Dell PowerStore 5200T EMC PowerStore Host Configuration Guide - Page 15

Additional Considerations, NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP) SAN Guidelines

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○ The PowerStore cluster can be shipped with various extension modules. If your PowerStore cluster contains more than one extension I/O module per node, distribute the connections among all I/O modules for maximum availability and performance. ● Ethernet switch recommendations: ○ Use nonblocking switches. ○ Use enterprise grade switch. ○ Utilize at minimum 10 GbE interfaces. ● It is recommended to use dedicated NICs or iSCSI HBAs for PowerStore cluster iSCSI and not to partition the interface (that is, disable NIC Partitioning - NPAR). ● Enable the TCP Offloading Engine (TOE) on the host interfaces to offload the TCP packet encapsulation from the CPU of the host to the NIC or iSCSI HBA, and free up CPU cycles. ● It is recommended to use interfaces individually rather than using NIC Teaming (Link Aggregation), to combine multiple interfaces into a single virtual interface. ● If Jumbo Frames are required, ensure that all ports (servers, switches, and system) are configured with the same MTU value. NOTE: Failure to configure consistent MTU end to end may result with PowerStore node failures. For details, see Dell EMC Knowledge Article 000196316 (PowerStore: After increasing the MTU...). NOTE: VMware requires setting Jumbo Frames at the virtual switch (vSS or vDS) and VMKERNEL level. ● See your Ethernet switch user manual for instructions on the implementations. ● For detailed information about connecting the PowerStore appliance to the ToR switch, see the PowerStore Network Planning Guide and the Network Configuration Guide for Dell PowerSwitch Series. Additional Considerations Review the following considerations when configuring hosts with PowerStore storage using iSCSI: ● Maximum number of network subnets supported with PowerStore over iSCSI SAN: ○ With PowerStore operating system 2.0 (or later), up to 32 subnets are supported, but only up to eight subnets are supported per physical port. ○ With PowerStore operating system 1.x, only a single subnet is supported. ● See the E-Lab Interoperability Navigator (https://elabnavigator.dell.com) for iSCSI SAN support limitations regarding HBAs, operating systems, and Direct-Attach. NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP) SAN Guidelines This section details the best practices for attaching hosts to a PowerStore cluster in a highly-available, resilient and optimal NVMe/TCP SAN. Recommended Configuration Values Summary The following table summarizes the recommended variables related to NVMe/TCP SAN: Validation Use two separate fabrics. Each host should be connected to both nodes of each appliance. Configure two PowerStore storage networks on two separate VLANs. If Jumbo Frames are required, make sure that all ports (servers, switches and system) are configured with the same MTU value. Impact Redundancy Redundancy Redundancy Redundancy Severity Mandatory Mandatory Recommended Mandatory Refer to Section Recommended Configuration SAN Connectivity Best Practices Recommended Configuration Recommended Configuration Best Practices for Storage Connectivity 15

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○
The PowerStore cluster can be shipped with various extension modules. If your PowerStore cluster contains more than
one extension I/O module per node, distribute the connections among all I/O modules for maximum availability and
performance.
●
Ethernet switch recommendations:
○
Use nonblocking switches.
○
Use enterprise grade switch.
○
Utilize at minimum 10 GbE interfaces.
●
It is recommended to use dedicated NICs or iSCSI HBAs for PowerStore cluster iSCSI and not to partition the interface (that
is, disable NIC Partitioning - NPAR).
●
Enable the TCP Offloading Engine (TOE) on the host interfaces to offload the TCP packet encapsulation from the CPU of
the host to the NIC or iSCSI HBA, and free up CPU cycles.
●
It is recommended to use interfaces individually rather than using NIC Teaming (Link Aggregation), to combine multiple
interfaces into a single virtual interface.
●
If Jumbo Frames are required, ensure that all ports (servers, switches, and system) are configured with the same MTU
value.
NOTE:
Failure to configure consistent MTU end to end may result with PowerStore node failures. For details, see
Dell
EMC Knowledge Article 000196316 (PowerStore: After increasing the MTU...)
.
NOTE:
VMware requires setting Jumbo Frames at the virtual switch (vSS or vDS) and VMKERNEL level.
●
See your Ethernet switch user manual for instructions on the implementations.
●
For detailed information about connecting the PowerStore appliance to the ToR switch, see the
PowerStore Network
Planning Guide
and the
Network Configuration Guide for Dell PowerSwitch Series
.
Additional Considerations
Review the following considerations when configuring hosts with PowerStore storage using iSCSI:
●
Maximum number of network subnets supported with PowerStore over iSCSI SAN:
○
With PowerStore operating system 2.0 (or later), up to 32 subnets are supported, but only up to eight subnets are
supported per physical port.
○
With PowerStore operating system 1.x, only a single subnet is supported.
●
See the E-Lab Interoperability Navigator (
) for iSCSI SAN support limitations regarding HBAs,
operating systems, and Direct-Attach.
NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP) SAN Guidelines
This section details the best practices for attaching hosts to a PowerStore cluster in a highly-available, resilient and optimal
NVMe/TCP SAN.
Recommended Configuration Values Summary
The following table summarizes the recommended variables related to NVMe/TCP SAN:
Validation
Impact
Severity
Refer to Section
Use two separate fabrics.
Redundancy
Mandatory
Recommended Configuration
Each host should be connected to both
nodes of each appliance.
Redundancy
Mandatory
SAN Connectivity Best Practices
Configure two PowerStore storage
networks on two separate VLANs.
Redundancy
Recommended
Recommended Configuration
If Jumbo Frames are required, make sure
that all ports (servers, switches and
system) are configured with the same
MTU value.
Redundancy
Mandatory
Recommended Configuration
Best Practices for Storage Connectivity
15