Planning rack installation for server hardware that is used for IBM Spectrum Virtualize nodes

To plan the physical installation of the system in racks, you need to ensure that the required space and access are available.

Consider several factors before you install the IBM Spectrum Virtualize™ nodes. Determine whether you are creating a new system or if you are adding nodes to an existing system that is composed of older node models.

If you are creating a new system, you need to determine whether you are installing the nodes in a single rack installation or a dual rack installation.

Considerations for single and dual rack installations

When you are determining whether to implement a single or dual rack installation, you need consider all aspects of the data center that you are installing into. Consider the high availability design for your overall storage environment. In single rack installations, all eight nodes are installed into a single rack. In a dual rack, these nodes are split between two separate racks, where A nodes are in one rack and B nodes are in the other.

If the data center has power redundancy attributes and your storage environment does not have fully redundant components, a single rack implementation saves you costs associated with a dual rack.

If the data center does not have sufficient power redundancy or it does not contain fully redundant components, then the added cost of a dual rack design is justified. In this case, a dual rack extends the level of high availability and redundancy of your overall storage environment.

Finally, if you are planning to add another system to the storage environment in the future, you can reserve space in each rack in a dual rack installation for nodes that you plan to add.

Use the following guidelines to help you determine whether to install nodes into a single or dual rack installation:

Considerations for the data center

If you are installing nodes into an existing data center, ensure that you have an understanding of the following considerations that impact your installation:

Redundant power capabilities: Most data centers implement redundant power sufficient for the data protection and availability in the event of a power disruption. However, data centers should have both redundancy of the power to the rack, such as power circuit panels and on-floor PDUs. Power redundancy within the rack such as dual power strips or in-rack PDUs. In addition, the data center should also have high availability power structures such uninterruptible power supplies or generator in the event of a data center-wide outage.
Fire protection systems: Consider the fire protection systems, such as overhead sprinkler systems and alarm that are in place in the data center.

Considerations for location and separation of storage components

Each of the following storage components can have requirements that affect the choice between a single and dual rack implementation:

Backend storage: If you are implementing a single system that is attached to a single backend storage device, separating the system between two racks does not provide any additional advantages to the storage environment. However, if you have multiple devices and the environment does have fully redundant components, investing in a dual rack design can help add availability to the system.
SAN switches: If you installed pairs of switches in the same rack, it is not necessary to separate nodes between two racks. If switches are installed separately in different rack, then installing the nodes in separate racks provides consistency in implementation and provides redundancy if one of the switches fails.
Physical distance between components: If you are implementing storage with multiple redundant devices that are separated across multiple racks, ensure that these components have different power sources and are in different fire protection zones. Otherwise, the storage environment can be compromised in the event of a fire or power disruption.

Considerations for selecting a rack

Use these guidelines to ensure that the best rack for your needs is obtained:

Considerations for the data center: Consult with staff of the data center that you are installing the system to if they have requirements for racks that are used throughout the data center. If there are specific requirements, ensure that your rack meets those standards.
If they do not have requirements for racks, choose a rack that has the same height of other racks within the data center, if possible.
Consideration for rack size: The default height for all models is 42 units high. Verify with data center personnel that height clearances for the rack that you chose are adequate. Some data centers might require shorter racks. Ensure that you also consider the space that is required for cabling, cabling managers, and associated hardware, in addition to the nodes and components that are installed.