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Platform Guide 9
Attaching Your Cluster Shared Storage System through
iSCSI Switch-Attached Configuration
This section provides the rules and guidelines for attaching your PowerEdge cluster nodes to the shared
storage systems through an iSCSI switch-attached configuration using redundant Ethernet switch fabrics.
The switch-attached configuration supports two to eight cluster nodes connected to the storage system
through an iSCSI network. In a PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution, a system can support up to four
storage systems using an Ethernet network switch.
NOTE: The PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support AX150SCi storage system in a switch-attached
configuration.
Rules and Guidelines
The rules and guidelines described in Table 1-3 apply to iSCSI switch-attached clusters.
Table 1-3. iSCSI Switch-Attached Clusters Rules and Guidelines
Rule/Guideline Description
Operating system Each switch-attached cluster must run Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003,
x64 operating system.
Windows Server 2003
service pack
Windows Server 2003 is supported with all CX-series and AX-series storage systems.
See
"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10
for the supported versions.
Windows Server 2003, x64
service pack
Windows Server 2003, x64 is supported on CX-series storage systems only.
See
"Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10
for the supported versions.
Primary storage
Up to two supported Dell|EMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
using embedded Ethernet switches.
Up to four supported Dell|EMC storage systems can be connected in a configuration
using external Ethernet switches.
NOTE: PowerEdge cluster FE655Wi solution does not support Windows Server 2003, x64
with Dell|EMC AX-series storage systems.
Each Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003, x64 cluster can support up to
22 unique drive letters for shared logical drives and additional physical drives through
mount points.
iSCSI Initiator Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator
iSCSI Initiator version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
iSNS Microsoft Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) Server.
iSNS version See "Dell Cluster Configuration Support Matrix" on page 10 for the supported versions.
NICs for iSCSI traffic
Ethernet daughter card: Intel PRO/1000 MB dual-port server adapter for PowerEdge
1855 systems only.