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 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-iscsion 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 = trueSpecial considerations
Multiple iSCSI paths are discovered automatically.
Supports IPv4 and IPv6.
Maintain uniform MTU and initiator settings across all hosts.
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
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 arrays offer automated tiering and Dell Storage Manager (DSM) based management.
Prerequisites
Before you configure the Compellent iSCSI backend, complete these requirements:
Install
open-iscsion 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
The DSM user specified in san_login must have access to dell_sc_volume_folder. Otherwise, backend initialization fails.
Special considerations
dell_sc_ssnis 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 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
Special considerations
Specify FC port WWPNs in the
powerstore_portsparameter.Supports volume creation, attachment, detachment, extension, and bootable volumes.
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
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:
For example, to create a Platinum tier volume type:
Available service levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Diamond, depending on your array configuration.
Special considerations
The
san_ipparameter 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-toolson Ubuntu instead of PowerPath for multipathing.
Last updated
Was this helpful?