Since Dell has made downloads difficult for out-of-warranty users, here are legitimate fallback options:
Security Warning: Never download HIT from torrent sites or unknown file hosts. Many contain malware. Always verify the digital signature (should be signed by Dell Inc.).
In the world of enterprise storage, Dell’s EqualLogic PS Series (often referred to as the “EqualLogic SAN”) remains a workhorse for many small to medium-sized businesses and remote office environments. Despite being end-of-life (EOL), thousands of these arrays are still in production, delivering reliable iSCSI storage. To keep these systems running efficiently and to bridge the gap between the SAN and your host operating system, you need a critical software suite: Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools (HIT).
If you have been searching for a reliable “Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools download,” you have likely encountered dead links or confusing redirects on Dell’s support site. This article will explain what HIT is, why you need it, where to find the download, how to install it, and what to do now that the platform is legacy.
Downloading the Dell EqualLogic HIT kit in 2024 is a treasure hunt. The official links are decaying, the FTP is gone, and Dell’s support portal actively obfuscates legacy products.
Your best bet:
If you are still running EqualLogic for business-critical apps, take this download struggle as a sign. The storage works fine, but the tools are disappearing. You have approximately 12-18 months before these downloads disappear behind Dell paywalls entirely.
Have a secret link or a working FTP mirror? Post the version you found in the comments below to help the next admin in crisis.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes. Always ensure you have proper licensing before downloading proprietary Dell software.
🛠️ Guide: How to Download and Install Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools (HIT)
If you are managing a Dell EqualLogic PS Series storage array, the Host Integration Tools (HIT)
are essential. They allow you to seamlessly manage and configure storage directly from your servers, handle application-consistent snapshots, script management operations, and establish seamless Multipath I/O (MPIO).
Whether you are configuring a fresh environment or expanding an existing one, here is exactly how to grab the installer and set it up. 📥 Step 1: How to Download the HIT Kit
Dell provides specific versions for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and VMware environments. To download the software, follow these steps: www.sanstorageworks.com Go directly to the dedicated EqualLogic portal at eqlsupport.dell.com to your account. dell equallogic host integration tools download
Note: If you do not have an account, you can create one on the page. Accessing downloads requires an active support contract linked to your organization. Once logged in, click on on the main toolbar. Scroll down until you see the link for Host Integration Tools Host Integration Tools for Microsoft
Click on the latest recommended version displayed in the panel (such as version 5.5.0). Choose either the
file according to your operating system, and save it to a location accessible to your host server. ⚙️ Step 2: Key Installation Steps
Once you have downloaded the installation kit (or have it on a mounted ISO), proceed with the installation: Prerequisites:
Ensure you are logged in to the host machine as a user with full local administrator privileges Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded package to fire up the installation wizard. Customize Components: Custom Setup
page, you can deselect components that are not required for your specific environment. PowerStore Migration Option: Pay attention to the Installation Type
If you plan to import legacy EqualLogic array volumes over to a newer Dell PowerStore array, select the option with import capability Otherwise, select the no import capability Let it Run:
The installer will automatically configure the native Windows MPIO service (if applicable) and append the necessary configuration rules to your host's firewall. 💡 Pro-Tips for Administrators Active Directory Deployment:
If you plan on pushing this installation out to dozens of servers simultaneously via Active Directory, download the installer instead of the executable. No Reboot for MPIO:
Updating MPIO load balancing policies generally does not require a system reboot, though you may need to restart the ASM snapshot manager UI to reflect the changes. Scripting:
Don't forget that the installation comes automatically packaged with powerful EqualLogic PowerShell Tools to automate your array operations! Further Exploration Review the official deployment procedures directly on the Dell Support Knowledge Base Walk through detailed setup guides by referencing the Dell EqualLogic HIT Microsoft Installation Manual Check out the Dell Support EqualLogic Linux Guide for deployment instructions on Linux environments.
Are you planning to deploy the Dell Host Integration Tools on virtualized VMware environment? Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft v5.5.0
The Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools (HIT) are essential for maximizing the performance and reliability of PS Series iSCSI storage arrays. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to download, install, and utilize these tools for Windows, VMware, and Linux environments. Where to Download Dell EqualLogic HIT Since Dell has made downloads difficult for out-of-warranty
The official method for obtaining the latest version of the Host Integration Tools is through the Dell EqualLogic Support Portal.
Official Downloads: Most users should access the Microsoft v5.5.0 KB article for the most current Windows version.
Support Account Required: Accessing the download files generally requires an active support contract and a Dell EqualLogic support account.
Download Options: Kits are available as 32-bit or 64-bit .exe files, .msi files for Active Directory deployments, or ISO images for creating installation media. Version & OS Compatibility
Before downloading, ensure the HIT version matches your host operating system and array firmware: Latest Known Version Supported Operating Systems Microsoft v5.5.0 Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and Windows 10. Linux v1.9.0
RHEL (7.5 - 8.0), SLES (12 SP5, 15), Oracle Linux (7.5 - 8.0). VMware vSphere Plugin vSphere 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0. Key Features of the HIT Kit Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft v5.5.0
The Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools (HIT) are a suite of software designed to simplify the management of Dell PS Series storage arrays. These tools allow servers running Microsoft Windows, VMware, or Linux to communicate directly with the storage array to automate tasks like backup, recovery, and performance tuning. Key Features and Benefits
Automated Management: Includes the Remote Setup Wizard (RSW), which simplifies the traditionally tedious discovery and initial configuration of SAN arrays.
Data Protection: Features like Auto-Snapshot Manager (ASM) allow for "Smart Copies"—application-consistent snapshots and clones—across platforms like SQL Server, Exchange, and Hyper-V.
Optimized Performance: Provides native Multipath I/O (MPIO) drivers that intelligently balance iSCSI traffic across multiple network paths for higher reliability and throughput. Platform-Specific Editions:
HIT/Microsoft: Integrates with VSS for backups and offers PowerShell tools for automation.
HIT/VMware: Includes a vSphere plugin for managing datastores and virtual machine snapshots directly from vCenter.
HIT/Linux: Provides a CLI and the EQLTUNE suite to verify and correct system parameters for optimal iSCSI performance. How to Download Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft v5.1.0 Security Warning: Never download HIT from torrent sites
If the official Dell site fails (and it will for many older OS versions), you have to rely on community repositories and archive.org.
Method 1: Dell Digital Locker (If licensed) If you purchased HIT kits originally, they might be in your Digital Locker. Log into your Dell account > Digital Locker. Search for "EqualLogic." If you see an expired entitlement, you're out of luck. If you see an active license, you can download the ISO there.
Method 2: The "Legacy" FTP ghost (RIP FTP)
Dell used to host historical versions at ftp.dell.com/SanTools/. The FTP is largely shut down, but some HTTP mirrors exist through archive.org.
Method 3: The "Official" Link that still works (Updated Oct 2023) After extensive testing, the generic landing page for current HIT is consolidating. Try this direct path:
Critical Note: If you are running Windows Server 2019 or 2022, you are in a bad spot. Dell officially ended support for Windows Server 2019 with HIT 2.0 (or earlier). You will not find an official signed driver from Dell. You either need to force install a 2016 driver (risky) or migrate off the EqualLogic.
The MPIO component detects link failures or switch issues and reroutes traffic to surviving paths in milliseconds—something the basic Microsoft MPIO cannot do as intelligently with EqualLogic’s unique “volume affinity” model.
Published: October 18, 2023 | Category: Storage Legacy | Reading Time: 4 minutes
If you are reading this, you likely fall into one of two camps.
Camp A: You are managing a perfectly stable, out-of-warranty Dell EqualLogic PS Series array that has been running for a decade. You need to patch a new Windows Hyper-V host or refresh a VMware ESXi server, and you desperately need the Host Integration Tools (HIT) kit.
Camp B: You are in the middle of a disaster recovery (DR) scenario. Your old hosts crashed, you’re rebuilding, and you just realized the original ISO download links are dead.
Welcome to the struggle. Finding the Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools (HIT Kit) download in 2023/2024 is not like downloading a printer driver. Dell has officially declared the EqualLogic line "End of Life" (EOL). The software has been moved to the "Legacy" vault, and navigating Dell’s modern support site feels like searching for a book in a library that has been downsized to a broom closet.
Here is your detailed guide on how to find, download, and verify the HIT kit.