ME5 Direct Attached

Question

Hey guys, I'm not sure how to connect and define the iSCSI IPs in a scenario with 2 hosts with 2 ports each, directly connected to the ME5.In the deployment guide (https://dl.dell.com/content/manual51896558-dell-powervault-me5-series-storage-system-deployment-guide.pdf?language=en-us), it shows the following information for connecting the Storage in Direct Atacched mode with 2 hosts (page 34):Host 1 - Port 0 > Controller A port 0Host 1 - Port 1 > Controller B port 0Host 2 - Port 0 > Controller A port 2Host 2 - Port 1 > Controller B port 2 In the example of IP addresses for iSCSI, in the deployment guide it shows as follows (page 31 and 55):Host 1 - Port 0 > ip on subnet 1Host 1 - Port 1 > ip on subnet 2Host 2 - Port 0 > ip on subnet 1Host 2 - Port 1 > ip on subnet 2 But for the Storage ports, both ports 0 and 2 of controller A, and ports 0 and 2 of controller B are in the same subnet (subnet 1). Searching a little more, I found a Best Practices document (https://infohub.delltechnologies.com/l/dell-powervault-me5-series-vmware-vsphere-best-practices/direct-attached-storage-14), in it the connection of the servers with the storage are on different ports, as an example the first server from bottom to top is as follows: Host 1 - Port 0 > Controller A port 0Host 1 - Port 1 > Controller B port 3 That way, a port for each host would be in a different subnet, following the configuration suggested in the deployment guide. There is the doubt, which of the 2 ways should I follow to deploy this storage?If I follow the Deployment Guide's connection model, I'll need to put the hosts' IPs all on the same subnet, both port 0 and port 1. If I follow the best practices manual procedure I'll have each host port in one different subnet, thus following the most common way when we deploy using switch attached. I thank you all. (Sorry for the English by Google Translator).

DELL-Joey C · Accepted Answer

Hi @David Modesto,

Both guides are correct, it only depends on the administrator's preference to how it needs to be cabled.

For a better easy installation, you can follow the first guide you have attached: https://dell.to/3Vt30Xd

Origin3k · Answer

Iam in hurry .... and i cant help at first but i totally under stand the virutal question mark @David Modesto have. I think the documention isnt as good as it should because of

An ESXi supports a Non-Binding(always multiple Subnet(s)) or Binding(always a single Subnet) setups. Most SAN supports exactly one method..... a few supports both but have a highly preferred one and the second one is only good in some special use cases and not the general way to do it
I have my doubt that https://dell.to/3Vt30Xd is usefull in a direct Attached setup because it displays a fabric like environment. I would call it the "Compellent way" :). Its not good style with that overlapping detail which hide part of the cabling topology
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual51896558-dell-powervault-me5-series-storage-system-deployment-guide.pdf?language=en-us #34 figure 24 is speaking of HBAs. Without doubt a FC and SAS cards are named HBA.... but a Networkkard? So i have my doubt that figure 24 is also valid for iSCSI direct attached.
For me https://infohub.delltechnologies.com/l/dell-powervault-me5-series-vmware-vsphere-best-practices/direct-attached-storage-14 is the 100% opposite to https://dl.dell.com/content/manual51896558-dell-powervault-me5-series-storage-system-deployment-guide.pdf?language=en-us and when both a valid the documentation should say that there are 2 valid ways. Note: if the 2nd. is the one and only valid one for a Direct Attached setup i configure all my SAS/FC setup in the wrong way in the past

From the Joe User perspective i always think its hard to follow the documention when controller modules named A/B or 0/1 because i always think is there also a 1+2 out there? The we have to turn one controller on 180° to fit it into the chassis is also a way to make easy cabling failures But hey.. if you have luck they print labels on twice so you can read them in the normal way.

@David Modesto
what ever it takes .... you need the Dual Subnet (Non-Bindung) setup from the ESXi host perspective.

Regards,
Joerg

PowerVault

Was this post helpful?