Storage Center Fundamentals

Simplify Block-level
management intelligence

Sophisticated “No waste”

data when storing
movement data
engine
What’s in it for you?
Understand the basics of a Storage Center solution.

Define the core software included in a Storage

Center solution.

Define the application software available in a

Storage Center solution.

Discuss updates included in version 6.3

& 6.4 of the Storage Center software.
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 The Dell Compellent Storage CenterTM
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 Technology Independence 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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 Flexible Growth

 Configurable Performance

 Enterprise Level Features

 Online Migration

 Core Software

 Powerful Options

 Robust Interface

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 Deployment architecture options

Single Single Dual Dual

Controller, Controller, Controller, Controller,
Single Multiple Single Multiple
Enclosure Enclosures Enclosure Enclosures

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 Multi-site architecture

One-Way Replication Topology Three-Way Replication Topology = “Circle”

Two-Way Replication Topology = “Buddy” Star Replication Topology = “Star”

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 The Storage Center
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•Controllers
•Enclosures
•Switches
•Host Bus Adapters

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 HBA server configuration

FC iSCSI FCoE

Dell Compellent provides technical assistance

for third-party Host Bus Adapters that are
utilized in the customer’s servers.

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 Fibre channel zoning

Physical

Logical

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 Storage Center software overview

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Software
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Applications
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 Storage Center – core software

Data
Boot
Data Cache Data from
SAN
Disk
Storage Center
Virtualization
Boot Volume

Boot Volume

Fluid Data Architecture

Data Data Data

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 Storage Center – core software (cont.)
Charting
Viewer

LUN Thin
Import

Data Data
Virtual
Ports

Controller Controller

Storage
Center Copy Data
Phone LUN Mirror
Home
Migrate

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 Storage Center - core software (cont.)

Original Replay

Data Instant Replay

Dynamic Capacity

Datapage Sizes
Enterprise
512KB 2MB
Manager
4MB

Dynamic
Controllers

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 Storage Center - applications
Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Data Progression
Replay Manager

HQ DR

Remote Instant Replay

FastTrack
Live Volume

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 Core: Fluid Data architecture

Collection of allocated and unallocated disk

blocks
Maps pages to volumes
Volume
Maintains metadata
Default page size is 2MB

Change RAID levels by re-pointing pages.

System manages data mapping across multiple
RAID levels.
Page Pool
Individual files can span multiple drive
types and RAID levels.

Self defragmentation and tuning

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 Core: disk virtualization

Dell Compellent Storage Center

Conventional Storage System

 Manage all disks as

a single pool
 Mix and match any
capacity, speed or
interface
 Non-disruptive
changes
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 Optimize
performance
 Common RAID levels

A B C D A A
E F G H B = B
I J K L C C
M N O P D D

RAID 0 RAID 1

A B C D abcd P A A B B
E F G efgh P H C C D D
I J ijkl P K L
M mnop P N O P E E F F
qrst P Q R S T G G H H

RAID 5 RAID 10

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 RAID consumption considerations

A B C D P A A B B
E F G P H C C D D
I J P K L =
M P N O P E E F F
P Q R S T G G H H

RAID 5-5 RAID 10

A B C D E F G H P
I J K L M N O P P
Q U R S T U P V W
X Y Z 1 2 P 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 P 10 11 12 13
A1 A2 A3 P A4 A5 A6 A7 A8
A9 A0 P B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
B7 P B8 B9 B0 C1 C2 C3 C4
P C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C0 D1 D2

RAID 5-9

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 Dual redundancy
 Additional mirror of data/parity increases availability
 Protects against 2 drive failures in the same stripe set
RAID 10
Dual Mirror

RAID 6-6
Data Mirror Mirror
Data Data Data Data Parity Parity
Data Mirror Mirror

Data Mirror Mirror

Data Mirror Mirror

RAID 6-10
Data Data Data Data Data Data Data Data Parity Parity

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 Core: Boot from SAN

Boot Boot Boot Boot Boot Boot

Volume Volume Volume Volume Volume Volume
Srv 1 Srv 2 Srv 3 Srv 4 Srv 5 Srv 6

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 Core: Dynamic Capacity
Traditional SAN Dell Compellent
Ten Terabytes Presented

Volume 1 Savings
$$$
Dynamic Capacity Unused
Allocation
Data Available
One Terabyte Volume 2 Storage Volume 1
Unused
Physical Storage Allocation Data Volume 2
Data Data

Eliminate allocated but unused capacity.

* - It’s possible to over allocate beyond physically available storage.

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 Core: Data Instant Replay
Metadata

The Dell Compellent feature that allows quick recovery from data
hazards by creating any number of space-efficient Point-in-Time-
Copies (PITCs) that restore data instantaneously.

• Roll back time for instantaneous restore

• Test with production data replays
• Reduce frequency of tape backups
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 Core: Data Instant Replay

READ C1 READ E
Write C2 Write E1
READ A

Time 2

C2 E1 Δ Changes

Time 1 DIR

C1 Δ Changes

Time 0 DIR

DATA A B C D E

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 Replay recovery
Current Volume Recovered View

A B C3 D E2 A B C2 D E1

READ C2 READ E1
Write C3 Write E2
READ A

Time 3

DATA C3 E2 Δ Changes

Time 2 DIR

DATA C2 E1

Time 1 DIR

DATA A B C1 D E Coalesced Version

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 How Data Instant Replay works
READ A READ C READ C2 READ E1
Write C1 READ A Write C2 Write E1

Time 2

C2 E1 Δ Changes
Time 1
Time 1 DIR
C1 Δ Changes A B C1 D E Coalesced Version
Time 0
DIR Time 0 W DIR

DATA A B C D E DATA A B C D E Expire Time 0

Release space back to pool

Volume 1 Replay is taken
Volume 1 Data is coalesced
1
3
READ C1 READ E
READ A Write C2 Write E1

READ C2 READ E1
Write C2 Write E1
READ A
Time 2

C2 E1 Δ Changes Time 2

Time 1 DIR
C2 E1 Δ Changes
C1 Δ Changes
Time 1 DIR
Time 0 DIR
DATA A B C1 D E Coalesced Version
DATA A B C D E
DIR

Volume 1 Follow-on Replays Volume 1 Replay has expired

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 Data Instant Replay data pages
Accessible
R/W Data
Accessible
Current Volume R/O Data
Inaccessible
R/O Data

Active Replay A3 F1

Replay 4 A2 D2
Replay 3 C2 D1 E1 F

Replay 2 A1 C1
Replay 1 Expires
A B C D E

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 Applications: Data Progression
15K Tier 1 Tier 1

RAID 10 RAID 5

10K Tier 2

RAID 5 7K Tier 3
System defined Storage profiles:
*Recommended (All tiers)- optimizes Data Progression across all tiers
High priority (tier 1) - writeable RAID 10 Replay RAID 5 RAID 6
Medium priority (tier 2) - writeable RAID 10 Replay RAID 5
Low priority (tier 3) - Replay RAID 5 or RAID 6

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Storage Profiles used in Data Progression

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 Data Progression volumes: where’s my data?
15K Tier 1 Tier 1

RAID 10 RAID 5

10K Tier 2

RAID 5 7K Tier 3
New Data R10
Frequently Accessed Replay Data R5

Aged Replay Data R5

My Volume Data RAID 6

Aged Replay Data R6

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 Data Progression example
Traditional SAN approach to tiered storage

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

SSD or 15K RPM SAS 10K RPM SAS 7.2K RPM SAS

10GB Exchange.edb

Dell Compellent’s approach to tiered storage

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

SSD or 15K RPM SAS 10K RPM SAS 7.2K RPM SAS
10GB Exchange.edb
500 MB stored 500 MB stored 9.0 GB stored
•This week’s calendar • Last month’s calendar • Previous calendar
• Inbox • Deleted Items • Sent mail
• Recent sent items • Contacts
• New contacts
 Page lifecycle concepts
Writes RAID 10

VOLUME 1 Accessible Read only

RAID10
TIER 1 RAID 10 & RAID 5 Accessible Read only
RAID5

Parity RAID 5
A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D
A B C D C1 Inaccessible Read Only
RAID 5

A B Replay
Data
C Progression
D C1
TIER 3 RAID 5
Inaccessible Read Only
RAID 5

Aged Data Read Only

RAID 5

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 Applications: FastTrack

Full Disk Drive With Fast Track

Most active blocks are

Inactive
dynamically and automatically
Active placed on outer edge

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 Core: Data page sizes
If an application writes
small IO to disk, the writes
can take up more space
using 2MB pages

4 KB 512KB Page

4 KB 2 MB Page

4 KB 4 MB Page

Solution: using smaller page sizes

utilizes the space more efficiently

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Command Utility (CompCU) requirements
The Storage Center Command Utility provides
a set of commands for creating, modifying,
and deleting Storage Center volumes, views,
mappings and servers.

Requirements:
• Storage Center host name, user name and password
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.5 or later
• Storage Center CU executable (compcu.jar)

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 Command set for Windows PowerShell

• Interactive command shell

• Admin focused scripting language
• Easy to adopt, learn and use
• Works with existing Microsoft infrastructures
• Automates repetitive tasks

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 Storage Center user interfaces
Web GUI

Serial Command
Line Interface

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 Storage Center graphical user interface

SSL Security Enabled

Java plug-in

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 Storage Center version 6.3 features

Performance
improvements

Active Directory and W2012

OpenLDAP Support Support
UNMAP
IPv6
Offload Data
HQ
Transfer
DR

New Synchronous Replication

options

• High Availability Mode

Volume Advisor
• High Consistency Mode
16Gb FC
• Smart Resynchronization
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 Storage Center version 6.4 features
All All Flash Systems
Flash

New Flash Optimized

Storage Profile

On-Demand Data
Progression for flash
6 pack
WI
6 pack
RI
6 pack
WI
6 pack
RI
optimization

Enterprise Manager SC280 High Density

Enhancements Enclosures

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 All Flash solution
All Flash solution is made possible by:
• Introduction of read intensive (RI) MLC SSDs
• Flash optimized Storage Center 6.4 enhancements
 Automatic tiering across multiple SSD types
 Write intensive (WI) SLC SSDs and read intensive (RI) MLC SSDs

SC220 2U 24 drive Flash Enclosure

12 available slots for 6 pack of:

6 pack 400GB 6 pack 1.6TB
• 400GB write intensive SSDs
write intensive read intensive
• 1.6TB read intensive SSDs
SSD SSD
• 1TB 7.2K RPM HDDs

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 Flash optimized solution
• Improves performance for
data-intensive apps and OLTP
workloads
Flash
Optimized
• Cost optimized with intelligent
tiering

• Enterprise class SAS SSDs

• Dual ported for high

performance

• Built-in wear monitoring

• Non-volatile write cache

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SSDs have different characteristics

Write-Intensive Read-Intensive

Tier 1
WI SLC
(WI) SLC SSDs (RI) MLC SSDs SSDs

Workload Mainstream Applications Mostly Read

Any usage 90/10 R/W Mix
Capacity 400 GB 1.6 TB
RI MLC

Tier 2
Write endurance Great Moderate SSDs
Full-drive writes/day 30 3

Random read perf. Great Great

HDDs

Tier 3
Write performance Great Moderate

Relative costs 4x 1x

Compellent Hybrid-Flash Array

 Flash-optimized solution overview
- configuration options

• SC220 flash enclosures • Add additional enclosures

– Create “All Flash” or Hybrid – SC220 Flash enclosure

solution – SC220 Spinning drive enclosure
– SC220 based – SC200 Spinning drive enclosure
– SC280 Dense enclosure

Hybrid

All
Flash

All
Flash

6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 6 pack 2x 6 pack 1TB
WI RI WI RI WI RI WI RI WI RI 7200 RPM
Data Progression with Flash optimized solution
On-demand Data Progression

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 Flash Optimized storage profile

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Dell Compellent vSphere Plug-in (VSP)
• Administrate Dell Compellent Storage
directly from the vSphere management
client
• Simplify storage management in VMware
environment
• These tasks include:
– View system info and statistics
– Provision volumes as VMFS datastores or
RDMs
– Take VM consistent Replays
– Extend/grow VMFS datastores
– Create and manage replications
– Deploy new virtual machines

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vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI)
Copy Offload Block Zeroing HW Assisted Locking
• Relies on SAN to copy • Relies on SAN to • SAN manages locking
datastores and “zero” EZT VMDKs of datastores when Δ
volumes metadata
• 94% reduction in time
• 52% reduction in time • 99% reduction in I/O
• 64% reduction in I/O

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vSphere APIs for Storage Awareness (VASA)

• VASA provides insight to vSphere about the capabilities of the storage array
• 23 separate reported storage capabilities (strings)
– Like performance tier, RAID level, and replication
• Supports VM Storage Profiles for simple SLA validation
– Or returns VASA string for reference

w/ VM Storage Profiles Storage Capabilities

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 Review Questions

1. Fluid Data Architecture – what types of information does the Storage Center
track for each block of data?
Creation, access and modification time
Frequency of access
Type and Tier of disk drive
RAID Level
Corresponding volume
Active (RW) or Frozen (Read Only)

2. Which Storage Center core function manages all disks as a single pool of
resources from which the administrator can select and assign volumes to a
server/host?
Disk Virtualization

3. Which application provides for the movement of different categories of data

to different types of physical disks?
Data Progression
 Review Questions

4. Which core function provides for the ability to allocate space only
when data is physically stored?
Dynamic Capacity

5. What application reserves the outer tracks of the disk for most active
blocks?
FastTrack

6. Which core function provides for the ability to create space-efficient

replays that restore data instantaneously?
Data Instant Replay
 Review Questions

7. What type of SSD drive is considered read intensive - MLC or SLC?

MLC

8. What is the feature in 6.3 called that allows movement of existing

volumes from one Storage Center to another?
Volume Advisor

9. When an expiration of a replay is complete, what happens to that

space?
It is released back to the common storage pool

10. What solution is part of the Storage Center 6.4 release that allows
multiple tiers of SSD drives to work with HDD drives?
Flash Optimized solution