Basic Storage Consolidation Plan to Migrate from DAS to Virtual Storage
Some time ago I created a quick powerpoint presentation on how to migrate from an existing standalone server environment with Direct Attach Storage (DAS) to a virtual environment with shared storage. The presentation has now been updated and is a good starting point for anyone wondering “how” to migrate to a new, virtual environment.
This presentation/plan does not talk about features and functions of Dell EqualLogic storage. Those details are best left for specific conversations.
The approach we take is that every machine and application that is currently in production at your company is assumed critical and must continue to be online as the migration takes place.
In all, the complete process only includes 4 steps, the fourth of which is optional.
Storage Consolidation Plan - Migrate to VMWare in 4 Steps (PDF)
Storage Consolidation Plan - Migrate to VMWare in 4 Steps (powerpoint)
Feed back is welcome!
PS6010E, PS6010X, PS6510E and PS6510X Pricing Now Available
Dell just announced the availability of their new 10Gb EqualLogic arrays; PS6010E, PS6010X, PS6010XV, PS6510E and PS6510X. Unlike the standard 1Gb 6000 and 6500 series which include four (4) 1Gb ports per controller, the new boxes boast two (2) 10GbE ports on each controller providing tremendous I/O capacity. Having a smaller number of larger pipes means more performance while using fewer switch connections - a win-win.
PS6010E pricing and PS6010X pricing has been loaded in our self-service pricing portal so help yourself!
PS4000 and PS6000 Side by Side
It was only a couple of months ago when the Dell EqualLogic PS6000 replaced the PS5000 as the new EqualLogic flagship. We were excited to see Dell moving upstream with a faster controller and more connection speed, but we felt something was missing. Many potential customers wanted to get on board the EqualLogic train but could not afford it.
Until now.
Dell just announced the release of the PS4000 which fits nicely in the Small-Medium sized business niche. Remaining true to EqualLogic’s tradition of waiting until a product was ready before announcing it, the PS4000 hit the ground running. Quite honestly, we got more than we could have hoped for.
The PS4000 comes with the same enterprise SAN features built directly into the firmware; the only difference is a revved up controller on the PS6000 and a higher number of supported attributes. I thought a side-by-side comparison might help those that are familiar with the PS Series (either the original PS100 et al or the PS5000).
| PS4000 | PS6000 (PS5000) | |
 |
 |
|
| GbE Connections | 2 Per Controller | 4 Per Controller |
| Members Per Group | 2 | 12 |
| Volumes | 256 | 1024 |
| Snapshots/Replicas | 2,048 | 10,000 |
| Snapshots Per Volume | 128 | 512 |
| Volumes For Replication | 32 | 192 |
| Replicas Per Volume | 128 | 512 |
| Replication Partners | 16 | 16 |
| PRICING | PRICING |
Here’s an interesting point. Although you cannot have more than 2 PS4000s in a Group, if you add a single PS6000 to the group the limits disappear and there are no restrictions. Site to site replication implies 2 groups.
SAN HQ - Centralized Group Management
Dealing with rapid data growth is one of the most pressing issues facing IT organizations today. Whether it’s at the corporate datacenter, branch office facilities or disaster recovery sites, the Storage Area Networks (SANs) that support the business-critical applications are growing and need to be monitored in a simple manner. For ongoing operations planning, trend analysis and troubleshooting, IT managers require SAN monitoring tools that can provide them centralized access to detailed performance and event data, reporting and intelligent alerts.
For managers of Dell EqualLogic storage, the answer is SAN Headquarters (SAN HQ). SAN HQ uses Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to collect performance, alarm and health status data from dozens of PS Series Groups that could be spread at multiple locations the world.
The EqualLogic PS Series has automated, real-time load balancing across drives, RAID sets, connections, cache and controllers for optimized performance and resource utilization. SAN HQ complements this virtualized architecture by providing IT managers a new level of insight into performance and capacity trends across their EqualLogic storage infrastructure.
Read the full description here
PS5000 End of Life, Back to Life
Dell recently announced that the PS5000 series was end-of-life as of April 22. Of course, the push was convenient given April 30 was their end of quarter. Nothing like an end-of-life deadline to drive in last minute deals!
Well, it turns out there a few more PS5000s lying around than they thought so the product line has a bit more life left. We are now hearing that June is most likely the phase out period. The good news is that the PS6000, which also includes the new solid-state iscsi model, is quickly taking the 5000’s place with an additional Gb connection and Gig of cache per controller.
So, until sometime in June…”PS5000, Get your PS5000s here while they last!” I’ll have a coke with mine.
Stop Replacing Disk Drives
For all those IT professionals out there fed up with Technology Obsolescence, this post is for you. Having been in enterprise IT as both a provider and consumer, there is nothing more frustrating than being forced to get rid of perfectly good equipment because it is no longer supported or because something better is now available. Nowhere does this play out more often than data storage.
As mentioned in a previous post Frame vs. Frameless, there several well documented issues with traditional storage systems. We should have added Planned Obsolescence to the list of shortcomings of Frame based systems. As new drives technology marches forward the controllers that feed those drives fall further back until they will no longer work.
Now the good news. You don’t have to take it anymore! Stop replacing those disk drives!
EqualLogic is on the verge of releasing it’s newest array dubbed, quite modestly, the PS6000. With few details until the official launch later this month, all we can say for sure is this: The 2009 Model will work right out of the box with the 2002 Model (their first year). The shiny new PS6000 will boot up and melt right into an existing storage pool without even taking your servers down.
The Peer Storage Operating System “glues” the arrays together virtually under a single Group IP address. You no longer have to burn up your spring-time weekends by coming to work to stand-up a new array, create LUNs, migrate data and then stay on call to make sure you didn’t forget something. Older equipment that formerly was decommissioned to the EZ-Shredder can continue to add extra spindles, and speed, to the data set.
Isn’t virtual fun…and earth friendly!
Dell’s Got a New Little Virtualization Friend, Xsigo
Dell has tapped Xsigo to provide I/O virtualization so it can connect servers to multiple networks and storage and optimize data centers.
Dell, which now says it offers virtualized solutions end-to-end, is supposed to resell all of Xsigo’s widgetry and work with the start-up on technology roadmaps and reseller resources.
See the full story here:
Dell’s Got a New Little Virtualization Friend, Xsigo
— Dell has tapped Xsigo to provide I/O virtualization so it can connect servers to multiple networks and storage and optimize data centers. Xsigo consolidates the I/O infrastructure and replaces physical networks and storage interfaces.
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New 7.2TB SAS System now shipping
Dell EqualLogic is now shipping the new PS5000XV 7.2TB SAS units. The 15K drives give plenty of performance while the 450G drives are a welcome increase in capacity.
EqualLogic Detailed Video … hot
EqualLogic marketing has done a wonderful job of using new media to give customers a detailed tour of the PS Series internals. When the interactive video loads simply mouse over the sections on the left and have fun!
New Dell EqualLogic PS5500E Specs and Pricing
New Dell/EqualLogic PS5500E . . . a “game changer”?
Yes, our Self-Service Pricing portal has the new PS5500E and support options loaded.
Well, the new Dell/EqualLogic PS5500E has now been released. Originally code-named the EqualLogic “Sumo”, the 48 drive unit was never released under the former EqualLogic label.
It comes in 2 configurations; 24TB and 48TB depending on whether you pick 500GB or 1TB drives respectively. Compared to the existing cost of 16-drive configurations, the new PS5500 will save you about 33%. In other words, the way the units are priced you get the capacity of three (3) 16-drive units for the price of 2. Of course the trade-off is the reduced controller/cache/network ratio per drive but given EqualLogic’s internal design there should still be plenty of performance.
How do they pack 48 drives in a 4u space?…Vertically.
If you haven’t already seen it check out the 3D animation on EqualLogic’s website .
Is this a game changer?…only time will tell.
One of the biggest complaints over the years about EqualLogic’s archictecture has also been its primary strength; forced scaling of controllers, cache and network connections per group of 16 drives. Most of Dell’s competitors highlighted that you were buying unneeded additional hardware for each bank of drives added. Equallogic always countered (correctly I might add) that forced scaling provided the only solution that actually increases in performance as the size of the group increases.
The PS5500E is a welcome addition to Dell’s storage line for customers that enjoy the ease of use of the PS Series but always wanted just a bit more capacity per box.
Here is the PS5500E Specification Sheet.