Dell PowerVault MD3620i User Manual

268 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software
Unidentified Devices
An unidentified node or device occurs when MDSM cannot access a new
storage array. Causes for this error include network connection problems, the
storage array is turned off, or the storage array does not exist.
NOTE: Before beginning any recovery procedure, make sure that the Host Context
Agent software is installed and running. If you started the host before the host was
connected to the storage array, the Host Context Agent software is not able to find
the storage array. If so, make sure that the connections are tight, and restart the
Host Context Agent software.
• If a storage array is managed by using both out-of-band management and
in-band management using the same host, a management network
connection problem may prevent direct communication with the storage
array. However, you may still be able to manage the storage array over the
in-band connections. The opposite situation can also occur.
• If a storage array is managed through more than one host, it is possible
that the storage array may become unresponsive to communication over
the connections given by one host. However, you may still be able to
manage the storage array over the connections provided by another host.
Recovering From an Unidentified Storage Array
To recover from an unidentified storage array:
1
Make sure that the network connection to the storage management station
is functional.
2 Make sure that the controllers are installed and that the power to the
storage array is turned on. Correct any existing problems before
continuing.
3 If you have an in-band storage array, use the following procedure. Click
Refresh after each step to check the results:
a Make sure that the Host Context Agent software is installed and
running. If you started the host before the host was connected to the
controllers in the storage array, the Host Context Agent software is not
able to find the controllers. If so, make sure that the connections are
tight, and restart the Host Context Agent software.
book.book Page 268 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:13 PM

Dell PowerVault MD3620i Specifications

General

Form Factor	2U
Host Interfaces	iSCSI
Maximum Raw Capacity	192 TB
Supported Drives	SAS, SATA
RAID Levels	0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Host Interface	iSCSI
Processor	Intel Xeon
Drive Bays	24 x 2.5-inch
Cooling	Redundant, hot-swappable fans
Controller	Dual controllers
Cache Memory	Up to 4 GB per controller
Host Ports	4 x 1GbE iSCSI
Management Interface	Web GUI, CLI
Operating Temperature	10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F)

Summary

1 Introduction

About This Document

Familiarizes you with the functions of the Dell PowerVault MD3600i Series storage array.

MD3600i Series Storage Array

Details the components and capabilities of the MD3600i Series storage array.

2 Planning: About Your Storage Array

Overview

Describes the design and capabilities of the Dell PowerVault MD3600i Series storage array.

Hardware Features

Details the physical components and indicators of the storage array.

3 Planning: RAID Controller Modules

RAID Controller Modules

Explains the function and features of RAID controller modules.

Cache Functions and Features

Details cache mirroring, write-back, and write-through cache functionalities.

4 Planning: MD3600i Series Storage Array Terms and Concepts

Physical Disks, Virtual Disks, and Disk Groups

Defines physical disks, virtual disks, and disk groups within the storage array.

RAID Levels

Explains different RAID levels, their usage, and disk group limitations.

Virtual Disk Operations

Covers virtual disk initialization, consistency checks, and media verification.

5 Configuration: Overview

User Interface

Describes the Storage Manager screen layout and its primary windows.

Enterprise Management Window (EMW)

Details the functionality and tasks performable within the EMW.

6 Configuration: About Your Storage Array

Out-of-Band and In-Band Management

Explains the two methods for managing the storage array.

Storage Arrays

Covers adding, naming, setting passwords, and removing storage arrays.

7 Configuration: Using iSCSI

Changing the iSCSI Target Authentication

Describes how to configure iSCSI target authentication settings.

Creating CHAP Secrets

Details the process of creating CHAP secrets for authentication.

8 Configuration: Event Monitor

Enabling or Disabling the Event Monitor

Instructions for enabling or disabling the event monitor on Windows and Linux.

9 Configuration: About Your Host

Configuring Host Access

Explains how to configure access for hosts to the storage array.

Managing Host Groups

Covers creating, moving, and removing host groups.

10 Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

Creating Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

Details the process of creating disk groups and virtual disks.

Physical Disk Security with Self Encrypting Disk

Explains Self-Encrypting Disk technology and security features.

11 Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks

Scheduling a Snapshot Virtual Disk

Covers scheduling snapshot creation for data backups and recovery.

Snapshot Rollback

Allows reverting virtual disk contents to a previous snapshot state.

12 Configuration: Premium Feature—Virtual Disk Copy

Types of Virtual Disk Copies

Explains offline and online copy types for virtual disks.

Creating a Virtual Disk Copy for an MSCS Shared Disk

Steps to create a virtual disk copy for Microsoft Cluster Server shared disks.

13 Configuration: Premium Feature—Upgrading to High-Performance-Tier

14 Configuration: Device Mapper Multipath for Linux

Overview

Introduces Device Mapper (DM) for multipath capabilities on Linux.

Device Mapper Configuration Steps

Provides steps for DM multipathing configuration on Linux hosts.

15 Management: Firmware Downloads

Downloading RAID Controller and NVSRAM Packages

Instructions for downloading and activating firmware for controllers and NVSRAM.

Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART)

Explains SMART technology for monitoring disk health and predicting failure.

16 Management: Installing Array Components

Hard Drives

Covers removing and installing hard drives and drive blanks.

RAID Controller Module

Details removing and installing RAID controller modules and blanks.

17 Management: Firmware Inventory

Viewing the Firmware Inventory

Describes how to view and save firmware inventory information.

18 Management: System Interfaces

Microsoft Services

Explains Virtual Disk Service (VDS) and Volume Shadow-Copy Service (VSS).

19 Troubleshooting: Your Storage Array Software

Device Health Conditions

Explains status icons and how to interpret them.

Recovery Guru

Component of MDSM for diagnosing critical events and recovery procedures.

20 Troubleshooting: Your Array

Safety First—For you and Your Array

Emphasizes safety precautions for handling the array and its components.

Troubleshooting RAID Controller Modules

Guides on diagnosing and resolving issues with RAID controller modules.

21 Getting Help

Contacting Dell

Provides information on how to contact Dell for support and service.