beautypg.com

Storage partitioning – Dell PowerVault MD3200i User Manual

Page 140

background image

140

Configuration: Disk Groups and Virtual Disks

Storage Partitioning

A storage partition is a logical entity consisting of one or more virtual disks

that can be accessed by a single host or shared among hosts that are part of a

host group. The first time you map a virtual disk to a specific host or host

group, a storage partition is created. Subsequent virtual disk mappings to that

host or host group do not create another storage partition.
One storage partition is sufficient if:

• Only one attached host accesses all of the virtual disks in the storage array.
• All attached hosts share access to all of the virtual disks in the storage array.

When you choose this type of configuration, all of the hosts must have the

same operating system and special software (such as clustering software) to

manage virtual disk sharing and accessibility.
More than one storage partition is required if:

• Specific hosts must access specific virtual disks in the storage array.
• Hosts with different operating systems are attached to the same storage

array. In this case, a storage partition is created for each host type.

You can use the Storage Partitioning Wizard to define a single storage

partition. The Storage Partitioning wizard guides you through the major steps

required to specify which host groups, hosts, virtual disks, and associated

logical unit numbers (LUNs) are to be included in the storage partition.
Storage partitioning fails when:

• All mappings are defined.
• You create a mapping for a host group that conflicts with an established

mapping for a host in the host group.

• You create a mapping for a host in a host group that conflicts with an

established mapping for the host group.

Storage partitioning is unavailable when:

• No valid host groups or hosts exist in the Topology pane on the Mappings

tab.

• No host ports are defined for the host being included in the storage

partition.

• All mappings are defined.

book.book Page 140 Tuesday, June 18, 2013 3:15 PM

This manual is related to the following products: