Architecture
System
Hardware
Software
Dell EMC VxFlex Ready Node AMS User Guide
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VxFlex OS is based on a hardware and a software component.
This section outlines the VxFlex OS hardware components.
The VxFlex Ready Node system includes dedicated server nodes, built for capacity,
performance, or compute, per the specific configuration.
The VxFlex Ready Node system includes a full datacenter solution including: rack,
switches, server nodes , power and cabling. Built for capacity, performance, or
compute per the specific configuration.
The system refers to the following hardware components:
Nodes
l
We use these terms to describe the hardware in the system:
Node
n
A server, in one of the following forms:
– 2U1N node—the node takes the entire space of the chassis. This is like a
standard rack-mounted server. The chassis is 2U high.
– 1U1N node—the node takes the entire space of the chassis. This is like a
standard rack-mounted server. The chassis is 1U high.
Storage Media
l
The storage media is supplied as part of the hardware offering.
The VxFlex OS virtual SAN software consists of a Meta Data Manager (MDM), a
Storage Data Server (SDS) and a Storage Data Client (SDC).
The VxFlex OS virtual SAN consists of the following software components:
Meta Data Manager (MDM)
l
Configures and monitors VxFlex OS. The MDM can be configured in redundant
cluster mode, with three members on three servers or five members on five
servers, or in single mode on a single server.
NOTICE
It is not recommended to use single mode in production systems,
except in temporary situations. The MDMs contains all the metadata required
for system operation. single mode has no protection, and exposes the system
to a single point of failure.
Storage Data Server (SDS)
l
Manages the capacity of a single server and acts as a back-end for data access.
The SDS is installed on all servers contributing storage devices to VxFlex OS.
These devices are accessed through the SDS.
Storage Data Client (SDC)
l
A lightweight device driver that exposes VxFlex OS volumes as block devices to
the application that resides on the same server on which the SDC is installed.
Depending on the desired configuration (described later), the software components
are installed on the server and give rise to a virtual SAN layer exposed to the
applications that reside on the servers.