EMC Vmax Architecture : Detailed Explanation

Currently there are 3 types of EMC Vmax available EMC Vmax 10K,EMC Vmax 20K and
EMC Vmax 40K. This article describing the general architecture of Vmax models.
Symmetrix Vmax is EMCs prestigious product.Compared to the previous models,
Vmax has been optimized for increased availability,performance and capacity utilization
on all tiers with all RAID types.Vmaxs enhanced device configuration and replication
operations results in easier,faster and more efficient management of large virtual and
physical environment.
The main architectural difference between DMX and Vmax model is that vmax
has engine concept.In DMX model,we have different hardware for front end(FA
director),back end(DA director) and memory modules.But in Vmax all these hardwares
are integrated together and is knows as Vmax Engine.
A EMC Vmax storage array support from 1 to maximum of 8 Vmax engines.
Each of these engines contains two symmetrix vmax directors.Each director includes
- 8 multi-core CPUs (total 16 per engine)
Cache memory(global memory)
Front end I/O modules
Back end I/O modules
System Interface Module(SIB)
Apart from this,each engine has redundant power supplies,cooling fans,standby power
supplies(SPS) and environmental modules.
All these engines are interconnected usingVmax Matrix Interface Board
Enclosure(MIBE).Each director has two connection to MIBE via system interface
module(SIB) ports as shown below.

Multi-core CPUs:
Multi-Core CPUs deliver new levels of performance and functionality in a smaller
footprint with reduced power and cooling requirements.Each director has 8 multi core
CPUs and a total of 16 CPUs per engine.

Cache memory(global memory):

Each director can be configured with 16, 32 or 64 GB of physical memory. Of this, a
small portion (4 GB) is reserved for local processing, and the rest constitutes Global
Memory. Global Memory on any given director is always mirrored to another director in
the system.So the minimum usable memory will be 16 GB(total 32GB, on a single
engine configuration) and maximum will be 512GB (total 1024GB,fully loaded eight
VMAX Engines system)
Memory is accessible by any director within the system:
If a system has a single VMAX Engine, physical memory mirrors are internal to the
enclosure.
If a system has multiple VMAX Engines, physical memory mirrors are
provided between enclosures.
Front End I/O Module :
Front end modules are used for host connectivity.Host connectivity via Fibre
Channel, iSCSI and FICON are supported.
Back End I/O Module :
Back end module provide access to the disk drives.Disks drives are configured under
these I/O modules.
System Interface Module(SIB):
SIBs are responsible for interconnecting the Vmax engines directors through Matrix
Interface Board Enclosure(MIBE).Each Vmax engine has two SIBs and each has two
ports.
Similar to DMX3 and DMX4 arrays,Vmax has two types of bays
1. System bay :
System bay contains all Vmax engines.Apart from Vmax engines,it contains system bay
standby power supplies(SPS), Uninterrupted Power Supply(UPS),Matrix Interface Board
Enclosure (MIBE), and a Server (Service Processor) with Keyboard- VideoMouse (KVM) assembly.
2. Storage bay :
The Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is similar to the Storage Bay of the DMX-3 and
DMX-4 systems. It consists of eight to sixteen Drive Enclosures, 48 to 240 drives, eight
(8) SPS modules, and unique cabling when compared with the DMX Series. The
Symmetrix V-Max array Storage Bay is configured with capacities of up to 120 disk
drives for a half populated bay or 240 disk drives for a fully populated bay. Drives, LCCs,
power supplies, and blower modules are fully redundant and hot swappable and are
enclosed inside Disk Array Enclosure(DAE).One DAE holds 15 physical disk drives and
one storage bay has total 16 DAEs(hence a storage bay has maximum of 240 disk,
16*15)
Vmax Engine Front View :

Below is a Vmax engine front view.As described above,Vmax engines are located in
Vmax system bay.We can see the power supplies located at two sides and cooling fan
module located in middle.

Vmax Engine Rear View :

This example displays the rear view of the V-Max Engine.

As explained earlier each V-Max Engine contains two director boards named here
as Odd and Even director, four Front End I/O Modules, four Back End I/O Modules and
two System Interface Boards (SIB). The Back End I/O Modules are numbered as Module
0 and Module 1. The System Interface Boards are named as Modules 2 and 3. The
Front End I/O Modules are numbered as Module 4 and Module 5.
The top director board combined with the left Front End I/O Modules 4 and 5 represents
the even numbered director.The bottom director board combined with the right Front
End I/O Modules 4 and 5 represents the odd numbered director. For example, if this is
engine 4 the top director would be director number 8 and the bottom director would be
director number 7.
Vmax Engine Port Assignment :
This is a typical Vmax port assignment diagram

Above diagram contains port assignment of System Interface Board, the Back End I/O
Modules, and the Front End I/O Modules.
As I explained earlier Vmax engines are interconnected using MIBE using System
Interface Board ports Port A and Port B.Using these ports all directors communicate
through the Virtual Matrix via redundant connections.
Each director within a V-Max Engine contains two Back End I/O Modules. Each Back End
I/O Module has a single port, which holds a single Quad Small Form-Factor
Pluggable (QSFP) connector. The QSFP connector cable contains 4 smaller cables
,each have a connection to four Drive Enclosures, providing Back End Fibre
Channel connectivity to the disk drives. On Back End I/O Module 0 these connections
are designated as A0, A1, B0, and B1. On Back End I/O Module 1, these connections
are designated as C0, C1, D0, and D1.
Each director also contains two Front End I/O Modules. The port designations on the
Front End I/O Module will vary based on the interface type. This example represents
four Fibre Channel Front End I/O Modules. In this ,configuration module 4 will contain
ports E0, E1, F0, and F1. Module 5 will contain ports G0, G1, H0, and H1.
As we discussed previously, the left two Front End I/O Modules are connected to the
even numbered director. If it is Engine 4(director number associated with engine 4 is
director 7 and 8), then the first port on the left most module 4 would be director 8 port
E0. This is a significant departure from other Symmetrix systems and is a result of the
overall increased port count in the Symmetrix V-Max array.
Vmax Engine Configuration with Storage Bays:
Now lets have a look at how the vmax engine configures along with storage bay.I am

giving pictorial representation, from one vmax engine to 8 vmax engine configuration
along with storage bays.This is the standard EMC recommended configuration layout.
1. One Vmax engine with storage bay:

The Symmetrix V-Max array requires at least one V-Max Engine in the System Bay. As
shown, the first engine in the System Bay will always be Engine 4 as counted
starting at 1 from the bottom of the System Bay. In this example,Engine 4 has two
half populated Storage Bays. One bay isdirectly attached and the second is a daisy
chain attached Storage Bay. This allows for a total of 240 drives. To populate the upper
half of these Storage Bays with drives you will need to add another V-Max Engine.
2.Two Vmax engine with storage bay:

In this example, the system has been expanded to include Engine 5. This allows the top
half of both Storage Bays to be populated with drives. This represents the correct order
for adding V-Max Engines to the System Bay. V-Max Engines are added from the middle,
starting with 4, then 5, then 3.
3.Three Vmax engine with storage bay:

Again, working from the middle out the system has been expanded. The next V-Max
Engine is 3, allowing the attachment of two additional Storage Bays. This allows for a
total of 720 drives.
4.Four Vmax engine with storage bay:

5.Five Vmax engine with storage bay:

6.Six Vmax engine with storage bay:

7.Seven Vmax engine with storage bay:

8.Eight Vmax engine with storage bay: (Fully populated)

Now that we have the general idea, lets take a look at how a system gets fully
populated. Still working from the inside,out alternating above and below Engine 4, each
engine is added until the System Bay is fully populated with 8 V-Max Engines. As more
engines are added the corresponding Storage Bays are added. In this example, the color
coding indicates the relationship between the engines and their associated Storage
Bays. Fully populated, this configuration allows for a total of 2,400. You will notice that
Engines 1, 2, 7, and 8 each manage two daisy chain attached Storage Bays. This
represents a supported system implementation, not a design limitation.
We have covered only the EMC Vmax architectural part in this post,not all Vmax
features.I will be writing more post related to Vmax features later. Hope now you got an
idea about Vmax architecture.