Dell PowerVault NX1950 - Manual (Page 9)

Introduction 9
Active/Passive Vs. Active/Active iSCSI
In a PowerVault NX1950 cluster solution that is configured with a 3.0 iSCSI
Target, only one node that owns the Cluster Resources can create and own
the iSCSI Targets. The iSCSI Target service is operative in only one node at a
time (Active/Passive configuration).
In a PowerVault NX1950 cluster solution that is configured with 3.1 iSCSI
Target, you can create iSCSI highly-available (HA) instances on all nodes of a
cluster and thereby facilitate Active/Active iSCSI Target access. Al nodes of
the cluster can use the iSCSI Target service at the same time.
NOTE: The 3.0 iSCSI Target software enables you to configure an Active/Passive
cluster solution. The 3.1 iSCSI Target software enables you to configure an
Active/Active cluster configuration. You can download the 3.1 iSCSI Target software
from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Before Setting Up the PowerVault NX1950
Storage Solution as an iSCSI Software Target
Before you set up your PowerVault NX1950 storage solution as an iSCSI
Target, read this section completely. You must consider features like Ethernet
settings, security settings for iSCSI Targets, and specific settings for iSCSI
Targets in a PowerVault NX1950 cluster solution.
Best Practices for Setting Up the iSCSI Storage Area Network
Table 1-1 and Table 1-2 provide information about configuring NICs (on
Target) in different models of iSCSI networks.
• You can configure redundant paths on Initiator (hosts). Microsoft
Multipath I/O (MPIO) is supported with Initiator version of 2.06 or later.
• You require two dedicated iSCSI NICs on the target and initiator for
efficient MPIO connection in the PowerVault NX1950 storage solution or
PowerVault NX1950 cluster solution.
• It is good practice to have at least four NICs in a cluster configuration and
at least three NICs in a stand-alone configuration (two NICs dedicated for
iSCSI in different subnets).
• iSCSI NIC teaming is not supported.