Dell PowerScale Sandbox

The "Dell PowerScale Sandbox" lab provides participants with access to a pair of simulated PowerScale arrays, complete with virtualized computing environment running Linux OS. This setup offers a practical, hands-on approach to understanding the functionalities and applications of Dell PowerScale storage solutions in a controlled, risk-free simulation. By providing simulated arrays, learners can explore the intricacies of PowerScale's storage capabilities, data management, and scalability features in a variety of operating system environments. This approach ensures a comprehensive learning experience, allowing users to experiment with and navigate the PowerScale ecosystem without the need for direct guidance on its use, thereby fostering an environment of self-guided exploration and discovery.

The Dell PowerScale Sandbox Environment is designed to provide an immersive, hands-on learning experience for users to explore the capabilities and functionalities of Dell PowerScale storage solutions. Through the integration of a pair of PowerScale virtual storage arrays along with a linux server, this sandbox aims to achieve the following goals and objectives:

Educational Goals

1. Familiarize with PowerScale Interface: Enable users to navigate and manage the PowerScale environment confidently, understanding the user interface and command-line tools.
2. Understand Storage Concepts: Enhance understanding of key storage concepts such as scalability, data redundancy, and high availability as implemented in PowerScale systems.
3. Operational Proficiency: Develop hands-on proficiency in performing basic and advanced storage operations, including file system creation, data replication, and snapshot management.
4. Self-Guided Exploration: Encourage self-guided exploration within the sandbox, allowing users to discover advanced features and customization options of PowerScale arrays at their own pace.

In this lab you will have access to the following components running in our Advanced Technology Center:

• 1 x Windows 10 (Lab User Desktop)
• 2 x PowerScale 9.7 Clusters
• 1 x Unassigned PowerScale Node
• 1 x Ubuntu Server (Linux host for testing)