Dell PowerVault TL2000 Manuel utilisateur

Direct Attach a Dell

PowerVault TL2000 /

TL4000 to an iSCSI SAN

By Michael Linane, Jo Ann Varble, Neil Ozarkar , Curt

Krempin and Charles Butler

Dell │Storage Product Group

www.dell.com/TLseries

November 2008

iSCSI for

TL-Series

Tape Libraries

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

INTRODUCTION 3

iSCSI SAN SOLUTIONS 4

STEP-BY-STEP 4

NETWORK SETTINGS 6

STORAGE TARGETS : TL2000 / TL4000 9

CONFIGURING AN MD3000i 9

BACKUP EXEC 12 FOR WINDOWS SERVER INSTALLATION 10

SUMMARY 10

FIGURES

FIGURE 1 : Microsoft’s iSCSI Initiator 5

FIGURE 2 : IP Address 6

FIGURE 3 : iSCSI Targets 6

FIGURE 4 : Target Log On 6

FIGURE 5 : Network Connections 7

FIGURE 6 : Local Area Connection Properties 7

FIGURE 7 : IP Properties 7

FIGURE 8 : Select Network Adapter 8

FIGURE 9 : Jumbo Frames Settings 8

FIGURE 10 : PowerConnect 9

FIGURE 11 : General Settings 9

FIGURE 12 : Copy Files 9

FIGURE 13 : TL2000 / TL4000 1Gb iSCSI to SAS Bridge 10

FIGURE 14 : Set IP Address and Frame Size 10

FIGURE 15 : Configure iSCSI Settings 11

FIGURE 16 : Configure Host Ports 11

FIGURE 17 : Environment Check Screen 12

FIGURE 18 : Licensing Screen 13

CONTENTS

FIGURE 19 : Options and Agents Screen 13

FIGURE 20 : Backup Job Selections Screen 15

FIGURE 21 : Device and Media Screen 15

FIGURE 22 : Backup Jobs General Settings Screen 16

FIGURE 23 : Backup Jobs Schedule Screen 16

FIGURE 24 : Job Monitor Screen 17

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION

PowerSolutions :

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

To supplement the growth in iSCSI SANs, Dell has introduced an iSCSI-to-SAS bridge card

for the TL-series of tape libraries (Dell PowerVault TL2000 & TL4000). This offering allows a

customer to directly attach a tape backup target to their iSCSI 1Gb Ethernet SAN with little to

no degradation in transfer speed, 90 MB/s in most cases. The following white paper explores

the setup, configuration and considerations associated with implementing this solution.

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

This white paper assumes a typical SMB environment with 5-10 Windows servers as an exam-

ple of how to implement an iSCSI tape backup solution. The example SMB network incorpo-

rates an iSCSI 1GbE SAN containing disk (primary/secondary storage) and tape (backup &

archive) elements. The intent is to provide insight into the purchase decisions and setup con-

siderations regarding the ISVs, server initiators, networks and storage target. Please note,

there are many different variations – this is just one of them. The primary focus will center

around the set up and configuration of an iSCSI network and perform back-ups to it.

In our example network, at least one server will need to be attached to the backup elements.

Depending on your backup window constraints and availability of existing servers during that

time, one of those might even be used. In general, the smaller the backup window, the greater

the number of servers that are required to be connected to the backup elements. In the exam-

ple here, the assumption is there are no backup window constraints (can backup overnight)

and there is one server available (and necessary) to be connected to the disk and tape device.

Now that the example network topology has been defined, let’s explore the benefits of an

iSCSI SAN as compared to alternatives.

Why might you choose iSCSI?

Cost – iSCSI networks typically cost less to acquire and maintain than the equivalent Fibre

Channel version

Ease of Installation – iSCSI networks only require the same basic networking skills used in

maintaining a standard IP network (cf., Fibre Channel)

Scalability – One of the advantages over direct attach is the ability for ready expansion as

business needs grow.

SECTION 2

SEPTEMBER 2008

iSCSI SAN

LAN

Back-up Server

Server Server Server Server

TL2000/TL4000

with

TL24iSCSIxSAS

MD3000i

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

iSCSI SAN SOLUTIONS

To complement the Dell PowerVault MD3000i and Dell EqualLogic & EMC line of iSCSI inter-

face disk storage systems, Dell has introduced an iSCSI-to-SAS Bridge Card for the Dell

PowerVault TL2000 & TL4000 tape libraries. This card, when inserted into a TL-Series tape

library, acts as an iSCSI target and provides SAS connectivity for LTO4, LTO4HH and

LTO3HH tape drives.

Best Practices: Oversubscription of the network switches can lead to many of the

“performance” concerns often voiced about iSCSI networks. Using a dedicated, switched 1GbE

switch such as the Dell PowerConnect 62XX or 54XX for iSCSI traffic is recommended. Should

this prove unfeasible, deploying a PowerConnect 54XX iSCSI-optimized switch for combined

traffic is recommended. It will detect iSCSI traffic and raise its Level of Service – in essence,

providing more bandwidth to the iSCSI traffic.

Best Practices: In most applications, exposing an iSCSI SAN to the internet can result in a

security vulnerability and should be avoided if possible. While iSCSI does have some security

features integrated into its specification (e.g., CHAP), it is typically a user-selectable feature

and is not as robust as some other systems. Additionally, unless IPsec is implemented and

enabled, data in-flight is transmitted “in the clear.” Use of private, dedicated networks is

strongly encouraged.

SECTION 3

STEP-BY-STEP SETUP

Servers connected to the iSCSI SAN will require an iSCSI initiator. Since most servers are

Windows-based, Microsoft’s iSCSI Initiator is a cost effective solution, available as a free

download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=12cb3c1a-15d6-4585-

b385-befd1319f825&DisplayLang=en. Once installed, the set-up and use is straight-forward.

Figure 1 : Microsoft’s iSCSI Initiator

The important consideration on this screen is the use of CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authen-

tication Protocol). This is the main security apparatus in iSCSI. If your iSCSI SAN is visible to

the external internet, it is highly recommended to enable this feature. Even with the availability

of CHAP, it is still recommended to keep the iSCSI SAN private and not visible to the outside

world.

SECTION 4

SEPTEMBER 2008

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

On the Discovery tab, the IP address of the iSCSI target needs to be entered.

Figure 2 : IP Address

On the Targets tab, the available iSCSI targets are displayed and available for log-on.

Figure 3 : iSCSI Targets

Figure 4 : Target Log On

SEPTEMBER 2008

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

A dedicated NIC port and static addresses is highly recommended. Configuration is outlined

below:

Figure 5 : Network

Connections

Figure 6 : Local Area

Connection Properties

Figure 7 : IP Properties

SEPTEMBER 2008

One drawback to Microsoft’s iSCSI Initiator is that it does use the server cycles to create the

iSCSI packets. This, in combination with other processor-intensive operations (like back-up

jobs), can reduce the performance and throughput of the server and associated back-up jobs.

Alternatives would include the use of a HW iSCSI HBA or other off-load engine. This would

remove the SCSI-to-iSCSI conversion workload from the server’s microprocessor and likely

result in overall improved performance.

NETWORK SETTINGS

SECTION 5

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

Use of Jumbo Frames – Although somewhat controversial, in a clean network, jumbo frames

can significantly improve the performance of back-up jobs. However, if the network is subject

to dropping packets (e.g., high traffic), the performance could degrade due to resending the

larger packets. The network outlined in this article would benefit from using jumbo frames and

they are enabled as seen below:

In Windows 2003 Storage Server:

1. Open Computer Manager

2. Open Device Manager

3. Open Network Adapter

4. Select Adapter running the iSCSI Initiator (such as Microsoft iSCSI Initiator)

Figure 8 : Select Network Adapter

5. Right click and open Properties

6. Open Advanced

7. Select Jumbo Frames and 9014 bytes or larger.

Figure 9 : Jumbo Frames Settings

SEPTEMBER 2008

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

For Jumbo frames to function properly, the entire path between the back-up server to the stor-

age target needs to enable jumbo frames. Assuming a PowerConnect 5448 switch, this is done

as follows:

Figure 10 :

PowerConnect

5448

Select Advanced Settings and then General Settings.

Figure 11 :

General

Settings

The settings will then need to be saved to the Start-up Configuration and the switch rebooted.

Expand the System tree on the left pane, select Files, then Copy Files.

Figure 12 :

Copy Files

SEPTEMBER 2008

iSCSI for TL-Series Tape Libraries

Set-up of the TL2000/TL4000 with iSCS-to-SAS bridge card follows the same process:

Figure 13 : TL2000 / TL4000 1Gb iSCSI to SAS Bridge

Select Connections and set the IP address and frame size for the port(s).

Figure 14 : Set IP Address and Frame Size

SEPTEMBER 2008

STORAGE TARGETS : TL2000 / TL4000

SECTION 5

Assuming a Dell PowerVault MD3000i, an iSCS disk array, is connect to the example network,

the initial configuration would require physically installing & powering on the unit and then in-

stalling and running Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM) on the host computer. After in-

stallation of MDSM has been completed on the host computer, the disk array must be discov-

ered by the host. The default management IP addresses for the MD3000i are

192.168.128.101 for Controller 0 and 192.168.128.101 for Controller 1. After these addresses

are used to establish connectivity to the unit, the remaining steps include setting up disk

groups, creating virtual disks, and assigning LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) to the virtual disks.

More information on this can be found in the documentation for the MD3000i on

www.support.dell.com. To configure the iSCSI settings, go to the iSCSI tab in MDSM (Figure

15). To configure the host ports, select “Configure iSCSI Host Ports” (Figure 16). There are 2

Host Ports on each controller, and they are, by default, assigned IP addresses

192.168.130.101-102 and 192.168.131.101-102. The Advanced button will enable the user to

change settings for VLAN support, Ethernet priority, TCP listening port, and Ethernet Jumbo

frames. Enable Jumbo Frames and select 9000 for the Bytes/frame size.

CONFIGURING AN MD3000i

SECTION 6

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