How to connect up a disk array to a dell poweredge r710?

[azmadman]

I have a Netapp DS14MK2at with 12x1tb drives and a R710 , how to i hook these up together? Do i need, switch-cables- what kind? I'd like to make these accessible for other add on servers later.

 

[kanewolf]

That is an expansion disk tray for a NetApp FAS series NAS. According to this page http://www.net-apps.co.uk/products/netapp-disk-shelves-and-storage-media/technical-specification/ It is a 4Gb fibre channel device. The disks would show up as just JBOD since there is no controller (it is an expansion tray expecting a controller in front). You need a 4Gb dual port fiber channel card to connect.

 

[azmadman]

Thanks for that info. Unfortunately, I'm reading it's only 2gb. So where does the Switch come into this setup?

 

[kanewolf]

Sorry, I was reading the mk4FC specs. The "Interface to controller" says the mk2AT is 2Gb FC-AL -- That is fiber channel arbitrated loop. That is different than switched fiber channel -- http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netsp/article.php/3688326/Storage-Networking-101-Understanding-Fibre-Channel.htm

You might be able to configure a fiber channel switch fabric with an FCAL backend device. BUT since this is just an expansion tray, you would have to manually allocate disks to specific hosts and manually create file systems and you wouldn't be able to share between hosts. All the drives would be treated as local disks to the hosts they are assigned.

 

[azmadman]

Thanks for that, it's starting to sound like pulling the drives and scraping the box might be the best option.

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks for that, it's starting to sound like pulling the drives and scraping the box might be the best option.

It was not designed for direct connectivity to end users so if you run into any problems, you are on your own. You might want to do as you say.