The way the EqualLogic arrays work, it does a really, really, really good job... EqualLogic would match up your IOPS needs to the correct array model, to ensure you get optimal performance on it...
I've used their PS6000E array most recently (populated with 1TB SATA drives) and it didn't even blink with 50 VM's on it, across several LUNs... Our array (as well as array's set up at another company I've worked for) were configured as RAID 50 (not available on EMC storage)... One of the things I really like about the EqualLogic product is being able to set the arrays up in groups (and how they work the groups)... Basically, you have your first array, in the group, then you add another array (later) to that same group. Now you're using ALL the spindles for the LUNs (the array manages how it carves them up)... If the arrays are of different size, it just means that different amounts are taken from each drive in each array to best balance the loads.
You still size your LUNs properly, but now, you benefit from having more spindles to share the load. I would typically configure LUNs that were either 500GB or 1TB in size (depending on what was going onto them)...
From what you posted, it's probably going to mean you'll have to adjust how you think of storage... If you can, I would go arrange to visit their facility (it's fairly local to me, maybe 1 or 1-1/2 hours drive max)... You can also talk with their engineers to get a better handle on how the array's really work...
VMware VCP4
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