Dell EMC Storage Configurations

Overview

Dell EMC arrays provide flexible, high-performance storage solutions for hybrid and enterprise data centers. Private Cloud Director supports the following Dell EMC storage arrays through their respective drivers:

• Dell Unity - Unified storage over iSCSI and Fibre Channel
• Dell Compellent (SC Series) - Block storage with automated tiering over iSCSI
• Dell Powerstore - Block storage over Fibre Channel
• Dell Powermax - Enterprise block storage over Fibre Channel

These configuration examples cover block storage setups for each array type, outlining prerequisites, backend definitions, and optional parameters for enabling thin provisioning and data-reduction features.

Select a storage array and protocol below to view the complete configuration steps for your environment.

Dell Unity - iSCSI

Dell Unity arrays provide unified storage supporting both block and file protocols. iSCSI offers block storage connectivity over standard Ethernet infrastructure.

Prerequisites

Before you configure the Unity iSCSI backend, complete these requirements:

• Install open-iscsi on all hosts.
• Configure consistent MTU settings across the network (jumbo frames recommended).
• Configure iSCSI ports on the Unity array.
• Configure iSCSI connectivity between hosts and the Unity array.

Volume backend configuration

[unity_iscsi_backend]
volume_driver = cinder.volume.drivers.dell_emc.unity.Driver
volume_backend_name = unity_iscsi
storage_protocol = iSCSI
san_ip = <UNITY_MGMT_IP>
san_login = <UNITY_ADMIN_USER>
san_password = <UNITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD>
unity_storage_pool_names = <POOL_NAME>
volumes_dir = /opt/pf9/etc/pf9-cindervolume-base/volumes/
use_multipath_for_image_xfer = true

Special considerations

• Multiple iSCSI paths are discovered automatically.
• Supports IPv4 and IPv6.
• Maintain uniform MTU and initiator settings across all hosts.

Dell Unity - Fibre Channel

Dell Unity arrays provide unified storage supporting both block and file protocols. Fibre Channel offers consistent performance for high-IO workloads.

Prerequisites

Before you configure the Unity Fibre Channel backend, complete these requirements:

• Install Fibre Channel HBAs on all hosts.
• Enable FC ports on the Unity array.
• Configure FC zoning between hosts and the Unity array.
• Register host initiators in Unity.

Volume backend configuration

[unity_fc_backend]
volume_driver = cinder.volume.drivers.dell_emc.unity.Driver
volume_backend_name = unity_fc
storage_protocol = FC
san_ip = <UNITY_MGMT_IP>
san_login = <UNITY_ADMIN_USER>
san_password = <UNITY_ADMIN_PASSWORD>
unity_storage_pool_names = <POOL_NAME>
# Specify FC ports to use, or omit to use all available ports
unity_io_ports = <FC_PORT_ID_1>,<FC_PORT_ID_2>
volumes_dir = /opt/pf9/etc/pf9-cindervolume-base/volumes/
use_multipath_for_image_xfer = true
# Thin provisioning: set to 'false' for thin provisioning (recommended), 'true' for thick
unity_thick_provisioning = false
# Data reduction: requires All-Flash array
unity_data_reduction = true

Special considerations

• Supported models: Unity 450F and 650F.
• Thin provisioning is recommended for space efficiency.
• Data reduction requires an All-Flash array.
• Minimum OE version: 4.1 or later.

Dell Compellent (SC Series ) - iSCSI

Dell Compellent arrays offer automated tiering and Dell Storage Manager (DSM) based management.

Prerequisites

Before you configure the Compellent iSCSI backend, complete these requirements:

• Install open-iscsi on all hosts.
• Configure Dell Storage Manager (DSM).
• Create volume and server folders in DSM.
• Configure iSCSI connectivity between hosts and the Compellent array.
• Grant the DSM user access to the volume folder.

Volume backend configuration

[compellent_iscsi_backend]
volume_driver = cinder.volume.drivers.dell_emc.sc.storagecenter_iscsi.SCISCSIDriver
volume_backend_name = compellent_iscsi
san_ip = <COMPELLENT_MGMT_IP>
san_login = <DSM_USER>
san_password = <DSM_PASSWORD>
# Storage Center serial number (System ID)
dell_sc_ssn = <STORAGE_CENTER_SERIAL>
dell_sc_api_port = 3033
dell_sc_volume_folder = <FOLDER_PATH>
dell_sc_server_folder = <SERVER_FOLDER>

The DSM user specified in san_login must have access to dell_sc_volume_folder. Otherwise, backend initialization fails.

Special considerations

• dell_sc_ssn is the Storage Center serial number (System ID).
• Volume and server folders must exist in DSM before configuring the backend.
• Automated tiering is enabled by default.

Dell Powerstore - Fibre Channel

Dell Powerstore provides modern, high-performance block storage with Fibre Channel connectivity.

Prerequisites

Before you configure the Powerstore Fibre Channel backend, complete these requirements:

• Install Fibre Channel HBAs on all hosts.
• Enable FC ports on the Powerstore array.
• Obtain the WWPNs for the FC ports you want to use.
• Configure FC zoning between hosts and the Powerstore array.

Volume backend configuration

[powerstore_fc_backend]
volume_driver = cinder.volume.drivers.dell_emc.powerstore.driver.PowerStoreDriver
volume_backend_name = powerstore_fc
storage_protocol = FC
san_ip = <POWERSTORE_MGMT_IP>
san_login = <POWERSTORE_ADMIN_USER>
san_password = <POWERSTORE_ADMIN_PASSWORD>
# Comma-separated list of FC port WWPNs to use
powerstore_ports = <FC_PORT_WWPN_1>,<FC_PORT_WWPN_2>,<FC_PORT_WWPN_3>,<FC_PORT_WWPN_4>

Special considerations

• Specify FC port WWPNs in the powerstore_ports parameter.
• Supports volume creation, attachment, detachment, extension, and bootable volumes.

Dell Powermax - Fibre Channel

Dell Powermax provides enterprise-grade block storage with Fibre Channel connectivity and tiered storage capabilities.

Prerequisites

Before you configure the Powermax Fibre Channel backend, complete these requirements:

• Install Fibre Channel HBAs on all hosts.
• Configure Unisphere for array management with PRO SOFTWARE package enabled.
• Create port groups on the Powermax array.
• Obtain the array serial number and SRP name.
• Configure FC zoning between hosts and the Powermax array.

Volume backend configuration

[powermax_fc_backend]
volume_driver = cinder.volume.drivers.dell_emc.powermax.fc.PowerMaxFCDriver
volume_backend_name = powermax_fc
# Unisphere management IP (not the array IP)
san_ip = <UNISPHERE_MGMT_IP>
san_login = <UNISPHERE_USER>
san_password = <UNISPHERE_PASSWORD>
# Powermax array serial number
powermax_array = <ARRAY_SERIAL_NUMBER>
# Port group name created on the array
powermax_port_groups = [<PORT_GROUP_NAME>]
# Storage Resource Pool name
powermax_srp = <SRP_NAME>
use_multipath_for_image_xfer = true

Configure volume types with service levels

Powermax supports tiered storage through Service Level Objectives (SLO). Configure volume types to use specific service levels by adding the pool_name property.

To create a volume type with a specific service level, set the pool_name extra spec in the following format:

pool_name=<SLO>+<SRP>+<ARRAY_SERIAL>

For example, to create a Platinum tier volume type:

pool_name=Platinum+SRP_1+000197601478

Available service levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Diamond, depending on your array configuration.

Special considerations

• The san_ip parameter points to the Unisphere host, not the array directly.
• PRO SOFTWARE package is required for API-based management.
• The array must be pre-zoned before configuration.
• Port groups must exist on the array before configuring the backend.
• The Powermax driver uses its own host naming convention for storage groups and masking views.
• Use multipath-tools on Ubuntu instead of PowerPath for multipathing.