Dell PowerVault MD3000 - Manual (Page 43)

Configuring a Storage Array
43
Configuring a Storage Array
This chapter explains how to run script commands from the command line to
create a virtual disk from a group of physical disks and how to configure a
redundant array of independent disks (RAID) storage array. This chapter
assumes that you understand basic RAID concepts and terminology. Before
configuring the storage array, become familiar with the concepts of physical
disks, disk groups, virtual disks, host groups, hosts, and RAID controller
modules. Additional information about configuring a storage array and
related definitions is in the online help, the Installation Guide, the MD
Storage Manager User’s Guide, and the Owner’s Manual.
Configuring a RAID storage array requires caution and planning to ensure that
you define the correct RAID level and configuration for your storage array. The
main purpose in configuring a storage array is to create virtual disks
addressable by the hosts from a collection of physical disks. The commands
described in this chapter enable you to set up and run a RAID storage array.
Additional commands are also available to provide more control and
flexibility. Many of these commands, however, require a deeper understanding
of the firmware as well as various structures that need to be mapped. Use all
of the command line interface (CLI) commands and script commands with
caution.
The following sections in this chapter show some, but not all, of the CLI and
script commands. The purpose of showing these commands is to explain how
you can use the commands to configure a storage array. The presentation in
this chapter does not explain all possible usage and syntax for the commands.
(For complete definitions of the commands, including syntax, parameters,
and usage notes, see "Script Commands" on page 105.)
This chapter contains examples of CLI and script command usage. The
command syntax used in the examples is for a host running a Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating system. As part of the examples, the complete C:\
prompt and DOS path for the commands are shown. Depending on your
operating system, the prompt and path construct will vary.
For most commands, the syntax is the same for all Windows and Linux
operating systems, as well as for a script file. Windows operating systems,
however, have an additional requirement when entering names in a