Install Guide

Configure VMware hosts to access SC Series arrays with SAS FE ports
15 Dell EMC SC Series Storage with SAS Front-end Support for VMware vSphere | 3027-CD-VM
3 Configure VMware hosts to access SC Series arrays with
SAS FE ports
This section provides instructions for configuring VMware vSphere hosts with SAS HBAs to access SAN
storage on SC Series arrays with equipped with SAS FE ports.
3.1 Prepare the environment
Before configuring the vSphere hosts with SAS HBAs to access an SC Series array with SAS FE ports, verify
compliance with the prerequisites listed in Table 1.
Prerequisite steps checklist

Tasks
Verify at least one SC Series array equipped with SAS FE ports is configured and available.
Verify software version are compatible with SAS FE:
 SCv2000 arrays require Dell Enterprise Manager (EM) Client software version 2015 R1 or
newer. Use this software to discover, configure and manage the SCv2000 array. Installing a
Data Collector is supported but not required. Refer to the release notes and administrator’s
guide as needed.
 SC4020 arrays require Dell Storage Center Operating System (SCOS) 7.1 or newer and Dell
Storage Manager (DSM) version 2016 R2 or newer.
 SCv3000 and SC5020 arrays require SCOS 7.2.10 or newer and DSM 2016 R3 or newer.
Running the latest version of SCOS and DSM for the SC Series array is recommended to take
advantage of the latest enhancements.
Note: Enterprise Manager was rebranded as Dell Storage Manager in 2016.
Ensure a supported PCIe SAS HBA interface card is present in each vSphere host along with
SAS cables of the appropriate length. Each host must have a compatible PCIe slot available for
each HBA.
Note: If multiple PCIe SAS HBAs are installed in a single host, all HBAs in that host must be
the same model.
Only SAS HBAs listed in the Dell EMC Storage Compatibility Matrix are supported and drivers
listed in the matrix can be found using the VMware Compatibility Guide. The example
configurations shown in the guide us the Dell 12Gb SAS HBA.
Note: Only Dell PowerEdge™ servers (13G or newer) are supported when using the Dell
12Gb SAS HBA.
For more information, refer to the Dell PowerEdge Controller 9 HBA User’s Guide
Ensure hosts have an on-board disk controller and disk configuration to support a local boot disk.
Boot-from-SAN is not supported with SAS FE
Ensure hosts are located in close proximity to the SC Series array. SAS cables are typically one
to six meters in length.