Dell PowerFlex and PowerMax with VMware Best Practices et alia

The latest release of vSphere Integrated (VSI) 10.6 offers new features for Dell PowerFlex and PowerMax, enhancing their capabilities and bringing parity with other storage platforms. In this article, we’ll explore these updates and provide guidance on how to use them effectively.

New Features for PowerFlex and PowerMax

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### NFS Datastore Capacity Information

VSI can now display capacity information about NFS datastores on PowerMax. This feature allows you to monitor the usage of your NFS datastores more effectively, providing valuable insights into storage usage. To access this feature, highlight the NFS datastore in the vSphere Client’s left-hand panel and navigate to Monitor > Dell VSI > Monitor Storage > Capacity. You can modify the size of the datastore or refresh the usage since the last update.

### Registering VASA Providers for PowerMax

VSI now offers the ability to register the VASA (Virtual Assistant for Storage Administration) provider for PowerMax when you register the array. This feature provides parity with other storage platforms and allows for easier management of your PowerMax array. To register the VASA provider, navigate to the array details and look for the “Register VASA Provider” checkbox.

### vVol Datastore Detail for PowerFlex

VSI can now provide detailed information about vVol datastores on PowerFlex. This feature allows you to see the storage resources in the container along with their service level, providing valuable insights into your storage usage. To access this feature, highlight the vVol datastore in the vSphere Client’s left-hand panel and navigate to Configure > Dell VSI > Configure Storage > Storage Settings.

### NVMe/TCP Support for PowerFlex

PowerFlex now supports NVMe/TCP, allowing for better performance and increased flexibility in your storage environment. To add an NVMe/TCP host, navigate to the PowerFlex UI and follow these steps:

1. Add a new host.

2. Select “NVMe/TCP” as the host type.

3. Enter the IP address or FQDN of the ESXi host.

4. Click “Add.”

Once you’ve added the host, you can add controllers to the host and create datastores using the VSI wizard.

Limitations and Known Issues

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While these new features offer significant benefits, there are some limitations and known issues to be aware of:

### Long ESXi Host Names

If your ESXi host name is too long (over 31 characters), you may encounter issues when adding the host to PowerFlex. In such cases, it’s recommended to use a shorter host name or modify the host name in the PowerFlex UI.

### TCP Adapter Configuration

Configuring the TCP adapter in vSphere is still the responsibility of the user, and VSI cannot perform this task. Additionally, you must manually remove controllers from the adapter for any host you delete.

Conclusion

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The latest release of VSI 10.6 offers exciting new features for Dell PowerFlex and PowerMax, providing valuable insights into your storage usage and offering better performance and increased flexibility in your storage environment. By leveraging these updates effectively, you can optimize your VMware environment and ensure optimal storage performance.