Simplified Management of Dell EqualLogic PS Series iSCSI SANs in Citrix XenServer;

Server virtualization technology enables organizations to achieve high levels of efficiency and cost-effectiveness in their data center operations. However, to help achieve the full benefits of server virtualization, administrators must deploy storage virtualization as well. A high-availability storage area network (SAN), for example, can help improve the overall availability of a server-based IT infrastructure. Storage must have the same scalability that virtualization brings to servers, so that both storage and servers can grow at the same pace. Virtualized storage also extends the cost benefits of virtualization by enabling increased disk utilization and reduced need for equipment purchases.

Dell and Citrix have partnered to bring together storage and server technologies that help organizations further increase efficiency and cost savings when deploying virtualization. The Citrix^®  XenServer^TM  Adapter module for Dell^TM  EqualLogic^TM  PS Series Internet SCSI (iSCSI) SAN arrays is designed to simplify virtualized storage management and enable hosts to take advantage of advanced EqualLogic features. This adapter is included in Citrix XenServer Dell Edition, which is designed to run from internal flash storage in supported Dell PowerEdge^TM  servers, and integrates Dell EqualLogic control interfaces directly into the Citrix XenCenter^TM  Management Client. The greatly simplified management provided by Citrix XenServer and Dell EqualLogic integration also extends to advanced techniques such as thin provisioning, fast cloning, automated snapshots, multipath I/O, and auto-replication for disaster recovery.

With the Citrix XenServer Adapter module for Dell EqualLogic PS Series iSCSI SAN arrays, organizations can combine streamlined management from Citrix XenCenter with the cost-effective iSCSI infrastructure and built-in intelligence of an EqualLogic SAN. This integrated server and storage approach is designed to boost efficiency, protect data, and reduce management overhead—helping to lower total cost of ownership while advancing fast, flexible response to evolving enterprise needs.

By Achmad Chadran and Partha Ramachandran

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