C H A P T E R 4

DAS Configurations

This chapter presents several DAS configurations you can use.

Single-Controller DAS Configurations

Note - Using single connections between Fibre Channel arrays and servers creates single points of failure (SPOF) that can cause interruptions in the event a connection becomes unreliable or fails. This is not a recommended configuration unless host-based mirroring is utilized to protect against single points of failure. Similarly, using only a single controller creates a single point of failure, unless single controllers are used in pairs and mirrored. Using a dual-controller configuration, as shown in Dual-Controller Multipath DAS Configurations, is preferable to using a single controller or a pair of single controllers.

FIGURE 4-1 Three Single-Controller DAS Configurations

Figure showing single-controller DAS configurations using one, two, and four servers.

Note - Do not use a Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array to store single instances of data. It is more suitable for use in configurations where the array has a backup or archival role.

Single-Controller DAS Tips and Techniques

A Sun StorEdge Fibre Channel array with a single controller can be configured to support up to four host connections (Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array) or six host connections (Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array). These connections can be used in pairs, individually, or in any combination of both.

You need to add SFP modules to support more than two host connections to the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array or Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array. For information about adding SFP modules, refer to the Sun StorEdge 3000 Family Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array and the Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array.

This single-controller configuration offers no redundancy. Consider mirroring single controllers or using dual controllers instead to achieve redundancy and increase reliability, availability, and serviceability. See General Configuration Considerations for more information.

Single-Controller DAS Setup Details

FIGURE 4-2 shows a single-controller Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array in a DAS configuration. FIGURE 4-3 shows a single-controller Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array in a DAS configuration.

FIGURE 4-2 Sample Single-Controller Sun StorEdge 3510 FC DAS Connections

Diagram showing a single-controller Sun StorEdge 3510 FC DAS configuration.

FIGURE 4-3 Sample Single-Controller Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA DAS Connections

Diagram showing a single-controller Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA DAS configuration.

The general procedure for creating this configuration follows.

1. Check the position of installed SFP modules. Move or add SFP modules as necessary to support the connections needed.

2. Connect expansion units if needed.

For information about connecting multiple expansion units, see Sun StorEdge 3510 FC Array High-Capacity Configurations or Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA Array High-Capacity Configurations. For information about connecting Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA expansion units to Sun StorEdge 3510 FC arrays, see Combining Sun StorEdge 3510 FC Arrays and Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA Expansion Units.

3. Configure cache optimization.

4. Create one Logical Drive for each server and configure spare disks.

5. Map Logical Drive 0 to controller channel 0.

6. Map Logical Drive 1 (if created) to controller channel 5.

7. Map Logical Drive 2 (if created) to controller channel 1.

8. Map Logical Drive 3 (if created) to controller channel 4.

9. Connect the first server to controller port FC 0.

10. Connect the second server (if needed) to controller port FC5.

11. Connect the third server (if needed) to controller port FC 1.

12. Connect the fourth server (if needed) to controller port FC4.

13. After completing the configuration, save the configuration using the "Save nvram to disks" menu option in the firmware application or the "save configuration" option in Sun StorEdge Configuration Service.

Dual-Controller Multipath DAS Configurations

FIGURE 4-4 Sample Dual-Controller Multipath DAS Configurations

Figure showing dual-controller DAS configurations with one, two, and four servers.

Note - Do not use a Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array to store single instances of data. It is more suitable for use in configurations where the array has a backup or archival role.

Dual-Controller Multipath DAS Tips and Techniques

A Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array with two controllers can be configured to support up to 8 host connections. The Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array can be configured to support up to 12 host connections. These connections can be used in pairs for redundancy, individually or in any combination of both.

You need to add SFP modules to support more than four host connections to the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array or Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array. For information about adding SFP modules, refer to the Sun StorEdge 3000 Family Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array and the Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array.

Using two single-port 2-Gbit FC host adapters in a high-availability configuration makes optimum use of a Fibre Channel array's redundancy. Mapping logical drive partitions to two paths while using multipathing software provides the best redundancy.

For complete redundancy and high availability, use host-based multipathing software such as Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager. To configure multipathing:

Establish two connections between a server and a Sun StorEdge Fibre Channel array.

Install and enable the software on the server.

Map the logical drive to both of the controller channels to which the server is connected.

Sample Dual-Controller Multipath DAS Setup Details

FIGURE 4-5 shows a Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array in a dual-controller multipath DAS configuration. FIGURE 4-6 shows a Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array in a dual-controller multipath DAS configuration.

FIGURE 4-5 Sample Dual-Controller Multipath Sun StorEdge 3510 DAS Connections

Diagram showing a dual-controller multipath Sun StorEdge 3510 FC DAS configuration.

Note - Do not use a Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array to store single instances of data. It is more suitable for use in configurations where the array has a backup or archival role.

FIGURE 4-6 Sample Dual-Controller Multipath Sun StorEdge 3511 DAS Connections

Diagram showing a dual-controller multipath Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA DAS configuration.

The general procedure for creating this configuration follows.

1. Check the position of installed SFP modules. Move them as necessary to support the connections needed.

2. Connect expansion units if needed.

3. Configure cache optimization.

4. Ensure that the fibre connection is set to loop mode.

5. Configure target IDs.

6. Create one Logical Drive for each server and configure spare disks.

7. Map Logical Drive 0 to channels 0 and 5 of the primary controller.

8. Map Logical Drive 1 (if created) to channels 1 and 4 of the secondary controller.

9. Map Logical Drive 2 (if created) to channels 0 and 5 of the primary controller.

10. Map Logical Drive 3 (if created) to channels 1 and 4 of the secondary controller.

11. Connect the first server (Server 1) to port FC 0 of the upper controller and port FC 5 of the lower controller.

12. Connect the second server (Server 2), if needed, to port FC 1 of the lower controller and port FC 4 of the upper controller.

13. Connect the third server (Server 3), if needed, to port FC 0 of the lower controller and port FC 5 of the upper controller.

14. Connect the fourth server (Server 4), if needed, to port FC 1 of the upper controller and port FC 4 of the lower controller.

15. Install and enable multipathing software on each connected server.

16. After completing the configuration, save the configuration using the "Save nvram to disks" menu option in the firmware application or the "save configuration" option in Sun StorEdge Configuration Service.