Remote : Senior NVMe​/TCP Storage Architect; OpenStack

Description

A seasoned Storage and Infrastructure Consultant is needed to troubleshoot and enhance an Open Stack 2024.1 private cloud integrated with Power Store v4.1.1 cluster using NVMe over TCP connectivity. The consultant will diagnose and resolve critical NVMe/TCP multipathing issues causing VM storage disconnects and lead a comprehensive NVMe/TCP build‑out, ensuring high performance and reliable multi‑path connectivity. Responsibilities include multipathing configuration and troubleshooting, Power Store array optimization in a multi‑appliance cluster, Open Stack Cinder integration with NVMe/TCP, network collaboration to optimize storage networking (25

GbE, VLANs, etc.), and implementing best practices to eliminate single‑workload performance bottlenecks. The ideal candidate has expert‑level Power Store experience, deep NVMe‑oF (TCP) knowledge, Open Stack Cinder expertise, and strong consulting skills (documentation, knowledge transfer, and cross‑team communication). Certification or hands‑on experience with EMC storage and Open Stack is highly preferred. The consultant will deliver environment stabilization, a best‑practice playbook, and knowledge transfer by project’s end.

• Enterprise Storage & Multipathing: 8+ years in enterprise block storage architecture and administration, with proven experience in NVMe over Fabrics (especially NVMe/TCP), multi‑path I/O configuration and troubleshooting of storage connectivity issues (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, NVMe‑oF). Expertise in configuring and using Linux DM‑Multipath and/or native NVMe multipathing features, diagnosing path failures, path failover behaviours, and performance tuning in multi‑path environments.
• Dell Power Store 4.x Expertise: Extensive hands‑on experience with Dell EMC Power Store arrays, ideally including Power Store OS 4.x and Power Store 4.1.1. Knowledge of Power Store cluster architecture, Power Store Manager interface, CLI, and design/op‑best practices for T models and clustered deployments.
• NVMe/TCP Implementation: Demonstrated ability to implement and optimize NVMe/TCP connectivity in real‑world environments, including configuration of host initiators and target setup, understanding differences between iSCSI and NVMe/TCP networking, recommended network link speeds (25 GbE+), and protocols.
• Open Stack Cinder Integration: Deep familiarity with Open Stack (2023+ releases, ideally 2024.1 Antelope), configuring Cinder block storage services with external drivers, especially Dell EMC Power Store Cinder drivers (enablement of NVMe‑oF via  = True in cinder.conf), and diagnosing volume attachment/detachment issues within an Open Stack environment.
• Open Shift / Container Storage (Preferred): Familiarity with containerization and Kubernetes (e.g., Red Hat Open Shift) and container storage integration (CSI, Dell Container Storage Modules). Beneficial for interfacing with Open Shift tools.
• Server & OS
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong background in Linux (RHEL/CentOS or Ubuntu) server administration, virtualization (KVM/QEMU, potentially VMware ESXi), kernel log analysis, NVMe subsystem status, and adjusting kernel parameters.
• Networking Knowledge: Solid understanding of Ethernet storage networking – IP/TCP fundamentals, switch configuration for iSCSI/NVMe‑oF (VLANs, LACP, jumbo frames), advising networking teams on NVMe/TCP requirements.
• Troubleshooting & Performance Tuning: Rapid root‑cause analysis for storage connectivity issues, analyze error messages, network traces, alerts; conduct performance/I/O analysis, tune system parameters and NIC offloading settings.
• Project &
  
  Soft Skills:
  
  Excellent communication, consulting, documentation (runbooks, design docs, best‑practice guides), knowledge transfer, training expertise, independent client work and cross‑team collaboration.

• Resolve VM storage disconnects caused by multipathing issues.
• Establish and document NVMe/TCP best‑practice playbook.
• Build out NVMe/TCP connectivity across the remaining environment.
• Deliver comprehensive documentation and hands‑on knowledge transfer.

Contract position based out of Round Rock, TX
. Fully remote option available.