Overview, Installation prerequisites, 1 overview – Dell PowerVault MD3260i User Manual
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Overview
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, later references to "MD Storage Array vCenter Plug-in" or "MD
vCenter Plug-in" in this document are used interchangeably to represent the MD VMware vCenter
Plug-in.
The Dell PowerVault MD Storage Array vCenter Plug-in allows integrated management of Dell MD series
storage arrays from a VMware vSphere client. Enabling a single vSphere-based management interface
eliminates the need to install, maintain and learn to use proprietary storage array-based management
tools. Using the MD vCenter Plug-in, an administrator can:
• Configure ESX/ESXi hosts to connect to MD storage arrays
• Create and delete Virtual Disks
• Map Virtual Disks from the storage arrays to the ESX host
• View the vCenter datastores available to the MD storage array's Virtual Disks
• Create hardware snapshots, Virtual Disks copies, and Remote Replication (Legacy) and Remote
Replication Group (if premium features are activated)
The MD vCenter Plug-in uses an application server interface between the vSphere Client and MD storage
array and fully supports role-based user authentication.
NOTE: The MD vCenter Plug-in requires that a vCenter Server must be installed.
Figure 1. MD vCenter Plug-In In a VMware Environment
Installation Prerequisites
The MD vCenter Plug-in requires the following:
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