Dell PowerVault MD3000 - Manual (Page 24)

Dell MD Storage Array vCenter Plug-in | 24
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ESX Host SAN Configuration
This vCenter Plug-in allows for an ESX host to be automatically configured to use a Dell MD Storage Array
by detecting the installed Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) within the ESX host and configuring new hosts on the
storage array with the Worldwide Names (WWNs) of the HBAs from the ESX host. The default ESX
multipathing mode for Dell MD Storage Arrays is Most Recently Used (MRU). To ensure optimum
performance for the ESX host with more than two HBAs, the ESX host should be configured to use the storage
array in pairs of HBAs. This method allows for the maximum I/O throughput from the ESX host to the storage
array. Using this method requires proper SAN configuration and balancing of LUNs between hosts/host groups.
Figure 20 shows a properly configured two HBA port ESX host SAN configuration utilizing two fabric
switches and a dual controller storage array.
Figure 20. Dual Port HBA Configuration