Published on April 22nd, 2020 | by Sunit Nandi

The Importance Of Proper Dell EMC Storage Maintenance

The Dell EMC storage line offers a robust collection of data storage solutions for businesses of different sizes. Startups, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations can benefit from these storage devices. But, like with other data housing solutions on the market, organizations still need to maintain Dell’s storage devices to increase gadget longevity and reduce the risks of data loss.

So, continue reading to know five reasons why storage maintenance is crucial when using Dell EMC devices.

1. Proper Data Organization

Perhaps, you might be looking at search engine results by keying in keywords like “Dell EMC Storage Maintenance” to help you organize your data in the brand’s data-housing devices. One of the reasons for your search might be the lack of available space in the storage facility.

For example, your business is a proud owner of the Dell EMC FC5300, which has a maximum storage capacity of up to 1.8 TB per subsystem. Although that figure may already seem like a lot of space for many firms, your data can quickly fill up the available space.

Employees might download large files and software that eat up a large chunk of the available storage space. Proper storage maintenance techniques will help you delete unused apps and remove unnecessary files from the system.

Create a monthly (or weekly) schedule to check the system for any unused data. By the end of this process, you should have more space to cater for more documents, media, and other digital files and programs.

2. Check for Physical Damages

Physical damage to any tangible storage solution, including Dell EMC’s line of data-housing products, can heighten the risks of file corruption and loss. Proper maintenance for the physical attributes of these storage devices can lead to increased longevity, thereby giving your business additional value from the purchase.

For instance, the Dell EMC IP4700 has two integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports for data backup and management. You can connect a separate computer or server to act as the receiver of the data through these ports.

However, if these ports have damages, then you might find it challenging to back up your valuable business’ data. Failure to back up your data can increase the risk of non-recoverable data.

Physical damages can cause these ports and other attributes of Dell EMC storage devices to malfunction. A few causes of these tragic instances include:

Device mishandling
Short circuits
Extra moisture in the area
Natural calamities

Although Dell EMC’s data storage devices are quite durable, these gadgets aren’t immune to damages or destruction. Make sure to back up your data as frequently as possible to prepare for the worst that can happen.

3. Resolve Potential Hardware Issues

Proper Dell EMC storage maintenance needs users to include Storage Area Network (SAN) software update. Patching this application with the latest firmware helps resolve any potential hardware issues in the storage device.

Updating SAN software will patch the following features and protocols:

Navisphere Manager
Host Operating System
Switch Firmware
Array Base Code/Flare Code

Updates on Dell EMC SAN software will also download and install patches to other applications. These programs include:

MirrorView
SAN Copy
VisualSAN
PowerPath/ATF
Navisphere Analyzer

If these patches fail to install correctly, hardware issues may already be in the system. Contact your Dell engineer to verify the cause of the concern before it gets out of hand. The technician will see to it that the device’s hardware and software performs at peak efficiency. Furthermore, the professional will check if all Virtual Disks are visible to all registered users.

4. Maintain Efficient Operating System (OS) Support

One of the advantages of Dell EMC’s data storage devices is its multi-OS support. For instance, the Dell EMC FC4700-2 is compatible with the following OSs:

Microsoft Windows NT
Microsoft Windows 2000
Linux
Novell Netware
UNIX (Sun Solaris, Hewlett-Packard, HP-UX, IBM, IRIX, AIX, and TRU-64)

Proper device maintenance should include installing the right driver updates to maintain compatibility for the OSs mentioned above. Otherwise, errors and glitches can occur when you don’t have the proper updates installed.

Imagine the following scenario: you’re trying to back up your data, but only the computer attached to the Dell EMC storage device has the latest updates. Without the latest patches on Dell’s gadget, files might become corrupted after transferring to your computer’s internal hard disk drive (HDD).

Consider activating automatic driver update protocols for the Dell EMC storage unit. So, you don’t have to remind yourself every time that you need to install the latest drivers and patches for the device.

5. Identify Potential Issues

At first glance, it may seem that your Dell EMC storage device is operating at usual efficiency. But, a different story may lie within the gadget’s physical walls. Inside, small glitches might exist, which may lead to massive bugs if left alone.

Storage maintenance for your Dell device should come with an analysis of the different logs, such as:

Storage Processor Configuration Logs – Check for potential device configuration issues.
Storage Processor Event Logs – Find all array-related events here. These events include the Device Enrollment Program (DEP) and Digital Audio Extraction (DAE) devices. Errors in these areas may cause the workforce to lose productivity as files become tougher to access.
Switch Configuration and Event Logs – A document providing a port-by-port review of existing error counters.
SAN-Related Host Information – Check and analyze SAN-related software revisions, event logs, and path statuses on different data-transference events.

Analysis of these logs will help in-house IT professionals to maintain and improve the business’ data-handling procedures. You may consider outsourcing data analysis to a third-party IT firm if your firm can’t spend extra cash for additional hands in its current workforce.

6. Reduce the Risks of Sudden Costs

Infrequent maintenance procedures to Dell EMC storage devices opens your data to several risks. All these dangers can jeopardize your business’ operations without warning.

If you’re not careful, you might lose all the data stored in the device. That event might not even be the worst-case scenario. Now, if you didn’t back up your data to a separate physical or digital storage solution, then consider your organization going back to square one in trying to build all the lost data again.

Conclusion

Significantly reduce or eliminate the chances of losing your valuable data by ensuring you practice proper Dell EMC storage maintenance techniques. Also, make sure to have a schedule and stick to it when doing these maintenance protocols. Adhere to this plan religiously to avoid unwarranted expenses. Make sure to analyze data logs, maintain efficient OS support, and improve data organization with correct storage maintenance procedures. Have a health assessment of the Dell storage device to ensure the system’s hardware and software are working correctly.

Tags: Dell, EMC, importance, maintenance, storage

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.