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18 Posts
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8853
June 13th, 2012 09:00
Connecting 3 Dell PE610 servers to MD3200i SAN
This configuration is not a cluster. I am setting up each server to connect indivivdually to the iSCSI SAN.
1.SRV1 is connected via iSCSI initiator and has virtual disks assigned, I can see both iSCSI host ports via the management software. The ports are set at 192.168.130.101 & 102. I can also see the management ports which are at 192.168.128.101 & 102
2. SRV2 will not connect via the iSCSI initiator at least I cannot see the SAN. I tried using the Modular Disk Configuration Utility and select configure Host and discover via managment ports, which the server does see. When I get to the page to select iSCSI ports on storage array everything is greyed out. The iSCSI ports are configured as 192.168.131.101 & 102 on the SAN controller module 0 & 1.
3. SRV3 same as above except the iSCSI ports on the SAN are configured 192.168.132.101 & 102
Each server's iSCSI cards are confgured for the same subnet as the ports they are connected to, I have reverified this but still seem unable to connect.
VLAN is 0 for all connections. All servers see the management ports (192.168.101 & 102)
I feel like there is one simple step I am missing to get the other two servers to communicate. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Marc
DELL-Kenny K
685 Posts
1
June 13th, 2012 13:00
It sounds like it is an issue with either the VLAN configuration or Subnetting depending on how you have the subnetting configured. You should be able to do a VMKPING and that will be able to tell you if you have a subnetting type issue. Since on the MD32xx there is nothing that has a Access Control List that blocks out a host from pinging or sending iSCSI requests. You may also want to try a different port as well and see if that has any affect. Also what firmware is currently installed on the switches in your setup.
DELL-Kenny K
685 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 10:00
The very first thing I would like to know that will greatly effect the way the configuration is done is, are you connecting the servers directly to the MD3200i or are you going to a switch and then from the switch to the MD3200i? If you are going to a switch you want to make sure that the iSCSI traffic is separated from the standard network traffic via either separate switch or separate VLAN. Below is a PDF for the different configuration options for this array.
support.dell.com/.../DG.pdf
I look forward to hearing back from you and we can go from there. Thank you for your time.
MLarouche
18 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 11:00
I should also mention that the switches are not connected to the corporate network. I have configured the hyperV instances to use a virtual external switch with one port on the back of the PE610 to be connected to the corp network.
Thanks
Marc
DELL-Kenny K
685 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 11:00
If you take a look at the document I sent on page 21 and 22 it shows how to configure when using a switch. Pg 21 is for a single controller and pg 22 is a dual controller config on the MD3200i. As far as the VLAN you want VLAN 0 as just for management and then you want a separate VLAN for iSCSI traffic and then another VLAN for the standard network traffic if these switches also are used for that.
MLarouche
18 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 11:00
I have 2 switches for redundancy. So each server is connected to both switches then each each iSCSI port on the SAN is also connected to each switch. Seeing how we only have 3 servers I have considered connecting directly to the MD3200i but figured I have these 2 brand new Dell 6224 switches. So do I need to set up VLANS the way I am connecting these servers?
MLarouche
18 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 12:00
Hey Kenny I guess I am rather confused by this. I left the VLAN for the NICs and Switches as 0. SRV1 is able to see the SAN and I am able to install vhds etc. aBut not for SRV2 or SRV3 although they can both see the management ports set as default ip's from Dell.
Do I need to use VLANS to get all 3 servers talking to the MD3200, even the switch is not connected to the corp network?
I appreciate your help.
ps. I did also review the pages you mention and have the servers connected as shown for redundancy.
Marc
MLarouche
18 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 16:00
Hey Kenny You were correct, it was a vlan issue. I have just got all three servers communicating. While in the MDSM there is an advanced setting in the configuration of the host iscsi ports of the md3200i..
Once I set that and rebooted everything showed up.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
I really appreciate it!
Sincerely
Marc
DELL-Kenny K
685 Posts
0
June 13th, 2012 16:00
I am glad you were able to get it resolved. Feel free to let us know if you need anything else.