Dell PowerFlex v3.6.x Security Configuration Guide

Running scripts on hosts

PowerFlex can be used to run user-provided scripts on servers hosting MDM or SDS components. This feature is supported on Linux-based nodes only.

The PowerFlex Installer can be used to run a user-provided script on a host where PowerFlex is deployed. This feature can be used for any purpose external to the PowerFlex system, such as running a set of Linux shell commands, patching an operating system, and more. The feature allows the running of scripts in a safe manner, both from a security and a data integrity perspective. It also enables better security of the system and improved lifecycle management.

As a security precaution, the scripts are not automatically distributed to each node by the PowerFlex Installer. After verifying that the script is trustworthy, the admin user must manually copy the script to each node where the script is required.

PowerFlex Installer orchestrates the running of the script, ensuring that SDSs are placed in Maintenance Mode, to protect data during the process. In addition, parallel execution of scripts is only permitted on SDSs located in different Protection Domains. After the scripts have been run on an SDS, it exits Maintenance Mode.

Optionally, servers can be set to reboot after execution of the script. The process can also run a verification script either after the reboot, or after execution of the script, when no reboot is required.

For details on how to run a script on one or more hosts, see the Configure and Customize Dell PowerFlex.