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Dell PowerVault ME5 Series Storage System Deployment Guide

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Dual-controller module configuration for replication

Cabling two ME5 Series controller enclosures that are equipped with dual-controller modules for replication.

Co-located replication with multiple servers, one switch, one network

In cases where you use a single switch connected to a single host server that is logically functioning as multiple servers, an example of optimal cabling dedicates a pair of cables connected to each controller for I/O traffic and the other pair connected to each controller for replication traffic. In the illustration, green cables show replication traffic and blue cables show I/O traffic.

Sample cabling for the first controller enclosure:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the switch.
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the switch.

Sample cabling for the second controller enclosure:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the switch.
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the switch.
Figure 1. Replication cabling — multiple servers, one switch, and one network
Multiple servers, one switch, and one network
  1. 2U controller enclosures
  2. Switch (I/O, replication)
  3. Connection to host servers

Co-located replication with multiple servers and switches

Ideally, use three separate switches to avoid a single point of failure and allow for physical isolation of I/O traffic from replication traffic. Two switches are dedicated to I/O traffic and act as the bridge to connect controller enclosures to multiple host servers. The third switch is the replication switch and acts as the bridge to connect controller enclosures to each other. In the illustration, green cables show replication traffic and blue cables show I/O traffic.

Sample cabling for the first controller enclosure:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the left I/O switch
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the center replication switch.

Sample cabling for the second controller enclosure:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Controller 0A, and twoconnect Controller 0B to the right I/O switch.
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the center replication switch.
Figure 2. Replication cabling — multiple servers, multiple switches, one network
Multiple servers, multiple switches, and one network
  1. Controller enclosure modules
  2. Switches (I/O)
  3. Connection to host servers
  4. Switch (Replication)

Remote replication

Volume replication can occur on the same physical network, or on different physical networks.

For situations where you need to replicate volumes in two physically remote locations, you must still isolate input and output(I/O) traffic from replication traffic. In such a case, host servers are on separate networks, each at a separate site, and use a shared wide area network (WAN). The Ethernet WAN might be located at one of the sites, or connect to the Cloud. Ideally, use two switches, one at each remote location, and an Ethernet WAN to avoid a single point of failure and allow for physical isolation of I/O traffic from replication traffic. Both switches are dedicated to I/O traffic. Each one acts as the bridge to connect the site controller enclosures to the site host server. The Ethernet WAN acts as the bridge to connect the controller enclosures to each other.

Sample cabling for the Site 1 controller enclosure and switch:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Site 1 Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the Site 1 switch.
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the Ethernet WAN.

Sample cabling for the Site 2 controller enclosure and switch:

  • Two SFP I/O cables connect Site 2 Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the Site 2 switch.
  • Two SFP replication cables connect Controller 0A, and two connect Controller 0B to the Ethernet WAN.
  • The switch that is on the left supports I/O traffic to local network A.
  • The switch that is on the right supports I/O traffic to remote network B.
  • The Ethernet WAN in the middle supports replication traffic.
Figure 3. Replication cabling — multiple servers, multiple switches, two networks
Multiple servers, multiple switches, and two networks
  1. 2U controller enclosures
  2. Two switches (I/O)
  3. Connection to host servers (network A)
  4. Connection to host servers (network B)
  5. Ethernet WAN

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