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6 Configuring and Deploying the Dell PS Series Multi-Path I/O Device Specific Module with Microsoft Windows | TR1036
1.2 Microsoft Multi-Path I/O
Microsoft MPIO enables storage vendors to develop multi-path modules that contain specific information
about their storage hardware. This ultimately results in more efficient and intelligent use and connectivity to
the SAN hardware. These vendor-developed plug-ins are referred to as Device Specific Modules (DSM). Dell
has developed a Device Specific Module that plugs in to the Microsoft MPIO framework and is used to
optimize Windows Server usage of PS Series storage arrays, Figure 2.
PS Series MPIO DSM is a driver component in the I/O stack and leverages the Microsoft MPIO
framework
PS Series MPIO DSM is easy to install and is included as part of the Host Integration Tools for Microsoft
(HIT/Microsoft). This HIT kit is included at no extra cost with the purchase of a PS Series array and can be
downloaded from eqlsupport.dell.com (login required).
1.3 PS Series MPIO DSM
The PS Series MPIO DSM is designed to deliver:
 Automatic connection management
 Automatic path failure detection and path failover
 Automatic load balancing across multiple paths
 Support for multiple connections to a single iSCSI target (volume)
 Increased bandwidth
 Reduced network latency
 Easy installation and management
 Automatically throttle down connections when a storage pool reaches 90% of maximum allowable
connections
The PS Series DSM consists of two components:
Dell PS Series DSM