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Windows express configuration

This chapter describes how to configure a Windows-based host using the express configuration method.

  • Decide whether to use this Express method
    The express method for installing your storage array and accessing ThinkSystem System Manager is appropriate for setting up a standalone Windows host to a DE Series system. It is designed to get the storage system up and running as quickly as possible with minimal decision points.
  • Understand the workflow
    This workflow guides you through the express method for configuring your storage array and ThinkSystem System Manager to make storage available to a host.
  • Verify the Windows configuration is supported
    To ensure reliable operation, you create an implementation plan and then verify that the entire configuration is supported.
  • Configure management port IP addresses
    Configure the management port for communication between the management station and array controllers.
  • Configure the multipath software
    Multipath software provides a redundant path to the storage array in case one of the physical paths is disrupted. Before you can use multipathing, you need to install ThinkSystem Storage Manager. This software contains the multipath package for Windows.
  • Install ThinkSystem Storage Manager for SMcli and Host Context Agent (HCA)
    When you install the ThinkSystem Storage Manager software on your management station, the command line interface (CLI) is installed to help you manage your array. By also installing the software on the host, the Host Context Agent is installed that helps the host push configuration information to the storage array controllers through the I/O path.
  • Access ThinkSystem System Manager and use the Setup wizard
    You use the Setup wizard in ThinkSystem System Manager to configure your storage array.
  • Perform FC-specific tasks
    For the Fibre Channel protocol, you configure the switches and determine the host port identifiers.
  • Perform iSCSI-specific tasks
    For the iSCSI protocol, you configure the switches and configure networking on the array side and the host side. Then you verify the IP network connections.
  • Perform SAS-specific tasks
    For the SAS protocol, you determine host port addresses and make the settings recommended in the Interoperability Matrix document.
  • Discover storage on the host
    LUNs on your storage system appear as disks to the Windows host. When you add new LUNs, you must manually rescan the associated disks to discover them. The host does not automatically discover new LUNs.
  • Configure storage on the host
    A new LUN is offline and has no partition or file system when a Windows host first discovers it. You must bring the volume online and initialize it in Windows. Optionally, you can format the LUN with a file system.
  • Verify storage access on the host
    Before using the volume, you verify that the host can write data to the LUN and read it back.
  • Multi-Path setup for Windows