SAN Implementation

Introduction

Dell has been offering SAN solutions for several years. The Dell PowerVault SAN solution is currently in its fifth generation and supports a variety of operating systems and hardware configurations. It supports up to 20 PowerEdge severs or a select number of Compaq, IBM or HP servers.

The latest generation of Dell SAN solutions are designed around the new Dell | EMC product family. These new systems provide highly available storage for a variety of workgroup and midrange enterprise applications. A Dell | EMC SAN is an "open" SAN meaning it has been designed to be incorporated into a heterogeneous environment. The following host servers can function in a Dell | EMC SAN:

Windows NT/2000 based
Novell NetWare based
Linux based
Sun Solaris based
HP-UX based
IBM AIX based
SGI based
Irix based
TRU-64 based

This section will provide a high level install of a Windows-based Dell PowerVault SAN and, using those concepts, build a Dell | EMC SAN.

Section Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the hardware components used in a Dell PowerVault SAN, and the purpose of each
Describe the software components used in a Dell PowerVault SAN, and the purpose of each
Describe the servers validated for use in a Dell PowerVault SAN
Describe the process for building a Dell PowerVault SAN
Define a SAN version and explain the common differences in versions
Describe the hardware components used in a Dell | EMC SAN, and the purpose of each
Describe the software components used in a Dell | EMC SAN, and the purpose of each
Describe the servers validated for use in a Dell | EMC SAN
Describe the need for zoning when operating Dell PowerVault and Dell | EMC SAN components
Describe the process for converting the PowerVault 650F for use in a Dell | EMC SAN
Describe the considerations to be taken regarding software used in a heterogeneous Dell PowerVault and Dell | EMC SAN