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Dell PowerStore Importing External Storage to PowerStore Guide

General requirements for importing data

The following requirements apply to PowerStore before running import:

  • The global storage IP address for PowerStore must be configured.
  • Verify that PowerStore and its nodes are in a healthy state.

The following requirements apply to all source platforms:

  • (For non-disruptive import) You must have the appropriate privileges on the source and its associated hosts to perform an import to a PowerStore cluster.
    • For Windows-based systems, Administrator privilege is required to perform an import to a PowerStore cluster.
    • For Linux-based and VMware-based systems, root privilege is required to perform an import to a PowerStore cluster.
  • (For non-disruptive import) A Fibre Channel (FC) or iSCSI connection exists between the source system and each associated host system, and a matching FC or iSCSI connection exists between each associated host system and the PowerStore cluster. These connections to each host system should be of the same type, either all FC or all iSCSI.
  • (For agentless import) For Dell PS source systems, all the connections between the hosts and the Dell PS source system and between the hosts and the PowerStore cluster must be over iSCSI. For Dell PowerMax or VMAX3, a FC connection exists between the source system and each associated host system, and a matching FC connection exists between each associated host system and the PowerStore cluster. For Dell SC or Unity, or Dell VNX2, XtremIO X1, XtremIO X2 source systems, or NetApp AFF or A Series, or Universal source systems, the connections between the hosts and the source system and between the hosts and the PowerStore cluster must be either all over iSCSI or all over Fibre Channel (FC).
    NOTE:When FC connectivity between the host and source system and between the host and PowerStore cluster is used, the administrator must set up FC zoning between the host, the source system, and the PowerStore cluster.
  • Only an iSCSI connection is supported between the following source systems and the PowerStore cluster.
    • Dell EqualLogic PS
    • Dell Compellent SC (non-disruptive import)
  • Only a FC connection is supported between a Dell PowerMax or VMAX3 source system (agentless import) and the PowerStore cluster.
  • Either an iSCSI connection or a FC connection is supported between a Dell Compellent SC, or XtremIO X1, or X2 system, or a NetApp AFF A-series or Universal type system (agentless import), or a Dell Unity or VNX2 (either non-disruptive or agentless) source system and the PowerStore cluster.
    NOTE:When the connection between the Dell Compellent SC, or XtremIO X1, or X2 system, or a NetApp AFF A-series or Universal type system (agentless import), or a Dell Unity or VNX2 (either non-disruptive or agentless) source system and the PowerStore cluster are over iSCSI, the connections between the hosts and the source system and between the hosts and the PowerStore cluster can be either all over iSCSI or all over FC. However, when the connections between those source systems and the PowerStore cluster are all over FC, the connections between the hosts and the source system and between the hosts and the PowerStore cluster must be all over FC.
  • (For non-disruptive import) Only one instance of MPIO should be running on the host in order to perform an import.
  • The PowerStore Simple Support Matrix document at dell.com/powerstoredocs lists the host operating system platforms that are supported for non-disruptive import.
    NOTE: If the operating environment running on the source system does not match what is listed in the PowerStore Simple Support Matrix for non-disruptive import or the source system is a Dell XtremIO X1 or XtremIO X2, or PowerMax or VMAX3, or a NetApp AFF-A Series, use the agentless import option to migrate the external storage to the PowerStore cluster. The PowerStore Simple Support Matrix lists the supported types of source systems and operating environment that is required for agentless import. Agentless import can also be used to migrate the external storage from a source system running the operating environment listed in the PowerStore Simple Support Matrix for non-disruptive import. For the most up-to-date supported versions of the supported combinations of host operating system, multipath software, host protocol to the source and to the PowerStore cluster, and the type of source system for non-disruptive (seamless) import, see the PowerStore Simple Support Matrix document.
  • When Fibre Channel (FC) connectivity is used between the host and the PowerStore cluster, the administrator must set up FC zoning between the dual-mode FC ports to the destinations.
    NOTE:For more information about FC zoning, see PowerStore Host Configuration Guide at dell.com/powerstoredocs.
  • When Fibre Channel (FC) connectivity is used between the source system and the PowerStore cluster, the administrator must set up FC zoning between the source system and the PowerStore cluster.
    NOTE:For FC connections, it is recommended to configure FC zoning in such a way that PowerStore can connect to at least to two distinct targets on each remote system controller from a PowerStore node. See PowerStore cluster fibre channel connectivity to source systems.
  • (For non-disruptive import) Depending on the port number that is selected for the hosts that are added when creating an import session, that port must be open on the firewall. The predefined host ports for Windows and Linux are:
    • 8443 (default)
    • 50443
    • 55443
    • 60443
    The predefined host port for VMware is 5989.

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