INFOBrief

Dell/EMC CX3 Family Fibre Channel Storage Systems

CX3-10c, CX3-20, CX3-40, and CX3-80 Storage Arrays and the DAE4P with UltraPoint Technology

The 3rd Generation of CX Storage Arrays providing performance, enterprise-class data protection, and scalability for your organizations most demanding applications. From midrange capabilities at affordable pricing to robust scalability and performance.

The Dell/EMC CX3 series delivers a true end-to-end 4Gbit architecture to redefine the midrange storage array market in performance and scalability. The CX3 series offers a breakthrough architecture that delivers maximum performance, an expansive range of scalability, and total value of ownership through the SAN lifecycle.

Key Points
The 3rd generation of Dell/EMC CX3 family of storage systems is designed to provide new levels of performance and scalability. Enterprise-class business continuance features include hot-pluggable redundant hardware, hot spare disk drives, multi-path failover, snapshots, cloning, local/remote mirroring, and non-disruptive firmware upgrades. A full range of storage arrays that offer value without compromise.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

New architecture enhancements include 4Gb/s SAN and host connectivity, state-of-the-art PCI Express storage processor infrastructure, to 4Gb/s UltraPointTM Technology, to high performance 4Gb/s 15K RPM disk drives This allows customers to realize the full power of the Dell/EMC CX3 series. New combo arrays (CX3-10c, CX3-20c and CX3-40c) offer simultaneous connection of Fibre Channel and iSCSI hosts. iSCSI connectivity enables the connection of remote or secondary servers that were previously leveraging distributed storage solutions. Utilizing the dual connectivity option of the CX3 series allows a greater consolidation and utilization of SAN storage. Additional distributed storage can now be centralized and managed with common tools, common disaster recovery policies and common backup and restore policies. New Headhunter arrays (CX3-20f and CX3-40f) offer a wider range of front and back end connectivity. The additional front end connectivity provides additional flexibility and expansion in direct attach environments. The additional back end connectivity allows customers to design tier based storage inside their arrays. The additional fibre channel drive loops can be assigned drives of different speeds (2Gb/ 4Gb), allowing customers to utilize older 2Gb technology without sacrificing the performance of their newer, higher performance 4Gb drives. Concerned about data growth, business continuance or higher performance? You can use a CX3 family storage system to upgrade an existing Dell/EMC SAN to the latest architecture and 4 Gigabit/s SAN and host connectivity while utilizing current investments. CX arrays are interoperable across the entire X family. All CX3 systems support DAEs and drives from previous CX arrays. All CX3 systems also support mirroring (via MirrorView) with CX400, CX500, CX600, or CX700 systems. New scalability allows the CX3 series array to grow as your business grows-- up to 237TB of capacity. Pay-as-you-grow by hot-adding expansion enclosuresup to: Three additional DAE4 enclosures (up to 60 drives) with a CX3-10c system Seven additional DAE4 enclosures (up to 120 drives) with a CX3-20 system Fifteen additional DAE4 enclosures (up to 240 drives) with a CX3-40 system Thirty-one additional DAE4 enclosures (up to 480) drives with a CX3-80 system You can easily convert a CX3-10c to a CX3-20, CX3-20 to a CX3-40 or CX3-40 to a CX3-80; for data-in-place upgrades as your performance and capacity needs grow. The integration of Dell IT Assistant management software from Dell and EMC Navisphere allows top-level administration of key SAN elements through a single management console. Additionally, CX3 storage systems are fully compatible with the entire Navisphere software suite and completely integrated into the VisualSAN SAN management product. Advanced information protection capabilitieslocal snapshots or clones, synchronous and asynchronous remote replication, and cross-platform data mobility for all CX3 series Models.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

Maximize your investment by integrating Fibre Channel and SATA II drives in the same array. Effectively store data where it makes the most sense whether your needs require performance or capacity. New ease-of-use Installation wizard for bulletproof software upgrades. Dynamic Volume Migration (Virtual LUNs) tunes performance through simple migration of data to faster or slower drives, and can change RAID type. Superior service and support Dell offers professional consulting, implementation and maintenance services to help ensure your CX3 storage system is brought online quickly and is configured to meet your business requirements. And every CX3 system is backed with Gold level or optional Platinum Dell Premier Enterprise Support Services to help ensure that the system remains up and running for years to come. Expand a CX3 array with the next generation Disk Array Enclosure (DAE4P) which utilizes UltraPoint Technology and 4 gigabit/second data rate and offers manageability features, such as fault detection and isolation. Additionally, validation is provided before drives are brought on line in the system at power-up, when drives are replaced, and when new capacity is added

Background
The 3rd generation CX family of storage systems continues the excellence of previous generations. Coupled with the new UltraScale hardware design and advanced software technologies the new CX3 Series provides best-of breed storage for entry-level to enterprise needs, in direct attach and SAN environments. Storage-based functionality and comprehensive management software offer world-class information protection and streamlined, efficient management. The CX3-10c array is the entry level, fully-integrated 4 Gigabit storage solution with four front-end Fibre Channel 4 optical ports and 4 additional iSCSI ports. This array supports up to 60 2 or 4-Gigabit back-end disk drives. The CX3-10c offers all of the same enterprise features and software support of the larger CX3 arrays including enterprise business continuance capabilities local snapshots or clones, synchronous and asynchronous remote replication, and cross-platform data mobility. However, the CX310c is designed for entry level SAN / iSCSI users who do not need all the performance and scalability that the larger arrays have to offer. The CX3-20f array is a fully-integrated 4 Gigabit storage solution with twelve front-end Fibre Channel 4 optical ports. The CX3-20c provides 8 iSCSI ports and 4 front-end Fibre Channel 4 optical ports . Both support up to 120 2 or 4-Gigabit back-end disk drives. The CX3-20f and CX3-20c offer all of the same enterprise features and software support of the larger CX3-40 and CX3-80 including enterprise business continuance capabilities. However, the CX3-20 is designed for more price-sensitive users who do not need all the performance and scalability that the CX3-40 and CX3-80 offer. The CX3-40f array is a fully-integrated 4 Gigabit storage solution with eight front-end Fibre Channel 4 optical ports and 4 redundant back-end fibre channel loops. The CX3-40c provides 8 iSCSI ports and 4 front-end Fibre Channel 4 optical ports with 2 redundant back-end fibre channel loops. Both support up

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

to 240 2 or 4-Gigabit back-end disk drives. CX3-40 is well suited for high performance applications including OLTP and messaging workloads, or other applications that benefit from array-based replication. In between the CX3-20 and CX3-80, the CX3-40 is designed to provide a great mix of affordability, flexibility and performance. The CX3-80 array is a fully-integrated, enterprise-capable 4-Gigabit storage solution with eight frontend Fibre Channel 4 optical ports and up to 480 2or 4-Gigabit back-end disk drives. The CX3-80 system is focused at the data center and most demanding user environments. Combining high-availability, performance and scalability, the CX3-80 is ideal for customers looking for a data-center storage solution previously only solved with larger, more expensive monolithic storage systems. Advanced software functionality for management, business continuity, disaster recovery, data movement, data management and analysis round out these complete solutions to growing businesses storage needs.

Product Description
CX3-10c, CX3-20 and CX3-40 arrays
CX3-10c, CX3-20 and CX3-40 arrays each consist of a 1U 4Gbps Storage Processor Enclosure (SPE), a required 3U Disk Array Enclosure (DAE4P-OS) and optional additional Disk Array Enclosures (DAE4P). The Storage Processor Enclosure contains two storage processor boards, and redundant, hotswappable fans and power supplies in a single 1U chassissee Figure 1. Additional expansion is achieved by adding additional Disk Array Enclosures (DAE4P) and disk drives see Figure2.

Figure 1 CX3-10C/CX3-20/CX3-40 View showing Power Supplies and Storage Processors.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

Figure 2 DAE4 View showing Power Supplies and Link Control Card modules

CX3-10c capacity details

Up to four Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) with up to fifteen drives each can be added to the Storage Processor Enclosure for a maximum configuration of 60 drives. For 300GB FC drives, this equates to 18 terabytes of raw storage. When using 500GB drives, the CX3-10cs total capacity expands to 30 terabytes of raw storage due to the fact that the array can support SATA II vault drives (unlike other CX3 arrays). On the CX3-10c, four 4Gbps Fibre Channel host ports and 4 iSCSI connections allow direct connection of up to 8 hosts. In SAN environments, the CX3-10c can hold storage for up to 64 redundantly connected servers.

CX3-20 capacity details

Up to eight Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) with up to fifteen drives each can be added to the Storage Processor Enclosure for a maximum configuration of 120 drives. For 300GB FC drives, this equates to 36 terabytes of raw storage. When using 500GB drives, the CX3-20s total capacity expands to 57 terabytes of raw storage (the five vault drives must be fibre channel drives whose largest capacity is 300GB). On the CX3-20c, four 4Gbps Fibre Channel host ports and 8 iSCSI connections allow direct connection of up to 12 hosts. On the CX3-20f, twelve 4Gbps Fibre Channel host allow direct connection of up to 12 FC hosts. In SAN environments, the CX3-20 can hold storage for up to 128 redundantly connected servers.

CX3-40 capacity details

Up to sixteen DAE expansion enclosures with up to fifteen drives each can be added to the Storage Processor Enclosure for a maximum configuration of 240 drives. With 300GB FC drives, this equates to 72 terabytes of raw storage. When using 500GB drives, the CX3-40s total capacity expands to 117 terabytes of raw storage (the five vault drives must fibre channel drives). On the CX3-40c, four 4Gbps Fibre Channel host ports and 8 iSCSI connections allow direct connection of up to 12 hosts. On the CX3-40f, eight 4Gbps Fibre Channel host allow direct connection of up to 8 FC hosts. In SAN environments, the CX3-40 can hold storage for up to 128 redundantly connected servers.

CX3-80 Array
The CX3-80 enables a new class of applications requiring high drive counts and high bandwidth; key applications include very large-scale backup-to-disk, seismic data processing, computational chemistry, and demanding data warehouse environments. The CX3-80 consists of a 4Gbps Storage Processor Enclosure (SPE4), a required Disk Array Enclosure (DAE4P-OS) and optional 4Gbps Disk Array Enclosures (DAE4P). The Storage Processor Enclosure contains two storage processor boards and redundant, hot-swappable fans and power supplies in a single 4U chassissee Figure 3.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

Figure 3 CX3-80 Rear View showing Power Supplies and Storage Processors

Up to thirty-two Disk Array Enclosures (DAE4P) with up to fifteen drives each can be added to the CX3-80 subsystem for a maximum configuration of 480 drives behind a single Storage Processor Enclosure. With 300GB FC drives, this equates to 144 terabytes of raw storage. When using 500GB drives the CX3-80s total capacity expands to 237 terabytes of raw storage (the five vault drives must be fibre channel drives). Eight full bandwidth 4Gbps Fibre Channel host ports allow direct connection of up to eight hosts or a four 2-node high availability clusters (two HBAs per server) to a CX3-80 system, without the use of an external switch. In SAN environments, the CX3-80 can hold storage for up to 256 redundantly connected servers.

Ease of Management
All CX3 storage systems are configured and managed through the Navisphere software suite (the same as every other Dell/EMC product, and have the same firmware functionality, including online LUN expansion and non-disruptive firmware upgrades (NDU) as shown in Figure 3. All CX3 arrays can run SnapView point-in-time-copy software, SAN Copy data and movement software and MirrorView remote replication software.

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August 2007

Figure 4 Screenshot of Navisphere Manager graphical user interface

CX3 family storage systems are qualified to be used with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and several Unix variants including Sun Solaris, IBM-AIX, and HP-UX. Table 1 CX3 Family Comparison (performance based on Fibre Channel connected hosts)
Feature Drive scalability Host scalability (SAN) OLTP Performance (tpm) Exchange (users) Backup to Disk MB/s CX3-80 480 256 72,372 28,655 1121 CX3-40f 240 128 59,630 23,836 881 CX3-40c CX3-20f 120 128 34,097 16154 471 CX3-20c CX3-10c 60 64 19,148 7,799 393

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Host connections Rack size (DPE2 or SPE) Rack size (DAE4P) RAID Drive Technology Cache vaulting Data scrubbing Management software Point-in-time copy (optional) Replication Power, watts SPS Power, watts DAE4P Power, watts

8 x FC4 6U SPE and SPS, no disks 3U 0,1,1/0,3,5,6 Fibre Channel SATA II Yes Yes Navisphere Manager SnapView MirrorView SAN Copy 1255W 30W 425W

8 x FC4

4 x FC4 8 x iSCSI

12 x FC4

4 x FC4 8 x iSCSI

4 x FC4 4 x iSCSI 2U SPE and SPS, no disks 3U 0,1,1/0,3,5,6 Fibre Channel SATA II Yes Yes Navisphere Manager SnapView MirrorView SAN Copy 655W 6W 425W

2U SPE and SPS, no disks 3U 0,1,1/0,3,5,6 Fibre Channel SATA II Yes Yes Navisphere Manager SnapView MirrorView SAN Copy 719W 6W 425W

2U SPE and SPS, no disks 3U 0,1,1/0,3,5,6 Fibre Channel SATA II Yes Yes Navisphere Manager SnapView MirrorView SAN Copy 661W 6W 425W

Markets/Applications
The CX3 family of storage systems is suitable for use in business critical or day-to-day production-level activities that require leading edge performance and scalability with options for business continuance and disaster recovery. CX3 family systems may be deployed in heterogeneous Windows, Linux, and Unix environments and are appropriate for applications in medium-sized businesses to global enterprises. Where CX3 Family storage systems are a good fit: Business-critical applications that require continuous availability and disaster recovery, combined with high performance and large-capacity scaling Medium to large-scale SAN deployments Applications that require cost-effective, array-based point-in-time copy or cloning, as well as mirroring Data-center environments where the flexibility of modular storage growth is needed.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

CX3 Family storage systems are targeted toward the external RAID storage market, for those customers seeking a storage consolidation platform with no single point of failure, high reliability, availability and performance while supporting many servers and applications. The CX3 family is great for data intensive applications and fully functional enterprise SAN environments including (but not limited to): High-performance and I/O intensive applications Video streaming and high-speed content delivery Disaster Recovery (fully mirrored solutions) OLTP and Web servers Data warehouses Graphics-intensive environments Distributed organizations Enterprise Messaging (Email, Groupware) Customer relationship management (CRM) Backup to Disk Remote Replication / Data Mirroring

Direct-Attached Storage
In direct-attach configurations, CX3 storage systems provide storage for a variety of directly attached servers or a combination of clustered servers. In these configurations, CX3 systems have high availability and allow more distance between server and storage than direct-attached SCSI storage systems. Also, configuring a CX3 system as direct-attached storage prepares the attached servers for seamless integration into a SAN at some point in the future.

Storage Area Networks

The CX3 family is designed to provide storage consolidation combined with solid performance and scalability in a SAN environment. The CX3-80 storage systems can actively communicate with up to 256 redundantly connected servers (CX3-40 and CX3-20 systems, up to 128, and CX3-10c, up to 64). When used in a SAN, a CX3 system offers the following potential benefits over direct-attached storage: Lower total cost of ownership, through simplified management and centralized backup More efficient use of assets, through increased storage utilization Reduced impact to production performance, through LAN-free backup Reduced risk of data loss through disaster-recovery capabilities (i.e., remote mirroring, point-intime copies, clones)

iSCSI Connectivity
With iSCSI connectivity, the CX3-10c, CX3-20c and CX3-40c offer dual connectivity to both Fibre Channel and iSCSI connected hosts. iSCSI hosts can be attached through standard Ethernet LAN or WAN connections lowering the host connection connectivity costs.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

While Fibre Channel continues to offer the best performance option for networked storage, iSCSI provides an affordable alternative to connect secondary or remote servers. This allows for greater consolidation of storage environments and management policies. Servers that are located outside the data center can be connected allowing previously distributed storage environments to be centralized and managed with common tools, common disaster recovery policies and common backup and restore policies.

Figure 5 CX3-20c Storage Processor showing optional Gigabit Ethernet iSCSI ports

Typical Applications
Exchange clusters using MirrorView for disaster recovery The performance and scalability of CX3 systems are ideal for high-availability clusters running Microsoft Exchange or other messaging software for several thousand users. MirrorView remote mirroring software adds another dimension of data protection to email data by allowing mirroring to other Dell/EMC arrays hundreds of meters or thousands of kilometers away. Medium to large sized OLTP databases using SnapView cloning for zero-window, full performance backup The transactional performance of the CX3 systems coupled with optional SnapView array-based software is the perfect combination for mission critical databases that are active 24x7. Use cloning to create a point-in-time copy of the data, and then back up or analyze the copy while the original data remains in production. Since the cloned data and the original data reside on different disks, the backups and analyses will have minimal performance impact to your database. Decision support systems using optional SnapView snapshots for space efficient zero-window backup CX3 systems can also be used for non-critical applications that require a highly scalable, cost effective solution with high performance needs. This is typical of many decision support databases. The CX3 family scales up to 144 terabytes with 300GB drives (239 terabytes utilizing SATA Drives), providing plenty of capacity for your data. In addition, by using SnapView snapshots, you can back up this large amount of data with zero downtime to your database, and without having to make a full copy.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

Video editing and prepress With up to 2,780 MB/s of sequential bandwidth on the CX3-80, a CX3 storage system is ideally suited to video and prepress applications. The CX3s can directly attach from four to eight high-speed video editing stations depending upon model. To connect more servers to any CX3 model, simply add a Fibre Channel switch enabling SAN connectivity and storage consolidation. Manufacturing Compute-intensive applications ranging from software development to CAD/CAM to automobile crash simulation (finite element modeling) all provide opportunities for a CX3 system high bandwidth offering. Manufacturing environments are looking for highly available offerings at a reasonable price that can be integrated smoothly into existing development and management applications. Reducing development time for products by providing a shared file system space for CAD/CAM applications at an attractive price is a key offering. Life Sciences and Healthcare Computational chemistry, genomics, and proteomics are all compute-intensive applications at the forefront of new drug discovery and genetic research activities. Proteomics may be both larger and more complex than genomics and is projected to far exceed genomics in the amount of data generated by a factor of between 30 and 1,000. The complex nature of the data may in some instances require the same high-bandwidth storage environment of PACS (Picture Archiving Communications Systems). Also, HIPAA and new FDA regulations will drive a demand for improvements in electronic document management and image-processing applications in life sciences and healthcare. The CX3 family offers the bandwidth and functionality to meet these demands. Financial Services Banking and securities-related businesses rely on data warehousing to drive CRM (Customer Relationship Management) programs and new process development. Also, compliance with Federal regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley and customer service requirements drive the need for image processing for much of the paper (e.g., checks, stock certificates) as well as document and email retention involved in financial transactions. The performance, functionality, capacity, density, and attractive price points of CX3 systems can help banks meet the challenge of keeping images of checks, loan documents, and transaction records secure and highly available. Oil and Gas The capture and processing of data for oil and natural gas exploration is one of the highest-ROI compute-intensive applications today. Additionally, data warehousing is integral to the analysis phase of oil exploration. Large volumes of seismic data require file sharing between geophysicists, and must remain highly available for use in finding oil quickly and reliably. CX3 systems offer the performance, capacity and availability required in this industry.

Retail The retail industry relies on data warehousing to drive much of the business, from financial performance analysis to CRM programs to targeted marketing. CX3 systems offer the features this industry needs at attractive price points.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

Entertainment CX3 systems are a good fit for this industry, with its high demand for image storage and processing, and its extreme cost sensitivity. The CX3 series strong I/O capabilities are ideal for image developing, editing and video streaming.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Availability: The CX family offers superior end-to-end data integrity, and full component redundancy. System capabilities include active data scrubbing, cache de-staging, hot swappable components and nondisruptive microcode and application upgrades. Easy, Centralized Management: The Navisphere management framework, used by all CX systems, is an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use, Javabased tool that resides on the array and serves up a GUI interface to a Web browser anywhere on your LAN or WAN. Flexibility: The Dell/EMC product line offers numerous configuration choices for connectivity, performance and capacity. Integrating into your existing environment is made easier through extensive compatibility testing and validation. Investment Protection: The entire CX family uses common components and compatible software, and can be upgraded throughout the line. All previous CX generation products can be easily upgraded to the CX3 series architecture. Additionally, the CX3-10c, CX3-20 and CX3-40 can be upgraded to larger CX3 products utilizing data in place upgrades. Back up and Restore Functionality: Dell/EMC products with integrated hardware, software and backup offerings from all major vendors (including Veritas, Legato, CA, Tivoli, EDM and CommVault) offer a variety of customizable solutions to match your data-management plan. High availability hardware: The modular, redundant design of the CX3 storage system allows the system to continue normal operation in the event of a failed power supply, cooling unit, storage processor, or disk drive. All these components are hot pluggable for easy repair with no downtime.

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August 2007

Sequential bandwidth and IO: With twelve (CX3-20f) or eight (CX3-40f / CX3-80) full-bandwidth, 4Gbps Fibre Channel ports on the host side and two (CX3-20) or eight (CX3-40f / CX3-80) on the drive side, the CX3 storage systems are suitable for the most demanding applications. High IO is a critical feature for customers looking to supply database or other I/O intensive applications operating at peak speed. Each CX3 system offers strong IO performance in its class. Cache tuning: All Dell/EMC storage systems have extremely flexible cache-tuning capabilities relative to competing modular storage products. Tuning cache precisely to the load results in optimal performance. Through Navisphere Manager, the user can set parameters for: Amount of read cache per processor Amount of write cache per system Cache page size High and Low watermark Watermark processing on/off Mirrored write cache on/off Read and write cache enable per processor and per LUN Pre-fetch attributes (used with read caching)

Non-disruptive upgrade (NDU): Non-disruptive upgrade is built into the core software of every new generation Dell/EMC storage system. This allows the core code (firmware) to be upgraded on the fly with no interruption in access to the storage on the array. To accomplish this, the array will automatically perform a series of failover and failback operation between the storage processors. An upgrade can be rolled back if the new version reveals unanticipated characteristics in your SAN. Mirroring CX3 storage systems support MirrorView software for mirroring to other Dell/EMC storage systems. CX3 systems can mirror over shortwave Fibre Channel for distances of 300 meters, over long wave Fiber Channel for distances of 10km, over Fiber Channel extenders for distances of 60km, and over FC to IP routers for longer distances. A mirror consists of a source LUN and one or more target LUNs. Every write to the source LUN is also written to the target LUN before acknowledgement is sent to the host. This is known as synchronous mirroring. Synchronous mirroring will impact performance, but the degree of impact is dependent on several factors; therefore, presales consulting engagements are common for mirroring implementations. Snapshots A snapshot (also known as a point-in-time-copy) is an instantaneous virtual copy of a LUN taken at a precise moment in time. Unlike a mirror or clone, a snapshot is not a full copy of the data but is instead composed of saved pieces of data (copies of the data that has changed) and a table of pointers. The table of pointers allows the snapshot software to piece together and effectively present a LUN composed

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partially of copied data and partially of the original data. The critical things to remember about snapshots are: 1. Snapshots are instantaneous. Snapshot LUNs may be mounted immediately after a snapshot session begins. 2. Snapshots allocate space as needed a snapshot does not necessarily consume as much space as the source LUN. 3. Snapshots share data with source LUNs - When you mount and use a snapshot LUN, the performance of the source LUN is affected because both LUNs may be accessing the same disk drives and in fact there may be contention for the same data. 4. Snapshots are typically used in backup and other operations where the data must be frozen at a particular point in time Snapshots are NOT used for data recovery because the snapshot is partially composed of the original data (meaning data on the source LUN); and if the source LUN becomes inaccessible, the snapshot will be inaccessible also.

Snapshots are provided on each of the CX3 storage systems via EMCs optional software package, SnapView. SnapView runs on the CX3 storage processors, and provides snapshot functionality for every server connected to the array. Because SnapView is located on the storage array and not a server in the SAN fabric, snapshots do not consume CPU cycles on the host servers, freeing them for processing.

Clones Clones or BCV (Business Continuance Volumes) are a part of the SnapView product supported on all CX arrays and offer a more comprehensive replication solution that is useful for certain applications and in certain situations. Cloning differs from snapshots in the following ways: Clones are full copies of the source LUN snapshots are composed of partial copies and a table of pointers. Clones are not instantaneous the clone must complete synchronization with the source LUN before it can be used. Note that clones are, in a sense, point-in-time copies, but data is frozen when the clone is fractured (disconnected from the source), not when the cloning session begins. Clones affect performance of the source LUN only while synchronizing. Once a clone is fractured from the source, you can use a clone as an independent LUN with absolutely no impact on the source LUN. Clones do not share data with the source and can be located entirely on separate spindles. Typical uses for clones include decision support systems where analysis must be done on the source data without affecting source LUN performance and application development where multiple full copies of the data can be subjected to different test scenarios with full performance in each. Cloning is also used in boot-from-SAN scenarios where it is necessary to replicate system disks within the array. On CX storage systems, cloning is provided via SnapView software and can also be achieved with volume management software such as Veritas Volume Manager. The advantages and disadvantages of host-based software discussed in the snapshot section also apply here.

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Key Customer Benefits

Financial
Connecting many servers to CX3 family storage can lessen the expense to any one single department or group. Using Navisphere Suite to manage CX3 storage systems can help reduce staff costs and improve change management. Increased storage utilization by centralizing and consolidating storage needs on an easy-to-use and manage CX3 array

Operational
With a newly designed architecture, the third generation of CX arrays allows you to take advantage of 4 Gigabit/second technologies and increase transactional data throughput in your storage environment. MirrorView software for the CX3 provides a single, complete disaster recovery solution for every Dell/EMC-attached server platform and operating system. With EMCs optional SnapView software, backup of CX3 systems is virtually non-disruptive to end users. This helps organizations maintain stated service levels on production data while streamlining backup procedures. The CX3 family helps you create a highly scalable infrastructure to support your business now and in the future.

Services
Dell Infrastructure Services Dell brings pure execution to IT Services. The planning, implementation and maintenance of your IT infrastructure deserves nothing less. Variability in execution can compromise user productivity, IT resources, and ultimately, your reputation. By leveraging our heritage of process driven excellence, Dell Services can deliver a smarter way. We dont claim to do everything. We focus on IT infrastructure services. And we take a customer led approach, grounded in the philosophy that you know your business better than anyone. Thats why Dell does not try to take key business decisions out of your hands, or lock you in to more than you need. Instead, we apply our world-class process management and no excuses culture to deliver what customers today most need -- flexibility and repeatable quality. Thats pure execution. Thats Pure Dell.

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August 2007

Dell offers the following services for the CX3 line. Assessment, Design & Implementation Dell provides a customer-focused approach to designing and implementing Industry-Standard infrastructures to enhance performance, scalability and efficiency while helping to minimize expenses and disruption to your business. You can get strategies and solutions that optimize technologies, enhance productivity, reduce business risk, and maximize return on investment. Storage Consolidation: Our storage experts can help consolidate your storage system resources to help improve your bottom line, while also optimizing availability and reliability. Backup and Recovery: To sustain the continued operation of your storage solution, you should engineer availability, security and reliability into every process from the outset. Dell can provide backup and recovery solutions that help ensure adequate procedures are in place to minimize or avoid data loss.

Deployment Our Deployment Services are designed to simplify and speed up the deployment and utilization of new systems. Dell provides scalable processes and technology that can get your Dell systems up and running quickly. As a result, you dont need to divert your sophisticated IT resources away from mission critical activities. You get a single point of contact with real time measurement, seamless delivery and end-to-end deployment management. Our comprehensive suite of services include: asset discovery, application packaging, image development, custom integration, custom delivery, and installation. Storage Implementation: As a natural follow-on to the build-to-order model, on-site installation and configuration of your complete Dell storage system is highly recommended. Dells highly skilled and seasoned deployment engineers provide the design work prior to the implementation and follow through with knowledge transfer once the systems are deployed.

Enterprise Support Dells Enterprise Support Services provide customers with robust, flexible support for their server and storage systems. These state-of-the-art services help ensure your IT systems consistently achieve their performance potential. Our specialist support teams work with customers to eliminate problems before they happen; prepare in advance for any elevated IT demands; and provide our fastest and most complete approach to problem resolution. Our innovative service technologies and processes can enable a new level of performance management and continuous improvement. When your business requires nothing less than the very best support, Dells Enterprise Support Services are the answer. Platinum Enterprise Support: Dells most comprehensive level of support which combines rapid response and resolution for critical issues with customized account planning and reporting

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to proactively improve availability. This level of support is appropriate for storage systems that are being used in datacenters and complex environments. Gold Enterprise Support: Provides 7x24 rapid response and resolution of critical issues including escalation management and on-site Emergency Dispatch procedures to quickly restore operations. This level of support is appropriate for storage systems that are being used for email systems, database applications and virtualization. Dell/EMC Maintenance: Designed to help keep your storage systems current and healthy, it includes periodic health checks, installation of software updates along with how-to assistance for configuring or installing select SAN components. Keep Your Hard Drive1: The Keep Your Hard Drive service provides the option of retaining qualified hard drives, while receiving a replacement hard drive.2 As a result, you can maintain control over any sensitive and confidential data contained on your hard drives and determine the best method of disposal for failed hard drives. Maintaining control over failed and improperly functioning hard drives can help you to better meet government and data privacy requirements.
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Service not available in APJ region. The defective hard drive must be covered by the hardware limited warranty. For a copy of our guarantees or limited warranties, please write Dell USA L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit www.dell.com/warranty.

Asset Recovery One often overlooked but inevitable phase of I.T. equipment is handling the end of the systems life. Indefinite storage means old or obsolete equipment becomes an expense and an eyesore, while proper disposal is complicated because of government regulations and environmental concerns. Dell offers a smarter way a simple process that manages disposal in a way that protects your data and the environment. Dell can also wring value out of some old systems and get you cash back. We tailor the program to your situation with a breadth of options including resale, recycling, donation, redeployment, employee purchase, and lease return. Training & Certification Arm your employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be as productive as possible. Dell offers comprehensive training services which include hardware and software training, as well as professional development classes. Our flexible approach allows you to tailor classes to the needs and busy schedules of your employees with instructor led classrooms or virtual courses, and even self-directed on-line options. Dell training can help improve system reliability, maximize productivity, and reduce end user requests and downtime. SAN Management Covers installation and configuration of CX3-series arrays, Navisphere, Analyzer, LUN Management and MetaLUNs, zoning, and failover. SAN Data Protection Follow-up to Dell SAN Management. Focuses on data backup and replication, specifically the SnapView and MirrorView applications and clustering.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007

 Advanced SAN Architecture Learn best practices for SAN planning, including the decision-making process used by Dell in host, storage, and fabric design. Students complete workshop activities to design a SAN perfectly tailored to their needs.

Dell, PowerEdge and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. EMC, Navisphere, and VisualSAN are registered trademarks and MirrorView, SAN Copy, UltraPoint and SnapView are trademarks of EMC Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Copyright 2007 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell.

Dell Enterprise Systems Group

August 2007