Introduction 11
Table 1-3 lists hardware requirements for the disk processor enclosures DPE 
DAE, and SPS.
  NOTE: Ensure that the core software version running on the storage system is 
supported by Dell. For specific version requirements, see the Dell Cluster 
Configuration Support Matrices located on the Dell High Availability Cluster website 
at dell.com/ha.
Supported Cluster Configurations
Direct-Attached Cluster
In a direct-attached cluster, all nodes of the cluster are directly attached to a 
single storage system. In this configuration, the RAID controllers (or storage 
processors) on the storage systems are connected by cables directly to the 
Fibre Channel HBA ports in the nodes. 
Figure 1-1 shows a basic direct-attached, single-cluster configuration.
Table 1-3. Dell/EMC Storage System Requirements
Storage 
System
Minimum Required 
Storage
Possible Storage 
Expansion
SPS
AX4-5  1 DPE with at least 4 
and up to 12 hard 
drives
Up to 3 DAE with a 
maximum of 12 hard-
drives each
First is required, 
the second SPS is 
optional