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Introduction
This guide provides information about deploying Dell PowerVault MD3860f storage arrays. The
deployment process includes:
• Hardware installation
• Modular Disk Storage Manager (MD Storage Manager) installation
• Initial system configuration
Other information provided include system requirements, storage array organization, and utilities.
NOTE: For more information on product documentation, see Related Documentation.
MD Storage Manager enables an administrator to configure and monitor storage arrays for optimum
usability. The version of MD Storage Manager included on the PowerVault MD Series resource media can
be used to manage both the PowerVault MD3860f Series and other PowerVault MD Series storage arrays.
MD Storage Manager is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
System Requirements
Before installing and configuring the PowerVault MD3860f Series hardware and software, ensure that the
supported operating system is installed and minimum system requirements are met. For more
information, see the Support Matrix at dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
Management Station Requirements
A management station uses MD Storage Manager to configure and manage storage arrays across the
network. For more information on management station requirements, see the Support Matrix at
dell.com/powervaultmanuals.
Introduction To Storage Arrays
An enclosure containing physical disks accessed through RAID controller modules is called a storage
array. A storage array includes various hardware components, such as physical disks, RAID controller
modules, fans, and power supplies.
One or more host servers attached to the storage array can access the data on the storage array. You can
also establish multiple physical paths between the host(s) and the storage array so that loss of any single
path (for example, through failure of a host server port) does not result in loss of access to data on the
storage array.
The storage array is managed by MD Storage Manager running on a:
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