EMC D-PVM-OE-01 - Dell PowerMax Operate v.2

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

Unisphere for PowerMax offers different deployment options to manage PowerMax storage arrays. Based on the exhibit, we can identify the following:

Separate SYMAPI Server:The diagram shows a dedicated SYMAPI server. SYMAPI (Symmetrix Application Programming Interface) is a command-line interface used to manage PowerMax and VMAX storage arrays. This indicates that the Unisphere server is not directly connected to the storage arrays.

Unisphere Server Connected to SYMAPI Server:The Unisphere server is shown to be connected to the SYMAPI server. This means that the Unisphere server relies on the SYMAPI server to communicate with the PowerMax arrays.

No Direct Connection to Arrays:The Unisphere server does not have a direct connection to the PowerMax arrays.

Considering these points, the deployment option depicted in the exhibit is aremote deployment. In a remote deployment, the Unisphere server is installed on a separate host and communicates with the PowerMax arrays through a SYMAPI server. This allows for centralized management of multiple arrays from a single Unisphere instance.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. Embedded:In an embedded deployment, the Unisphere software runs directly on the PowerMax array itself. This eliminates the need for a separate Unisphere server.

B. Either remote or local:While the diagram could technically represent a local deployment with a dedicated SYMAPI server, the presence of the separate SYMAPI server and the lack of direct connection to the arrays strongly suggest a remote deployment.

D. Local:In a local deployment, the Unisphere server is typically installed on the same host as Solutions Enabler, which has direct connectivity to the storage arrays.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Unisphere for PowerMax 10.0.0 Installation Guide:This guide provides detailed information about the different Unisphere deployment options, including local, remote, and embedded. It also includes diagrams and explanations of each deployment scenario. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Unisphere for PowerMax Installation Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a general overview of PowerMax systems and their management using Unisphere. It may provide context for understanding the different deployment options.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

The topology shown in the exhibit depictsCascaded SRDF. This SRDF configuration involves three storage arrays (or sites) connected in a chained or cascaded manner.

Here's how it works:

Primary Site (R1):The production host is connected to the primary storage array (R1).

Intermediate Site (R2):The primary array (R1) synchronously replicates data to an intermediate array (R2).

Remote Site (R2):The intermediate array (R2) then asynchronously replicates data to a remote array (also labeled R2 in the diagram).

This cascading setup provides a multi-hop disaster recovery solution, where data is first replicated synchronously to a nearby site for high availability and then asynchronously replicated to a further remote site for disaster recovery.

Why other options are incorrect:

B. SRDF/Star:SRDF/Star involves a central array replicating to multiple remote arrays in a star-like pattern.

C. SRDF/Metro:SRDF/Metro is designed for synchronous replication over short distances, typically within a metropolitan area.

D. Concurrent SRDF:Concurrent SRDF allows multiple SRDF relationships to exist simultaneously for the same device.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 SRDF Family CLI User Guide:This guide provides detailed information about different SRDF configurations, including Cascaded SRDF. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler SRDF Family CLI User Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a comprehensive overview of SRDF and its functionalities, including various topologies and use cases.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

Both the PowerMax 2500 and 8500 utilize NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) for high-speed data transfer. However, they differ in their internal fabric architecture:  

PowerMax 2500:Uses a direct NVMe/PCIe connection between the compute nodes and the Dynamic Media Enclosures (DMEs).

PowerMax 8500:Employs a fully switched InfiniBand (IB) fabric for all NVMe-oF traffic. This means that the compute nodes and DMEs are interconnected through InfiniBand switches, providing a high-performance, low-latency, and scalable fabric for data transfer.  

Therefore, the use of InfiniBand switches is a feature unique to the PowerMax 8500 compared to the PowerMax 2500.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. Persistent Memory:Both PowerMax 2500 and 8500 utilize Storage Class Memory (SCM), which is a type of persistent memory.

B. Mainframe Connectivity:Both models support mainframe connectivity.  

C. Storage Class Memory:As mentioned above, both models use SCM.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

PowerMax 2500 and 8500 Dynamic Fabric—A High-Performance Clustered Architecture for Enterprise Storage:This white paper provides a detailed comparison of the Dynamic Fabric architecture in both models, highlighting the use of InfiniBand switches in the PowerMax 8500. You can find this document on the Dell Technologies Info Hub.

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a general overview of the PowerMax family, including the 2500 and 8500 models. It may provide context for understanding the differences in their architecture and features.