Item: Dell VMAX
Rating: 7
Author: Paul Phelan

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

This is used as one of our main storage arrays. It works fairly well for virtual servers and attaching new volumes. This is great because it is fully redundant and can stay up during updates with little to no issues since it has so many controllers. It addresses the snapshot stun issues that our SC9 compellant was having with our database servers.

Pros and Cons

It creates a fully redundant connection from multiple controllers that are always up even during updates.
Once setup there is little to no adjustments that need to be made to the storage array. All that's needed is volume updates.

The configuration portion is really difficult. If you are not a fully trained Dell storage admin you won't be able to setup this array.
The GUI is stuck in the 90's and has very little user-friendliness.

Return on Investment

This storage array is great because it is an always on even during updates.
The negative is the time spent on configuring and the need for a dedicated storage admin.

Alternatives Considered

Pure Storage FlashArray

The EMC array is a lot more robust, but the PURE array does almost the same with about a tenth of ease from the configuration. It really depends on the type of backend servers that you need to support as to whether you need a EMC array or a PURE array.

Support Rating

The best part about this array is that once you have it configured it is pretty much done. There is little to no other configurations to be done other than normal volume adjustments. Support is great as they understand this array very well. The updates are very hands-off and are done solely by support. You contact them and then there are no other changes done on the end-user's side.

Key Insights

Do you think Dell VMAX delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Dell VMAX's feature set?

Yes

Did Dell VMAX live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Dell VMAX go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Dell VMAX again?

Other Software Used

Pure Storage FlashArray, Dell EMC SC Series (Compellent)

Likelihood to Recommend

This really depends on how you want to use it. If you are a large-scale corporation that needs to have a highly scalable and high I/O usage this is a fantastic array. If you do not have static storage admin that centralizes on EMC storage than this could be a difficult array to manage.

VMAX, great array for the large business

Overall Satisfaction with Dell EMC VMAX All Flash Storage