Dell Ax4-5 Manual

							Introduction11
Table 1-3 lists hardware requirements for the disk processor enclosures DPE 
DAE, and SPS.
 NOTE: Ensure that the core software version running on the storage system is 
supported by Dell. For specific version requirements, see the Dell Cluster 
Configuration Support Matrices located on the Dell High Availability Cluster website 
at dell.com/ha.
Supported Cluster Configurations
Direct-Attached Cluster
In a direct-attached cluster, all nodes of the cluster are directly attached to a 
single storage system. In this configuration, the RAID controllers (or storage 
processors) on the storage systems are connected by cables directly to the 
Fibre Channel HBA ports in the nodes. 
Figure 1-1 shows a basic direct-attached, single-cluster configuration.
Table 1-3. Dell/EMC Storage System Requirements
Storage 
SystemMinimum Required 
StoragePossible Storage 
ExpansionSPS
AX4-5  1 DPE with at least 4 
and up to 12 hard 
drivesUp to 3 DAE with a 
maximum of 12 hard-
drives eachFirst is required, 
the second SPS is 
optional 
						

							12Introduction
Figure 1-1. Direct-Attached, Single-Cluster Configuration
EMC® PowerPath® Limitations in a Direct-Attached Cluster
EMC PowerPath provides failover capabilities and multiple path detection as 
well as dynamic load balancing between multiple ports on the same storage 
processor. However, direct-attached clusters supported by Dell connect to a 
single port on each storage processor in the storage system. Because of the 
single port limitation, PowerPath can provide only failover protection, not 
load balancing, in a direct-attached configuration.
SAN-Attached Cluster
In a SAN-attached cluster, all of the nodes are attached to a single storage 
system or to multiple storage systems through a SAN using redundant switch 
fabrics. SAN-attached clusters are superior to direct-attached clusters in 
configuration flexibility, expandability, and performance.
Figure 1-2 shows a SAN-attached cluster.
cluster node
private network public network
cluster node
storage systemFibre Channel 
connections Fibre Channel 
connections 
						

							Introduction13
Figure 1-2. SAN-Attached Cluster
Other Documents You May Need
 CAUTION: The safety information that is shipped with your system provides 
important safety and regulatory information. Warranty information may be 
included within this document or as a separate document. 
 
NOTE: To configure Dell blade server modules in a Dell PowerEdge cluster, see the 
Using Dell Blade Servers in a Dell PowerEdge High Availability Cluster document 
located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals.
 The Rack Installation Guide included with your rack solution describes 
how to install your system into a rack.
 The 
Getting Started Guide provides an overview of initially setting up your 
system. 
 The 
Dell Failover Clusters with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Installation 
and Troubleshooting Guide
 provides more information on deploying your 
cluster with the Windows Server 2003 operating system.
 The 
Dell Failover Clusters with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Installation 
and Troubleshooting Guide
 provides more information on deploying your 
cluster with the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
cluster node
cluster node
private network
Fibre Channel 
connections
storage systemFibre Channel 
switch Fibre Channel 
switchpublic network
Fibre Channel 
connections 
						

							14Introduction
Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrices provides a list of 
recommended operating systems, hardware components, and driver or 
firmware versions for your Dell Windows Server Failover Cluster.
 The HBA documentation provides installation instructions for the HBAs.
 Systems management software documentation describes the features, 
requirements, installation, and basic operation of the software. 
 Operating system documentation describes how to install (if necessary), 
configure, and use the operating system software.
 The Dell PowerVault™ tape library documentation provides information 
for installing, troubleshooting, and upgrading the tape library.
 The EMC PowerPath documentation that came with your HBA kit(s) and 
Dell/EMC Storage Enclosure User’s Guides.
 Updates are sometimes included with the system to describe changes to 
the system, software, and/or documentation.
 NOTE: Always read the updates first because they often supersede 
information in other documents.
 Release notes or readme files may be included to provide last-minute 
updates to the system or documentation, or advanced technical reference 
material intended for experienced users or technicians. 
						

							Cabling Your Cluster Hardware15
Cabling Your Cluster Hardware
 NOTE: To configure Dell blade server modules in a Dell™ PowerEdge™ cluster, see 
the Using Dell Blade Servers in a Dell PowerEdge High Availability Cluster 
document located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals.
Cabling the Mouse, Keyboard, and Monitor
When installing a cluster configuration in a rack, you must include a switch 
box to connect the mouse, keyboard, and monitor to the nodes. See the 
documentation included with your rack for instructions on cabling each 
node’s connections to the switch box.
Cabling the Power Supplies
Refer to the documentation for each component in your cluster solution to 
ensure that the specific power requirements are satisfied.
The following guidelines are recommended to protect your cluster solution 
from power-related failures:
 For nodes with multiple power supplies, plug each power supply into a 
separate AC circuit.
 Use uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
 For some environments, consider having backup generators and power 
from separate electrical substations.
Figure 2-1, and Figure 2-2 illustrate recommended methods for power cabling 
for a cluster solution consisting of two PowerEdge systems and two storage 
systems. To ensure redundancy, the primary power supplies of all the 
components are grouped onto one or two circuits and the redundant power 
supplies are grouped onto a different circuit. 
						

							16Cabling Your Cluster Hardware
Figure 2-1. Power Cabling Example With One Power Supply in the PowerEdge Systems 
and One Standby Power Supply (SPS) in an AX4-5 Storage System
redundant power 
supplies on one AC 
power strip (or on one 
AC PDU [not shown]) primary power 
supplies on one AC 
power strip (or on one 
AC PDU [not shown])
 
NOTE: This illustration is intended only to demonstrate the power 
distribution of the components.
SPS 
						

							Cabling Your Cluster Hardware17
Figure 2-2. Power Cabling Example With Two Power Supplies in the PowerEdge 
Systems and Two SPS(s) in an AX4-5 Storage System
Cabling Your Cluster for Public and Private 
Networks
The network adapters in the cluster nodes provide at least two network 
connections for each node, as described in Table 2-1.
 NOTE: To configure Dell blade server modules in a Dell PowerEdge cluster, see the 
Using Dell Blade Servers in a Dell PowerEdge High Availability Cluster document 
located on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals.
AB
AB0 Fibre 1 Fibre0 Fibre 1 Fibre
AB
AB
primary power supplies 
on one AC power strip 
(or on one AC PDU [not 
shown])redundant power supplies 
on one AC power strip (or 
on one AC PDU [not 
shown]) 
						

							18Cabling Your Cluster Hardware
Figure 2-3 shows an example of cabling in which dedicated network adapters 
in each node are connected to each other (for the private network) and the 
remaining network adapters are connected to the public network.
Figure 2-3. Example of Network Cabling Connection Table 2-1. Network Connections
Network Connection Description
Public network All connections to the client LAN.
At least one public network must be configured for 
Mixed mode for private network failover.
Private network A dedicated connection for sharing cluster health and 
status information only.
cluster node 1cluster node 2 public network
private network
private 
network 
adapterpublic 
network 
adapter 
						

							Cabling Your Cluster Hardware19
Cabling the Public Network
Any network adapter supported by a system running TCP/IP may be used to 
connect to the public network segments. You can install additional network 
adapters to support additional public network segments or to provide 
redundancy in the event of a faulty primary network adapter or switch port.
Cabling the Private Network
The private network connection to the nodes is provided by a different 
network adapter in each node. This network is used for intra-cluster 
communications. Table 2-2 describes two possible private network 
configurations.
 NOTE: For more information on the supported cable types, see your system or NIC 
documentation. Table 2-2. Private Network Hardware Components and Connections
Method Hardware Components Connection
Network 
switchGigabit or 10 Gigabit 
Ethernet network adapters 
and switchesDepending on the hardware, connect 
the CAT5e or CAT6 cables, the 
multimode optical cables with LC 
(Local Connector) connectors, or the 
twin-ax cables from the network 
adapters in the nodes to a switch.
Point-to-Point 
(two-node 
clusters only)Gigabit or 10 Gigabit 
Ethernet network adapters 
with RJ-45 connectorsConnect a standard CAT5e or CAT6 
Ethernet cable between the network 
adapters in both nodes.
10 Gigabit Ethernet 
network adapters with 
SFP+ connectorsConnect a twin-ax cable between the 
network adapters in both nodes.
Optical Gigabit or 10 
Gigabit Ethernet network 
adapters with LC 
connectorsConnect a multi-mode optical cable 
between the network adapters in both 
nodes. 
						

							20Cabling Your Cluster Hardware
Using Dual-Port Network Adapters
You can configure your cluster to use the public network as a failover for 
private network communications. If dual-port network adapters are used, do 
not use both ports simultaneously to support both the public and private 
networks. 
NIC Teaming
NIC teaming combines two or more NICs to provide load balancing and fault 
tolerance. Your cluster supports NIC teaming, but only in a public network; 
NIC teaming is not supported in a private network.
You should use the same brand of NICs in a team, and you cannot mix brands 
of teaming drivers.
Cabling the Storage Systems
This section provides information for connecting your cluster to a storage 
system in a direct-attached configuration, or to one or more storage systems 
in a SAN-attached configuration.
Cabling Storage for Your Direct-Attached Cluster
 NOTE: Ensure that the management port on each storage processor is connected 
to the storage server with the management station, using an Ethernet network 
cable.
A direct-attached cluster configuration consists of redundant Fibre Channel 
host bus adapter (HBA) ports cabled directly to a Dell/EMC storage system. 
Direct-attached configurations are self-contained and do not share any 
physical resources with other server or storage systems outside of the cluster.
Figure 2-4 shows an example of a direct-attached, single cluster configuration 
with redundant HBA ports installed in each cluster node.