EMC D-XTR-DY-A-24 - Dell XtremIO Deploy Achievement

For a customer with an 80 TB database that will not benefit from compression and deduplication, and with no projected future growth, the minimum recommended XtremIO X1 offering would be the one that provides at least 80 TB of raw storage capacity.

Based on the options provided:

A. 20 TB 4 X-Brick model

B. 40 TB 4 X-Brick model

C. 10 TB 8 X-Brick model

D. 20 TB 6 X-Brick model

The most suitable option that meets the requirement of providing at least 80 TB of raw storage capacity would be B. 40 TB 4 X-Brick model. This is because each X-Brick in the XtremIO X1 system contributes to the total raw storage capacity, and with a 4 X-Brick model, each X-Brick would need to provide at least 20 TB to meet the 80 TB requirement. Since the 40 TB 4 X-Brick model offers 40 TB per X-Brick, it would exceed the required capacity, ensuring that the customer’s needs are met without any shortfall.

RecoverPoint offers data protection and disaster recovery for heterogeneous storage environments. However, when it comes to XtremIO-to-XtremIO replication, RecoverPoint supports homogeneous replication, meaning it can replicate data between XtremIO arrays. This ensures that the advanced data services provided by XtremIO, such as deduplication and compression, are maintained during the replication process1.

Homogeneous Replication: RecoverPoint’s homogeneous replication capability allows for consistent replication between similar storage systems, which is essential for maintaining data efficiency features.

XtremIO Integration: When integrated with XtremIO, RecoverPoint utilizes the storage array’s native capabilities to ensure efficient replication.

Data Services Continuity: By supporting homogeneous replication, RecoverPoint ensures that XtremIO’s data services like deduplication and compression are preserved during replication, optimizing storage utilization and performance1.

Disaster Recovery: This integration allows for robust disaster recovery solutions, ensuring that data is protected and can be recovered in the event of a site failure.

Scalability: While RecoverPoint can scale up with additional RecoverPoint Appliances (RPAs) in other environments, the replication between XtremIO arrays is designed to work within the XtremIO ecosystem1.

To create an iSCSI portal using the XtremIO X2 XMS WebUI, an administrator would start the configuration process in the “Configuration” section. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Log into XMS WebUI: The administrator logs into the XtremIO Management Server (XMS) Web User Interface (WebUI).

Navigate to Configuration: Within the WebUI, the administrator navigates to the “Configuration” tab. This section contains settings and options for managing and configuring the storage array.

Access iSCSI Options: Under the “Configuration” tab, the administrator locates the options for iSCSI settings. This may involve expanding menus or selecting specific sub-options related to iSCSI.

Create iSCSI Portal: Once in the iSCSI settings area, the administrator can create a new iSCSI portal. This involves specifying details such as IP addresses, port numbers, and access controls.

Save and Apply: After entering all necessary information, the administrator saves the configuration and applies it to make the iSCSI portal active.

Verify Connectivity: Finally, the administrator verifies that the iSCSI portal is functioning correctly by connecting to it from an iSCSI initiator.

For detailed instructions and best practices, always refer to the official Dell XtremIO Deploy Achievement document1. This document provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of setting up and managing XtremIO X2 arrays, including the creation of iSCSI portals.

Power Requirements for XtremIO X1 Cluster: Each X-Brick in an XtremIO X1 cluster has its own power distribution units (PDUs) to ensure redundancy and reliability.

Calculation for Four X-Brick Cluster:

Each X-Brick has 2 storage controllers, each with its own PDU.

Therefore, 1 X-Brick requires 2 PDUs.

For a four X-Brick configuration: 4 X-Bricks * 2 PDUs per X-Brick = 8 PDUs.

Ensuring Adequate Power Supply: Connecting 8 PDUs to an electrical source ensures that all storage controllers in the cluster are powered reliably.

References:

Dell XtremIO X1 Installation Guide

XtremIO User Guide

Dell XtremIO Deployment Services

VMware Horizon environments with linked clones require optimal storage configurations for performance and management.

According to best practices, each datastore should handle a specific number of linked clones to avoid performance bottlenecks.

For 1000 linked clones, it is recommended to have a minimum of 6 datastores to distribute the load evenly and maintain optimal performance.

References:

Dell XtremIO Best Practices for VMware Horizon

VMware Horizon Architecture Guide

ï‚· Install the XMS Server

ï‚· Install the Storage Controllers

ï‚· Initialize the Cluster Services

ï‚· Configure ESRS

ï‚· Generate an XtremIO Log Bundle

Install the XMS Server: The XtremIO Management Server (XMS) must be installed first, as it is the central management point for the XtremIO storage array.

Install the Storage Controllers: After setting up the XMS, the next step is to install the storage controllers, which are the main components of the XtremIO array responsible for handling data operations.

Initialize the Cluster Services: Once the storage controllers are installed, you need to initialize the cluster services to configure and prepare the storage array for operation.

Configure ESRS (EMC Secure Remote Services): After the cluster services are initialized, configure ESRS for remote support and monitoring, ensuring that the system can be supported remotely by Dell EMC.

Generate an XtremIO Log Bundle: Finally, generate an XtremIO log bundle for initial diagnostics and baseline information. This step ensures that all necessary logs are collected and can be reviewed if needed.

References:

Dell XtremIO X1 Storage Array Software Installation and Upgrade Guide

Dell XtremIO Deployment Services

XtremIO X1 User and Maintenance Guide

Understanding XtremIO X1 DAE Power Cables: The Disk Array Enclosure (DAE) power cables are critical components in ensuring that the storage system remains operational. Removing these cables disconnects power to the DAE, which should only be done under specific circumstances.

Scenarios for Power Cable Removal:

Normal Shutdown Procedure: In a normal shutdown, the system is powered down gracefully using management interfaces and proper shutdown commands. Physical removal of power cables is typically not part of this process.

Shutdown after Initial Installation: After the initial installation, the system is powered on and configured. A shutdown would again follow a graceful procedure and not involve removing power cables unless there's a specific issue.

Shutdown due to Power Loss: In the event of power loss, the system would already be down, and there would be no need to remove the power cables as the system has lost power.

Emergency Shutdown Procedure: In an emergency, where the system must be immediately powered down to protect data or hardware, it may be necessary to remove the power cables quickly.

Best Practices and Safety:

Removing power cables as part of an emergency shutdown is typically a last resort measure when immediate power disconnection is required to prevent damage or ensure safety.

Following manufacturer guidelines for emergency shutdown ensures that the system is protected and can be safely restarted when the emergency is resolved.

References:

Dell XtremIO Safety and Emergency Procedures

Dell XtremIO Deployment Services

XtremIO X1 User and Maintenance Guide

In a heterogeneous environment where multiple storage arrays are connected to VMware vSphere along with XtremIO X2, it is recommended to set the Disk.SchedNumReqOustanding parameter to 32. This setting determines the maximum number of I/O operations that can be queued to the storage array. A value of 32 is often recommended to balance performance with resource utilization.

The Disk.SchedNumReqOustanding parameter is part of the VMware vSphere’s advanced settings and can be adjusted to optimize the performance of the storage arrays connected to the ESXi hosts. The setting of 32 is a starting point and may need to be adjusted based on the specific workload and storage array capabilities1.