Dell EMC Storage Management, Reporting, and Monitoring Tool

Dell EMC storage performance monitoring relies on integrating monitoring tools with a range of Dell EMC storage products to display and alert on key metrics like hardware health and performance status. Connecting a monitoring software with an Dell EMC storage array requires a communication method integrated with the functionality and sensors on the array and able to translate data into usable information for admins. Depending on the specific Dell EMC product, this communication connection can be established using one or more of the following protocols:

• Storage Management Initiative Specification (SMI-S)
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• The XtremIO Management Server (XMS)
• The software's application program interface (API)

Through these connections, Dell EMC performance monitoring tools allow visibility into hardware health and key performance metrics like throughput, latency, IOPS, pool/RAID, LUN/volume level, and more. Dell EMC monitoring tools can also help determine current “hotspots” and anticipate capacity issues. If established threshold conditions are met, these tools will automatically send alerts to the appropriate admins, facilitating faster troubleshooting.

Dell EMC storage performance monitoring is important for any business using Dell EMC storage arrays. Owned by EMC Corporation until 2016, these tools are now part of Dell. Dell EMC products can be used for a number of functions, including data storage, virtualization, cloud computing, and more. These products are designed to help organizations store, manage, protect, and use their data. Several Dell EMC technologies are useful for admins looking to set up or manage storage across a network. For instance, Dell EMC XtremIO allows for de-duplication of redundant data, data compression, and thin provisioning through virtualization.

No matter the size of the organization, it’s important for admins to have insight into the performance of their Dell EMC arrays. Storage is a critical function for business IT, as storage arrays often hold valuable and sensitive data. If a catastrophe occurs, businesses need access to reliable, recent backups to ensure they can return to full function as quickly as possible. Of course, many users also rely on stored data to support their daily activities. When storage arrays are non-functional or over capacity, it puts business functions at serious risk. Dell EMC performance monitoring can help admins stay proactive in watching product performance, managing any issues, and planning for future storage needs.

Dell EMC storage management tools integrate with a variety of storage arrays offered by Dell EMC and support efforts to control and provision these devices. By using management tools, admins can gain the features they need to monitor hardware status, track performance metrics, and act as needed. These tools are built to provide a complete view of a storage environment, including both current and historical data on storage consumption. Admins who gain an understanding of past trends can better manage current depletion status and plan for storage capacity allocation. Are your Dell EMC arrays over-subscribed? Are devices overheating? With the right Dell EMC storage management tools, admins get instant insights into potential problems.

Dell EMC storage management software also offers smart alerting capabilities, so no potential issues go overlooked. An IT team can configure alerts to be sent to specific admins based on predefined or custom conditions, including preliminary information to help admins get started with troubleshooting as quickly as possible. Admins also need tools offering Dell EMC storage monitoring and reporting features and running reports on Dell EMC storage arrays provides visibility into use and capacity. This can help support admins’ efforts to prove compliance with a range of regulations.

The Dell EMC storage management tools within Storage Resource Monitor are built to give admins a range of features and metrics for understanding hardware health and storage performance. SRM Dell EMC storage monitoring tools are designed to integrate with a range of  products, including:

• Dell EMC Compellent arrays
• Dell EMC EqualLogic PS series arrays
• Dell EMC PowerVault MD3xxx arrays
• Dell EMC Isilon arrays
• Dell EMC Symmetrix VMAX/VMAXe/DMX-4 arrays
• Dell EMC Unity arrays
• Dell EMC Symmetrix VMAX/VMAXe/DMX-4 arrays
• Dell EMC VNX/CLARiiON arrays
• Dell EMC VNX NAS Gateway/Celerra arrays
• Dell EMC XtremIO arrays

Once an Dell EMC storage array is added, it’s simple to use the centralized dashboard to manage, monitor, and report on Dell EMC arrays and arrays from other vendors. Use the dashboard to look at storage objects grouped by vendor or drill down on a vendor for details. Easily view storage objects based on performance risk or capacity risk and use the charts and graphs to better understand how metrics change over time. SRM uses onboard sensors within Dell EMC arrays to display hardware health, and you can use the AppStack feature within SRM to get a contextualized view of virtual and physical storage layers. SRM also offers streamlined alerting and reporting to give you better visibility across your full storage environment.