EMC CLARiiON AX150 Series User Manual

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AX150i Rules
Configuration Rules: AX150i Storage Systems
Note: In this document, array means storage system.
Dedicated storage networks are highly recommended, but not required. Hosts can connect to an iSCSI array using a Layer 2 (switched) or Layer 3 (routed)
network. Also, the presence of VLANs, VPNs, or NAT devices on the network should be transparent to the array and are supported as long as the network
quality is adequate.
Switches, Routers, NICs
Support is provided for industry−standard switches, routers, and Network Interface Cards (NICs).
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Supports up to four HBAs, or one (if the storage system has one SP) or two (if the storage system has two SPs) NICs per server connecting to one
storage system.
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A single server can not use HBAs and NICs to connect to the same storage system.
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Servers can use a combination of HBAs and NICs to connect to different storage systems.
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Separate servers, some with HBAs and some with NICs, can connect to the same storage system.
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A single server cannot use a combination of Fibre Channel HBAs and NICs or iSCSI HBAs to attach to a Fibre Channel storage system and an
iSCSI storage system at the same time.
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A single server can attach to CLARiiON AX150 iSCSI storage systems and thru IP/FC Switches to CLARiiON AX150 Fibre Channel storage systems
when there is common network configuration, failover software, and driver support for both platforms.
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A server can be connected to a maximum of four CLARiiON storage systems.
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An initiator can be connected to a maximum of eight array ports (four dual−SP arrays) or four array ports (four single−SP arrays), but no more than
four storage systems.
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Environment and Configurability
The connection to the array must be 1 Gb copper (RJ45).
Direct 10/100 NIC connections to the array are not supported, except to management ports.
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Direct−attach is via either 10/100/1000 NIC (operating at 1 Gb) or QLA4010C HBA.
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Initiators per SP port or storage system:
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A maximum of 10 initiators can be connected to a single SP AX150SCI port.
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A maximum of 10 hosts can connect to an AX150SCI.
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A maximum of 20 initiators can be connected to a dual SP AX150i.
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A maximum of 10 hosts can connect to an AX150i.
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Target array addresses and names must be configured manually in the Initiators.
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Server names and passwords must be configured manually in the iSCSI storage system.
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Authentication mechanism to be used is the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP).
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Considerations
The AX150i and AX150SCi have two front−end iSCSI ports per storage processor.
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Currently, it is not possible to boot a Windows system using an iSCSI disk volume provided by the Microsoft iSCSI initiator. The only currently
supported method for booting a Windows system using an iSCSI disk volume is via a supported HBA.
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When using multiple NICs in the same server, up to two NICs per host are supported to one AX150I array. If multiple NICs are installed, it is
recommended that each be on a different subnet. If multiple NICs are on the same subnet, the MS Advanced configuration setup must be utilized in
order to take advantage of the additional NICs. If the Advanced configuration setup in the MS initiator is not used, additional NICs would be used
typically only in a failover situation.
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When HBAs and NICs are present in the same host, the Microsoft iSCSI initiator must not be used to control the HBAs. The HBA utility is the only
supported interface to the adapter.
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When using the Microsoft iSCSI initiator, all NICs in the same host will use the same iSCSI name. The name will identify the host and the NICs will
not be identifiable.
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When using QLogic iSCSI adapters, each HBA has a unique iSCSI name that identifies the individual HBA in the host.
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Dynamic disks are not supported on an iSCSI session using the Microsoft iSCSI initiator.
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EMC supports up to two nodes with iSCSI Windows server 2003 Cluster environments with the latest MS Initiator.
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03/04/2009
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AX150i Rules