Introduction

The Dell EqualLogic PS Series of iSCSI storage arrays is built on a patented peer storage architecture and offers enterprise-class performance and reliability, automation, and virtualization of storage for simplified storage management.

Designed to meet the requirements of the data center, EqualLogic engineered fault tolerance into the PS Series hardware design. Its components are fully redundant and hot swappable with dual controllers, standard dual fan trays, and dual power supplies standard. The hot-swappable controller module features dual-core 64-bit processors with a HyperTransport™ I/O bus and twin 64-bit double data rate (DDR) channels. Each control module is equipped with 1GB of battery-backed DRAM. Each disk drive is interconnected with its own independent, hot-swappable serial channel and secured mechanically with an inertial dampening chassis that helps eliminate drive vibrations. Self-tuning controller caches are battery-backed and mirrored across controllers.

EqualLogic PS Series arrays support Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and Serial ATA (SATA) disk drives. Enterprise-class RAID protection governs hot-swappable disk drives, including RAID-5, RAID-10, and RAID-50 support.

Owing to its fault-tolerant hardware architecture and the high level of data protection and performance it delivers, the EqualLogic SAN is used extensively in providing reliable storage services to enterprises where mission-critical applications are operational. If the storage device were to fail or under-perform in such environments, it is bound to result in the loss of critical data, which in turn can bring these critical applications and their dependent services to a virtual standstill. To avoid such a catastrophy, it is essential to monitor the SAN storage device continuously. This is where eG Enterprise lends helping hands to administrators.