403-BCPG Dell 25GB SFP28 iSCSI 4 Port Single Controller

Overview of Dell 25GB iSCSI 4-Port Single Controller  

The DELL 403-BCPG 25Gb SFP28 iSCSI 4-Port Single Controller is engineered to deliver consistent throughput, resilient data access, and simplified storage management for modern enterprise environments. Designed specifically for Dell PowerVault ME storage arrays, this controller enhances networked storage efficiency while maintaining strict compatibility standards.

Main Specification

• Manufacturer: Dell
• Part Number: 403-BCPG
• Product Type: Controller Card

Key Performance Highlights

• Four dedicated 25Gb iSCSI ports for accelerated data flow
• SFP28 connectivity optimized for low latency environments
• Balanced architecture supporting sustained throughput
• Designed to minimize bottlenecks in storage networking

Resilience-Focused Features

• Support for tolerant disk subsystem failure handling
• Enhanced stability for always-on enterprise workloads
• Designed for predictable performance under load
• Optimized controller logic for long-term reliability

Scalability Benefits

• Facilitates future-ready storage growth
• Supports high-capacity environments efficiently
• Ideal for expanding virtualized and cloud-ready systems
• Ensures smooth integration with existing storage frameworks

 Optimized Management and System Integration

• Simplified controller management workflow
• Streamlined configuration for faster deployment
• Consistent monitoring across supported systems
• Reduced administrative overhead

Supported Dell PowerVault Systems

• Dell PowerVault ME5012
• Dell PowerVault ME5024
• Dell PowerVault ME5084

Compatibility  

• Validated for use with Dell PowerVault ME series arrays
• Designed to meet Dell hardware specifications
• Ensures stable operation within certified environments
• Supported by Dell when used in approved configurations

Outline of Dell 403-BCPG Enterprise Storage Controller  

The DELL 403-BCPG 25Gb SFP28 iSCSI 4 Port Single Controller is designed for high-performance Ethernet-based storage networking within the Dell EMC PowerVault ME5 series, including ME5024, ME5012, and ME5084 systems. This category represents a class of advanced storage controllers that integrate fast iSCSI connectivity, intelligent traffic handling, and enterprise-grade reliability into a compact controller architecture. Built to support modern workloads, the controller enables organizations to consolidate storage access over standard Ethernet while maintaining low latency, high throughput, and predictable performance under mixed workloads.

This controller category focuses on scalable iSCSI connectivity using 25Gb SFP28 interfaces, providing a substantial leap over traditional 10Gb iSCSI implementations. By integrating four high-speed ports into a single controller, the platform supports multipathing, load balancing, and redundancy strategies essential for mission-critical data access. It is engineered to operate seamlessly within the PowerVault ME5 storage architecture, aligning with Dell’s design philosophy of simplicity, performance, and operational efficiency.

25Gb SFP28 iSCSI Architecture

The core of this controller category is its 25Gb SFP28 Ethernet architecture. SFP28 technology allows each port to deliver up to 25 gigabits per second of bandwidth, enabling storage arrays to keep pace with high-speed application servers and virtualization hosts. Compared to older 10Gb or 1Gb Ethernet designs, this architecture dramatically reduces congestion, improves parallel data transfer, and supports higher IOPS with lower latency.

iSCSI over 25Gb Ethernet provides a cost-effective alternative to Fibre Channel while delivering comparable performance characteristics. The controller leverages standard TCP/IP networking, which simplifies integration into existing data center infrastructures. This design allows organizations to use familiar Ethernet switching, monitoring tools, and management practices while still achieving enterprise-class storage performance.

Multi-Port Connectivity and Traffic Distribution

With four integrated 25Gb SFP28 ports, this controller category enables flexible network topologies. Multiple ports can be configured for active-active operation, ensuring that traffic is evenly distributed across available links. This configuration improves throughput and resilience, as workloads are not dependent on a single network path. In the event of a port or link failure, traffic can be rerouted automatically to maintain uninterrupted storage access.

The four-port design also supports segmentation of workloads. Administrators can allocate specific ports to different application clusters, virtualization environments, or network fabrics, reducing contention and improving quality of service. This flexibility is especially valuable in multi-tenant environments or data centers running diverse workloads with varying performance requirements.

ME5024 Compatibility and Use Cases

Within the ME5024 platform, the controller enables high-density flash or hybrid configurations to reach their full performance potential. The 25Gb iSCSI connectivity ensures that NVMe-ready SAS or high-speed SSD configurations are not bottlenecked by network limitations. This makes the ME5024 suitable for virtualization clusters, transactional databases, and analytics workloads that demand rapid data access.

ME5012 Deployment Scenarios

For the ME5012, which emphasizes compact form factors and efficiency, the controller delivers enterprise-grade connectivity in space-constrained environments. It allows smaller data centers or edge deployments to benefit from high-speed iSCSI networking without the complexity of Fibre Channel infrastructures. The result is a balanced solution that combines performance, simplicity, and scalability.

ME5084 High-Capacity Integration

In the ME5084 platform, which is optimized for high-capacity storage, the controller ensures that large data sets can be accessed efficiently. The four 25Gb ports provide the bandwidth necessary to support data-intensive applications such as backup repositories, media processing, and large-scale file services layered on block storage.

Performance Optimization and Low Latency Design

The DELL 403-BCPG controller category is engineered to minimize latency while maximizing throughput. Hardware acceleration for iSCSI processing reduces CPU overhead, allowing the controller to handle high transaction rates without performance degradation. This design ensures that storage performance remains consistent even under peak load conditions.

Advanced buffering and queue management techniques are used to smooth traffic bursts and maintain predictable response times. These capabilities are critical in environments running virtual machines, containers, or databases where latency spikes can directly impact application performance.

Support for Multipathing and High Availability

Multipath I/O support is a fundamental aspect of this controller category. By enabling multiple active paths between hosts and storage, the controller improves both performance and resilience. Host systems can distribute I/O requests across available paths, reducing congestion and improving overall efficiency.

High availability is further enhanced through redundant networking configurations. When deployed in dual-controller ME5 systems, each controller can provide independent network paths, ensuring continuous access even during maintenance or unexpected hardware events.

Scalability for Growing Data Demands

Scalability is a defining characteristic of this controller category. The 25Gb iSCSI architecture provides ample headroom for future growth, allowing organizations to scale workloads without immediate network upgrades. As application demands increase, additional hosts or workloads can be added without saturating existing links.

The four-port design also supports incremental expansion. Administrators can start with a subset of ports and activate additional connections as performance requirements grow. This approach aligns with modern capacity planning strategies that emphasize flexibility and cost control.

Virtualization and Cloud-Integrated Workloads

This controller category is well suited for virtualization platforms such as VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM. High-speed iSCSI connectivity supports dense virtual machine deployments, enabling fast boot times, responsive storage access, and efficient live migration operations. The controller’s performance characteristics align with the needs of private cloud environments and hybrid cloud architectures.

Database and Transactional Applications

Transactional databases benefit significantly from the low latency and high throughput provided by this controller category. Applications that rely on rapid read and write operations can achieve consistent performance, even during peak usage periods. The controller’s ability to handle concurrent connections ensures that database workloads remain responsive as user demand increases.

Network Efficiency and Ethernet Optimization

By leveraging standard Ethernet technologies, this controller category integrates smoothly into existing network infrastructures. Features such as flow control, jumbo frame support, and optimized TCP/IP processing contribute to efficient data transfer and reduced overhead. These capabilities help maximize usable bandwidth and minimize packet loss in high-traffic environments.

The use of SFP28 transceivers provides flexibility in cabling options, supporting both short-range and long-range connectivity depending on deployment needs. This adaptability allows organizations to design network layouts that balance performance, cost, and physical constraints.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Design

Energy efficiency is an important consideration in modern data centers, and this controller category is designed with power optimization in mind. Efficient processing reduces unnecessary power consumption, while advanced thermal management ensures stable operation under sustained workloads. These characteristics contribute to lower operational costs and improved system longevity.

Reliability and Enterprise-Grade Build Quality

Reliability is a cornerstone of this controller category. Designed for continuous operation, the controller undergoes rigorous testing to ensure durability under demanding conditions. Enterprise-grade components and quality assurance processes contribute to consistent performance and long service life.

Error handling and recovery mechanisms are built into the controller’s design. These features help detect and mitigate issues before they escalate, maintaining data integrity and system availability. For organizations that rely on uninterrupted access to critical data, this level of reliability is essential.

Redundancy and Fault Tolerance

When deployed in supported ME5 configurations, the controller participates in redundant architectures that eliminate single points of failure. Network redundancy, combined with dual-controller support, ensures that storage remains accessible even during hardware failures or maintenance activities.

Use Cases Across Industry Verticals

This controller category supports a wide range of industry applications. In enterprise IT environments, it enables consolidation of storage resources and efficient delivery of shared services. In healthcare, finance, and education sectors, the controller provides the performance and reliability needed to support sensitive data and mission-critical applications.

Media and entertainment workflows benefit from the high bandwidth available through 25Gb iSCSI connectivity, enabling rapid access to large media files and smooth content processing. Similarly, research and analytics environments can leverage the controller’s throughput to accelerate data-intensive computations.