Re: EMC Clariion 4500 (Your opinion)

Hi,

        I've hooked up Symetrix's to VMS and HP-UX, but not Sun. I'll just make some general comments.

In article <94qetl$f31$1_at_nnrp1.deja.com>, freedive_at_my-deja.com says...
> We'd like to know :
>
> - Complexity of setting up the FC4500 system.
The disk layout of the FC4500 will probably be done by EMC. However you should have some input and at the very least have a disk layout map. The tech's aren't thrilled with producing it, but you do need one. It is possible to swamp one of these things. Knowing the internal layout helps prevent this.

> Anything we need to
> watch out for e.g., hooking up the system to E6500. Should we get EMC
> or SUN/reseller involved ??

These are not user installable boxes. EMC will do everything for you. You might wish to check with you SUN Field Service person to make sure they are familiar with the EMC. If not they may wish to be present.
>
> - Performance issue i.e., existing SCSI A3500/D1000 and fiber channeled
> FC4500

I'll assume that you are adding the fiber channel to an existing scsi. It should be a problem.

>
> - Any patches we need from SUN/Veritas for Clariion FC 4500 system

The EMC presents the disks to the operating system as normal disks. The operating system has no idea as to how the disks are managed behind the scenes, nor does it have to. Check with Veritas, but I don't remember any problems that way.
>
>
> - On-going issues/problems/workarounds w/ FC4500 that we have to
> deal with our E6500-A3500/D1000 system.

Dunno
>
> Last but not least, how's the support from EMC, especially on
> resolving problems/issues with co-existed SUN's disk array or Enterprise
> system ??

Here in is the rub. I didn't have problems with the VMS machine as there was a very clear hardware demarkation. No finger pointing possible. The HP-UX systems were less clear. You have to manage the relationship between them and HP (I'll assume Sun also.) The EMC guy would blame the HP fibre channel and the HP guy would say it was the EMC cables. We had to sit on a couple of EMC guys so they would wait for the HP guy to show up. Alot will depend on the support people in your area and how they get along with each other.

HTH, Liz Received on Fri Jan 26 2001 - 13:00:07 CST