HP StorageWorks MPX200 - Simplified Cost-Effective Virtualization Deployment (October 2009)

HP StorageWorks MPX200 Benefits

In a virtual server environment, this means that each guest OS can have its own initiator without

relying on the hypervisor to secure and manage data LUNs. Storage can be allocated and

expanded based on the requirement of each guest OS or application instance. This frees the IT

Manager from the constraints of the 256 LUN limit from the following perspectives:

1. The hypervisor is no longer a bottleneck for management, growth, and data security.

2. Array connections are not consumed by the virtual machines.

With architectural support for over 1024 iSCSI initiators per MPX200, IT staff can continue

deployments of virtual machines, without changing the storage infrastructure, its management, or

security policies.

This enables powerful solutions for the storage manager. Virtual machines can be deployed

without having to over-allocate data. New data LUNs can be easily assigned any time in the

future without considering LUN limits or hypervisor intervention.

As the customers moving towards Virtual Desktop environment and implementing Vmware’s Virtual

Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to benefit out of Virtual desktop paradigm, all the implementation

options are applicable to VDI as well. The customer can choose to install either Windows servers

or Desktop Windows in all the implementation options discussed in this paper.

Conclusion

The MPX200 10-1 GbE blade allows high performance virtual machine deployment with 10GbE

iSCSI connectivity. This blade supports up to 600 iSCSI initiator connections to the EVA with

architectural support of up to 1024 iSCSI initiators. As a result, each virtual server can be

configured with its own iSCSI initiator and securely manage its own LUNs. This ensures that

management policies can be seamlessly maintained throughout the VM deployment. Configuring

iSCSI initiators on VMs also enables administrators to overcome the hypervisor limitation of 256

LUNs.

For more information

 For more information about the product, see http://www.hp.com/go/mpx200

 For more information about configuration, see the HP StorageWorks SAN Design Reference

Guide available at: http://www.hp.com/go/sandesignguide

contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP

products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements

accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as

constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial

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September 2009