MD3200i and host 10GbE?

Hello, GlennMark.

Theoretically, yes. This is a possible setup / scenario with a lot of convergence (adaption) it can and should work.

For example, if you went from the CNA(iSCSI) to a converged switch, (where you had iSCSI vLAN'd) then to an Ethernet switch, then to a port on each controller (same network), that would technically work.

If you wanted to then use a different network (as suggested by the MD32** guide) you'd need to come from a different CNA port and along the same path, and into another set of ports (same network) on the MD controllers.

However, I can't speak for what you may have in your environment, or how you're attempting to cable it up and what you may have between the storage, and CNA card.

Here's a link to our 'Support Matrix' : downloads.dell.com/.../powervault-md3200_release%20notes1_en-us.pdf

Let me know if you have any questions.  

Unfortunately you lost me in paragraph 2. I don't understand "converged switch" vs. an ethernet switch, or how this would provide bandwidth beyond 1GbE do to the single connection to each controller. I was hoping this might simplify the configuration but it appears not. I am going to modify my plans and work on getting quad port network adapters with TOE, a pair of dedicated switches for the SAN, then rebuild the connections. Right now I have two hosts configured by others, and the iSCSI configurations are not similar. I know there are always multiple ways to skin a cat, but I like consistency that hopefully matches the examples from the vendors involved.

That last point is giving me pause. The recommendations from Dell to configure iSCSI do not match what I am finding from VMWare. I'm not sure how to resolve that. Some of it is due to the loose usage of terms like subnets, broadcast domains, VLANS, etc. that do not fit the context of the topic, at least as far as I understand it. I've watched too many videos from Dell and VMWare on the subject, trying to match those up with the printed guidelines and now my head hurts. One side says everything is on the same subnet and same VLAN, then another guideline says separate subnets for each link, then implies separate VLANS as well.

Specifically, I have two Dell PowerEdge R415's running VMWare ESXi 5.5 with Intel 82576 quad port 1GbE adapters. These are the older models without TOE. I have two Dell PowerConnect 6248 switches, and one Dell MD3200i. Each host is connected via two ports, and each controller on the MD3200i is connected via two ports. For some reason I haven't yet determined each host is reporting 4 paths to the storage, but the multipathing status is reported as partial/no redundancy in VMWare.

I need to maximize the iSCSI throughput as well as have redundancy, so I think I am looking for concurrent access to the storage device. There are two controllers but I can't find information that adequately explains how to configure so the load is shared and/or balanced even if it must be done manually. Can you direct me to the latest definite guides on how to connect the MD3200i to ESXi 5.5 hosts with redundancy and high performance? I have to plan a transition from what we have to the optimum for our equipment and software.

Unfortunately you lost me in paragraph 2. I don't understand "converged switch" vs. an ethernet switch, or how this would provide bandwidth beyond 1GbE due to the single connection to each controller. I was hoping this might simplify the configuration but it appears not. I am going to modify my plans and work on getting quad port network adapters with TOE, a pair of dedicated switches for the SAN, then rebuild the connections. Right now I have two hosts configured by others, and the iSCSI configurations are not similar. I know there are always multiple ways to skin a cat, but I like consistency that hopefully matches the examples from the vendors involved.

That last point is giving me pause. The recommendations from Dell to configure iSCSI do not match what I am finding from VMWare. I'm not sure how to resolve that. Some of it is due to the loose usage of terms like subnets, broadcast domains, VLANS, etc. that do not fit the context of the topic, at least as far as I understand it. I've watched too many videos from Dell and VMWare on the subject, trying to match those up with the printed guidelines and now my head hurts. One side says everything is on the same subnet and same VLAN, then another guideline says separate subnets for each link, then implies separate VLANS as well.

Specifically, I have two Dell PowerEdge R415's running VMWare ESXi 5.5 with Intel 82576 quad port 1GbE adapters. These are the older models without TOE. I have two Dell PowerConnect 6248 switches, and one Dell MD3200i. Each host is connected via two ports, and each controller on the MD3200i is connected via two ports. For some reason I haven't yet determined each host is reporting 4 paths to the storage, but the multipathing status is reported as partial/no redundancy in VMWare.

I need to maximize the iSCSI throughput as well as have redundancy, so I think I am looking for concurrent access to the storage device. There are two controllers but I can't find information that adequately explains how to configure so the load is shared and/or balanced even if it must be done manually. Can you direct me to the latest definite guides on how to connect the MD3200i to ESXi 5.5 hosts with redundancy and high performance? I have to plan a transition from what we have to the optimum for our equipment and software.

Hey, GlennMark.

So, there are numerous types of converged switches available from Dell, and other vendors. I would recommend looking into the various possibilities, and how they might relate to your network environment. Dell has always recommended different subnets on the MD3**i product lines.  When you purchase the arrays they are by default set up each port on different subnets.

(see page 35 of downloads.dell.com/.../powervault-md3200i_Deployment%20Guide_en-us.pdf )

Concerning the difference in recommendations, I definitely understand your confusion here, and it is troubling. Unfortunately, I don't have a magic bullet on this one. When a company offers such complex data management software to so many different server/storage vendors, it's exceedingly difficult to make them all match. Likewise, it's difficult for the server/storage vendors to suggest how to best configure the data management software of that company.

What I can say is this: Dell has very specific configuration guidelines and best practices. We have tested and validated the configurations we suggest, and can safely say they work, and will support them. Outside of those tests and validated configurations, we can't say. Not because we're saying it won't work, but because we're saying we can't guarantee that it will. In short, as long as there are thousands of hardware vendors, there will be a discrepancy in the best practice suggestions by each of them. (in this case, I would suggest going by the MD3200i Deployment guide I provided above)

This issue you've pointed out with your multipath may need some troubleshooting. I'd recommend opening a support ticket with us, and have a tech go over the config to see what's going on there. Something definitely doesn't sound right there.

Here are a couple guides for deploying esx 5.* with the MD3200i.

techworldtech.wordpress.com/.../deployment-guide-for-md3200imd3600i-for-vmware-esxi-5-0

i.dell.com/.../PowerVault_MD_iSCSI_Deployment_Guide_for_VMware_ESX50_Server_Software.pdf

The controllers in the MD3200 are active / active, which means they're both actively communicating to one another, and to your host's initiators. As you create volumes on the MD, the controllers take turns assuming ownership of each volume. This is determined by the firmware. (I'd recommend keeping that up to date for best results) So, the load balancing is built into the array.

The guides will show you pictures of various cabling examples of the redundancy and high performance for which you are looking.

I hope this helps