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Setting up a Fiber Optic Disk Array

Optical network knowledge brief Published 13 Aug 2024

Prepared for preliminary research by the COETZER OPTICAL knowledge desk. Confirm compatibility, loss budgets and installation requirements against current standards and product documentation.

Setting up a fiber optic disk array involves installing the array, connecting it to host servers via Fibre Channel, configuring host adapters, and provisioning storage volumes.1. Prepare the Hardware
  • Rack and power the array according to the manufacturer's guidelines, ensuring proper ventilation and handling procedures (Dell PowerVault MD series or Sun StorEdge JBOD arrays) .
  • Install host bus adapters (HBAs) in each server that will access the array. Place each HBA on separate I/O boards if possible to maximize redundancy .
  • Update firmware on both the storage array controllers and HBAs to the latest supported versions .
2. Connect the Array
  • Cable the array to the host servers using fiber optic cables. Follow the recommended topology (direct-attached or SAN fabric) and ensure proper zoning if using a SAN switch .
  • Verify connectivity by checking that the host detects the HBA and that the ports are online, showing the World Wide Names (WWNs) .
3. Configure the Host
  • Install HBA drivers and any required host software (e.g., MD Storage Manager for Dell arrays) .
  • Set up multipathing to ensure redundancy and load balancing. Configure multipath settings such as user_friendly_names yes and find_multipaths yes on Linux systems .
  • Map LUNs from the storage array to the host. Use Raw Device Mapping (RDM) or create virtual disks as needed for your environment .
4. Provision Storage
  • Create storage volumes on the array using the management software. Assign LUNs to the appropriate hosts .
  • Format volumes with the desired file system or VMFS if using VMware ESXi .
  • Verify access by checking that the host can read/write to the new volumes and that multipathing is functioning correctly .
5. Optional: Virtualization Integration
  • For VMware ESXi, ensure only one VMFS volume per LUN and configure queue depth for the HBA to handle delayed I/O .
  • For Linux-based systems like Proxmox VE, use LVM, LVM-Thin, or ZFS on the FC-attached LUNs as local or shared storage pools .
6. Testing and Maintenance
  • Test failover by disconnecting one path and verifying that I/O continues through alternate paths.
  • Monitor firmware updates and periodically check the health of the array and HBAs.
  • Document configuration including WWNs, LUN IDs, and multipath settings for future troubleshooting. By following these steps, you can successfully set up a fiber optic disk array with proper connectivity, redundancy, and storage provisioning for both physical and virtualized environments .

Setting up a Fiber Optic Disk Array - COETZER OPTICAL SYSTEMS (Pty) Ltd [PDF]

Setting up a Fiber Optic Disk Array

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary optical-network research. Compatibility, link budgets, installation methods, test limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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