5.1 Installation process overview The following broad steps are required to install the IBM TotalStorage SAN File System: Make sure a supported SAN exists and the required LUNs are available. Details are provided in Chapter 3, "MDS system design, architecture, and planning issues" on page 65 and Chapter 4, "Pre-installation configuration" on page 99. Perform operating system installation on each SAN File System engine, if necessary. Perform and verify network settings for each SAN File System engine and test. Check the disk configuration. Install the cluster from the master SAN File System MDS. Create pools, volumes, filesets, and policies. Install client software for AIX, Windows, Solaris, and Linux. Perform the post installation checks to complete the installation. Important: Please follow carefully the installation instructions in this chapter, together with the information in IBM TotalStorage SAN File System Installation and Configuration Guide, GA27-4316. The most usual cause of unsuccessful installations is skipping steps or executing them incorrectly. 5.2 SAN File System MDS installation Here are the overview steps to install and configure each SAN File System MDS and the SAN File System cluster. Perform these steps on each server in the cluster. They will each be