Dell EqualLogic “E”, “X”, “XV”, “S” and now “XVS”

Ever wonder what all the suffixes on the Dell EqualLogic PS Series arrays mean? For existing customers that have been working with them forever (we’ve been providing EqualLogic solutions for over 5 years now) the migration from the original “E” model made sense. The latest “XVS” spawned this blog post…this is getting a bit confusing!

Here are the prefix summaries for those that are just getting familiar with the units:

“E” - SATA drives running at 7200 RPM
“X” - 10,000 RPM Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) drives (various capacities exist)
“XV” - 15,000 RPM Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) drives (various capacities exist)
“S” - Solid-State Drives
“XVS” - SAS and Solid-State hybrid boxes

While most customers choose “E” arrays for more static, less critical data, don’t underestimate their performance. The striping and caching intelligence that is built into the units means you will get outstanding performance regardless of drive type.

August 26, 2010 · Filed Under Design Considerations, PS4000, PS6000, PS6010, PS6500, PS6510

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Dell Tech Alert for EqualLogic Customers !!!

Dell has issued a firmware update alert for owners of the following EqualLogic units. Here is the letter directly from Dell.

Dear Valued Customer,

With the release of EqualLogic™ PS Series Firmware Release V4.3.6, a number of potentially serious issues have been resolved. Customers who are using any of the products listed below are strongly urged to upgrade to V4.3.6 or higher at their earliest opportunity:

· EqualLogic™ PS6000, PS6500 or PS400E arrays

· EqualLogic™ PS100 arrays with 750GB disks

· Windows 2008 Clustering Software

V4.3.6 contains a number of important fixes which affect all arrays, and Dell encourages all customers to apply this update. Please refer to the V4.3.6 Fix List for complete details.

Firmware V4.3.6 Download

Other Latest Releases

San HQ V2.0 Download

Hit Kit V3.3.2 Download

For all the latest software releases go to https://www.equallogic.com/support/download.aspx

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

The firmware and all associated documentation can be obtained at http://support.equallogic.com/, under Downloads->Firmware.

Once you have logged in, and selected Downloads->Firmware, select the hyperlink for the version of firmware that you wish to download.

Patches appear within the associated firmware page. Please be sure to download and review the Release Notes and instructions for updating storage array firmware, or applying patches as appropriate for your firmware version prior to attempting the firmware upgrade or patch.

Technical Support

Please Contact:
Dell EqualLogic Support

(800) 945-3355(Toll-Free in US and Canada) International Numbers

us-nh-cstech@dell.com
http://support.dell.com/equallogic/

July 27, 2010 · Filed Under News, PS4000, PS6000, PS6010, PS6500

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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 gives a potential new EqualLogic customer a simple road map for migrating to a new, virtual environment.

Our approach assumes every machine and application that is currently in production is critical, and must remain online as the migration takes place.

This presentation/plan does not talk about features and functions of Dell EqualLogic storage. Those details are best left for specific conversations.

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!

January 21, 2010 · Filed Under Design Considerations, PS4000, PS6000, Setup and Operation

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EqualLogic 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!

December 23, 2009 · Filed Under News, PS4000, PS6000

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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.

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under Design Considerations, Legacy Gear, PS4000, PS6000, Setup and Operation

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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!

March 24, 2009 · Filed Under Design Considerations, Legacy Gear, PS4000, PS6000, Setup and Operation

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Dell EqualLogic Pricing

Dell has just announced a price reduction on all its EqualLogic Storage Arrays. Support costs have also been simplified and reduced.

You can get a current updated price quote on our EqualLogic Pricing page.

August 20, 2008 · Filed Under PS4000, PS6000, Pricing

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Dell EqualLogic “E”, “X”, “XV”, “S” and now “XVS”

Dell Tech Alert for EqualLogic Customers !!!

Storage Consolidation Plan to Migrate from DAS to Virtual Storage

EqualLogic PS6010E, PS6010X, PS6510E and PS6510X Pricing Now Available

PS4000 and PS6000 Side by Side

Stop Replacing Disk Drives

Dell EqualLogic Pricing

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