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PowerStore models support two deployment modes to ensure that the platform delivers maximum performance for each use case. During the Initial Configuration Wizard and after discovery of the PowerStore appliance, you can confirm or modify the deployment mode for the PowerStore model. The two deployment modes that are offered are Unified and Block-Optimized, which are detailed in the following sections.
You can select the deployment mode during the Initial Configuration Wizard and bring the system online after the configuration is successfully applied. You cannot change deployment modes non-disruptively after the system is configured. These modes require a complete factory reinitialization of the PowerStore appliance to reconfigure the appliance and select a different deployment mode. For this reason, ensure that the proper deployment mode is selected when the system is first configured. The default deployment mode is Unified, which is the recommended deployment mode because it provides all capabilities of the PowerStore model appliance.
The unified deployment mode for PowerStore models is the default deployment mode. In this configuration, unified PowerStore model appliances can support block, file, and vVol storage resources. Parts of the underlying hardware resources are reserved for file components and are not available for block resources. For most use cases, the unified deployment mode is preferred because it supports all resources that the PowerStore model appliance offers. PowerStore 500 model systems must contain a 4-port card to support the unified deployment mode.
The block optimized deployment mode for PowerStore models is the alternative deployment mode. When you select Block Optimized during the Initial Configuration Wizard, a prompt appears that confirms the selection. The appliance reboots and comes online in the block optimized deployment mode. The Initial Configuration Wizard completes with the new deployment mode. Block optimized systems support block and vVol resources. All underlying hardware resources are dedicated to the block performance. Block optimized systems have a higher performance ceiling for block workloads than the same model with a unified deployment mode.