Flash storage is an attractive method for boosting I/O performance in the data center. But it has always come at a price, both in high costs and loss of capabilities like scalability, high availability, and enterprise features.

      XtremIO's 100% flash-based scale-out enterprise storage array delivers not only high levels of performance and scalability, but also brings new levels of ease-of-use to SAN storage, while offering advanced features that have never been possible before.

      XtremIO's ground-up all-flash array design was created from the start for maximum performance and consistent low latency response times, and with enterprise grade high availability features, real-time Inline Data Reduction that dramatically lowers costs, and advanced functions such as thin provisioning, tight integration to VMware, snapshots, volume clones, and superb data protection.

Hardware Upgrade (Expanding)

Power Requirement

      XtremIO Storage Array configurations of four X-Brick clusters or less require only two of the four available power distribution panels (PDPs) to be connected to an electricity source, in order to adequately supply power to all four power distribution units (PDUs) of a standard cluster (supporting loads of up to 4800 VA). Therefore, factory-assembled racks of four or less X-Bricks are shipped to customers in a “two PDP” configuration. A six X-Brick cluster exceeds this power limitation. Therefore, a standard rack that is intended for a six X-Brick cluster configuration needs to be rewired to a “four PDP configuration” in order to support up to 9600 VA. EMC racks that are intended for six X-Brick cluster configurations should be rewired prior to the installation of a fifth and sixth X-Brick.

      Note: Failing to fulfill this requirement may cause circuit breakers to trip, rendering data unavailable.

      There is no need to shut down the cluster for upgrading from a two PDP configuration to a four PDP configuration, as long as the rewiring procedure is performed on one side of the cabinet at a time.

Adding X-Brick(s) to a Single X-Brick Cluster

      Expanding a single X-Brick to a multiple X-Brick cluster is a disruptive procedure. It requires software installation and re-initialization. Existing data and configuration on the cluster will be erased.

      Existing data should be backed-up and/or migrated elsewhere before starting the expansion procedure.

      Expanding a single X-Brick to a multiple X-Brick cluster requires converting the single X-Brick to X-Brick number one, to which additional X-Bricks can be added.

      To add X-Brick(s) to a single X-Brick cluster:

1.     Verify that the customer has backed up all data and that the cluster is ready to be shut down.

2.     Perform a planned shutdown of the cluster, according to the instructions in the XtremIO User Guide.

3.     Install the hardware components according to instructions in the guide.

4.     Connect all X-Brick cables according to instructions in the guide.

5.     Install the bezels according to instructions.

      Note: As a result of the upgrade, all existing data and configurations on the cluster will be erased.

Adding X-Bricks to a Multiple X-Brick Cluster

      Expanding a multiple X-Brick cluster is a non-disruptive procedure. The procedures must only be performed with direction from the XtremIO Global Tech Support.

Software Upgrade

      You can upgrade the cluster by performing one of the following procedures:

·         Non Disruptive Upgrade (NDU) - uses a software package which includes the XtremIO software and the Storage Controllers OS to upgrade the software on a running cluster. The upgrade process is performed while the cluster service is online.

·         Disruptive Upgrade (cold upgrade) - performed when I/O traffic interferes with the upgrade process. In such cases, data is unavailable to the user and I/O traffic is re-continued only after the cluster upgrade is completed.

      Performing any of the cluster software upgrade options (NDU or cold upgrade) should be done by submitting a service request to XtremIO Global Tech Support. In general, non-disruptive upgrade will be performed with XtremIO unless recommended otherwise by XtremIO Global Tech Support.

      E-mail: RemoteProactive@emc.com

      Phone: +1-800-782-4362

      Online Support: https://support.emc.com Live Chat