What Is EMC VNX?

Dell EMC VNX is a part of the range of enterprise-grade unified file and block storage systems.   

The total cost of ownership and operation of the storage system is decreased because of the simplicity and efficiency of the Dell EMC VNX storage systems, which also offer data storage scalability and flexibility.

Features

High-performance Intel Xeon-5600 processors are combined with unified file and block storage capabilities in the Dell EMC VNX storage systems. Additionally, it supports native NAS, iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and FCoE protocols simultaneously with on-write data encryption. EMC VNX has everything you need if you want automatic optimization for the best system performance, lowest storage cost, and ongoing data protection.

Storage

By utilizing the unified storage capability of VNX storage systems, Dell EMC VNX storage systems can be set up to provide block storage, file-level storage, or both in terms of storage. Unified storage is another characteristic of Dell EMC VNX storage systems. Block-level storage (SAN) and file-level storage (NAS) can be offered concurrently using the unified storage capability of VNX storage systems.

USM

A set of tools known as Unisphere Service Manager, or USM, can be used to manage a Dell EMC VNX storage system. USM assists with the installation, setup, and upkeep of the hardware and software for VNX storage systems. Additionally, USM can be used to alert the storage system’s maintenance about the VNX storage system.

FAST

Fully Automated Storage Tiering, or FAST, is a feature of Dell EMC VNX storage systems. Data that is accessed frequently is automatically moved to high-performance storage tiers via the FAST function of VNX storage systems, while data that is accessed less regularly is automatically transferred to low-cost, high-capacity storage tiers. FAST allows the VNX storage system to operate more efficiently while spending less money.

DAE & AVM

Disk Array Enclosures, or DAEs, are used to contain the drives that make up the disc array in Dell EMC VNX storage systems. The VNX system’s extra drives can be connected via DAEs. Drive carriers, disc drives, a midplane, link control cards (LCCs), power supply and cooling modules, and EMI shielding comprise DAEs. 

The creation and administration of volumes can be automated thanks to a function of Dell EMC VNX storage systems called Automatic Volume Management, or AVM. System administrators can construct and extend file systems using the AVM capability without creating and maintaining the underlying volumes.

Differences Between EMC VNX & EMC Unity

In simple terms, EMC Unity is the latest generation. Below is a look at varying aspects.

Generation

The latest-generation Dell EMC Unity family of storage systems was built from the ground up to take the place of the Dell EMC VNX family of storage systems. 

End-of-Life and End-of-Service-Life

The end of life (EOL) and end of service life for the Dell EMC VNX family of storage systems have been reached (EOSL). As a result, the original equipment manufacturer, Dell EMC, no longer sells or maintains them (OEM). That’s where Pre Rack IT comes in. We offer pre-owned and refurbished EMC VNX storage as well as shelf and disk drive upgrades. We also offer EMC VNX third-party maintenance.

Efficiency

The Dell EMC Unity uses both all-flash and hybrid flash arrays. It supports using hybrid cloud settings and is built for optimal effectiveness.

Storage

Instead of flash or solid-state drives, the Dell VNX line of storage devices is made primarily for high-performance spinning (rotating) high disc drives (HDDs) (SSDs).

Cloud-Based Solutions

Companies who want to benefit from cutting-edge hardware solutions or combine a hardware storage system with cloud-based storage can choose Dell EMC Unity storage systems.

Is VNX a NAS or SAN?

The storage area network, as used concerning Dell EMC VNX storage systems, is called SAN. In contrast to NAS (network-attached storage), SAN is a network of storage systems that gives servers access to block-level data storage. 

Network-attached storage is known as NAS. NAS (network attached storage) offers file-level data storage for servers and other systems on a network, in contrast to SAN (storage area network). Local area networks are frequently connected to NAS, unlike SAN (LANs). 

VNX storage system from Dell EMC may provide both NAS and SAN services because it supports unified storage.

Differences Between NAS & SAN

NAS

• Speed is determined by the local TCP/IP Ethernet network, which is commonly 1GbE to 10GbE, and is influenced by how many concurrent users are accessing the store. Due to Ethernet packetization, waiting for the file server, and general delay, there is typically lower throughput and increased latency. 
• SFTP, NFS, SMB/CIFS, and WebDAV. 
• High-end NAS scale to petabytes using clusters or scale-out nodes; lower-end NAS is not very scalable. 
• Connects easily to your current Ethernet network.

SAN

• Fibre Channel high speed, often available in 16 Gb/s to 32 Gb/s. Using protocols like FCoE and iSCSI, Fibre Channel may be supplied via high-speed Ethernet networks like 10Gb or 40Gb+. 
• FCoE, FCoE, and iSCSI. 
• SAN administrators can extend performance, storage, or both by adding more storage controllers or expanding their storage arrays. 
• Requires separate, dedicated Ethernet networks for file request traffic and dedicated Fibre Channel connections for clients, servers, and storage.