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In VxBlock and Vscale, most components have physical connectivity to the management network and data network.
As an example, when PowerStore T is deployed in a VxBlock System or Vscale configuration, the 1 GbE management port, located in the embedded module, is connected to the VxBlock System or Vscale Fabric Technology Extension (FTE) out-of-band (OOB) management switch. This connection provides out-of-band management access to the PowerStore cluster. The management network of the PowerStore T appliances uses the VxBlock System or Vscale FTE out-of-band (OOB) management VLAN, which is configured on the OOB management switches.
The PowerStore T networks used for cluster management and Ethernet-based data paths traverse the 10/25 GbE ports in the mezzanine card, which are connected to the VxBlock System Top of Rack (ToR) or Vscale leaf switches. The storage network VLAN, NAS network VLAN, and internal network VLAN reside on these switches.
Note: PowerStore T is engineered and validated as part of Vscale Architecture. Therefore, PowerStore T is installed in a Vscale Fabric Technology Extension (FTE).
PowerStore X is different from PowerStore T, because it does not use the 1 GbE port on the embedded module for appliance OOB management. Instead, all management and Ethernet-based data paths use the 10/25 GbE ports in the mezzanine card. Therefore, the PowerStore X is only physically connected to the VxBlock System ToR or Vscale leaf switches for all Ethernet-based traffic. There is no physical connectivity to the VxBlock System or Vscale OOB management switches.
Note: PowerStore X is neither engineered nor validated as part of Vscale Architecture. Thus, PowerStore X is installed in a Vscale Open Technology Connect (FTC).
For remote PowerStore X appliances integrated with the VxBlock System 1000 or Vscale, the 10/25 GbE ports in the mezzanine cards connect to a pair of ToR switches at the same location as the PowerStore X appliances.
At a minimum, ports 0 and 1 on the mezzanine cards must be connected to the LAN switches. Optionally, ports 2 and 3 may also be connected. The additional connections are used by default when optimization is selected during the Initial Configuration Wizard (ICW).
This section shows the connectivity of PowerStore X with VxBlock 1000 and Vscale Architecture when PowerStore X is at a remote location or at the data center.
The following figure depicts the connectivity of a PowerStore X installed at a remote location from the core data center where the VxBlock System or Vscale Architecture is installed.
Note: For simplification, this figure does not depict the Vscale spine or Border Technology Connect.
The following figure depicts the connectivity of a PowerStore X installed and attached to a VxBlock 1000 in the core data center.
Note: For simplicity, not all components of the VxBlock System are shown.
The following figure depicts the connectivity of a PowerStore X installed and attached to a Vscale LAN Fabric Architecture in the core data center.
Note: For simplicity, not all components of the Vscale Fabric Architecture are shown.
Deploying with customer Top-of-Rack (ToR), VxBlock ToR or Vscale leaf switches requires that each of the PowerStore X base enclosure appliance nodes have at least one connection to each of the ToR or leaf switches to provide redundancy at the NIC and switch levels.
The following table documents the physical port connectivity between the PowerStore X and the network switch. The switch may be a VxBlock ToR, Vscale Open FTC leaf, or customer site switch.
PowerStore X Appliance node | Mezzanine port | Switch | Switch port example |
Node A | 0 | Switch A | Eth 1/20 |
Node A | 1 | Switch B | Eth 1/20 |
Node A | 2 | Switch A | Eth 1/22 |
Node A | 3 | Switch B | Eth 1/22 |
Node B | 0 | Switch B | Eth 1/21 |
Node B | 1 | Switch A | Eth 1/21 |
Node B | 2 | Switch B | Eth 1/23 |
Node B | 3 | Switch A | Eth 1/23 |
For information regarding the physical port connectivity requirements of PowerStore X, see the Dell PowerStore Networking Guide for PowerStore X Models on http://www.Dell.com/powerstoredocs.
When PowerStore X is integrated with VxBlock System 1000 or Vscale Architecture, it uses the same cabling and optics that a PowerStore T uses when connecting to the VxBlock ToR switches or Vscale leaf switches. See the VxBlock and Vscale documentation for more information.
See the Dell PowerStore Networking Guide for PowerStore X Models when determining optics and cabling requirements for a PowerStore X connected to switches at the remote customer site.