Dell POWERVAULT MD3620I - Manual (Page 19)

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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.
Figure 8. Dual-Port HBA Configuration (Fibre Channel)
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