PowerPath

PowerPath is a multipathing input/output software package originally developed by EMC Corporation and now marketed by Dell EMC. It provides redundant I/O paths between servers and storage arrays in storage area networks (SANs), enabling path failover and load balancing to improve availability and performance.

The software runs on multiple host operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, and HP-UX. It coordinates the host bus adapters and storage connections to present a single logical path to each storage device while managing multiple physical paths. PowerPath monitors path health and I/O latency, and when a path fails or degrades, it redirects I/O to alternate paths with minimal disruption. It supports policy-based path management, allowing administrators to control how I/O is distributed across paths and how failed paths are recovered.

PowerPath is typically deployed in enterprise environments to maximize storage availability and throughput, reduce maintenance windows, and protect against single-path outages. Management interfaces vary by platform, but editions generally provide OS-level tools and, where available, a central management console for configuration and monitoring.

Dell EMC continues to offer PowerPath as part of its storage software portfolio, with ongoing updates to support newer operating systems and storage arrays.