How many nodes are in the base enclosure?

A Dell PowerStore base enclosure is fundamentally designed for high availability and performance. It contains two nodes (Node A and Node B) that operate in a symmetric Active-Active configuration. This means both nodes are simultaneously processing I/O operations and can own and serve any resource within the appliance. This architecture provides load balancing, maximizes performance by utilizing the resources of both nodes, and ensures non-disruptive operations during maintenance or in the event of a node failure.

A. PowerStore uses an Active-Active configuration to maximize performance, not Active-Standby where one node would be idle.
B. A PowerStore appliance is a dual-node system by design to eliminate single points of failure; it does not use a single node.
C. True hardware high availability in this context requires redundant nodes, which a single-node configuration cannot provide.

1. Dell PowerStore: Introduction to the Platform (White Paper)

August 2023.

Page 5

Section 2.1 Hardware platform: "The PowerStore appliance is a 2U

two-node platform... Both nodes in the appliance are active at all times and service I/O for the appliance." This confirms the dual-node

active-active design.

2. Dell PowerStore: Technical Primer

April 2023.

Page 8

Section 2.1 Hardware platform: "All PowerStore models are built on a high-performance

active-active architecture that delivers storage services

advanced data reduction

and enterprise-grade features. Each appliance has two nodes..."

3. Dell PowerStore: Hardware Information Guide

April 2023.

Page 8

Section "Base enclosure overview": This section provides a diagram and description of the base enclosure

stating

"The base enclosure contains two node canisters..." and illustrates the two distinct

redundant nodes.