Dell EqualLogic Multipathing Extension Module Installation and User’s Guide Version 1.7

Dell EqualLogic MEM Architecture

The Dell EqualLogic MEM consists of:

• The EqualLogic kernel mode Path Selection Plugin (PSP) driver — A kernel-mode plugin that the VMware Native Multipathing Plugin (NMP) uses to select the best path for each I/O to EqualLogic storage devices.
• The EqualLogic Host Connection Manager (EHCM) — A user-mode process that runs in a CIM provider and manages the iSCSI sessions to EqualLogic storage devices.

The PSP provides load-balancing capabilities that enable you to maximize I/O throughput. The PSP uses its knowledge of the distributed nature of volumes on the PS Series group and least queue depth to route each I/O packet on the most optimal path to the volume.

EHCM simplifies management by creating the appropriate number of sessions to an EqualLogic volume.