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The configuration that is tested is an Ethernet-only solution. The connections are 25 Gb Ethernet, with trunking for management redundancy and performance. The NAS servers used dual 25 Gb ports per node for an aggregate bandwidth of 100 Gb/sec.
A key feature of PowerStore is the ability to support multiple NAS servers on the same array. This support has multiple benefits, including the following:
Each NAS server has its own independent configuration (for example, DNS, LDAP, NIS, interfaces, protocols, and so forth).
With each NAS instance being isolated, multiple environments can share a single system. Enforced isolation helps increase security and stability. Because a NAS instance runs on a single node to get maximum performance, a minimum of two NAS servers is recommended. The load can then be split between the two instances. The type of data being stored determines the best method of balancing the load.
For user profiles, a tool like VMware DEM (Dynamic Environment Manager) can be used to balance the data across multiple file systems. This tool allows setting dynamic rules to place data based on user-defined criteria. This use automates data redirection for greater control and centralized management.
There are two NAS servers that are configured, one per node in the appliance. This was for performance reasons. Each NAS server is an isolated process. Each NAS server had a single file system created. Multiple file systems can be created per NAS instance if desired.
The use of DEM allows condition-based file redirection. With condition-based rules, the data placement of the user profiles is configured for odd-numbered (such as user1, user3) user profiles to one share with even based to the second file share. This is not a requirement but a guideline. In the context of this testing, it was done to ensure load balancing across the storage nodes.
PowerStore arrays support multiple file systems for flexibility, security, and availability. This support allows for creating file shares that are based on user type or operating environment. A single NAS and file-system instance can support both SMB and NFS simultaneously.
For this testing, two NAS servers were created. Each NAS server had a single file share that is created and used in a Round-Robin file sharing configuration. This load balanced the file activity and reduced the number of files per share for backup purposes.
In this environment, SMB was the only protocol tested. The scenario is designed to simulate Windows desktop users accessing files from a Windows server.