EMC D-PST-MN-A-24 - Dell PowerStore Maintenance Achievement

A data collection in Dell EMC PowerStore Manager can be initiated from the cluster, appliance, and alerts sections within the PowerStore Manager user interface. This process is essential for gathering system logs and other information that can be used for troubleshooting or analysis.

To initiate a data collection, follow these steps:

Log into the PowerStore Manager user interface.

Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu.

Go to the ‘Support’ section.

Select ‘Gather Support Materials’.

Choose the scope of the data collection, which can be at the cluster level, for a specific appliance, or related to certain alerts.

Click the ‘Gather Support Materials’ button to start the collection process.

Monitor the progress in the ‘Jobs’ section of PowerStore Manager or within the ‘Support Materials’ section1.

It is important to note that the data collection process may take some time to complete, depending on the amount of data and the system’s performance.Once the data collection is finished, the gathered materials can be used by Dell EMC support for further analysis or can be reviewed by the storage administrator to address any issues1.For more detailed instructions on data collection, refer to the Dell EMC PowerStore documentation or the support knowledge base articles provided by Dell23. Following these guidelines ensures that the data is collected correctly and efficiently.

When observing the base enclosure front view of a Dell PowerStore system, a solid amber drive LED is an indication of a faulted drive. This LED status is used to alert the storage administrator that there is a fault within the drive that requires attention12.

The LED states for the Dell PowerStore base enclosure are as follows:

Blue: Power is on, and no fault has occurred.

Solid Amber: Power is on, and a fault has occurred within the enclosure.

Blue after Amber Alternating: Power is on, but the system is not initialized.

Off: Power is off.

In the event of a solid amber LED, the recommended steps are:

Identify the faulted drive: Look for the drive with the solid amber LED.

Check the PowerStore Manager: Use the PowerStore Manager to identify the specific error or fault code associated with the drive.

Follow the troubleshooting steps: Refer to the Dell PowerStore Troubleshooting Guide for detailed steps on resolving the issue with the faulted drive.

Replace the drive if necessary: If the drive is determined to be faulty and cannot be recovered, follow the Dell PowerStore Hardware Information Guide for instructions on safely replacing the drive.

For more detailed information and guidance, refer to the official Dell PowerStore documentation, such as the PowerStore Hardware Information Guide and the PowerStore Troubleshooting Guide, or contact Dell support directly

The LED combination that shows a connected and working node ispower LED: steady green fault LED: off.

The power LED on a Dell EMC PowerStore node indicates the power status of the node.

A steady green power LED typically signifies that the node is powered on and operating normally1.

The absence of the fault LED being lit (fault LED: off) indicates that there are no current faults detected with the node1.

This combination of a steady green power LED and no fault LED is the normal operating state for a node and suggests that it is connected and functioning properly1.

For more detailed information on the LED states and what they represent, you can refer to the Dell PowerStore Hardware Information Guide or the Dell Support Knowledge Base1.

When a Dell EMC PowerStore node powers up in service mode, the commands and sequence used from the appliance SSH client to restore the node back to normal are as follows:

Run the svc_rescue_state clear command to clear the boot mode and take the node out of service mode1.

Then, run the svc_node reboot command to reboot the node and return it to normal operational mode1.

It is important to follow this sequence to ensure that the node exits service mode correctly and reboots into normal mode without any issues.For more detailed instructions or if you encounter any problems during this process, refer to the Dell EMC PowerStore Service Scripts Guide or contact Dell EMC Support for assistance1.

To match the base enclosure SAS ports in column A to their correspondingexpansion enclosure LCC ports in column B for a Dell PowerStore base enclosure connected to a single expansion enclosure, the correct configuration is:

Node B SAS A to Exp 1 LCC A Port B

Node A SAS A to Exp 1 LCC B Port A

Node B SAS B to Exp 1 LCC A Port A

Node A SAS B to Exp 1 LCC B Port B

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation with References

Identify the SAS ports on the base enclosure and the LCC ports on the expansion enclosure.

Match the ports according to the configuration provided above.

Connect the cables between the corresponding SAS and LCC ports.

Secure the connections to ensure there is no loose cabling.

Verify the configuration using the PowerStore Manager to ensure all connections are recognized and functioning properly.

For detailed instructions, diagrams, and best practices, refer to the Dell PowerStore Installation and Service Guide1, as well as the Dell EMC PowerStore Quick Start Guide2. These documents provide essential information on the proper setup and maintenance of the storage system, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

The SolVe Tool is the reference source that provides service information and Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) procedures for Dell EMC PowerStore.The SolVe Tool is an online resource that offers step-by-step guidance for various procedures, including servicing and replacing hardware components, also known as FRUs1.

The tool is designed to help users and service technicians perform maintenance tasks accurately and efficiently. It includes detailed instructions, diagrams, and other helpful information that can assist in troubleshooting and resolving issues with Dell EMC PowerStore systems.

For accessing the SolVe Tool and finding the service information and FRU procedures for PowerStore, users can visit the Dell Support website and navigate to the SolVe Online section.Additionally, the PowerStore Info Hub provides a collection of product documentation and videos that can be useful for understanding the system’s operation and maintenance2.

It is important to use the SolVe Tool and follow the provided instructions carefully to ensure that any service actions are performed correctly and safely, maintaining the integrity and performance of the PowerStore system.

In a Dell EMC PowerStore T environment, the recommended number of network switches is two1. This recommendation is based on best practices for general network performance andhigh availability. Using two switches allows for redundancy and ensures that if one switch fails, the other can continue to handle the network traffic without interruption1.

The use of multiple switches connected with technologies like Virtual Link Trunking (VLT) and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) or their equivalents is advised. Each PowerStore node should have connectivity to all linked switches to maintain high availability and optimal network performance1.

For detailed network design and switch configuration recommendations, administrators should refer to the Dell PowerStore Networking Guide for PowerStore T Models and other official Dell documentation2. These resources provide comprehensive guidelines on setting up the network infrastructure to support PowerStore T systems effectively.

The default log collection schedule for Dell PowerStore is set to a weekly basis. This schedule is designed to balance the need for regular monitoring with the storage and processing considerations of collecting logs. Collecting logs on a weekly basis provides a sufficient overview of the system’s performance and any potential issues that may arise, without overwhelming the system administrators with too much data.

The log collection process includes gathering various logs that may be required for troubleshooting PowerStore issues, such as Support Materials, Performance Metrics Archives, Dump Files, and others.The process can be initiated through the PowerStore Manager user interface or using the CLI in an SSH session1.

For more detailed information on log collection schedules and procedures, administrators should refer to the official Dell PowerStore documentation, which provides comprehensive instructions on how to generate, collect, and manage logs for effective system maintenance and troubleshooting1.

In Dell PowerStore systems, IPsec is used to encrypt traffic for the management network. IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols designed to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and authentication of data communications over an IP network.Encrypting the management network traffic with IPsec is a best practice to secure communication between the management console and the storage system, protecting against potential eavesdropping and unauthorized access1.

The management network is responsible for the overall administration and operation of the storage system, including configuration management, performance monitoring, and system updates. By encrypting this traffic, Dell PowerStore ensures that sensitive management operations are secured.

For detailed information on configuring IPsec for the management network and other best practices for network security within Dell PowerStore environments, users should refer to the official Dell PowerStore documentation, such as the Deployment KB: PowerStore: User Network Firewall Rules Tool and the Dell PowerStore Best Practices Guide12. These documents provide comprehensive guidelines on network configurations, including firewall rules and encryption settings, to maintain the highest levels of security and system integrity.