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After you rack the system, a single PowerStore model appliance requires simple network cabling to the physical Ethernet and management switches. Complete the cabling, and apply the proper switch configuration to support management and data traffic from the appliance. Finally, connect the power cables and power on the appliance. After the PowerStore system is online, launch the Initial Configuration Wizard and configure the system.
The Initial Configuration Wizard is an HTML5-based configuration wizard that is hosted on the appliance. The Initial Configuration Wizard gathers all necessary information about networking and infrastructure services. The appliance automatically applies this configuration and brings PowerStore into a configured, operational state.
For details about configuring a multi-appliance PowerStore cluster, adding a PowerStore model appliance to an existing cluster, or removing an appliance, see the document PowerStore: Clustering and High Availability on the Dell Technologies PowerStore Info Hub.
For details about PowerStore deployment and configuration in general, see the PowerStore: Quick Start Guide on Dell.com/powerstoredocs. This document contains an overview of PowerStore deployment and directs readers to all necessary documentation and resources for a successful installation.
PowerStore model appliances require two physical Ethernet switches with Layer 2 connectivity and at least one management switch. The Ethernet switches ensure high availability for iSCSI, NAS, replication, external storage import, data migration, and intra-cluster traffic. Properly configuring and cabling to the physical Ethernet switches ensures that all capabilities of PowerStore are ready for use when the Initial Configuration is complete.
To ensure that the Ethernet switches can provide high availability to PowerStore, configure them with one of the following Layer 2 interconnect options:
The following table lists the minimum cabling requirements.
PowerStore connection | Switch connection |
Node A port 0 of 4-port card embedded module | Physical Ethernet switch 1 |
Node A port 1 of 4-port card embedded module | Physical Ethernet switch 2 |
Node B port 0 of 4-port card embedded module | Physical Ethernet switch 2 |
Node B port 1 of 4-port card embedded module | Physical Ethernet switch 1 |
Node A 1 GbE management port | Management switch |
Node B 1 GbE management port | Management switch |
Starting with PowerStoreOS 2.0, single-appliance PowerStore systems can complete initial configuration with only the management switch connection. This requirement simplifies PowerStore installation and reduces dependencies for the initial configuration. Systems that use file, iSCSI, or external storage import do not need to be properly configured and cabled to the physical Ethernet switches until after initial configuration. The following table lists the minimum cabling requirements for systems that fit these criteria.
PowerStore connection | Switch connection |
Node A 1 GbE management port | Management switch |
Node B 1 GbE management port | Management switch |
Figure 35 outlines the minimum cabling that is required for PowerStore appliances. Systems running PowerStoreOS 2.0 only require cabling to the management switch to complete the initial configuration of a single-appliance cluster.
This cabling configuration ensures high availability and optimal traffic shaping for the PowerStore model appliance. For more details about configuring the necessary switches, see the document Networking Guide for Initial Deployment on Dell.com/powerstoredocs.
PowerStore model appliances contain a system bond by default on the first two ports of the embedded module 4-port card, as shown in Figure 36. PowerStore 500 model appliances that are ordered without a 4-port card do not contain a system bond. This bond provides high availability and potentially increased throughput for iSCSI, file, replication, external storage import, data migration, and intra-cluster traffic. If a link aggregation is not created across the two physical Ethernet switches for this bond, the bond automatically enters an active/passive state. One of the two ports is active for all traffic across the system bond. The passive port remains on standby if the active port experiences a network failure. This configuration is fully supported and delivers high availability during a network issue. If link aggregation is created across the two physical Ethernet switches for this bond, the bond automatically enters an active/active state. This configuration delivers high availability and increased throughput since both physical ports are active.
After you cable the PowerStore system and configure the appropriate network settings, perform discovery and initial configuration for PowerStore.
Two discovery options are available:
After the PowerStore system is discovered, step through the HTML5-based Initial Configuration Wizard to complete the configuration.
The preferred method for configuration is to physically connect a workstation to the service port on node B of the PowerStore appliance. A static IP of 128.221.1.249 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is set on the workstation. You can log in to PowerStore and begin the Initial Configuration Wizard by directing a browser to 128.221.1.251. PowerStore systems running on versions before PowerStoreOS 3.0 require a connection to the node A service port and directing the browser to 128.221.1.250.
Another discovery method available with the PowerStoreOS 1.0.3 release is to use a static IP address. You can access a range of IP addresses to discover the PowerStore and go through the initial configuration.
Perform the following steps:
For more information about the static IP address discovery, see the document Networking Guide for Initial Deployment on Dell.com/powerstoredocs.
PowerStore model appliances use two distinct external networks. However, only the management network is required to configure a PowerStore appliance. Optionally, you can configure the storage network, which allows support for iSCSI, data import, and replication traffic, when the system is configured. To configure the storage network, a minimum of two IPs are required. If you skip the storage network configuration during the Initial Configuration Wizard, you can configure it at any point through PowerStore Manager. Starting with PowerStoreOS 2.0, the storage network has been removed entirely from the Initial Configuration Wizard to streamline installation. You can configure the storage network in PowerStore Manager after you complete the configuration.
Each network requires several IP addresses, along with gateway, netmask, and VLAN information. By default, PowerStore uses the access or native VLAN on the switch for network connectivity. If the switch is configured for a specific VLAN, a check box is available to modify the VLAN number during the Initial Configuration Wizard. While networks can share the same VLAN, the management and storage network must be on different subnets. The following table details the specific IP requirements for each network.
Network | Number of IP addresses | Purpose |
Management | 4 |
|
Besides the networking information, the details for DNS servers and NTP servers are required to complete the Initial Configuration Wizard.
For more information about the Initial Configuration Wizard, see the document Dell PowerStore T and Q Models - Networking Guide for Initial Deployment on Dell.com/powerstoredocs or PowerStore Manager Overview on the Dell Technologies PowerStore Info Hub.