Due to the new array structure changes, the old 9.x software cannot understand nor recognize the V4 array models. The V4 array models are PowerMax 2500 and 8500s. Development focuses on N and N-1 major releases; as of Oct 2023, this is 10.1.x and 10.0.x. This means 9.x is no longer a focused release and features will not be backrolled to 9.x. The following is available to better cover what this means:
To use the new PowerMax arrays 10.x software is required.
All V4 arrays come with 10.x pre-installed in eMGMT instance.
10.x is available for standalone installations.
For older arrays, the 10.x software is NOT available for eMGMT instance.
but 10.x can be used in standalone installations with gatekeeper communication used between the standalone instance the older array models.
10.x is compatible for all arrays running 5977.1131.1131 ucode and above.
Old V2 arrays and lower are not compatible with 10.x (DMX, VMAX 10K, VMAX 20K, VMAX 40K).
NDM session can be performed from V3 to V4 arrays, but a 10.x instance of software is required to manage the NDM session.
In 9.x software RDF session will show as partitioned for pairs going from V3 to V4 arrays.
This is because the 9.x software cannot see the V4.
10.x software will show the pairs true state.
V3 SnapVX snapshot policies will NOT be able to complete for RDF devices replicating between a V3 to a V4 arrays.
This is because the snapshot policies are managed by daemons in emgmt and V3 arrays cannot have 10.x software in eMGMT. This means the policy daemon is unable to see the V4 array side of the RDF replication and cannot confirm the state for snapshot creation.
V2 arrays and lower (5876.xxx uCode and lower) will disappear from the management software once upgraded to 10.x.
Even if Gatekeepers are presented or there is active replication to these V2 models the 10.x software will remove the V2 arrays from use.
Any active RDF replication will continue but show as Partitioned.
SMI-S software installed with Solutions Enabler is removed with 10.x
This goes for eMGMT instances and standalone instances running 10.x SE will automatically remove SMI-S once upgraded.
Fresh installations will not include SMI-S as an option during install.
Dell EMC Unisphere/Solutions Enabler vApps are being discontinued with 10.x versions and above.
This means that 9.x versions of Dell EMC Uni/SE vApps will not be able to upgrade. This will have to be removed and a Full Standalone will need to be made.
VASA will only be allowed for eVASA for V4 arrays.
This means if VASA vApps are in use and a V4 array is added to the environment, that the eVASA container will need to be added to the V4 array and the eVASA containers will need to be configured to the vCenter.
vApp Manager pages, the vApp Manager pages are being discontinued with 10.x.
eMGMT instances of the V4 arrays will no longer have the vApp Manager pages, instead, a new tab will be available in eMGMT Unisphere for PowerMax 10.x called “Serviceability”.
This tab will allow the configuration of SE and collecting of logs that were previously done in the vApp Manager page.
eNAS Is not being used in V4 array models, this is being replaced with SDNAS (Software Defined NAS)
10.x is required to manage the new SDNAS software.
CloudIQ connectivity, LDAP, Alerting, and other features not listed above will continue with 10.x.