Preface

As part of an effort to improve and enhance the performance and capabilities of its product line, EMC from time to time releases revisions of its hardware and software. Therefore, some functions described in this guide may not be supported by all revisions of the software or hardware currently in use. For the most up-to-date information on product features, refer to your product release notes.

If a product does not function properly or does not function as described in this guide, please contact your EMC representative.

Audience This guide is part of the EMC® Navisphere® documentation set, and is intended for use by a system administrator during the installation of the Navisphere Storage System Initialization Utility, Navisphere Host Agent, Navisphere Server Utility, Navisphere Command Line Interface (CLI), admhost, or admsnap software on a Microsoft server running the Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows® 2000 operating system.

Readers of this guide are expected to be familiar with the following topics:

Microsoft server hardware

Microsoft Windows operating system, especially with how the operating system handles logical disks or volumes.

EMC CLARiiON Server Support Products for Windows Installation Guide

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EMC CLARiiON manual Preface

CLARiiON specifications

EMC CLARiiON is a storied name in the realm of data storage solutions, renowned for its reliability, scalability, and advanced features. As a part of EMC's pioneering approach to enterprise storage, CLARiiON systems are designed to meet the demands of businesses ranging from small enterprises to large data centers.

One of the standout features of EMC CLARiiON is its support for both Fibre Channel and iSCSI protocols, which allows for versatile deployment options in various network environments. This dual-protocol capability is key in enabling organizations to leverage existing network infrastructures while providing the flexibility to scale as needed.

The architecture of CLARiiON is built on a modular design, featuring a series of storage processors, also known as storage controllers. This design not only enhances performance but also allows for easy upgrades and expansions. The use of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology ensures data redundancy and integrity, offering a variety of RAID levels to cater to specific performance and data protection needs.

EMC CLARiiON also integrates advanced data management features such as online capacity expansion, which enables administrators to add drives without disrupting operations. This is complemented by the system's support for thin provisioning, which allows for more efficient use of storage space, presenting only the amount of storage that is actually being used.

One notable technology employed by CLARiiON is the Storage Resource Management (SRM) suite, which provides powerful tools for monitoring, reporting, and managing storage usage and performance. This suite enables IT teams to optimize their storage investments by identifying trends and potential issues before they affect service levels.

Another critical aspect is the inclusion of automatic load balancing features, which help distribute workloads evenly across available storage resources. This promotes optimal performance and reduces the risk of bottlenecks during peak usage times. Additionally, the snapshot technology embedded in CLARiiON offers users the ability to create point-in-time copies of data, facilitating rapid recovery in the event of data loss or corruption.

Lastly, EMC CLARiiON systems are designed with high availability in mind. They often feature redundant components and advanced failover capabilities to ensure seamless operations. With these characteristics, EMC CLARiiON stands as a robust solution for organizations seeking to enhance their data storage strategy, driven by cutting-edge technology and tailored to meet diverse business requirements.