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03-25-2008 Chat Log
| DELL-ScottH | Welcome everyone to this weeks chat. Thanks for joining, we have Victor Teeter from Openmanage Network Manager, Engineering Lead, and Bruce Holmes from Powerconnect Engineering. James Meeker should be joining in a few, Product Manager for Powerconnect ..... |
| DELL-ScottH | This topic was suggested by Geoff (gsherman) .. so Geoff do you have items you'd like to bring up for discussion ? ... and anyone else is welcome to chime in as well |
| gsherman | Yeah I have a few just to give some background on what products we use |
| gsherman | 6248, 3548, 2724, etc |
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| DELL-ScottH | welcome jack ! |
| gsherman | We are wondering if there is a better way to configure a redundant topology to allow for our Nas to interact with 2 seperate stacks of 6248 Switches currently we have one stack of 2 however in a master failure scenario the stack is forced to reboot |
| DELL-ScottH | use "action" -- "recent room history" to catch up |
| gsherman | This causes Iscsi devices to become disconnected |
| DELL-ScottH | bruce, any best practices, papers, articles, on this scenario ? |
| gsherman | Fyi the Nas unit requires an Lacp Lag to be established via 2 10gbps Fiber links |
| gsherman | How would Dell setup a storage unit to connect to Powerconnect Switches say consider an Iscsi San |
| DELL-BruceH | I would suggest standard practices. The Nas probably has redundant controllers. So run one to each stack. Am I missing something? |
| james_h_meeker joined. | |
| gsherman | Yeah in order to failover in the event of a stack failure it will need a Lag setup between its 2 interfaces |
| DELL-ScottH | welcome James ! |
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| DELL-BruceH | A lag setup between what 2 interfaces? the switch? the nas? |
| gsherman | Sorry Nas has 2 interfaces Ag1 and Ag2 for arguments sake |
| gsherman | Each of the 2 6248 Switches has an Xfp bay and 10G module |
| gsherman | Nas requires these 2 ports to be configured to a Lag via Lacp |
| gsherman | if the stack reboots due to master failure the slave switch reloads the config file and drop all connections until it boots back up |
| gsherman | this is by design so what we would need is 2 seperate stacks but is there a better way |
| DELL-BruceH | got it. If the nas requires an lacp lag, and does not have another set of redundant interfaces, then you are lagging it to a single logical switch (the stack). the stack is a single point of failure even if you are going to different switches in the stack. The single lag from the nas is also a single point of failure. To get redundancy, you need another interface from the nas to another switch (or stack). |
| gsherman | understood, how will Ip Addressing Match up to this unit basically provide a different Ip for each interface I suppose |
| DELL-BruceH | you would have to see what the nas requires for redundant interfaces. There would not be any switch requirement. |
| gsherman | got it |
| gsherman | I will look further into the Nas, if you have a sample of this setup I wouldn’t mind seeing it |
| james_h_meeker | You could also get a pipe between two L3 switches to create redundant fabric |
| DELL-BruceH | Is it an equal logic or Dell nas? |
| gsherman | No not in this case Blue Arc |
| DELL-BruceH | If not, I am sure the nas vendor has example configurations. |
| gsherman | Would there be convergence time in the redundant fabric |
| gsherman | while an example with Md3000i or Equallogic would be fine |
| DELL-BruceH | yes. but it would not be dependent on the switch. it would be dependent on the nas. |
| gsherman | the convergence time? Vrrp? |
| DELL-BruceH | can someone from Dell track down an Eql or Dell redundant nas config paper? |
| DELL-BruceH | Vrrp convergence time would be on the order of seconds. It would depend on how you configured it. |
| DELL-BruceH | I need to go to another meeting. I will try to stay on. |
| DELL-ScottH | ok, thanks bruce |
| gsherman | Thanks Bruce any thoughts on the priority of the 18lag limit per stack |
| DELL-ScottH | Victor, on the Omnm front, can you explain some of the features it provides over using simple web based interface ? |
| gsherman | We are really just using standard open manage |
| gsherman | we can pull the switches in this way |
| DELL-BruceH | lag limit is going to 24 in 2.1 firmware |
| gsherman | network manager is for larger installs no? |
| james_h_meeker | We have a number of white papers posted on the Eq site regarding disaster recover, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity located at the following link: http://www.equallogic.com/resources/whitepapersview.aspx?id=550 |
| gsherman | any other killer features on the roadmap |
| gsherman | james good link thanks i will sign up |
| james_h_meeker | Omnm does require a dedicated system to install it on. |
| DELL-ScottH | Fyi, here's a starting point for info on Omnm --> http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/sitelets/solutions/management/network_overview |
| gsherman | Powerconnect 5448 vs 6248 in regards to Iscsi is there anything of interest to point out |
| DELL-ScottH | anybody have questions ? .. feel free to jump in, or lurk, either way is fine. |
| gsherman | sorry for hogging |
| james_h_meeker | Yes, the 5000 series has been optimizes for iscsi |
| james_h_meeker | it will auto detect a iscsi traffic and set the queue to prioritize the traffic |
| DELL-ScottH | You're not hogging, just letting others know we can handle multiple conversations |
| dpetrovski | Does Dell open Manage supports Snmp Mibs? |
| gsherman | interesting without having a sperate Iscsi Vlan |
| james_h_meeker | You can also monitor your targets from the Web Gui in the switch, this is unique with Dell's Powerconnect switches |
| DELL-ScottH | @dpetrovski, yes, you can import Mibs into Openmanage Ita |
| gsherman | just the 5000 Series or will these optimizations apply to the 6248? |
| james_h_meeker | Separate Vlans can be created, but not auto-created. That's driven by your application needs. |
| DELL-ScottH | @dpet, are you thinking about management of other vendors switches ? |
| DELL-Victor | Yes, Mibs are supported fully in Omnm (network Manager) , but less so in Ita |
| james_h_meeker | Today it's the current 5K Series only that has the auto iscsi optimization |
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| SteveAudette | However, it should be pointed out that you can configure the 62xx series for iscsi optimization-it's just not as easy. |
| gsherman | Interesting any documents on this would be great if its out there |
| dpetrovski | Is it possible to gather individual interface statistics with Dell open manage for ex. I would like to know how much traffic going over link and have a history. |
| SteveAudette | (I'm from Dell's Powerconnect support. Been distracted by other things to jump in earlier!) |
| gsherman | Thanks Steve |
| gsherman | So we are in the Md3000/1000 vs Md3000i/equallogic debacle |
| gsherman | 3 Servers running Sql and Oracle fairly high I/o and latency is key as these are hosting platforms with subsecond responses desired |
| gsherman | hence the Iscsi questions just not sure I feel the speed is there |
| gsherman | scalability is superb |
| DELL-Victor | You can gather network stats in Omnm, much more than you can in Ita. Omnm allows you to capture and display (graphically) any counter in the Mib. |
| gsherman | Nas doesn’t allow various raid types hense why its a Nas vs a San we need to simulate some Raid 10 sets for Db Luns |
| DELL-ScottH | we have some Equallogic boxes on order, hopefully here soon, look for some things on the wiki to contribute to |
| gsherman | yeah seems like a killer product but in cost comparison to the Md series its a tough call |
| gsherman | for a small group of servers |
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| DELL-ScottH | Victor - what are the futures of Omnm, new versions in the works ? |
| gsherman | Steve any thoughts on the 3548 and when the external Pw supply is key. We are looking to power roughly 20-30 Ip Phones basic digital screens. Is it possible to track strain on the Pw supply from Poe |
| SteveAudette | Yes. From within the web interface and the Cli you can get a reading of how much power is being drawn. |
| DELL-Victor | 3.0.2 should be available in July timeframe and will provide full support for the 35xx and 54xx. This version is free for the first 10 switches, then licenses will be available for scaling. |
| gsherman | havent taken it out of the box yet |
| SteveAudette | (this would be on the 35xxp models) |
| DELL-Victor | Yes, 35xxp as well |
| gsherman | great |
| gsherman | anything we should know on configuring this switch for a Voip setup in concordance with our 6248? We are segregating the Voice Vlan |
| james_h_meeker | Ensure you have measured your power requirements for your Rps unit. |
| SteveAudette | Sorry folks. Gotta run to another meeting. If you have questions, you can feel free to write me at steven_audette@dell.com |
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| gsherman | Thanks Steven |
| gsherman | So another useful item would be some basic management and monitoring tutorials for the high end Powerconnect lineup |
| DELL-Victor | A quick overview, Omnm can discover, monitor, and manage all Powerconnect managed switches (6xxx, 5xxx, and 3xxx models). Monitoring, you can see a picture of the front of each switch chassis and lights that are on. Create a network topology map, captures traps and display them in event manager, create graphs based on data from changing Mib values the user selects. Managing, you can deploy firmware, backup and restore switches (one at a time or as a group). |
| gsherman | Victor that sounds pretty good can we use Omnm as is now for the 6248 free? |
| gsherman | where can we locate this |
| DELL-Victor | yes you can use it for all of your 62xx switches for free |
| james_h_meeker | We have a demo / tutorial available on-line: http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/solutions/training.swf |
| DELL-Victor | www.dell.com/networkmanager will allow you to download it free. |
| DELL-ScottH | We're coming up on the hour, thanks to everyone for joining, anything that didn't get addressed, please start a thread on the Dell Techcenter Community ... James, Victor, Bruce thanks for guest hosting .... Todd what is next weeks topic ? |
| DELL-ToddM | Next week we will be disucssing Running Sql Server 2005 on Vmware |
| james_h_meeker | Elvis & |
| james_h_meeker left. | |
| DELL-ToddM | Or more generally virtualizing Sql Server 2005 |
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| DELL-ToddM | I have a whitepaper in the works that should be out by this time next week that addresses the topic |
| gsherman | Anyone familiar with the Md3000? I did have one or two ??? |
| DELL-ScottH | and if you have any suggestions for future topics, please let us know |
| gsherman | Yeah I think it would be useful to get sneak peaks into what is coming |
| gsherman | tips and tricks from the support group |
| DELL-ToddM | What is your question about Md3000? |
| DELL-ToddM | We mostly have Md3000i in our lab..... |
| gsherman | sure so how can I determine if I am creating several virtual Luns how much space will be consumed |
| gsherman | I want to projects various size Luns of Various Raid Types and have them all run on the Md3000 with Md1000 addons |
| gsherman | is there a tool available to do this |
| gsherman | capacity planning etc |
| gsherman | can you expand a Lun once created |
| DELL-ScottH | so is this the question of Mb, Gb, and 1024 vs 1000 |
| gsherman | negative |
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| gsherman | If I have 45 146gb Drives |
| DELL-ToddM | Not sure if there is a tool specific to Md3000 |
| DELL-ToddM | Generally you can calculate useable storage based on Raid type that you select |
| gsherman | I create a Raid 10 Across 15 Drives another Raid 10 Across the Same physical drives how can I determine space available |
| DELL-ToddM | Raw / 2 |
| gsherman | Basically I need to Create 3 500gb Raid 10 Luns 5raid 1 Sets at 200gb each |
| DELL-ToddM | I don't remember if the Gui will tell you this during the creation or not |
| gsherman | Interesting it is possible to use the same physical disks on the Md3000 for multiple raid groups correct or am I misrepresenting |
| DELL-ToddM | There is a wizard to create the Raid 1/0 |
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| DELL-ToddM | Physical drive can only be in one Raid Group |
| DELL-ToddM | Multiple Virtual disks can be defined for single Raid Group - dividing up the available space among them |
| DELL-ScottH | so from your description, looks like you need 5TB of raw spindle space to get your 3x500 and 5x200 |
| DELL-ToddM | Have you seen the Disk Storage Manager tool for the Md3000 and Md3000i ? |
| gsherman | no not yet |
| gsherman | I read through the manual |
| DELL-ToddM | So it may be a litte confusing have just read the manual |
| DELL-ToddM | I haven't read the manual, but I have used the tool |
| DELL-ToddM | ::biggrin |
| gsherman | is there a demo on this and its the same for the 3000i vs 3000 |
| DELL-ToddM | (I actually read some of the manual) |
| DELL-ScottH | just researching for that now |
| DELL-ToddM | The tool is almost exactly the same for Md3000 and Md3000i |
| gsherman | Basically Todd the goal is high spindle count for Sql and Oracle in a Iscsi or Das scenario 3 Servers various raid group requirements |
| DELL-ToddM | There is basically an extra tab for iscsi on the Md3000i tool |
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| DELL-ScottH | www.dell.com/md3000i |
| gsherman | So basically to present 2 - 500gb Raid 10 Volumes with a spindle count of say 14 to a Server I will need to tie up 36 drives? |
| DELL-ScottH | wrong link .. use this one -- http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pvaul_md3000i |
| gsherman | I will watch these for sure |
| DELL-ScottH | bottom right of page "interactive training" |
| DELL-ScottH | no |
| DELL-ScottH | you create the raid groups (disk spindles), then carve Luns from that group |
| DELL-ToddM | You assign the physical disks to a Raid group, then carve out the 500 Gb slices |
| gsherman | Perfect Clear now |
| DELL-ScottH | so you can have multiple Luns per Array disk grouping |
| DELL-ScottH | yeah, terminology sometimes confuses |
| DELL-ToddM | I have used Md3000 for Exchange and Sql testing - assigning Log and data Luns much as you are wanting to do |
| gsherman | So realistically I want a 1TB Raid 10 and I want 2X 500gb Luns |
| DELL-ScottH | useable? |
| DELL-ToddM | 1 Tb useable or 2 Tb raw |
| gsherman | useable |
| DELL-ToddM | these are the same thing |
| DELL-ToddM | with a Raid 1/0 |
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| gsherman | yeah |
| DELL-ScottH | just buy a bunch and send what you don't use to me and Todd, we need it in the lab :-) |
| gsherman | I will watch the demos just wasn't sure on calculating disk size and spindle count |
| gsherman | yeah will send those pronto 15K only |
| DELL-ScottH | k, the interactive demo will help |
| DELL-ScottH | for sure :-) |
| DELL-ToddM | Let us know if you have any questions after you check out the demo |
| gsherman | should let me see what I can do if I sent you guys exact requirements could it be simulated in the lab |
| DELL-ScottH | sure, I could knock out a camtasia screen capture on my md3000i, I've got free disks on it right now |
| gsherman | great scott what you email I will provide a better idea |
| DELL-ScottH | yes send me an email scott_hanson@dell.com |
| gsherman | whats* |
| DELL-ScottH | that's an underscore in there |
| gsherman | thanks got it |
| DELL-ScottH | thanks for joining and keeping the conversation going, later |
| gsherman | yeah we are glad to have a venue for the back and forth questions |
| gsherman | anyways I will send you an email in a bit |
| DELL-ScottH | glad to be of help, spread the word about the Dell Techcenter, we are trying to grow |
| gsherman | ok |
| DELL-ToddM | Thanks gsherman |
| DELL-ToddM | Talk to everybody next week! |
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