dell/emc cx600 fibre channel storage system · web viewdell | emc® cx600 fibre channel...

INFOBriefDell™ | EMC® CX600

Fibre Channel Storage System

Key Points

The Dell/EMC CX600 is designed for the most demanding and business-critical areas of an organization. Enterprise-class business continuance features include hot-pluggable redundant hardware, hot spare disk drives, multipath failover, snapshots, cloning, local/remote mirroring, and non-disruptive firmware upgrades - all at a midrange price. The CX600 offers performance of up to 150,000 cached IOps and 1300 MB/sec throughput, and provides up to 35TB (240 drives) of disk storage. Whether an OLTP database or a video streaming application, the CX600 can be tuned to match high performance application needs. The CX600 helps ensure the highest levels of data availability through advanced features such as cache de-staging to disk, data integrity checking, and advanced software that allows for point-in-time copies, clones or full mirroring for business continuance. The CX600 can be added to an existing Dell/EMC SAN. The CX600 interoperates freely with legacy Dell/EMC FC4700/4500/5300 products as well as other CX series

Dell Enterprise Systems Group Updated December 2002

Dell/EMC products. Mirroring is supported between the CX400 and CX600, FC4700, or FC4700-2 systems. The CX600 is designed for future growth. You can pay-as-you-grow by hot-adding expansion enclosures with the CX600. It is possible to add up to 15 DAE2 expansion enclosures (up to 240 drives) to a single CX600. Help lower the total cost of storage with simple yet powerful management software. The CX600 is fully compatible with the entire Navisphere® software suite and VisualSan as well as EMC Control Center/Open Edition. Superior service and support – Dell offers professional consulting, installation, and implementation services to help ensure every CX600 is brought online quickly and is configured to meet business requirements. And every CX600 is backed with Gold level Dell Premier Enterprise Support Services to help ensure that the system remains up and running for years to come.

Background

The Dell/EMC CX600 is an end-to-end Fibre Channel storage system. The interface to disk drives and to host servers is based on the industry-standard 2 Gigabit/sec Fibre Channel protocol. Fibre Channel storage systems are commonly used both directly attached to servers and in storage area networks (SANs). The CX600 is a high-performance and feature rich array that is suitable for the most demanding applications and for storage consolidation of multiple heterogeneous hosts in a cohesive SAN fabric.

Product Description

The CX600 provides best-of-breed enterprise storage in direct attach or large SAN environments. Storage-based functionality and comprehensive management software offer world-class information protection and streamlined, efficient management. The CX600 is a fully integrated 2 Gigabit storage solution with eight front-end Fibre Channel 2 optical ports and up to 240 2 Gigabit back-end disk drives.The features of the CX600 include the following:

Direct connect up to eight servers Support for up to 128 highly available servers

redundantly attached to a single CX600 array in a SAN (each server has 2 HBAs providing redundant connectivity to the storage array)


Up to 240 2Gb Fibre Channel disk drives and 35 TB of raw storage capacity within a single array (a SAN fabric can house many storage arrays)

2 Gigabit Fibre Channel technology provides up to 200MB/s (400MB/s full duplex) throughput - ideal for high bandwidth application environments

Eight front-end optical ports per array. Each Storage Processor (SP) is equipped with four 2 Gb front-end optical ports, each delivering up to 200MB/s Fibre Channel throughput. With the use of PowerPath™ fail over and load balancing software for multipath I/O, users can operate all eight ports simultaneously

Two full 2Gb bandwidth back-end Fibre Channel loops per SP for a total of four 2Gb back-end loops per array

Over 1,300 MB/s sustained throughput and more than 150,000 cached I/Os per second

Non-disruptive upgrade for on-line software and microcode upgrades

Optional MirrorView™ software – synchronous data mirroring

IP mirroring is possible with the use of optional CNT UltraNet Edge FC/IP routers

Optional SnapView™ software – point-in-time copy and clones

The CX600 is great for data intensive applications and fully functional enterprise SAN environments including:

High performance applications Video streaming and high speed content delivery Disaster Recovery OLTP and Web servers Data warehouses Graphics intensive environments Distributed organizations Email (Messaging) Customer relationship management


The CX600 consists of a 2Gbps Storage Processor Enclosure (SPE2) and an optional 2Gbps Disk Array Enclosure (DAE2). The SPE2 contains two storage processor boards and redundant, hot-swappable fans and power supplies in a single chassis.

Figure 1DAE2 Front View without Bezel showing fifteen 1-inch Fibre Channel Disk Drives

Up to 16 DAE2 expansion enclosures with up to fifteen drives each can be added to the subsystem for a maximum configuration of 240 drives behind a single SPE2. With 146GB1 drives, this equates to up to 35 terabytes of data storage.Eight front side ports 2Gbps Fibre Channel host ports allow direct connection of up to eight hosts or four 2-node high availability clusters (two HBAs per server) without the use of an external switch. In SAN environments, the CX600 can hold storage for up to 128 redundantly connected servers.

13 For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes; accessible capacity varies with operating environment


Figure 2Screenshot of Navisphere Manager Graphical User Interface

The CX600 is qualified to be used in environments with Microsoft® Windows®, Novell® NetWare®, Linux®, HP_UX, AIX, Solaris, Tru-64, and SGI operating systems.Table 1 provides a comparison of the features of the Dell/EMC CX200, CX400, and CX600.


Table 1Feature Comparison of the Dell/EMC CX200, CX400 and CX600

Feature CX200 CX400 CX600

Maximum # of Drives 30 60 240

Maximum # of Hosts (SAN) 15 64 128

Performance 25,000 IOPs200 MB/s

60,000 IOPs680 MB/s

150,000 IOPs1300 MB/s

Cache1GB 2GB 8GB

Host connections2 SW or 4 FC-AL 4 SFF optical 8 SFF optical

Rack size (DPE2 or SPE)4UDPE2 and SPS, with disks

4UDPE2 and SPS, with disks

5USPE and SPS, no disks

Rack size (DAE2) 3U 3U 3U

RAID 0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5 0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5 0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5

Cache vaulting Yes Yes Yes

Data scrubbing (SNiiFFER) Yes Yes Yes

Management Software Navisphere Manager or

Navisphere Manager Base

Navisphere Manager

Navisphere Manager

Point-in-time Copy Host-Based SnapView™ SnapView

Remote Mirroring Host-Based MirrorView™ MirrorView

Solution Description: Software

Software is both a key and integral part of the benefit that the CX600 brings to users. A full suite of software products is available with the CX600, which facilitates the advanced functionality and management of both the array and the SAN fabric.

Navisphere Manager

The Navisphere® family of products enables administrators to monitor, configure, tune, and plan Dell/EMC storage from a single management workstation. Navisphere provides a powerful set of capabilities that meets the ease-of management and security requirements of today’s operating environments.The Navisphere Management Suite includes the following:


Navisphere Manager – robust configuration, management and event notificationNavisphere Event Monitor –automatically notifies administrators when failures or status changes occur on Dell/EMC systemsNavisphere Analyzer – comprehensive performance, management and trends analysisNavisphere Integrator- interprets incoming SNMP traps messages, identifies the problem array and locates the problem on the network map of HP Openview, Tivoli TME, or CA Unicenter TNG

Navisphere Agent / CLI- issues commands to an array requesting array status, recording commands, and the resulting outputPowerPath- delivers automatic re-routing of SCSI or Fibre Channel I/O traffic in the event of a host-to-storage path failure. Also provides dynamic load balancing.CLARalert - early notification and remote diagnostics service programRemote Monitoring Services - remote diagnostic and remote control program that utilizes WebEx

Other Software Components that integrate with Navisphere:Access Logix – data protection, shared storage access, and security for heterogeneous SAN resources Navisphere software extends the capabilities of Dell/EMC FC4700 and CX600 arrays by offering comprehensive data protection and availability through integrated and centralized control of optional SnapView™ and MirrorView™ software. MirrorView – remote synchronous mirroring of data SnapView – point-in-time view of information for non-disruptive backup

VisualSAN

VisualSAN is designed for managing small- and medium-sized SANs. It provides the required tools for managing a SAN with a simple, intuitive user interface. It also provides tools for performance management and configuration management, along with easy SAN installation and comprehensive troubleshooting support.Although VisualSAN provides a user-friendly centralized console for management of small and medium sized SANs, it is highly scalable, and can support enterprise class SANs. VisualSAN


supports all Dell PowerVault devices and Dell |EMC devices in the SAN. Dell/EMC VisualSAN is a suite of SRM products:

EMC VisualSAN Network Manager EMC VisualSAN Configuration Manager (optional) EMC VisualSAN Performance Manager (optional)

VisualSAN is fully integrated with the Dell/EMC Navisphere and Dell OpenManage Array Manager and Server Administrator management tools, so the user can visualize, monitor and control the entire SAN from a central console. It supports all PowerVault and Dell/EMC devices. Benefits of VisualSAN

Simplified SAN management Very attractive pricing Integrated Dell support Highly Scalable

For more detailed information on software products, please visit www.dell.com/emc

Markets/Applications

The CX600 is an enterprise-class storage system suitable for use in business critical or day-to-day production-level activities that require leading edge performance and scalability with options for business continuance and disaster recovery. The CX600 may be deployed in heterogeneous Windows, NetWare, Linux, and Unix environments and is appropriate for applications in medium-sized businesses to global enterprises. Examples of where the CX600 is a good fit follow:

Business critical applications that require continuous availability and disaster recovery, combined with high performance and large capacity scaling

Medium to large scale SAN deployments (5 to 60 servers)

Applications that require cost-effective array-based point-in-time-copy or cloning

Data center environments where the flexibility of modular storage growth is needed

Direct AttachIn direct attach configurations, the CX600 provides storage for up to eight directly attached servers or two two-node high-availability clusters. In these configurations, the CX600 has


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higher availability and allows more distance between server and storage than direct attached SCSI storage systems. Also, configuring the CX600 as direct attach storage prepares the server for seamless consolidation into a SAN sometime in the future.Storage Area NetworksIn a SAN environment, the CX600 can actively communicate with up to 128 redundantly connected servers. When used in a SAN, the CX600 offers the following potential benefits over direct-attached storage:

Lower total cost of ownership through simplified management and centralized backup

More efficient use of assets through increased storage utilization

Reduced impact to production performance through LAN-free backup

Reduced risk of data loss through disaster recovery capabilities (i.e., remote mirroring, point-in-time copies and clones)

Typical ApplicationsExchange clusters using MirrorView for disaster recovery.The performance and scalability of the CX600 are ideal for high availability clusters running Microsoft Exchange or other messaging software for up to a few thousand users. MirrorView remote mirroring software adds another dimension of data protection to email data by allowing mirroring to other Dell/EMC arrays hundreds of meters or thousands of kilometers away.Medium to large sized OLTP databases using SnapView cloning for zero-window, full performance backup.The excellent transactional performance of the CX600 coupled with SnapView array-based software is the perfect combination for small to medium sized databases that are active 24x7. Use cloning to create a point-in-time copy of the data, and then back up or analyze the copy while the original data remains in production. Since the cloned data and the original data reside on different disks, the backups and analyses will have minimal performance impact to your database.Decision support systems using SnapView snapshots for space efficient zero-window backup.The CX600 can also be used for non-critical applications that require a highly scalable, cost effective solution with high performance needs. This is typical of many decision support databases. The CX600 can scale up to 35 TB with 146GB drives providing plenty of capacity for your data. In addition, by using SnapView snapshots, you can back up this large amount of data with zero downtime to your database, and without having to make a full copy.


Video editing and prepress.With 1300MB/s of sequential bandwidth, the CX600 is ideally suited to video and prepress applications. The CX600 can directly attach to up to eight high-speed video editing stations. To connect to more servers, simply add a Fibre Channel switch

Features and Benefits

High Availability HardwareThe modular redundant design of the CX600 helps the system to continue normal operation in the event of a failed power supply, cooling unit, storage processor, or disk drive. All these components are hot pluggable for easy repair with no downtime. Add to this robust design and numerous data integrity checks, and the result is a storage solution that is built to keep information safe…and accessible.Cache VaultingThe CX600 contains advanced features designed to protect data from corruption or loss due to unanticipated events. For example, when write caching is used, data waiting to be written is stored in volatile memory on the storage processors. With unprotected systems, an unexpected power failure could result in lost cache data. The CX600 protects against such data loss by using a standby power supply (SPS) to keep the array powered long enough to write cache data to disk. Cache data remains protected indefinitely, and is not subject to the vulnerabilities of battery-backed cache found on other storage systems.Modular DesignSpecifically designed to create flexibility in the data center, the CX600 makes it easy to get started with a highly available storage infrastructure, then grow as business and applications needs warrant.Excellent performanceWith eight front side 2Gbps Fibre Channel ports on the host and four full-bandwidth ports on the drive side, the CX200 has up to 150,000 cached IOPs and sequential performance of up to 1300MB/sec. Cache tuningAll Dell/EMC storage systems have extremely flexible cache tuning capabilities relative to competing modular storage products. This allows cache to be tuned precisely to the load, helping to optimize performance. Non-disruptive upgrade (NDU)Non-disruptive upgrade is built into the core software of the CX600. This allows the core code (firmware) to be upgraded on the fly with no interruption in access to the storage on the array.


To accomplish this, the array will automatically perform a series of failover and failback operation between the storage processors. Also, the upgrade can be rolled back if the new version reveals unanticipated characteristics in a SAN.Array managementFor centralized management of Dell/EMC arrays, the Navisphere Manager software suite is a powerful configuration and management utility for all Dell/EMC storage systems. The graphical user interface (GUI) is designed to help a user to get a basic configuration up and running quickly, and then perform optimization and tuning later. Powerful monitoring and notification functions, including “email home” capability, automatically let administrators know when something is wrong and can spark corrective action from Dell.Navisphere Manager is Java-based code that resides on the array and serves up the GUI to a web browser anywhere on a LAN or WAN. It allows the use of a single management station to manage one or several storage systems, and to make changes to a configuration remotely.MirroringThe CX600 supports MirrorView software for synchronous mirroring to other Dell/EMC storage systems. The CX600 can mirror over shortwave Fibre Channel for distances of 300 meters, over longwave Fibre Channel for distances of 10km, over Fibre Channel extenders for distances of 60km, and over Fibre Channel to IP routers for longer distances.SnapshotsUsing SnapView array-based software, the CX600 can create an instantaneous copy of one or several LUNs at a particular point in time without requiring the same amount of space as the original LUN. The snapshot can then be used for backup or analysis without taking the original LUN out of production. Snapshot can help reduce the backup time for the production LUN to zero.


ClonesThe CX600 also supports cloning through SnapView array-based software. Clones, like snapshots, can produce point-in-time copies of data, but unlike snapshots, clones are full copies that do not necessarily share disks with the original data. This means that clones may be used for backup or analysis without impacting performance of the source LUNs. Typical uses for clones include decision support systems where analysis must be done on the source data without affecting production performance, and application development where multiple full copies of the data can be subjected to different test scenarios with full performance in each. Cloning is also used in boot-from-SAN scenarios where it is necessary to replicate system disks within the array.Comprehensive Software SelectionThe CX600 is also compatible with the complete set of Dell/EMC software including: AccessLogix for LUN masking, PowerPath for multipath failover, and Navisphere Manager for configuration and monitoring, MirrorView for disaster recovery mirroring (requires Navisphere Manager), SnapView for point-in-time copies and clones (requires Navisphere Manager), Navisphere Analyzer for graphical performance analysis and tuning (requires Navisphere Manager), and EMC Control Center/Open Edition for storage resource management in multi-vendor storage environments.

Key Customer Benefits

Helps Eliminate Downtime The CX600 brings enterprise-class availability features and performance that have not been seen in the modular storage market before. Continuous availability and disaster recovery features include redundant hot-swappable components and non-disruptive firmware upgrades. High-End Data Protection The CX600’s combination of data protection features, including cache vaulting, sector level data protection, and patented SNiiFFER data protection firmware work together to help ensure data remains safe. Combine this with replication, point-in-time copies and clones, and the CX600 is an ideal platform to build an enterprise storage architecture. Production-Proven Reliability The CX600 represents the culmination of six generations of Fibre Channel RAID technology. Prior generations of systems leading to the CX600 have a large installed base and a history of reliable operation. Lessons learned from hours of business-critical operations are incorporated into the CX600 design.


Investment ProtectionThe CX600 interoperates with all previous generation Dell/EMC arrays. Add the CX600 to an existing SAN with Dell/EMC FC4700, FC4500, or FC5300 arrays without zoning restrictions, and leverage the same software for all the arrays – Dell/EMC solutions make man aging your growing storage environment easier. Helps Reduce the Total Cost of Owning Storage Simplified storage management is key for helping lower the total cost of ownership of enterprise storage. Navisphere Manager Base or Navisphere Manager Suite and Navisphere Analyzer are available for configuration and management of the CX600. Ensure Interoperability The CX600 has been qualified for environments with homogenous or heterogeneous operating systems, including Windows, Netware, Linux, HP_UX, AIX, Solaris, Tru-64 and SGI.

Service and Support

Dell Premier Enterprise Services is a broad portfolio of services designed to help organizations optimize their use of Dell/EMC technology, rapidly deploy systems, and attain the highest possible levels of system uptime. Consulting and Deployment Services – Required ServicesDell SAN consulting and deployment services help to effectively plan for and optimize the implementation of a new SAN solution to meet unique storage goals. Note: Required services help to ensure the best possible customer experience. Hardware installation, SAN Implementation and Gold-level support are included in the storage system’s price. SAN Implementation services (based on the number of hosts to be attached to the SAN) include:Pre-Sales Design & Site Readiness Assessment Service

(gratis service) Initial design session to identify and document storage configuration requirements in the Dell SAN Configuration Readiness Form (SCRF) and communicate technical/environmental requirements to the customer. The SCRF is used to plan for the initial installation and to document the user’s complete SAN design for reference in post-installation support from Dell’s Technical Support team.

SAN Implementation Service (Tier 1, < 8 hosts)Begins with a comprehensive remote planning session to help ensure all technical and environmental requirements are


communicated and met in advance of the component-level installation. Also included is a verification of overall site readiness and validation of the customer's unique system configuration information. The on-site implementation includes: SAN cabling and host connectivity based on the SAN Configuration of up to two 8- port Switches and

installation of up to 7 agents on approved hosts Software installation of PowerPath, Navisphere Agent,

Navisphere Manager, and enabling of Access Logix for LUN access

Creation of LUNS, RAID Groups & Storage Groups Product orientation session Development of Component Level Design Document

SAN Implementation Service (Tier 2, < 16 hosts)Because of the added complexity of Tier 2 systems, this service begins with an on-site meeting to verify technical and business requirements. In addition to the features included in the Tier 1 service, this service includes configuration of up to two DS-16 Port Switches and installation of up to 15 agents on approved hosts. The design documentation covers the full SAN solution.

Custom Design & Implementation ServiceComprehensive design and implementation for complex systems (15 or more hosts). This service includes the features of the SAN Implementation service and any other needed design and implementation deliverables to meet the customer’s requirements.

Hardware Installation On-site installation of the Dell | EMC storage systems, rack mounting of systems, connection to power sources, and power-on of devices.

Consulting and Deployment Services – Optional Services Customer Training

Dell offers a variety of training courses, including courses about Dell server and storage products, backup and restore, Storage Area Networks, clustering, and systems management software. Available on-site at your facility or within our Dell labs, Dell Technology Training is designed to equip system administrators with the skills needed to optimize your Dell investment from day one.

Proof-of-Concept at Dell Technology Solution CenterA secure, comprehensive lab where Dell can assist in analyzing challenges, testing systems and determining solutions that are optimized for each unique business environment.

Back-up & Recovery Design & ImplementationDetailed analysis and/or implementation of Backup and utility software.


Cluster ImplementationServices to design and implement clustered Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and Dell’s Fibre Channel Cluster kits.

Dell | EMC systems come with a robust standard support program that includes Dell Gold-Level Premier Enterprise Support Service featuring:

7x24 High Level engineer- to- engineer telephone support with direct access to Gold Queue

Technical Account Management Team managed escalations and reporting

7x24 4-Hour On-site Support1 Case management services through Enterprise Expert

Center Remote Software & Storage Support – Unlimited

Resolutions Storage System Remote Monitoring Ability to define your call priority Coordinated seamless support between Dell and key third

party providers Change notification Optional upgrade for On-Site Troubleshooting, On-site-

Engineers, On-site Parts, and customized Platinum-Level Support

A Three-year Limited Warranty2

7x24 toll-free hardware technical phone support Extensive 7x24 E-support, online services

For additional information, please visit www.dell.com/EMC/Services.1 Service may be provided by a third-party provider under contract with Dell. Technician will be dispatched if necessary following phone-based troubleshooting. For 7x24 service, Dell will dispatch a service technician within 4 hours of determining the hardware problem. Available within a 125-mile radius of over 90 metropolitan areas. Available in the U.S. only.2For a complete copy of our Guarantees or Limited Warranties, please write Dell USA, L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit www.dell.com/us/en/gen/services/service_service_plans.htm.

Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography.

Dell, PowerVault and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. EMC and EMC2 are registered trademarks of EMC Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.


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©Copyright 2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell


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