PowerPath/VE for VMware: EMC PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere Software Download FAQs

Question: What files are needed to download and install to run PowerPath/VE? 
Answer: PowerPath/VE requires two independent components that are needed to be downloaded and installed. The first component includes the PowerPath ESXi drivers (see the chart below for PowerPath/vSphere compatibility). The second component includes the CLI and support tools.

Download 1: Select the PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere version that corresponds with your ESXi environment.

See the PowerPath/VE release notes for the PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere version that corresponds with your ESXi environment. The release notes are available on Dell Online Support https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ie/product-support/product/powerpathve-for-vmware/docs. For VMware vSphere versions, check with VMware for latest hot fixes and updates. See the E-Lab Interoperability Navigator and PowerPath Release Notes for details on specific VMware updates.

Download 2: The following is the option to obtain the CLI and support tools called as PowerPath Management Appliance, which has the CLI and tools preloaded and additional extended functionality.

  PowerPath Management Appliance (New Deployment) 
  PowerPath Management Appliance (Upgrade only)

Note: PowerPath Management Appliance is backwards compatible with the corresponding versions of PowerPath/VE.
 

Question: Which components within the PowerPath/VE Install SW Bundle .zip files are required for installation? 
Answer: The following components are required to install and use the solution:

• PowerPath/VE  ( https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/powerpathve-for-vmware/drivers )
• PowerPath Management Appliance ( https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/powerpath-management-appliance/drivers )

 

Question: Where is the PowerPath/VE Install SW Bundle .zip file located? 
Answer: The software bundles are located in the PowerPath for VMware Software Downloads section on Dell Online Support

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ie/product-support/product/powerpathve-for-vmware/drivers
 

Question: What is Electronic Licensing Management System (ELMS)? 
Answer: ELMS is a streamlined software distribution and management solution. Rather than receiving and managing CDs and multiple paper licenses, ELMS allows you to perform these functions electronically and to be assured that your PowerPath/VE deployment conforms to the licenses purchased. 

Question: What license modes are supported for PowerPath/VE for VMware? 
Answer: The license modes that are supported for PowerPath/VE for VMware include:

• Unserved: Unserved (Node-Lock/ File Based/ Uncounted) 
• Served:     Floating/ Counted using a licensing server
• FX:            Dell EMC PowerPath gets licensed automatically when it detects any data device from PowerMax with FX software package

Question: How do I know which license mode to select? 
Answer: General guidelines for helping you select the right license mode for your data center follow:

• Unserved mode is a good fit for small sites (up to about 20 hosts) and requires you to enter the license key manually for each ESXi host. This mode is not supported on stateless hosts.
• Served mode with centralized license management is a good fit for larger deployments and is required for stateless/auto-deployed hosts). An ELMS license server is required for this mode.
• FX licenses has a limitation on the number of hosts that can thus be licensed and is limited to 75 hosts per FX bundle. Dell EMC PowerPath is fully licensed for all LUNs and paths from all array types.

Question: Do I need a separate and unique license file for each ESXi host in the Unserved mode? 
Answer: Yes. There must be a separate, unique file for each ESXi host. Each license file must be individually activated using the PowerPath Licensing portal based on the ESXi System ID for that ESXi host.


Question: If I already have a license server, what do I need to do to add license management for PowerPath/VE? 
Answer: EMC recommends that you update your license server to the latest PPMA instance.

Question: How do I install and manage licenses for PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere?
Answer: Installing and managing PowerPath for VMware vSphere is done using the PowerPath Management Appliance see the "PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere Installation and Administration Guide" on Dell Online Support https://www.dell.com/support , From the Support by Product pages, search for "PowerPath/VE for VMware" using Find a Product > Documentation for more details.
 

Question: How do I install the PowerPath Management Appliance? 
Answer: You can install PowerPath Management Appliance as a full Install virtual machine (OVA file), Docker container image (TBZ file) or VHD deployment (VHD file)

For the complete procedure, see the Deploy the PowerPath Management Appliance section of PowerPath-Management-Appliance-Minor-Releases-Installation-and-Configuration-Guide.pdf

Question: How do I choose between the vSphere and Docker (bare-metal) based installation? 
Answer: For VMware environments, use the vSphere (OVF) deployment. For all other environments, use the docker-based installation.


Question: Can I use Served and Unserved PowerPath/VE licenses at the same location?
Answer: Yes. The use of Served and Unserved at the same site is supported.


Question: How do I convert from an unserved license to a served license?
Answer: To convert from an unserved license to a served license:

1. Ensure you are using PowerPath Management Appliance.
2. Request a PowerPath/VE unserved-served license file conversion by performing the following steps:

a. Browse https://www.dell.com/support and open an SR.
b. Select Technical Problem/Question.
c. In the body of the message add PowerPath/VE unserved-served conversion request. Include the ESXi ID and server names of the existing unserved licenses.

3. Install the new served license file in the PowerPath Management Appliance.
4. Disable the existing unserved licenses. Disabling the existing licenses will not affect PowerPath/VE multi-pathing capability.
5. Verify that the license appliance is automatically deploying licenses to the PowerPath/VE host. This takes approximately 10-15 minutes to redeploy all the licenses. Alternatively, run rpowermt register to register a served license on an ESXi host.

The Dell EMC PowerPath/VE for VMware vSphere Installation and Administration Guide and the Dell EMC PowerPath Management Appliance Administration Guide provides more information.

Question: What happens if I run out of PowerPath licenses on the license server (Served mode)? 
Answer: In Served mode the license server allows you to consume 10% additional PowerPath licenses. A warning message is displayed during overdraft, and you must purchase additional PowerPath licenses. 

Question: How do I get a license key? 
Answer: To activate a license key you must have a License Activation Code (LAC), a LAC or a Trial LAC is a 20-digit alpha-numeric code that is provided to you by an EMC representative upon purchasing the PowerPath/VE licensed product. If you do not have a PowerPath/VE LAC, start a "Service Request" with the Licensing support team for further help. If you do have a LAC, then follow the steps that are provided below.

Question: What is a License Activation Code (LAC)? 
Answer: A LAC is the unique, non-guessable identifier that corresponds to all license entitlements on a delivery and can be used to manage those entitlements on PowerPath Licensing portal Licensing page. 

Question: How do I activate the License Activation Code (LAC)? 
Answer: From the EMC Online Support home page (https://www.dell.com/support) > Software Licenses > PowerPath > from the PDF select the PowerPath_Licensing_Portal, or go to Licensing portal (Dell Software Licenses) to activate your LAC 

Question: Where can I find information about PowerPath/VE and Electronic License Management installation?
Answer:

The following documents have more information regarding PowerPath/VE and Electronic License:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/powerpath-management-appliance/docs
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-in/product-support/product/powerpathve-for-vmware/docs https://support.emc.com/docu52978_How-to-License-PowerPath-or-PowerPath-VE.pdf

Question: Can the PowerPath Management Appliance be used to track license usage for non-PPVE license?
Answer: Yes, the PowerPath Virtual Appliance (2.0 and later) can be used to track license usage for PowerPath Physical (non-PPVE) licenses.

Question: Are my existing PPVE licenses compatible with the latest Management Appliance release?
Answer: Yes, your existing PPVE licenses are compatible with the latest Management Appliance.

Question: Can I upgrade my existing Virtual Appliance to the latest Management Appliance release?
Answer: Yes, you can upgrade your existing Virtual Appliance to the latest release.

Question: Can I use my existing Virtual Appliance or RTOOLS with the new licenses?
Answer: No, you must upgrade to the latest Management Appliance in order to use the new license file format. 

If you have questions, see the resources below.

• Contact Technical Support
• Sales Phone Numbers