Dell PowerVault MD3820i - Manual (Page 25)

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Configuring The MD Storage Array For
ESX/ESXi
The MD vCenter Plug-in allows an ESX/ESXi host to be automatically configured to use a Dell MD storage
array by detecting the installed Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) within the host and configuring new hosts on
the storage array with the Worldwide Names (WWNs) of the HBAs from the host. The default ESX/ESXi
multi-pathing mode for Dell MD storage arrays is Most Recently Used (MRU). To ensure optimum
performance for the ESX/ESXi host with more than two HBAs, the host should be configured to use the
storage array in pairs of HBAs. This method allows for maximum I/O throughput from the host to the
storage array. Using this method requires proper SAN configuration and balancing of LUNs between
hosts/host groups.
Figure Dual-Port HBA Configuration (Fibre Channel) shows a completely configured two-HBA ESX/ESXi
host Fibre Channel SAN configuration utilizing two fabric switches and a dual-controller storage array.
While this image shows a Fibre Channel configuration, the basic principles apply to all platforms. For
iSCSI-specific configuration details, see the topic Configuring iSCSI.
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