Dell PowerFlex 4.6.x Technical Overview

PowerFlex management

PowerFlex management covers all product functionalities, including block storage, file storage, hardware management, network management, reporting, and alerts.

• The management can be accessed through a Web UI or REST API.
• PowerFlex Manager handles user management for all systems, including:
  • PowerFlex local users
  • LDAP/AD users
• PowerFlex Manager supports system security, as follows:
  • PowerFlex management platform exposes an HTTPS interface for Web UIs and REST APIs.
  • Users must have an account that is defined in PowerFlex.
  • Upon login, users receive an access token.
  • PowerFlex Manager uses OpenID Connect (OIDC).
  • PowerFlex management platform communication with PowerFlex file and block storage systems is secured using mTLS.
• PowerFlex management platform is a cluster of three or more self-managed Kubernetes nodes, providing resiliency and high availability.
  • PowerFlex management platform run time optimized to 60 minutes.
• The following CLI tools are available:
  • A CLI that provides full control over the block storage system.
  • A CLI with expanded support for management, reporting, alerting, and file storage.
• Enhanced security strength by using SSH keys and non-root users through sudo in management aspects.

  For deployment and post-deployment procedures, see the Dell PowerFlex 4.6.x Install and Upgrade Guide and Dell PowerFlex 4.6.x Administration Guide for configuration guidelines.

• Webhooks support enables sending alerts to the Webhooks servers such as BigPanda.
• Multi-subnet and Multi-VLAN for PowerFlex appliance and PowerFlex rack allows defining multiple subnets and VLANs in a single network.

  The most common implementation example is with a management or vMotion network that spans multiple racks. Each rack is its own subnet and VLAN.

  NOTE:Supported on all networks except for the following: PowerFlex data, vSAN, and NSX external networks.
• Higher flexibility of fault sets defines a subset of nodes in a rack as part of a fault set during deployment and expansion operations.

  For example, a rack with 20 PowerFlex nodes can have four fault sets, one for every five nodes, for easier maintenance support. Another option is using fault sets in a full rack configuration, such as one fault set per rack.

• PowerFlex management controller self-awareness on PowerFlex appliance and PowerFlex rack allows self-awareness of its underlying controller system.
  • Upgrade from end to end and receive alerts from issues in the PowerFlex management controller infrastructure.
• Modular (single) component upgrade changes the package in the PowerFlex rack and PowerFlex appliance catalogs to newer or older versions.

  This upgrade depends on customer cases that want to deviate from the Release Certification Matrix or Intelligent Catalog.

  NOTE:By default this feature is turned off and can only be enabled through an RPQ process. If applicable, contact your account team for details.