Dell MD1120 Powervault SFF SAS Storage Array Hard Disk

Dell PowerVault MD1120 Enclosure Overview

Product Specification of Dell MD1120

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number: MD1120
• Category: Powervault Enclosure

Drive Specifications

Supported Drives

• Accommodates up to 24 hot-swappable 2.5" SAS hard disk drives

Chassis Dimensions

Size Details

• Height: 8.60 cm (3.375 inches)
• Width: 44.50 cm (17.5 inches)
• Depth: 46.40 cm (18.25 inches)

Power Requirements

Specifications

• Maximum Continuous Power: 485 watts
• Peak Power: 604 watts
• Heat Output: 200 watts
• Voltage Rating: 100-240V (actual range: 90-264V)
• Frequency: 47-63 Hz
• Amperage: 7.5A at 90V, 3.75A at 180V

Management Features

EMM Modules

• Supports 1 or 2 Enclosure Management Modules (EMMs)
• Optional second EMM for enhanced redundancy and management capability

Capacity

The capacity of the Dell PowerVault MD1120 SFF SAS Storage Array Hard Disk is a crucial feature that plays a significant role in meeting the storage needs of users. The capacity of this storage array depends on the hard disks installed, allowing users to customize and scale their storage solution according to their specific requirements.

Flexible and Scalable Storage Solution

By offering a capacity that depends on the hard disks installed, the Dell PowerVault MD1120 provides users with a flexible and scalable storage solution. This means that users can start with a smaller capacity and gradually expand it as their storage needs grow. Whether you need a few terabytes or several petabytes of storage, this storage array can easily accommodate your changing requirements.

Cost-Effective Storage Expansion

One of the significant benefits of the capacity feature is its cost-effectiveness. Users can start with a smaller capacity and add more hard disks over time, eliminating the need for upfront investment in larger storage arrays. This allows businesses to manage their budget more efficiently by only purchasing the necessary storage capacity when needed.

Improved Data Management

The Dell PowerVault MD1120's capacity feature enables users to organize and manage their data effectively. With ample storage space, users can store large amounts of data, including critical business files, media content, databases, and more, all in one central location. This simplifies data management and enhances accessibility, making it easier for users to locate and retrieve files whenever needed.

Streamlined Backup and Recovery

The capacity feature also facilitates efficient backup and recovery processes. With sufficient storage space, users can create regular backups of their important data without worrying about running out of room. Additionally, the scalability of this storage array allows users to allocate separate disks or RAID configurations specifically for backup purposes, ensuring data redundancy and reducing the risk of data loss.

Support for Virtualized Environments

In virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines (VMs) are running simultaneously, the capacity feature becomes even more crucial. With the ability to install a variety of hard disks, users can allocate different capacities to individual VMs based on their resource requirements. This ensures optimal performance and resource allocation, allowing virtualized environments to operate smoothly and efficiently.

Future-Proof Investment

The capacity feature of the Dell PowerVault MD1120 makes it a future-proof investment. As data storage needs continue to grow exponentially, having a storage array that can easily adapt to these changing requirements is essential. By allowing users to add more hard disks as needed, this storage array ensures that businesses can keep up with evolving storage demands without having to replace their entire storage infrastructure.

Interface

The interface of the Dell PowerVault MD1120 SFF SAS Storage Array Hard Disk is SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), which offers numerous benefits and plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient data transfer and connectivity.

High-Speed Data Transfer

SAS interface provides users with high-speed data transfer capabilities, enabling faster access to data stored in the storage array. With transfer rates reaching up to 12 Gbps, SAS allows for quick retrieval and processing of data, enhancing overall system performance and reducing latency.

Reliable and Robust Connectivity

SAS offers reliable and robust connectivity, ensuring a stable connection between the storage array and the host system. This interface provides a secure connection that minimizes the risk of data loss or corruption during data transfer. Additionally, SAS cables are designed with superior shielding to minimize interference and maintain signal integrity, resulting in a more reliable and consistent data transfer experience.

Compatibility and Interoperability

SAS is highly compatible and interoperable with different storage devices and systems. This compatibility allows users to seamlessly integrate the Dell Powervault MD1120 storage array into their existing IT infrastructure. Whether you are using servers, workstations, or other storage arrays, the SAS interface ensures smooth communication and data sharing between devices.

Scalability and Expandability

The SAS interface enables users to scale their storage infrastructure by connecting multiple storage arrays. This allows for easy expansion of storage capacity without compromising performance. Users can connect additional MD1120 units or other compatible devices, creating a larger storage pool that can be managed centrally.

Support for Multiple RAID Configurations

The SAS interface supports multiple RAID configurations, providing users with flexibility in data protection and redundancy. Whether you need RAID 0 for performance, RAID 1 for data mirroring, or RAID 5 for a balance between performance and redundancy, the SAS interface allows you to configure the storage array according to your specific needs.

Optimized for Enterprise Applications

The SAS interface is widely used in enterprise environments due to its reliability and performance. It is particularly suited for applications that require high-speed data transfer and low latency, such as databases, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads. By leveraging the SAS interface, users can ensure optimal performance and responsiveness for their critical enterprise applications.

Form Factor

The Dell PowerVault MD1120 SFF SAS Storage Array Hard Disk features a 2.5-inch form factor, offering several benefits that make it an ideal choice for various applications and environments.

Higher Density

The 2.5-inch form factor allows for higher storage density compared to larger form factors, such as 3.5-inch drives. This means that users can fit more drives into a limited physical space, maximizing the storage capacity within a smaller footprint. Higher density is especially valuable in environments where space is at a premium, such as data centers or server rooms.

Lower Power Consumption

2.5-inch drives generally consume less power compared to their larger counterparts. The smaller physical size of these drives results in lower power requirements, reducing energy consumption and operating costs for businesses. Additionally, lower power consumption leads to less heat generation, contributing to a cooler and more energy-efficient storage environment.

Improved Performance

The smaller size of 2.5-inch drives enables faster seek times and reduced latency compared to larger drives. This translates into improved performance for applications that require quick access to data, such as databases or virtualized environments. The improved performance of 2.5-inch drives enhances overall system responsiveness and ensures smooth operation even under heavy workloads.

Hot-Swappable Design

The 2.5-inch form factor is typically designed with hot-swappable capabilities, allowing for easy drive replacement without interrupting system operations. This feature is particularly valuable in environments where continuous uptime is essential, as it minimizes downtime and ensures seamless drive replacement for maintenance or upgrades.

Noise Reduction

Smaller form factor drives tend to generate less noise compared to larger drives. The reduced noise levels contribute to a quieter working environment, making the Dell Powervault MD1120 an ideal choice for noise-sensitive areas such as offices or studios.

Enhanced Flexibility

The 2.5-inch form factor offers enhanced flexibility in terms of drive placement and configuration. The smaller drives can be easily integrated into a variety of storage enclosures, servers, or workstations, providing users with more options when designing their storage infrastructure. This flexibility ensures compatibility with different systems and allows users to optimize their storage solution according to their specific needs.

RAID Support

The Dell PowerVault MD1120 SFF SAS Storage Array Hard Disk provides RAID support, specifically RAID 1, which offers several benefits in terms of data redundancy and protection.

Data Redundancy and Fault Tolerance

RAID 1, also known as disk mirroring, duplicates data across multiple drives, ensuring redundancy and fault tolerance. In a RAID 1 configuration, the same data is written simultaneously to two separate drives. This redundancy protects against drive failure, as data can be retrieved from the remaining drive even if one drive fails. This feature is crucial for businesses that cannot afford to lose critical data or experience downtime due to drive failures.

Improved Data Integrity

RAID 1 enhances data integrity by providing a mirror of the entire dataset on a separate drive. If data corruption occurs on one drive, the mirror drive can be used to restore the original, uncorrupted data. This feature is particularly valuable for applications that require high levels of data accuracy and reliability, such as financial systems or database servers.

Quick Recovery Time

In the event of a drive failure, RAID 1 offers quick recovery time. Since the data is mirrored on another drive, the system can continue accessing the duplicate copy while the failed drive is replaced. This minimizes downtime and ensures uninterrupted access to data during the recovery process.

Cost-Effective Data Protection

RAID 1 provides a cost-effective data protection solution compared to other RAID levels. While it does require additional drives for mirroring, the simplicity of RAID 1 makes it an affordable choice for businesses seeking basic data redundancy without the need for complex configurations or dedicated hardware controllers.

Easy Maintenance and Upgrades

RAID 1 offers easy maintenance and upgrades. When a drive fails, it can be replaced with a new drive without interrupting system operations. The RAID controller automatically rebuilds the mirrored data onto the new drive, ensuring that the redundancy and fault tolerance of the RAID 1 configuration are maintained. This streamlined maintenance process reduces downtime and simplifies drive replacement procedures.

Reliable Data Protection

RAID 1 is a reliable choice for data protection, offering peace of mind to users who value the integrity and availability of their data. By providing redundancy and fault tolerance, this RAID level ensures that businesses can continue operating smoothly even in the face of drive failures or data corruption. The Dell PowerVault MD1120's support for RAID 1 enables users to safeguard their valuable data and maintain business continuity.