EMC Vmax Architecture

EMC Vmax Architecture 

Currently there are 3 types of EMC Vmax available EMC Vmax 10K,EMC Vmax 20K and EMC Vmax 40K.The general architecture of Vmax models.Symmetrix Vmax is EMC’s prestigious product.Compared to the previous models, Vmax has been optimized for increased availability,performance and capacity utilization on all tiers with all RAID types.Vmax’s enhanced device configuration and replication operations results in easier,faster and more efficient management of large virtual and physical environment.

The main architectural difference between DMX and Vmax model is that vmax has engine concept.In DMX model,we have different hardware for front end(FA director),back end(DA director) and memory modules.But in Vmax all these hardwares are integrated together and is knows as Vmax Engine.
A EMC Vmax storage array support from 1 to maximum of 8 Vmax engines.Each of these engines contains two symmetrix vmax directors.Each director includes

                  - 8 multi-core CPUs (total 16 per engine)

                  – Cache memory(global memory)

                  – Front end I/O modules

                  – Back end I/O modules

                  – System Interface Module(SIB)

Apart from this,each engine has redundant power supplies,cooling fans,standby power supplies(SPS) and environmental modules.

All these engines are interconnected usingVmax Matrix Interface Board Enclosure(MIBE).Each director has two connection to MIBE via system interface module(SIB) ports as shown below.

Multi-core CPUs:

Multi-Core CPUs deliver new levels of performance and functionality in a smaller footprint with reduced power and cooling requirements. Each director has 8 multi core CPUs and a total of 16 CPUs per engine.

Cache memory(global memory):

Each director can be configured with 16, 32 or 64 GB of physical memory. Of this, a small portion (4 GB) is reserved for local processing, and the rest constitutes Global Memory. Global Memory on any given director is always mirrored to another director in the system.So the minimum usable memory will be 16 GB(total 32GB, on a single engine configuration) and maximum will be 512GB (total 1024GB,fully loaded eight VMAX Engines system)

Memory is accessible by any director within the system:

◆ If a system has a single VMAX Engine, physical memory mirrors are internal to the enclosure.
◆ If a system has multiple VMAX Engines, physical memory mirrors are provided between enclosures.

Front End I/O Module :

Front end modules are used for host connectivity.Host connectivity via Fibre Channel, iSCSI and FICON are supported.

Back End I/O Module :

Back end module provide access to the disk drives.Disks drives are configured under these I/O modules.

System Interface Module(SIB):

SIBs are responsible for interconnecting the Vmax engine’s directors through  Matrix Interface Board Enclosure(MIBE). Each Vmax engine has two SIBs and each has two ports.

Similar to DMX3 and DMX4 arrays,Vmax has two types of bays

 1. System bay :

 
System bay contains all Vmax engines.Apart from Vmax engines,it contains system bay standby power supplies(SPS), Uninterrupted Power Supply(UPS),Matrix Interface Board Enclosure (MIBE), and a Server (Service Processor) with Keyboard- Video-Mouse (KVM) assembly.

 2. Storage bay :

 
The Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is similar to the Storage Bay of the DMX-3 and DMX-4 systems. It consists of eight to sixteen Drive Enclosures, 48 to 240 drives, eight (8) SPS modules, and unique cabling when compared with the DMX Series. The Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is configured with capacities of up to 120 disk drives for a half populated bay or 240 disk drives for a fully populated bay. Drives, LCCs, power supplies, and blower modules are fully redundant and hot swappable and are enclosed inside Disk Array Enclosure(DAE).One DAE holds 15 physical disk drives and one storage bay has total 16 DAEs(hence a storage bay has maximum of 240 disk, 16*15)