#PowerStoreOS 4.1

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Dell PowerStoreOS 4.1: Improved Performance, Security & More

IT Future Depends on Smarter Storage. How the latest PowerStore prepares you for the future.

Dell PowerStore changes that. Due to its autonomous active/active architecture, always-on data reduction (guaranteed at 5:1), and programmable ecosystem support, PowerStore is “software-first” and flexible enough for fully coordinated deployments. PowerStore adapts to your IT demands so storage supports modern workloads.

Introducing PowerStoreOS 4.1

Dell Technologies World 2024 saw the debut of PowerStore Prime, the largest and most comprehensive Dell PowerStore release since its launch. PowerStoreOS 4.0 improved performance, reliability, and efficiency for Dell PowerStore customers globally. Building on PowerStoreOS 4.0, the next edition improves networking, security, data protection, performance monitoring, file management, and more. Now available: PowerStoreOS 4.1.

PowerStoreOS 4.1 benefits

Client advantages of PowerStoreOS 4.1 are listed below.

Quality of file resource service

PowerStoreOS 4.1 expands QoS to file resources. NAS servers, file systems, and thin clones might have bandwidth limited. Configuring file QoS requires a File IO Limit Rule and Policy. File IO limit rules and QoS policies differ from blocks because of their features. File policies can't block resources, and vice versa. Policy and rule names must be unique for each file and block.

Setting file resource QoS limits prioritises critical programs over others. Use cases for QoS include:

Service providers might limit based on customer SLAs.

Preventing loud neighbour instances when one application dominates appliance performance.

Prioritising critical applications above testing and development.

Secure file snapshots

PowerStoreOS 4.1 allows secure file system and thin clone snapshots. A secure snapshot is optional and prevents snapshot deletion until a retention date. This protects against ransom attempts and accidental snapshot deletion with the parent file system or thin clone.

A snapshot rule or manual file secure snapshot must include a retention date and time. The system automatically deletes after the retention date and time. Retention dates can be extended but not shortened. Administrators and PowerStore users cannot delete file secure snapshots.

File resource capacity accounting

PowerStore 4.0 improved block, storage container, appliance, cluster, and virtual machine capacity accounting. This data may help administrators anticipate growth patterns, plan capacity increases, arrange data wisely, and ensure the system meets Dell Technologies' data reduction guarantee. File resources now support capacity accounting.

File systems, thin clones, and NAS servers contribute to resource family capacity accounting. All file systems and thin clones on the NAS server make up its data. Because they share a resource family, thin file system clones have the same capacity accounting values. Thin clones of NAS servers may have varying capacity accounting figures according to their resource family. File capacity accounting metrics are collected every five minutes, hour, and day.

Native file import-added configuration

Native file import allows PowerStore to import file storage resources from other platforms. PowerStore supports migration session creation, monitoring, and management. No additional software, appliances, agents, third-party solutions, or host-based migration apps are needed. This allows configuration, data, and file movement to go smoothly.

Protecting data

Storage Improved direct connection

Storage Direct Protection simplifies native backup with PowerStore and PowerProtect in a single administrative interface. Configuring remote backup sessions in PowerStore Manager lets users backup block resources, get remote snapshots, and establish immediate access sessions.

In PowerStoreOS 4.1, customers may designate several storage networks for replication even with Storage Direct. Many PowerStore and Dell PowerProtect equipment can be connected over numerous physical networks. This release additionally improves Storage Direct restoration performance by four times.

Networking

Get LLDP data from PowerStore

On the local area network, network devices display their identity, capabilities, and other information using the industry-standard Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP). LLDP improves end-user network visibility, making network issues easier to discover and address. End users may now examine PowerStore LLDP data using the REST API or CLI.

IPv6 deployment support

PowerStore administration, block storage, and NAS server access support IPv6 networks. PowerStore appliances may now be discovered via IPv6 by connecting to their service ports using IPv6 addresses.

Security

Enhancing MFA to assist CAC/PIV

MFA with CAC/PIV cards is available in PowerStoreOS 4.1. CAC/PIV authenticates users to STIG-enabled PowerStore clusters using US government-issued smart cards with signed x.509 certificates. The PowerStore web server uses this certificate for authentication and role mapping for authorisation when a user logs in using PowerStore Manager or CLI. Users' identities are derived from certificates under the user-defined name policy.

Temporary credentials

Temporary Credentials lets end users generate a temporary ID and secret to login and authenticate to the PowerStore system for remote replication, PowerProtect DD, and VMware vCenter integration. Temporary ID and secret expire 10 minutes after creation. Instead than using a username and password, this method is recommended.

Performance

Tracking offload performance

PowerStore for SCSI and NVMeoF implements copy, space reclamation, and zero offload commands. New offload command performance measurements were included with this version. Therefore, the user may better understand what is delivered to the equipment. These new metrics may be compared to Read, Write, and Total IOPs. PowerStore Manager and the REST API now show Xcopy, Unmap, and Write identical metrics.

In conclusion

PowerStoreOS 4.1 adds several features and improves the system. As you explore this version, remember that upgrading to the latest PowerStore code maximises ROI.