Getting Started with the Dell EMC VPLEX Storage Array

Dell EMC VPLEX is a virtualized engine that communicates with a backend engine. To set up the Dell EMC VPLEX storage array, review system requirements and supported agents, and then add a backend array and a Dell EMC VPLEX frontend array the in the Commvault software. Then you can modify the snapshot options.

Step 1: Review Requirements and Considerations

Review system requirements and considerations for the Dell EMC VPLEX storage array.

• Systems Requirements

• Considerations for the EMC VPLEX Storage Array

Step 2: Add a Backend Array

1. Verify if the backend storage array is supported with Dell EMC VPLEX. Check the operation modes and the snapshot engines for the backend storage array, see Backend Storage Arrays for the Dell EMC VPLEX Array.

2. Add one of the backend arrays in the CommCell Console.

   Backend storage array	How to add the backend array
   Dell EMC Unity	Configure a Dell EMC Unity array. For more information, see Getting Started with the Dell EMC Unity Storage Array.
   Dell EMC VMAX	Configure a Dell EMC VMAX array. For more information, see Getting Started for the Dell EMC PowerMax/VMAX3/VMAX/Symmetrix Storage Array. To ensure read/write access between Dell EMC VPLEX and VMAX, use Dell EMC VMAX 10k/20k/40k as the backend array.
   Dell EMC VNX / CLARiiON	Configure a VNX array. For more information, see Getting Started for the Dell EMC VNX / CLARiiON Storage Array.
   Dell EMC XtremIO	Configure a Dell EMC XtremIO array. For more information, see Getting Started for Dell EMC XtremIO Storage Array.
   HPE 3PAR StoreServ	Configure an HPE 3PAR StoreServ array. For more information, see Getting Started for the HPE 3PAR StoreServ Storage Array.

Step 3: Add the Frontend Array in Array Management

Add the Dell EMC VPLEX storage array in Array Management in the CommCell Console.

For more information, see Configuring the Dell EMC VPLEX Array Using Array Management.

Step 4: Modify Snapshot Properties

• To customize the array to your environment, and to configure the Remote Snap MediaAgent feature, you can modify the properties that control snapshot operations. For more information, see Edit the Snap Configuration Properties of Dell EMC VPLEX.

• If you are using the Dell EMC VMAX as the backend array, you can change the snapshot engine. For more information, see Changing the Dell EMC VPLEX Backend Engine.

Step 5: What to Do Next

• Choose one of the supported agents to work with the Dell EMC VPLEX storage array. For more information, see Supported Agents.

• When you configure the subclient, select Dell EMC VPLEX on the IntelliSnap Operations tab of the Subclient Properties dialog box, and not the backend storage array.

• Read about how to reconcile snapshots of the Dell EMC VPLEX storage array, see Reconcile Snapshots of the EMC VPLEX Storage Array.