INFOBrief
Dell™ | EMC® CX600
Fibre Channel Storage System
Key Points

The Dell/EMC CX600 is designed for the most demanding and
business-critical areas of an organization. Enterprise-class business
continuance features include hot-pluggable redundant hardware, hot
spare disk drives, multipath failover, snapshots, cloning, local/remote
mirroring, and non-disruptive firmware upgrades - all at a midrange
price.

The CX600 offers performance of up to 150,000 cached IOps and 1300
MB/sec throughput, and provides up to 35TB (240 drives) of disk
storage. Whether an OLTP database or a video streaming application,
the CX600 can be tuned to match high performance application needs.

The CX600 helps ensure the highest levels of data availability through
advanced features such as cache de-staging to disk, data integrity
checking, and advanced software that allows for point-in-time copies,
clones or full mirroring for business continuance.

The CX600 can be added to an existing Dell/EMC SAN. The CX600
interoperates freely with legacy Dell/EMC FC4700/4500/5300 products
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as well as other CX series Dell/EMC products. Mirroring is supported
between the CX400 and CX600, FC4700, or FC4700-2 systems.

The CX600 is designed for future growth. You can pay-as-you-grow
by hot-adding expansion enclosures with the CX600. It is possible to
add up to 15 DAE2 expansion enclosures (up to 240 drives) to a single
CX600.

Help lower the total cost of storage with simple yet powerful
management software. The CX600 is fully compatible with the entire
Navisphere® software suite and VisualSan as well as EMC Control
Center/Open Edition.

Superior service and support – Dell offers professional consulting,
installation, and implementation services to help ensure every CX600
is brought online quickly and is configured to meet business
requirements. And every CX600 is backed with Gold level Dell
Premier Enterprise Support Services to help ensure that the system
remains up and running for years to come.
Background
The Dell/EMC CX600 is an end-to-end Fibre Channel storage system. The
interface to disk drives and to host servers is based on the industrystandard 2 Gigabit/sec Fibre Channel protocol. Fibre Channel storage
systems are commonly used both directly attached to servers and in
storage area networks (SANs).
The CX600 is a high-performance and feature rich array that is suitable for
the most demanding applications and for storage consolidation of multiple
heterogeneous hosts in a cohesive SAN fabric.
Product Description
The CX600 provides best-of-breed enterprise storage in direct attach or
large SAN environments. Storage-based functionality and comprehensive
management software offer world-class information protection and
streamlined, efficient management. The CX600 is a fully integrated 2
Gigabit storage solution with eight front-end Fibre Channel 2 optical ports
and up to 240 2 Gigabit back-end disk drives.
The features of the CX600 include the following:

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
Support for up to 128 highly available servers redundantly
attached to a single CX600 array in a SAN (each server has 2 HBAs
providing redundant connectivity to the storage array)

Up to 240 2Gb Fibre Channel disk drives and 35 TB of raw storage
capacity within a single array (a SAN fabric can house many
storage arrays)

2 Gigabit Fibre Channel technology provides up to 200MB/s
(400MB/s full duplex) throughput - ideal for high bandwidth
application environments

Eight front-end optical ports per array. Each Storage Processor
(SP) is equipped with four 2 Gb front-end optical ports, each
delivering up to 200MB/s Fibre Channel throughput. With the use
of PowerPath™ fail over and load balancing software for
multipath I/O, users can operate all eight ports simultaneously

Two full 2Gb bandwidth back-end Fibre Channel loops per SP for
a total of four 2Gb back-end loops per array

Over 1,300 MB/s sustained throughput and more than 150,000
cached I/Os per second

Non-disruptive upgrade for on-line software and microcode
upgrades

Optional MirrorView™ software – synchronous data mirroring

IP mirroring is possible with the use of optional CNT UltraNet
Edge FC/IP routers

Optional SnapView™ software – point-in-time copy and clones
The CX600 is great for data intensive applications and fully functional
enterprise SAN environments including:

High performance applications

Video streaming and high speed content delivery

Disaster Recovery

OLTP and Web servers

Data warehouses

Graphics intensive environments

Distributed organizations

Email (Messaging)

Customer relationship management
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The CX600 consists of a 2Gbps Storage Processor Enclosure (SPE2) and an
optional 2Gbps Disk Array Enclosure (DAE2). The SPE2 contains two
storage processor boards and redundant, hot-swappable fans and power
supplies in a single chassis.
Figure 1
DAE2 Front View without Bezel showing fifteen 1-inch Fibre Channel
Disk Drives
Up to 16 DAE2 expansion enclosures with up to fifteen drives each can be
added to the subsystem for a maximum configuration of 240 drives behind
a single SPE2. With 146GB1 drives, this equates to up to 35 terabytes of data
storage.
Eight front side ports 2Gbps Fibre Channel host ports allow direct
connection of up to eight hosts or four 2-node high availability clusters
(two HBAs per server) without the use of an external switch. In SAN
environments, the CX600 can hold storage for up to 128 redundantly
connected servers.
3
For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes; accessible capacity varies with
operating environment
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Figure 2
Screenshot of Navisphere Manager Graphical User Interface
The CX600 is qualified to be used in environments with Microsoft®
Windows®, Novell® NetWare®, Linux®, HP_UX, AIX, Solaris, Tru-64,
and SGI operating systems.
Table 1 provides a comparison of the features of the Dell/EMC CX200,
CX400, and CX600.
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Table 1
Feature Comparison of the Dell/EMC CX200, CX400 and CX600
Feature
CX200
CX400
CX600
Maximum # of Drives
30
60
240
Maximum # of Hosts (SAN)
15
64
128
Performance
Cache
25,000 IOPs
200 MB/s
1GB
60,000 IOPs
680 MB/s
2GB
150,000 IOPs
1300 MB/s
8GB
Host connections
2 SW or 4 FC-AL
4 SFF optical
8 SFF optical
Rack size (DPE2 or SPE)
Rack size (DAE2)
4U
DPE2 and SPS,
with disks
3U
4U
DPE2 and SPS,
with disks
3U
5U
SPE and
SPS, no disks
3U
RAID
0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5
0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5
0, 1, 1/0, 3, 5
Cache vaulting
Yes
Yes
Yes
Data scrubbing (SNiiFFER)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Management Software
Navisphere
Manager or
Navisphere
Manager
Navisphere
Manager
Navisphere
Manager Base
Point-in-time Copy
Host-Based
SnapView™
SnapView
Remote Mirroring
Host-Based
MirrorView™
MirrorView
Solution Description: Software
Software is both a key and integral part of the benefit that the CX600 brings
to users. A full suite of software products is available with the CX600,
which facilitates the advanced functionality and management of both the
array and the SAN fabric.
Navisphere Manager
The Navisphere® family of products enables administrators to monitor,
configure, tune, and plan Dell/EMC storage from a single management
workstation. Navisphere provides a powerful set of capabilities that meets
the ease-of management and security requirements of today’s operating
environments.
The Navisphere Management Suite includes the following:
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Navisphere Manager – robust configuration, management and event
notification
Navisphere Event Monitor –automatically notifies administrators when
failures or status changes occur on Dell/EMC systems
Navisphere Analyzer – comprehensive performance, management and
trends analysis
Navisphere Integrator- interprets incoming SNMP traps messages,
identifies the problem array and locates the problem on the network map
of HP Openview, Tivoli TME, or CA Unicenter TNG
Navisphere Agent / CLI- issues commands to an array requesting array
status, recording commands, and the resulting output
PowerPath- delivers automatic re-routing of SCSI or Fibre Channel I/O
traffic in the event of a host-to-storage path failure. Also provides
dynamic load balancing.
CLARalert - early notification and remote diagnostics service program
Remote Monitoring Services - remote diagnostic and remote control
program that utilizes WebEx
Other Software Components that integrate with Navisphere:
Access Logix – data protection, shared storage access, and security for
heterogeneous SAN resources
Navisphere software extends the capabilities of Dell/EMC FC4700 and
CX600 arrays by offering comprehensive data protection and availability
through integrated and centralized control of optional SnapView™ and
MirrorView™ software.
MirrorView – remote synchronous mirroring of data
SnapView – point-in-time view of information for non-disruptive backup
VisualSAN
VisualSAN is designed for managing small- and medium-sized SANs. It
provides the required tools for managing a SAN with a simple, intuitive
user interface. It also provides tools for performance management and
configuration management, along with easy SAN installation and
comprehensive troubleshooting support.
Although VisualSAN provides a user-friendly centralized console for
management of small and medium sized SANs, it is highly scalable, and
can support enterprise class SANs. VisualSAN supports all Dell
PowerVault devices and Dell |EMC devices in the SAN.
Dell/EMC VisualSAN is a suite of SRM products:
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
EMC VisualSAN Network Manager

EMC VisualSAN Configuration Manager (optional)

EMC VisualSAN Performance Manager (optional)
VisualSAN is fully integrated with the Dell/EMC Navisphere and Dell
OpenManage Array Manager and Server Administrator management
tools, so the user can visualize, monitor and control the entire SAN from a
central console. It supports all PowerVault and Dell/EMC devices.
Benefits of VisualSAN

Simplified SAN management

Very attractive pricing

Integrated Dell support

Highly Scalable
For more detailed information on software products, please visit
www.dell.com/emc
Markets/Applications
The CX600 is an enterprise-class storage system suitable for use in business
critical or day-to-day production-level activities that require leading edge
performance and scalability with options for business continuance and
disaster recovery. The CX600 may be deployed in heterogeneous
Windows, NetWare, Linux, and Unix environments and is appropriate for
applications in medium-sized businesses to global enterprises.
Examples of where the CX600 is a good fit follow:

Business critical applications that require continuous availability
and disaster recovery, combined with high performance and large
capacity scaling

Medium to large scale SAN deployments (5 to 60 servers)

Applications that require cost-effective array-based point-in-timecopy or cloning

Data center environments where the flexibility of modular storage
growth is needed
Direct Attach
In direct attach configurations, the CX600 provides storage for up to eight
directly attached servers or two two-node high-availability clusters. In
these configurations, the CX600 has higher availability and allows more
distance between server and storage than direct attached SCSI storage
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systems. Also, configuring the CX600 as direct attach storage prepares the
server for seamless consolidation into a SAN sometime in the future.
Storage Area Networks
In a SAN environment, the CX600 can actively communicate with up to
128 redundantly connected servers. When used in a SAN, the CX600 offers
the following potential benefits over direct-attached storage:

Lower total cost of ownership through simplified management
and centralized backup

More efficient use of assets through increased storage utilization

Reduced impact to production performance through LAN-free
backup

Reduced risk of data loss through disaster recovery capabilities
(i.e., remote mirroring, point-in-time copies and clones)
Typical Applications
Exchange clusters using MirrorView for disaster recovery.
The performance and scalability of the CX600 are ideal for high availability
clusters running Microsoft Exchange or other messaging software for up to
a few thousand users. MirrorView remote mirroring software adds
another dimension of data protection to email data by allowing mirroring
to other Dell/EMC arrays hundreds of meters or thousands of kilometers
away.
Medium to large sized OLTP databases using SnapView cloning for zerowindow, full performance backup.
The excellent transactional performance of the CX600 coupled with
SnapView array-based software is the perfect combination for small to
medium sized databases that are active 24x7. Use cloning to create a pointin-time copy of the data, and then back up or analyze the copy while the
original data remains in production. Since the cloned data and the original
data reside on different disks, the backups and analyses will have minimal
performance impact to your database.
Decision support systems using SnapView snapshots for space efficient
zero-window backup.
The CX600 can also be used for non-critical applications that require a
highly scalable, cost effective solution with high performance needs. This
is typical of many decision support databases. The CX600 can scale up to
35 TB with 146GB drives providing plenty of capacity for your data. In
addition, by using SnapView snapshots, you can back up this large amount
of data with zero downtime to your database, and without having to make
a full copy.
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Video editing and prepress.
With 1300MB/s of sequential bandwidth, the CX600 is ideally suited to
video and prepress applications. The CX600 can directly attach to up to
eight high-speed video editing stations. To connect to more servers,
simply add a Fibre Channel switch
Features and Benefits
High Availability Hardware
The modular redundant design of the CX600 helps the system to continue
normal operation in the event of a failed power supply, cooling unit,
storage processor, or disk drive. All these components are hot pluggable
for easy repair with no downtime. Add to this robust design and
numerous data integrity checks, and the result is a storage solution that is
built to keep information safe…and accessible.
Cache Vaulting
The CX600 contains advanced features designed to protect data from
corruption or loss due to unanticipated events. For example, when write
caching is used, data waiting to be written is stored in volatile memory on
the storage processors. With unprotected systems, an unexpected power
failure could result in lost cache data. The CX600 protects against such
data loss by using a standby power supply (SPS) to keep the array
powered long enough to write cache data to disk. Cache data remains
protected indefinitely, and is not subject to the vulnerabilities of batterybacked cache found on other storage systems.
Modular Design
Specifically designed to create flexibility in the data center, the CX600
makes it easy to get started with a highly available storage infrastructure,
then grow as business and applications needs warrant.
Excellent performance
With eight front side 2Gbps Fibre Channel ports on the host and four fullbandwidth ports on the drive side, the CX200 has up to 150,000 cached
IOPs and sequential performance of up to 1300MB/sec.
Cache tuning
All Dell/EMC storage systems have extremely flexible cache tuning
capabilities relative to competing modular storage products. This allows
cache to be tuned precisely to the load, helping to optimize performance.
Non-disruptive upgrade (NDU)
Non-disruptive upgrade is built into the core software of the CX600. This
allows the core code (firmware) to be upgraded on the fly with no
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interruption in access to the storage on the array. To accomplish this, the
array will automatically perform a series of failover and failback operation
between the storage processors. Also, the upgrade can be rolled back if the
new version reveals unanticipated characteristics in a SAN.
Array management
For centralized management of Dell/EMC arrays, the Navisphere Manager
software suite is a powerful configuration and management utility for all
Dell/EMC storage systems. The graphical user interface (GUI) is designed
to help a user to get a basic configuration up and running quickly, and
then perform optimization and tuning later. Powerful monitoring and
notification functions, including “email home” capability, automatically let
administrators know when something is wrong and can spark corrective
action from Dell.
Navisphere Manager is Java-based code that resides on the array and
serves up the GUI to a web browser anywhere on a LAN or WAN. It
allows the use of a single management station to manage one or several
storage systems, and to make changes to a configuration remotely.
Mirroring
The CX600 supports MirrorView software for synchronous mirroring to
other Dell/EMC storage systems. The CX600 can mirror over shortwave
Fibre Channel for distances of 300 meters, over longwave Fibre Channel
for distances of 10km, over Fibre Channel extenders for distances of 60km,
and over Fibre Channel to IP routers for longer distances.
Snapshots
Using SnapView array-based software, the CX600 can create an
instantaneous copy of one or several LUNs at a particular point in time
without requiring the same amount of space as the original LUN. The
snapshot can then be used for backup or analysis without taking the
original LUN out of production. Snapshot can help reduce the backup
time for the production LUN to zero.
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Clones
The CX600 also supports cloning through SnapView array-based software.
Clones, like snapshots, can produce point-in-time copies of data, but unlike
snapshots, clones are full copies that do not necessarily share disks with
the original data. This means that clones may be used for backup or
analysis without impacting performance of the source LUNs. Typical uses
for clones include decision support systems where analysis must be done
on the source data without affecting production performance, and
application development where multiple full copies of the data can be
subjected to different test scenarios with full performance in each. Cloning
is also used in boot-from-SAN scenarios where it is necessary to replicate
system disks within the array.
Comprehensive Software Selection
The CX600 is also compatible with the complete set of Dell/EMC software
including: AccessLogix for LUN masking, PowerPath for multipath failover,
and Navisphere Manager for configuration and monitoring, MirrorView for
disaster recovery mirroring (requires Navisphere Manager), SnapView for
point-in-time copies and clones (requires Navisphere Manager), Navisphere
Analyzer for graphical performance analysis and tuning (requires
Navisphere Manager), and EMC Control Center/Open Edition for storage
resource management in multi-vendor storage environments.
Key Customer Benefits

Helps Eliminate Downtime
The CX600 brings enterprise-class availability features and
performance that have not been seen in the modular storage market
before. Continuous availability and disaster recovery features include
redundant hot-swappable components and non-disruptive firmware
upgrades.

High-End Data Protection
The CX600’s combination of data protection features, including cache
vaulting, sector level data protection, and patented SNiiFFER data
protection firmware work together to help ensure data remains safe.
Combine this with replication, point-in-time copies and clones, and the
CX600 is an ideal platform to build an enterprise storage architecture.

Production-Proven Reliability
The CX600 represents the culmination of six generations of Fibre
Channel RAID technology. Prior generations of systems leading to the
CX600 have a large installed base and a history of reliable operation.
Lessons learned from hours of business-critical operations are
incorporated into the CX600 design.
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
Investment Protection
The CX600 interoperates with all previous generation Dell/EMC
arrays. Add the CX600 to an existing SAN with Dell/EMC FC4700,
FC4500, or FC5300 arrays without zoning restrictions, and leverage the
same software for all the arrays – Dell/EMC solutions make man aging
your growing storage environment easier.

Helps Reduce the Total Cost of Owning Storage
Simplified storage management is key for helping lower the total cost
of ownership of enterprise storage. Navisphere Manager Base or
Navisphere Manager Suite and Navisphere Analyzer are available for
configuration and management of the CX600.

Ensure Interoperability
The CX600 has been qualified for environments with homogenous or
heterogeneous operating systems, including Windows, Netware,
Linux, HP_UX, AIX, Solaris, Tru-64 and SGI.
Service and Support
Dell Premier Enterprise Services is a broad portfolio of services designed to
help organizations optimize their use of Dell/EMC technology, rapidly
deploy systems, and attain the highest possible levels of system uptime.
Consulting and Deployment Services – Required Services
Dell SAN consulting and deployment services help to effectively plan for
and optimize the implementation of a new SAN solution to meet unique
storage goals.
Note: Required services help to ensure the best possible customer
experience. Hardware installation, SAN Implementation and Gold-level
support are included in the storage system’s price.
SAN Implementation services (based on the number of hosts to be
attached to the SAN) include:
Pre-Sales Design & Site Readiness Assessment Service (gratis service)
Initial design session to identify and document storage configuration
requirements in the Dell SAN Configuration Readiness Form (SCRF)
and communicate technical/environmental requirements to the
customer. The SCRF is used to plan for the initial installation and to
document the user’s complete SAN design for reference in postinstallation support from Dell’s Technical Support team.
SAN Implementation Service (Tier 1, < 8 hosts)
Begins with a comprehensive remote planning session to help ensure
all technical and environmental requirements are communicated and
met in advance of the component-level installation. Also included is a
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verification of overall site readiness and validation of the customer's
unique system configuration information. The on-site implementation
includes:






SAN cabling and host connectivity based on the SAN
Configuration of up to two 8- port Switches and installation of up
to 7 agents on approved hosts
Software installation of PowerPath, Navisphere Agent, Navisphere
Manager, and enabling of Access Logix for LUN access
Creation of LUNS, RAID Groups & Storage Groups
Product orientation session
Development of Component Level Design Document

SAN Implementation Service (Tier 2, < 16 hosts)
Because of the added complexity of Tier 2 systems, this service begins
with an on-site meeting to verify technical and business requirements.
In addition to the features included in the Tier 1 service, this service
includes configuration of up to two DS-16 Port Switches and
installation of up to 15 agents on approved hosts. The design
documentation covers the full SAN solution.

Custom Design & Implementation Service
Comprehensive design and implementation for complex systems (15
or more hosts). This service includes the features of the SAN
Implementation service and any other needed design and
implementation deliverables to meet the customer’s requirements.

Hardware Installation
On-site installation of the Dell | EMC storage systems, rack mounting
of systems, connection to power sources, and power-on of devices.
Consulting and Deployment Services – Optional Services

Customer Training
Dell offers a variety of training courses, including courses about Dell
server and storage products, backup and restore, Storage Area
Networks, clustering, and systems management software. Available
on-site at your facility or within our Dell labs, Dell Technology
Training is designed to equip system administrators with the skills
needed to optimize your Dell investment from day one.

Proof-of-Concept at Dell Technology Solution Center
A secure, comprehensive lab where Dell can assist in analyzing
challenges, testing systems and determining solutions that are
optimized for each unique business environment.

Back-up & Recovery Design & Implementation
Detailed analysis and/or implementation of Backup and utility
software.
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
Cluster Implementation
Services to design and implement clustered Microsoft Exchange,
Microsoft SQL Server, and Dell’s Fibre Channel Cluster kits.
Dell | EMC systems come with a robust standard support program that
includes Dell Gold-Level Premier Enterprise Support Service featuring:

7x24 High Level engineer- to- engineer telephone support with
direct access to Gold Queue

Technical Account Management Team managed escalations and
reporting

7x24 4-Hour On-site Support1

Case management services through Enterprise Expert Center

Remote Software & Storage Support – Unlimited Resolutions

Storage System Remote Monitoring

Ability to define your call priority

Coordinated seamless support between Dell and key third party
providers

Change notification

Optional upgrade for On-Site Troubleshooting, On-site-Engineers,
On-site Parts, and customized Platinum-Level Support

A Three-year Limited Warranty2

7x24 toll-free hardware technical phone support

Extensive 7x24 E-support, online services
For additional information, please visit www.dell.com/EMC/Services.
Service may be provided by a third-party provider under contract with Dell. Technician will
be dispatched if necessary following phone-based troubleshooting. For 7x24 service, Dell will
dispatch a service technician within 4 hours of determining the hardware problem. Available
within a 125-mile radius of over 90 metropolitan areas. Available in the U.S. only.
1
2For
a complete copy of our Guarantees or Limited Warranties, please write Dell USA, L.P.,
Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit
www.dell.com/us/en/gen/services/service_service_plans.htm.
Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography.
Dell, PowerVault and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. EMC and
EMC2 are registered trademarks of EMC Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this
document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell
disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
©Copyright 2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any
manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is
strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell
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