Host types – Dell PowerVault MD3000 User Manual
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Using Your RAID Enclosure
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You plan to have all attached hosts share access to all virtual disks on the storage array. When you
choose this type of configuration, all of the hosts must have the same operating system and must have
special software (such as clustering software) to manage virtual disk sharing and accessibility.
If either of the following is true, you must use more than one storage partition:
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You want specific hosts to access specific virtual disks in the storage array.
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You have hosts with different operating systems attached to the same storage array.
NOTE:
The storage array can support up to four storage partitions.
Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping
The host server attached to a storage array accesses various virtual disks on the storage array through its
host ports. Specific virtual disk-to-LUN mappings to an individual host can be defined. In addition, the
host can be part of a host group that shares access to one or more virtual disks.
You can manually configure a host-to-virtual disk mapping. When you configure host-to-virtual disk
mapping, consider these guidelines:
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You can define one host-to-virtual disk mapping for each virtual disk in the storage array.
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Host-to-virtual disk mappings are shared between RAID controller modules in the storage array.
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A unique LUN must be used by a host group or host to access a virtual disk.
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Not every operating system will have the same number of LUNs available for use.
Host Types
Generally, a host is a server that accesses a storage array, is mapped to the virtual disks, and uses one or
more HBA ports. In general, hosts have the following attributes:
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Host name — A name that uniquely identifies the host.
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Host group (used in Cluster solutions only) — Two or more hosts associated together to share access
to the same virtual disks.
A host group is a group of two or more hosts that share access to specific virtual disks on the storage
array. This is a logical entity you can create in MD Storage Manager. All hosts in a host group must be
running the same operating system.
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Host type — The operating system running on the host.
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HBA host port — A physical connection on the host base adapter installed in the host.
HBA host ports are automatically detected by the host agent and can be identified by an alias assigned
by the user.