Storage systems
and SAN solutions

Pair ProLiant compute with an MSA 2060 SFF FC array across two independent SN3600B fabrics. The storage path runs at 16Gb FC, even though the switch platform supports 32Gb FC.

• Qualify the complete ProLiant/HBA/OS/MSA combination and switch Fabric OS release. Matching link speeds alone do not establish support.
• Install MSA-qualified 16Gb optics on the array and switch-qualified optics on the SN3600B. A 32Gb switch does not make the MSA target a 32Gb device.
• Keep fabrics A and B isolated. Use supported initiator/target zoning, LUN masking and host multipathing. Do not connect them with an Ethernet-style peer link.
• Two HBA ports provide path diversity, but one dual-port adapter remains a shared failure point. Use separately qualified adapters when adapter-level redundancy is required.

Connection example · confirm compatibility before ordering

Connect two SR665 hosts to a DE6000H 2U24 array through separate DB620S fabrics. This proposed two-host layout uses the 32Gb FC component families found in Lenovo deployments; it is not a reproduction of a benchmark configuration.

• The documented SR665/DE6000H/DB620S benchmark used four hosts and a 4U60 array. This smaller 2U24 two-fabric design needs its own interoperability and sizing review.
• Confirm array HICs, SAN OS, Lenovo-supported HBA firmware, OS and multipath settings. DE-series SAS expansion ports do not attach to an FC switch.
• Keep fabrics A and B isolated. Use supported initiator/target zoning, LUN masking and host multipathing. Do not connect them with an Ethernet-style peer link.
• Two HBA ports provide path diversity, but one dual-port adapter remains a shared failure point. Use separately qualified adapters when adapter-level redundancy is required.

Connection example · confirm compatibility before ordering

Plan PRIMERGY application hosts around a dual-controller ETERNUS DX200 S5 and two Brocade G620 switches. Keep business Ethernet separate from the 32Gb FC storage paths.

• Choose the DX200 S5 dual-controller 32Gb FC configuration, qualified Fujitsu channel adapters and approved drives. This is a SAN block-storage example.
• The switch family is documented with the array; that does not certify this complete RX2530 M7/OS/HBA combination. Review its host connection guide and multipath software before deployment.
• Keep fabrics A and B isolated. Use supported initiator/target zoning, LUN masking and host multipathing. Do not connect them with an Ethernet-style peer link.
• Two HBA ports provide path diversity, but one dual-port adapter remains a shared failure point. Use separately qualified adapters when adapter-level redundancy is required.

Connection example · confirm compatibility before ordering

Use the AFF A250 FC interface option for shared LUNs over two MDS fabrics. The 25GbE NFS example uses a different host connection; changing a protocol label alone does not convert the hardware.

• Check the specific HBA, switch software, ONTAP release, optics and host OS together; this proposed combination is not presented as a FlexPod certified design.
• Use supported zoning, igroups, LUN mapping and ALUA multipathing. NVMe/FC is a separate host/protocol qualification from the FCP example shown.
• Keep fabrics A and B isolated. Use supported initiator/target zoning, LUN masking and host multipathing. Do not connect them with an Ethernet-style peer link.
• Two HBA ports provide path diversity, but one dual-port adapter remains a shared failure point. Use separately qualified adapters when adapter-level redundancy is required.

Connection example · confirm compatibility before ordering

Connect PowerEdge hosts to a dual-controller ME5024 through two candidate MDS 9148T fabrics. Select the 32Gb FC controller configuration; the iSCSI model uses Ethernet hardware instead.

• MDS 9148T is a candidate switch requiring end-to-end review, not a blanket Dell-certified bundle. Confirm support terms, switch software, HBA, driver and array firmware.
• ME5 lists Emulex LPe35002 and QLogic QLE2772 among its FC HBA options. Array-side listing alone does not establish PowerEdge R750/OS support.
• Keep fabrics A and B isolated. Use supported initiator/target zoning, LUN masking and host multipathing. Do not connect them with an Ethernet-style peer link.
• Two HBA ports provide path diversity, but one dual-port adapter remains a shared failure point. Use separately qualified adapters when adapter-level redundancy is required.

Connection example · confirm compatibility before ordering

Two compute hosts share an all-flash storage system through two Ethernet switches. Follow the path from a virtual machine to its datastore.

• Published software baseline: vSphere 8.0, ONTAP 9.12.1P2, NX-OS 10.2(4) and CIMC 4.2(3d). Review supported releases for a new installation.
• Match the VIC, optics or DACs, VLANs and MTU end to end. Link speed is not an application throughput guarantee.
• This view illustrates redundant host data paths; it is not a port-by-port commissioning drawing.

Published FlexPod Express configuration · 2023 baseline

Connect application hosts to a dual-controller PowerVault array through separate iSCSI networks. Keep the controller variant, NICs and switch settings together in one deployment review.

• Specify dual 25GbE iSCSI controllers, qualified NICs, optics or DACs, drives and support when requesting this ME5024 configuration.
• Dell does not maintain an ME5 Ethernet-switch compatibility list. S5248F-ON is a candidate requiring review, not a blanket certified bundle.
• Use separate iSCSI subnets and supported MPIO settings. Confirm flow control, switch buffers and host/array MTU before testing path failure.

Star Networking connection example · ME5 deployment guidance

A separate backup network connects supported server workloads to a Synology repository. Add an off-site copy to protect against a site-wide incident.

• This is a proposed connection example, not a jointly certified hardware bundle. Confirm NIC, operating system and backup-package support.
• One switch and one NAS uplink remain single points of failure. An off-site copy is a recovery layer, not automatic network failover.
• Size retention, change rate and restore time before selecting drive capacity. Test restoration rather than relying only on successful backup jobs.

Star Networking connection example · component-based design

Use the DX200 S5 10GbE iSCSI host-interface configuration with separate storage subnets. Two candidate Dell S5248F-ON Ethernet switches carry 10GbE links to qualified PRIMERGY NICs and both controllers.

• This is a proposed 10GbE iSCSI design; verify the ETERNUS channel adapters, both switch endpoints and the exact server/OS/NIC combination.
• Keep iSCSI subnets distinct and use supported multipathing. Do not configure FC zoning or connect FC optics to Ethernet ports.
• The array offers 1/10GbE iSCSI options; this example specifically uses 10GbE optical connections. Validate reach, connector and module support end to end.

Connection example · check NIC, transceiver, firmware and OS compatibility