I really like the VNXe. However, on the 3100 (which is a 1st gen model) I ran into two extremely frustrating problems.
We only use our for iSCSI. On the 3100, you cannot (repeat - CANNOT), configure block storage (iSCSI and NFS) for LUNS larger than 2tb. They emulated SCSI 2, and the choice was deliberate. If you're using it for CIFS storage, that limitation disappears. I didn't care - I only wanted iSCSI, because I was virtualizing a file server, and one of the partitions on it was about 3tb, so I had to punt, and find another way. The second problem was that the docs said that deduplication was available. That's true. Sort of. It's not available for block storage. It's only available if using it for CIFS storage (a NAS, essentially). Again, I didn't care - CIFS was not in our use case. Other than that, it's been great, and worked very well. I don't know if they've updated the firmware to remove these limitations, either in the new gen or in the new versions of the 1st gen hardware - it's worth checking if you care about them. OBTW - we eventually also got a VNX 5400, and had a little problem with that as well. Everybody neglected to note (including me, for shame) that the VNX line wants a 30amp outlet. We didn't have any, nor any UPSes that supported it. So, we had to run a new circuit, and buy a new UPS, to support the unit. That was not a fun thing to explain to the CFO. I don't know if the newer VNXe units want 30 amps now or not, but beware - it pays to check... Kurt On Fri, Apr 8, 2016 at 3:33 PM, Damien Solodow <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm curious as to your experience with the VNXe; we just recently found out > we're getting one as part of a promo, and I've never touched one before. :) > > DAMIEN SOLODOW > Senior Systems Engineer > 317.447.6033 (office) > 317.447.6014 (fax) > HARRISON COLLEGE > ________________________________ > From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on > behalf of CSSU NetAdmin [[email protected]] > Sent: Friday, April 08, 2016 5:28 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [NTSysADM] Drobo b1200i > > Hi, > > We are looking to replace our EMC VNXe. It currently hosts about 40 VM's > for three schools and total network storage of about 1 TB. A friend > mentioned looking at the Drobo b1200i. It looks pretty good and the price > is great. > > Anyone have any thoughts about this comparison or experience with it? > > Thanks!
