Dell EqualLogic PS Array Firmware

Dell EqualLogic PS Array Firmware 6.0

The Dell company announced in September, 2012 release of the new version of a firmware for the storage systems of EqualLogic PS Array Firmware 6.0 available to all devices of the EqualLogic PS series including purchased earlier. This updating allows to pull together technologies of data storage in three product lines: own PowerVault and two purchased — EqualLogic and Compellent. A common denominator for these lines of storage systems is the Fluid File System technology. The second version of the specification of the FluidFS file system does not allow to keep in one volume of the device from different lines yet, but already provides creation from them a uniform file space. "We aim to make FluidFS the universal file system for all our storage systems" — Anton Banchukov, the manager on corporate products of Dell promised.

In Dell relatively recently activated development of own portfolio of hardware storage systems, having purchased several producers in this segment of the market at once. Therefore unification of the corresponding products both on hardware implementation, and according to the software became one of relevant tasks of the company. In particular, all storage systems are supposed to be managed using the EqualLogic Group Manager single console which allows to work both with block, and with file structure of data storage.

In the new version of microprogram providing support of the storage equipment released recently is implemented. So (Network Attached Storage, NAS) in Dell developed a special hardware platform with the code name TopHat based on which EqualLogic FS7600/FS7610 and PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 controllers are constructed for a line of devices of network storage. In different models of controllers Gigabit Ethernet ports or more high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet are used; in the chassis hot swap of power supplies, controllers and fans is implemented.

On the same hardware platform also servers of storage of initial price range of NX3300 and NX3200 which work not on FluidFS technology any more are implemented, and based on Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 and are completed with disks — up to 12 in the body. These are not controllers, and storages, ready to system operation, any more. NX3300 model allows the organization of a cluster from two nodes.

Besides, the module PS-M4110 intended for the organization of storage system as a part of own lezviyny server which can be also added to the file FluidFS environment is released. Physically the module occupies two next slots in the server and allows to install in them two modules of the RAID controller and to 14 disks. In one body of the lezviyny server it can be installed up to four such modules that gives the chance to build compact complexes which in one body on 15U allow to mount a necessary set of net boards, computing servers and storage systems for small mobile DPC.

At the end of the third quarter 2012 it is going to release the device from an upper line of Compellent FS8600 which will also support FluidFS technology that will allow to mount them in the single file system with devices of the lower price segments.

In addition to support of FluidFS in the new version of microprogram providing, synchronous replication, a possibility of recovery of accidentally remote volume (Volume Undelete), temporary increase in the size of the instant copy (Snapshot Borrowing), support of the protocol of backup of NDMP of the fourth version are implemented. For data protection, transferred on network of storage, it is possible to use enciphering under the IPSec protocol now. With the new version of a firmware controllers will support work with the disks using internal enciphering; at the same time keys for decoding of data are stored in the controller and at extraction of such disk from an array data in it become unavailable.