EMC AX150 Product Guide - Page 21

Figure 14. Software upgrades within Navisphere Express PowerPath EMC PowerPath is host-resident software that works with various storage systems to deliver intelligent I/O path management. Using PowerPath, administrators can improve the server's ability to manage heavy storage loads through continuous and intelligent I/O balancing. PowerPath automatically configures multiple paths and dynamically tunes for performance as workloads change. PowerPath adds to the highavailability capabilities of the AX150 storage systems by automatically detecting and recovering from server-to-storage path failures. PowerPath for the AX150 ships with all storage systems and must be installed on all attached hosts. PowerPath management is accomplished by using the provided command line interface (CLI) or the graphical user interface available on any supported Windows platform. Supported configurations The AX150 supports multiple connections from each host to enable load balancing and high availability. Always refer to the AX150 Support Matrix for the latest supported attaches, switches, and configurations. Currently, Linux, Windows, and NetWare hosts are supported for either direct or SAN-attached connectivity to the AX150 storage systems. Up to eight host initiators are supported to each SP. For high availability, each host should have visibility to both SPs. Direct attach Up to four servers are supported in a direct-attach configuration, depending on the storage-system type. If each host contains a single HBA, each may attach to a dedicated port on a SP. As there are two ports per SP, the AX150 with two SPs supports up to four simultaneous direct attaches. For high availability (HA), each server in a direct-attach configuration should contain two HBAs, each with a path to a port on distinct Introduction to the AX150 Storage System A Detailed Review 21