphere 6.x

Windows Server 2008, 2008

R2, 2012, and 2012 R2

Dell Storage Center: Microsoft Multipath I/O Best Practices

Cabling SAN-Attached Host Servers

An SCv2000/SCv2020 storage system with Fibre Channel or iSCSI front-end ports connects to host servers through Fibre Channel

or Ethernet switches.

• A storage system with Fibre Channel front-end ports connects to one or more FC switches, which connect to one or more host

servers.

• A storage system with iSCSI front-end ports connects to one or more Ethernet switches, which connect to one or more host

servers.

Connecting to Fibre Channel Host Servers

Choose the Fibre Channel connectivity option that best suits the front‐end redundancy requirements and network infrastructure.

Preparing Host Servers

Install the Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), install the drivers, and make sure that the latest supported firmware is installed.

About this task

• Contact your solution provider for a list of supported Fibre Channel HBAs.

Connect the Front-End Cabling