Hardware Compatibility List

Citrix StorageLink

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This is a list of hardware components that are known to work with Citrix StorageLink Gateway.

What is Citrix StorageLink?

Citrix StorageLink lets users automate the configuration and provisioning of virtual machine storage, taking advantage of advanced features of the attached storage array. StorageLink enables the user to create Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XenServer virtual machines from logical vendor-specific storage repositories that support advanced capabilities such as snapshots, clones, thin provisioning, and data deduplication. StorageLink also uses advanced storage capabilities to rapidly create virtual machines, increase storage utilization, and provide improved business continuity while lowering total cost of ownership.

Citrix StorageLink seamlessly integrates with storage arrays using either the standards-based SMI-S interface or via a custom vendor-specific StorageLink Storage Adapter.

Storage Devices (21 entries found)


Click on the Click for additional information about this adapter buttons below for additional information about specific storage systems.

Compellent Technologies

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
Storage Center v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick Provisioning
Thin provisioning
Snapshots*

The Compellent Storage Adapter has been validated with Storage Center 4.5 and Storage Center 5.2. Using the Compellent Storage Adapter requires Dynamic Capacity and Data Instant Replay licenses on Storage Center. Contact your Compellent representative to obtain the licenses.

The latest adapter updates and best practices documentation can be downloaded from Compellent Knowledge Center at http://kc.compellent.com (note: requires a Compellent Knowledge Center user account).

DataCore

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
SANsymphony v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

StorageLink supports only SANsymphony 7.0 PSP3 (v7.0.3) or above.

For a DataCore array, you will need a minimum of 3 disks - one for the boot OS (Windows), one for a linear volume, and one for a dynamic volume. The DataCore architecture can create snapshots from the dynamic volume only. If you don't have one, you can't create a virtual machine via snap/clone.

SANmelody v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

StorageLink supports only SANmelody 3.0 PSP3 (v3.0.3) or above.

For a DataCore array, you will need a minimum of 3 disks - one for the boot OS (Windows), one for a linear volume, and one for a dynamic volume. The DataCore architecture can create snapshots from the dynamic volume only. If you don't have one, you can't create a virtual machine via snap/clone.

Dell

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
EqualLogic PS Series v2.2
v2.3
iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the Dell Equallogic Series Storage Adapter for StorageLink, please upgrade to PS Series Firmware v4.2.1 or above. The firmware can be downloaded from Dell Equallogic Firmware download site at https://www.equallogic.com/support/download.aspx?id=1502
(note that you need a Dell Support account to access this page).

EMC

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
CLARiiON CX Series v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

StorageLink 1.0.5 requires EMC SMI-S provider version 3.3.2. StorageLink 2.2 has been tested with the SMI-S provider 4.1.x. Please verify the FLARE version on your array and check compatibility before installing.

To use the EMC CLARiiON Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EMC SMI-S provider must be installed and set up. The provider can be downloaded from PowerLink at
https://powerlink.emc.com/nsepn/webapps/btg548664833igtcuup4826/km/appmanager/km/secureDesktop?internalId=0b01406680020356
(note that you need a PowerLink account to access this page).

The EMC SMI-S provider release notes can be downloaded from
https://powerlink.emc.com/nsepn/webapps/btg548664833igtcuup4826/km/appmanager/km/secureDesktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=servicesDocLibPg&internalId=0b0140668002023d&_irrt=true
(note that you need a PowerLink account to access this page).

For detailed setup and configuration instructions, please refer to the Citrix XenServer and EMC CLARiiON CX4 Series Configuration Guide technote at
http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX126121

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

FalconStor Software, Inc.

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
Network Storage Server (NSS) & Continuous Data Protector (CDP) v2.2
v2.3
iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

GreenBytes

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
GB-X Series v2.2
v2.3
iSCSI Direct Thin provisioning
Deduplication*

HP

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
EVA 4000 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

EVA 4100/4400 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

EVA 6000 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

EVA 6100 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

EVA 8000 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

EVA 8100 v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel SMI-S Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA) Storage Adapter (SMI-S) for StorageLink, the EVA SMI-S provider that is part of the Command View EVA management software must be installed. Command View EVA management is available at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=471497&prodTypeId=12169

StorageLink was tested for use with HP Storage Works Command View EVA version 9.1.

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

MSA 2000 G1 Controller Family:
  • MSA2012fc G1
  • MSA2112fc G1
  • MSA2012i G1
  • MSA2012sa G1
v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel & iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots

To use the HP Modular Smart Array (MSA) Storage Adapter for StorageLink, ActivePerl must be installed on the host where the StorageLink Service was installed. This is a free download from ActiveState.com: http://www.activestate.com/downloads/

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

MSA 2000 G2 Controller Series:
  • MSA2312fc G2
  • MSA2324fc G2
  • MSA2312i G2
  • MSA2324i G2
  • MSA2312sa G2
  • MSA2324sa G2
v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel & iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

To use the HP Modular Smart Array (MSA) Storage Adapter for StorageLink, ActivePerl must be installed on the host where the StorageLink Service was installed. This is a free download from ActiveState.com: http://www.activestate.com/downloads/

NOTE: For snapshots made of XenServer 5.5 virtual machines, the XenCenter operations New VM from snapshot, Create template from snapshot, and Export snapshot as template (and their command-line equivalents) operate slowly, as the hardware does not support creation of hardware clones from snapshots.

P4000 Series (SAN/iQ) v2.2
v2.3
iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*
Remote replication
(enables Site Recovery)

To use the HP LeftHand P4000 Series (SAN/iQ) Storage Adapter for StorageLink, HP CLiQ must be installed on the host where the StorageLink Gateway service is installed. HP CLiQ v8.1 and above are supported. Please install the latest updates to CLiQ. Please contact your local HP representative for download information.

Additionally, the iSCSI service must be started on the host where CLiQ is installed. The StorageLink service does not utilize this locally running iSCSI initiator, but it is required for the proper functioning of CLIQ.

IBM

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
N and N Gateway Series v2.1
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*
Data Deduplication

NetApp

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
FAS series v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*
Data Deduplication
Remote replication
(enables Site Recovery)

To use Site Recovery functionality (StorageLink version 2.0 and above), SnapMirror and FlexClone licenses are required on the NetApp storage systems. Please contact your local NetApp representative to get appropriate licenses.

If you want to use a NetApp array with the Site Recovery functionality and prefer to use its fully qualified domain name rather than its IP address, you need to assure that the array is configured for DNS and that the checkIP flag in the SnapMirror configuration is turned on. Refer to your NetApp documentation for details.

V Series v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*
Data Deduplication
Remote replication
(enables Site Recovery)

To use Site Recovery functionality (StorageLink version 2.0 and above), SnapMirror and FlexClone licenses are required on the NetApp storage systems. Please contact your local NetApp representative to get appropriate licenses.

If you want to use a NetApp array with the Site Recovery functionality and prefer to use its fully qualified domain name rather than its IP address, you need to assure that the array is configured for DNS and that the checkIP flag in the SnapMirror configuration is turned on. Refer to your NetApp documentation for details.

Nexenta

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
NexentaStor v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel and iSCSI Direct Thick provisioning
Thin provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*
Remote replication
(enables Site Recovery)

To use the Nexenta Storage Adapter for StorageLink, please install the VM DataCenter plugin on the NexentaStor appliance (available from http://www.nexenta.com/corp/content/view/167/112/).

XioTech

Model StorageLink
Version
Protocol
Support
Gateway
Interconnect
Functionality
Support  ?
Emprise 7000 Series v2.2
v2.3
Fibre Channel Direct Thick provisioning
Clones
Snapshots*

The link to the XioTech StorageLink adapter is on XioTech's support site and access to it requires an account. See http://xiotech.com/support.php. For more information contact Eric_Lomascolo@xiotech.com


* Supports snapshots for clones

Supports dedupe of all types of provisioned storage volumes (thin, traditional, clones, or thin clones)


Glossary

Thick provisioning
Allocation of physical data blocks for a storage volume for a given size. Also known as Traditional Provisioning.
Thin Provisioning
Similar to Thick provisioning, but the number of physical data blocks allocated are limited to only what are needed. This allows for allocation and growth on demand for the storage volume.
Clones
An exact copy of a storage volume made by allocating the same number of physical data blocks as the original storage volume, and copying data into the new allocated physical data blocks.
Snapshots
A point-in-time record made of the physical data blocks allocated for a storage volume.
Data Deduplication
Releasing duplicate physical data blocks from a set of allocated physical data blocks for a storage volume. The storage array does this by scanning for duplicate physical data blocks, and referencing all duplicate physical data blocks to a single physical data block. Also known as Dedupe.
Remote replication
Making an exact copy of a storage volume on a remote site by allocating the same number of physical data blocks as the original storage volume, and copying data into the new allocated physical data blocks on the remote site. Enables StorageLink's Site Recovery functionality. Supported in StorageLink v2.0 onwards.


Fabric Hardware (1 entry found)


Vendor SMI-S Agent Version Fabric OS Version
Brocade 120.7.0 and above v5.5.0 and above

The Brocade SMI-S Agent to be used with Citrix StorageLink can be downloaded from http://www.brocade.com/services-support/drivers-downloads/smi-agent/application_matrix.page



Storage Controllers for Fibre Channel (2 entries found)


Vendor I/O Data Rate
Emulex Corporation 2/4/8-Gbps
QLogic Corp. 2/4/8-Gbps