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Dell NX3500, NX3610, NX3600 manual Thin and Thick Provisioning for NAS Volumes

Models: NX3500 NX3600 NX3610

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If you need to access the same set of files from both Windows and UNIX/Linux, the best way to implement multi‐protocol access is by setting up individual user mapping rules or by enabling automatic user mapping. Ownership and access permissions are automatically translated based on user mapping settings and file access credentials.

Modifying the file security style of a NAS volume affects only files and directories created after the modification.

Thin and Thick Provisioning for NAS Volumes

Although PowerVault NAS pool is thickly provisioned to the FluidFS system, NAS volumes can be thin‐ provisioned. With thin‐provisioning (the default), storage space is consumed on the MD Arrays(s) only when data is physically written to the NAS volume, not when the NAS volume is initially created. Thin‐ provisioning allows NAS volumes to account for future increases in usage. However, because it is possible for the storage space allocated by the NAS volumes to exceed the storage space allocated to the NAS pool, ensure that you monitor available capacity on the MD array(s) to ensure that the FluidFS system always has sufficient free space available. You can also specify a portion of the NAS volume (Reserved Space) that is dedicated to the NAS volume (no other volumes can take the space). The total Reserved Space of all NAS volumes cannot exceed the available capacity of the NAS pool.

If a file is deleted from a thin‐provisioned NAS volume, the free space as seen in FluidFS Manager increases. The freed up capacity is also visible and available to clients in the CIFS shares or NFS exports. However, the MD array does not report any capacity freed up in the NAS pool.

Thick provisioning allows you to allocate storage space on the MD array(s) statically to a NAS volume (no other volumes can take the space). Thick provisioning is appropriate if your environment requires guaranteed space for a NAS volume.

Choosing a Strategy for NAS Volume Creation

Choosing to define multiple NAS volumes enables you to apply different management policies, such as data reduction, data protection, security style, and quotas, based on your storage needs.

Consider the following factors to help choose the right strategy based on your environment’s requirements:

•General requirements NAS volumes can be easily created, resized (increased or decreased) based on the system capacity, or deleted.

–NAS volumes can be easily created, resized (increased or decreased) based on the system capacity, or deleted.

–A single NAS volume can contain NFS exports, CIFS shares, or a combination of NFS exports and CIFS shares.

–The minimum size of a NAS volume is 20 MB (or if the NAS volume has already been used, the minimum size is the stored data).

•Business requirements: A company or application requirement for separation or for using a single NAS volume must be considered. NAS volumes can be used to allocate storage for departments on demand, using the threshold mechanism to notify administrators when they approach the end of their allocated free space.

•Data reduction: Each NAS volume can have a dedicated data reduction policy to best suit the type of data it stores.

•Snapshots: Each NAS volume can have a dedicated snapshot scheduling policy to best protect the type of data it stores.

•Security style: In multiple protocol environments, it might be beneficial to separate the data and define NAS volumes with UNIX security style for UNIX/Linux‐ased clients, and NTFS for Windows‐ased clients. This enables the administrator to match the security style with business requirements and

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Dell NX3500, NX3610, NX3600 manual Thin and Thick Provisioning for NAS Volumes, Choosing a Strategy for NAS Volume Creation
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NX3500, NX3600, NX3610 specifications

The Dell NX series, including the NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500, represents a robust and efficient solution for organizations seeking to optimize their storage solutions. These storage appliances are designed to meet the growing needs of data-driven businesses, providing a comprehensive platform that integrates software and hardware for optimal performance.

The Dell NX3610 is a high-performance storage solution that boasts an advanced dual-controller architecture. This model supports enhanced scalability and redundancy, ensuring that organizations can handle increasing data loads effortlessly. It is built for faster data access with a range of connectivity options, including 10GbE and iSCSI, enabling seamless integration into diverse IT environments. The NX3610 supports advanced file sharing capabilities, making it ideal for businesses requiring efficient collaboration and data access across multiple platforms. Furthermore, with features like snapshot and replication, users can ensure data integrity and security, minimizing downtime in case of system failures.

The NX3600, while slightly smaller in capacity compared to the NX3610, still delivers formidable performance and flexibility. It is designed to cater to mid-sized businesses that need a reliable and cost-effective storage solution. The NX3600 features a single-controller architecture, making it easier to manage and deploy in smaller IT environments. It offers support for various storage protocols, including NFS and CIFS, which are essential for organizations looking to support diverse application workloads. Its easy-to-use management interface makes it simple for IT teams to monitor and configure settings, ensuring optimal performance with minimal effort.

The NX3500 serves as an entry-level model within the NX series, specifically targeted at small to medium-sized businesses. It combines affordability with essential features needed for efficient data storage and sharing. The NX3500 is equipped with a user-friendly interface and includes support for both file-based and block-based storage, offering flexibility for diverse workloads. Moreover, the appliance features integrated backup solutions, which are crucial for ensuring data safety and compliance. Users will also appreciate its robust data deduplication and compression capabilities that significantly reduce storage costs by minimizing the amount of data stored.

In summary, the Dell NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500 are engineered to cater to various business sizes and storage demands. With their sophisticated technologies, including dual-controller systems, rich protocol support, and user-friendly management features, these appliances deliver reliable, scalable, and efficient storage solutions for any organization looking to enhance its data management capabilities.