Difference between a DAE4P and DAE3P ?

Question

Hi, We are going to migrate / replace our existing CX3-20 SAN to a CX4-240.  We are currently using DAE3P Enclosure. However, the vendor persuades us to replace the DAE3P Enclosure with DAE4P by stating that 'It will not be capable of being upgraded to FC8 due to the DAE OS (FLARE OS) as it was the original FC4 DAE OS from the CX3-20'. From my previous postings, fellows have advised that the backend is still running 4Gbps while the front end is running 8Gbps.  Does the saying from vendor is valid ?  If yes, does it mean the backend will be upgraded from 4Gbps to 8Gbps in the future ? Moreover, what is the difference between DAE4P and DAE3P ? Thanking you in anticipation. Message was edited by: TonyJK

weiw1 · Accepted Answer

Actually DAE3P/DAE4P is the same enclosure. It's the UltraPoint 4Gb DAE running at 4Gb/sec backend speed. Your performance won't be downgraded. Thanks.

Parks2 · Answer

A DAE3P and a DAE4P are the same DAE ... A DAE3P has the Sales model number as a DAE4P.  So far the speed of drives is still at 4 GB.

TonyJK2 · Answer

Dear Parks,

We have talked to them but they insist that they are different. Is there any way for us to find out the part number ?

Besides, will there be any possiblity that DAE4P be upgraded to backend of 8Gbps. Anyhow, even the answer is YES, I think the backend of CX4-240 has to be upgraded as well.

Thanks again

Parks2 · Answer

Yes the backend would have to change as well ... You could submit spcollects to EMC and ask them what type of DAE's you have .. or look for a part number like 038-003-426

RRR · Answer

The DAE3P (3rd generation I think) was called DAE4P because of the 4Gb bus speed. This was already the case when CX4 didn't even exist yet. DAE3P and DAE4P are the same thing !

jps00 · Answer

The DAE3P and DAE4P are both 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel enclosures. Both the CLARiiON CX3 and CX4 series have the same 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel 'back end'. It cannot be upgraded to 8 Gb/s. The CLARiiON's internal, in most cases multiple back-end Fibre Channel buses should not be confused with the external Fibre Channel front-end interface.

The DAE4P is shipped with the CX4-series and has some minor hardware differences from the DAE3P. I believe the major difference is a revision of the enclosure's LCC which does not affect performance over the DAE3P.

The CLARiiON's backend buses, and the general architecture of a DAE are discussed in the 'DAEs and storage' and 'Drives and buses' sections of the EMC CLARiiON Storage System Fundamentals for Performance and Availability. This document is available on Powerlink.

TonyJK2 · Answer

Thanks for your advice. Does it mean that if we keep the existing DAE3P for CX4, there should not be much performance downgrade ?  OR You will suggest us purchasing a DAE4P ? Thanks again

Parks2 · Answer

There will be no difference

RRR · Answer

Are you now convinced that there's no difference, no performance impact at all ? It's a single DAE with 2 different names.

TonyJK2 · Answer

Yes, thanks for reply from all fellows. I just doubt the professionalism of DELL consultancy service. Thanks again.

CLARiiON

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