Question 3 - D-PSC-MN-01 discussion

The platform engineer should inform the customer that hybrid node SSDs in identical sled locations can be used for either cache or primary storage.

Understanding Dell PowerScale H600 Nodes:

Hybrid Nodes:

H600 nodes are hybrid, combining HDDs for capacity and SSDs for performance.

Drive Sleds:

Nodes have sleds (drive bays) where drives are installed.

SSDs and HDDs are populated in specific sled locations.

Using SSDs for Cache or Primary Storage:

Flexibility:

SSDs in hybrid nodes can serve as either L3 cache or as a tier for primary storage.

Identical Sled Locations:

For consistency and performance optimization, SSDs should be installed in identical sled positions across all nodes in the pool.

Configuration:

Administrators can configure the usage of SSDs through SmartPools and data storage policies.

Benefits of Using SSDs for Primary Storage:

Performance Improvement:

Storing hot or frequently accessed data on SSDs enhances read/write speeds.

Data Tiering:

OneFS can automatically move data between SSDs and HDDs based on access patterns.

Why Other Options Are Less Suitable:

Option A (Cache expansion requires a Dell Professional Services engagement):

While professional services can assist, customers can add SSDs and configure caching without mandatory professional services.

Option C (Only F series nodes can use SSDs for primary storage):

Incorrect; hybrid nodes can also use SSDs for primary storage via SmartPools.

Option D (Each sled must have an equal number of SSDs):

Not strictly required; however, best practices recommend balanced configurations for performance consistency.

Best Practices:

Balanced Configuration:

Install SSDs uniformly across nodes to maintain consistent performance.

Consult Documentation:

Review hardware guides and configuration manuals for specific instructions.

Dell PowerScale

Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS SmartPools Administration Guide:

Details on configuring SSDs for primary storage and caching.

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS SmartPools Guide

Dell EMC PowerScale H600 Hardware Guide:

Provides information on drive sled configurations and SSD usage.

Dell EMC PowerScale H600 Hardware Guide

Knowledge Base Articles:

Article ID 000123010: 'Using SSDs in Hybrid Nodes for Primary Storage'

Article ID 000123011: 'Configuring SSDs in Dell PowerScale Hybrid Nodes'