No software needs to be installed on ESX in order to connect to VNX or CLARiiON. There are optional components that enhance the manageability of the solution though. ESX even has built-in ability to self-register with CLARiiON and VNX storage arrays. The basic requirement is that the ESX host can see the storage (connected and zoned as necessary) and the LUNs are masked to the host (Storage Groups in Unisphere).  -Virtual Storage Integrator provides visibility of EMC storage from the vSphere level (free download from Powerlink) -PowerPath/VE enhances ESX/EMC enviroments by providing adaptive load balancing of paths to the storage (requires a license) -VMWare Site Recovery Manager SRAs are available if you are replicating data array-to-array and using VMWare SRM for DR
Hi All,  We've a ESXi 4.1 hosts in our environment we intend to purchase VNX for block through iSCSi. What we need to understand is Powerpath VE required on ESXi? also i believe we dont need Powerpath to be installed on VM's ?Do we really need to purchase it, if yes what are the advantages?  Appreciate all inputs.  regards, Samir 
Powerpath VE required or not