7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 1/8

20th May 2013

Very good post from EMC SAN Info,

http://www.emcsaninfo.com/2012/11/emc-vmax-architecture-detailed-explanation.html

[http://www.emcsaninfo.com/2012/11/emc-vmax-architecture-detailed-explanation.html]

EMC Vmax Architecture : Detailed Explanation

Currently there are 3 types of EMC Vmax available EMC Vmax 10K,EMC Vmax 20K and EMC Vmax

40K.This article describing the general architecture of Vmax models.Symmetrix Vmax is EMC's prestigious

product.Compared to the previous models, Vmax has been optimized for increased availability,performance

and capacity utilization on all tiers with all RAID types.Vmax's enhanced device configuration and

replication operations results in easier,faster and more efficient management of large virtual and physical

environment.

The main architectural difference between DMX and Vmax model is that vmax has engineconcept.In DMX

model,we have different hardware for front end(FA director),back end(DA director) and memory

modules.But in Vmax all these hardwares are integrated together and is knows as Vmax Engine .

A EMC Vmax storage array support from 1 to maximum of 8 Vmax engines.Each of these engines contains

two symmetrix vmax directors.Each director includes

- 8 multi-core CPUs (total 16 per engine)

– Cache memory(global memory)

– Front end I/O modules

– Back end I/O modules

– System Interface Module(SIB)

Apart from this,each engine has redundant power supplies,cooling fans,standby power supplies(SPS) and

environmental modules.

All these engines are interconnected usingVmax Matrix Interface Board Enclosure(MIBE).Each director

has two connection to MIBE via system interface module(SIB) ports as shown below.

[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-

BufndYyJYn4/UZn27q6IXAI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/EkP2H8_7vNM/s1600/image001-718389.png]

Multi-core CPUs:

VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 2/8

Multi-Core CPUs deliver new levels of performance and functionality in a smaller footprint with reduced

power and cooling requirements.Each director has 8 multi core CPUs and a total of 16 CPUs per engine.

Cache memory(global memory):

Each director can be configured with 16, 32 or 64 GB of physical memory. Of this, a small portion (4 GB) is

reserved for local processing, and the rest constitutes Global Memory. Global Memory on any given

director is always mirrored to another director in the system.So the minimum usable memory will be 16

GB(total 32GB, on a single engine configuration) and maximum will be 512GB (total 1024GB,fully loaded

eight VMAX Engines system)

Memory is accessible by any director within the system:◆ If a system has a single VMAX Engine, physical

memory mirrors are internal to the enclosure.◆ If a system has multiple VMAX Engines, physical memory

mirrors are provided between enclosures.

Front End I/O Module :

Front end modules are used for host connectivity.Host connectivity via Fibre Channel, iSCSI and

FICON are supported.

Back End I/O Module :

Back end module provide access to the disk drives.Disks drives are configured under these I/O modules.

System Interface Module(SIB):

SIBs are responsible for interconnecting the Vmax engine's directors through Matrix Interface Board

Enclosure(MIBE).Each Vmax engine has two SIBs and each has two ports.

Similar to DMX3 and DMX4 arrays,Vmax has two types of bays

1. System bay :

System bay contains all Vmax engines.Apart from Vmax engines,it contains system bay standby power

supplies(SPS), Uninterrupted Power Supply(UPS),Matrix Interface Board Enclosure (MIBE), and a

Server (Service Processor) with Keyboard- Video-Mouse (KVM)assembly.

2. Storage bay :

The Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is similar to the Storage Bay of the DMX-3 and DMX-4 systems. It

consists of eight to sixteen Drive Enclosures, 48 to 240 drives, eight (8) SPS modules, and unique cabling

when compared with the DMX Series. The Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is configured with capacities

of up to 120 disk drives for a half populated bay or 240 disk drives for a fully populated bay. Drives, LCCs,

power supplies, and blower modules are fully redundant and hot swappable and are enclosed inside Disk

Array Enclosure(DAE).One DAE holds 15 physical disk drives and one storage bay has total 16

DAEs(hence a storage bay has maximum of 240 disk, 16*15)

Vmax Engine Front View :

Below is a Vmax engine front view.As described above,Vmax engines are located in Vmax system bay.We

can see the power supplies located at two sides and cooling fan module located in middle.

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 3/8

[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XpT0VAPx5Us/UZn28L-

5d5I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/IMpXn0rREKc/s1600/image002-720675.png]

Vmax Engine Rear View :

This example displays the rear view of the V-Max Engine.

[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMAfykxi-

HE/UZn28WCRpuI/AAAAAAAAD9k/qvOPlLKgsL0/s1600/image003-721518.png]

As explained earlier each V-Max Engine contains two director boards named here as Odd and Even

director, four Front End I/O Modules, four Back End I/O Modules and two System Interface Boards (SIB).

The Back End I/O Modules are numbered as Module 0 and Module 1. The System Interface Boards

are named as Modules 2 and 3. The Front End I/O Modules are numbered as Module 4 and Module 5.

The top director board combined with the left Front End I/O Modules 4 and 5 represents the even

numbered director.The bottom director board combined with the right Front End I/O Modules 4 and 5

represents the odd numbered director. For example, if this is engine 4 the top director would be director

number 8 and the bottom director would be director number 7.

Vmax Engine Port Assignment :

This is a typical Vmax port assignment diagram

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 4/8

[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rjxkJohxag/UZn28o6FSiI/AAAAAAAAD9w/_mZJuJwKmZE/s1600/image004-

722809.png]

Above diagram contains port assignment of System Interface Board, the Back End I/O Modules, and the

Front End I/O Modules.

As I explained earlier Vmax engines are interconnected using MIBE using System Interface Board

ports Port A and Port B.Using these ports all directors communicate through the Virtual Matrix via

redundant connections.

Each director within a V-Max Engine contains two Back End I/O Modules. Each Back End I/O Module has a

single port, which holds a single Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) connector. The QSFP

connector cable contains 4 smaller cables ,each have a connection to four Drive Enclosures, providing

Back End Fibre Channel connectivity to the disk drives. On Back End I/O Module 0 these connections are

designated as A0, A1, B0, and B1. On Back End I/O Module 1, these connections are designated as C0,

C1, D0, and D1.

Each director also contains two Front End I/O Modules. The port designations on the Front End I/O Module

will vary based on the interface type. This example represents four Fibre Channel Front End I/O Modules.

In this ,configuration module 4 will contain ports E0, E1, F0, and F1. Module 5 will contain ports G0, G1,

H0, and H1.

As we discussed previously, the left two Front End I/O Modules are connected to the even numbered

director. If it is Engine 4(director number associated with engine 4 is director 7 and 8), then the first port

on the left most module 4 would be director 8 port E0. This is a significant departure from other Symmetrix

systems and is a result of the overall increased port count in the Symmetrix V-Max array.

Vmax Engine Configuration with Storage Bays:

Now lets have a look at how the vmax engine configures along with storage bay.I am giving pictorial

representation, from one vmax engine to 8 vmax engine configuration along with storage bays.This is the

standard EMC recommended configuration layout.

1. One Vmax engine with storage bay:

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 5/8

[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-

_ApozABo8N0/UZn29HEgGfI/AAAAAAAAD98/iC7Gsg5INEk/s1600/image005-724084.png]

The Symmetrix V-Max array requires at least one V-Max Engine in the System Bay. As shown,the first

engine in the System Bay will always be Engine 4 as counted starting at 1 from the bottom of the

System Bay. In this example,Engine 4 has two half populated Storage Bays. One bay is directly

attached and the second is a daisy chain attachedStorage Bay. This allows for a total of 240 drives. To

populate the upper half of these Storage Bays with drives you will need to add another V-Max Engine.

2.Two Vmax engine with storage bay:

[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SrhphEmrSM/UZn29UVdTgI/AAAAAAAAD-I/5vOPw5v5B1c/s1600/image006-

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 6/8

725013.png]

In this example, the system has been expanded to include Engine 5. This allows the top half of both

Storage Bays to be populated with drives. This represents the correct order for adding V-Max Engines to

the System Bay. V-Max Engines are added from the middle, starting with 4, then 5, then 3.

3.Three Vmax engine with storage bay:

[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-

cofLSMfu74E/UZn29qGVTrI/AAAAAAAAD-U/CHEazKxJqd8/s1600/image007-725976.png]

Again, working from the middle out the system has been expanded. The next V-Max Engine is 3, allowing

the attachment of two additional Storage Bays. This allows for a total of 720 drives.

4.Four Vmax engine with storage bay:

[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-

xxXzfjRLBjE/UZn299cWQmI/AAAAAAAAD-k/5b0q5nIkcvc/s1600/image008-727164.png]

5.Five Vmax engine with storage bay:

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 7/8

[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_axxAMcSrA/UZn2-

OsF24I/AAAAAAAAD-s/-lMVsMmxruQ/s1600/image009-728364.png]

6.Six Vmax engine with storage bay:

[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69iAo8_bptk/UZn2-

Zm6FlI/AAAAAAAAD-4/d3kL6ADgXtU/s1600/image010-729234.png]

7.Seven Vmax engine with storage bay:

[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0s81HqtQpo8/UZn2-

pw7fyI/AAAAAAAAD_I/UWExhxSqwNI/s1600/image011-730617.png]

8.Eight Vmax engine with storage bay: (Fully populated)

[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtU0TYPXDSc/UZn2-

yTBwnI/AAAAAAAAD_U/3nMveM-XsaQ/s1600/image012-731902.png]

Now that we have the general idea, let's take a look at how a system gets fully populated. Still working from

the inside,out alternating above and below Engine 4, each engine is added until the System Bay is fully

populated with 8 V-Max Engines. As more engines are added the corresponding Storage Bays are added.

In this example, the color coding indicates the relationship between the engines and their associated

Storage Bays. Fully populated, this configuration allows for a total of 2,400. You will notice that Engines 1,

2, 7, and 8 each manage two daisy chain attached Storage Bays. This represents a supported system

7/2/2014 VMAX Architecture - EMCSAN Info

http://deekooy.blogspot.in/2013/05/vmax-architecture-emcsan-info.html 8/8

implementation, not a design limitation.

I tried to cover is,only the EMC Vmax architectural part in this post,not all Vmax features.I will be writing

more post related to Vmax features later. Hope now you got an idea about Vmax architecture.

Posted 20th May 2013 by Dhaval J Tandel

Enter your comment...

Comment as: Google Account

Publish

Preview

0 Add a comment