Configuring an Array and Creating a Group

Use the setup utility to configure an array and create a PS Series group with the array as the initial group member. First, be sure the array hardware is set up and there are no errors or red LEDs. For hardware installation information, see the PS Series QuickStart or SAN Setup poster for your model array.

Note: If you have a Microsoft Windows system, you can use the Remote Setup Wizard to configure an array, create a new group or expand an existing group, and set up connectivity between the system and group. The wizard is part of the
Host Integration Tools kit, which is on the CD-ROM shipped with each array,
and the Technical Support website.

When configuring an array and creating a group, be sure to follow the network requirements and recommendations listed in Table 1: Network Requirements and Recommendations. For the latest networking information, see the related Technical Report on the Technical Support website.

Table 1: Network Requirements and Recommendations
Requirement or Recommendation	Description
Connectivity to the group IP address	Each group member is required to have at least one configured network interface on the same subnet as the group IP address.
Switch connectivity	For a single-subnet group in which the members’ configured network interfaces are connected to multiple switches, network connectivity between the switches is required.
Access to the group IP address subnet	For a multi-subnet group, it is recommended that the configured network interfaces be able to access the subnet on which the group IP address resides.

Follow these steps to configure an array and create a group:

Gather the information described in Table 2: Member Configuration and Table 3: Group Configuration. The setup utility will prompt for this information. Your network administrator should be able to provide the appropriate IP addresses for the member and group configuration.

Table 2: Member Configuration
Prompt	Description
Member name	Unique, descriptive name (fewer than 64 alphanumeric characters, no spaces, and the first character must be a letter or number), used only to identify and administer the array.
Network interface name	Name of a network interface (eth0, eth1, or eth2) that is physically connected to a functioning port on a network switch (using a network cable). You can connect and configure additional network interfaces on the array after it is added to a group.
IP address	Network address for the network interface specified above. Each member must have at least one network interface on the same subnet as the group IP address.
Netmask	Combines with the previous IP address to identify the subnet on which the network interface specified above resides. The default is 255.255.255.0.
Default gateway (optional)	Network address for the device that connects subnets and forwards network traffic beyond the local network. A default gateway is needed only if you want the network interface specified above to be able to communicate outside the local network (for example, for host access to volumes). The default gateway must be on the same subnet as the network interface specified above.

Table 3: Group Configuration
Prompt	Description
Group name	Name of the group for administrative purposes (up to 64 alphanumeric characters and hyphens). The first character must be a letter or number.
Group IP address	Network address for the group. The group IP address is used for administrative and host access to volumes.
Password for managing group membership	Password required when adding members to the group. The password must have 3 to 16 alphanumeric characters and is case-sensitive.
New password for the default grpadmin account	Password that will override the factory-set password (grpadmin) for the default grpadmin account. The password must have 3 to 16 alphanumeric characters and is case-sensitive.

Set up a serial connection to the array. Use the serial cable shipped with the array. Make the connection to Serial Port 0 on the active control module (the ACT LED will be green) and to a console or computer running a terminal emulator. The serial connection must have the following characteristics:

9600 baud
One STOP bit
No parity
8 data bits
No hardware flow control

key and, when prompted, enter the grpadmin account name and factory-set password, which is also grpadmin. Note that passwords are not echoed on the console.

Welcome to Group Manager
Copyright 2001 - 2007 EqualLogic, Inc.

It appears that the storage array has not been configured.

Would you like to configure the array now? (y/n) [n]

Enter y to automatically invoke the setup utility. You can also run setup later at the console prompt (>). At each setup prompt, enter a question mark (?) for help. Press the

key to accept a default (shown in brackets).

Specify the member and group configuration information at the prompts. This is the information described in Table 2: Member Configuration and Table 3: Group Configuration.

Once the array is successfully added to the new group, use the Group Manager GUI or CLI to set the RAID policy for the member.

The storage in the member will be available once you set the RAID policy. The disks are automatically configured according to the designated RAID level, with the appropriate number of spare disks. Until the RAID configuration completes, performance will not be optimal, but the group is fully operational.

See Using the Group Manager Graphical User Interface and Using the Group Manager Command Line Interface for information on the starting the Group Manager user interfaces. See Introduction to Member RAID Policies for information on setting the RAID policy.