403-BCQU Dell 4-Port 25GBE iSCSI Raid Controller

Dell 403-BCQU 4-Port iSCSI Controller

Dell 403-BCQU engineered for enterprise-grade reliability. 25GBE iSCSI 4-Port Single Controller designed for seamless integration. Optimized to enhance server efficiency and scalability. Expandable 25Gb storage capacity ensures faster data handling. Dual-channel architecture delivers superior connectivity speed.

Product Information

• Brand Name: Dell
• Part Number: 403-BCQU
• Product Type: 4-Port 25GBE iSCSI Single Raid Controller

Compatibility

• Optimized for PowerVault ME5012 storage arrays
• Fully functional with PowerVault ME5024 systems
• Ensures smooth integration with Dell’s PowerVault series

Dell 4-Port Raid Controller Overview

The Dell 403-BCQU 4-Port 25GbE iSCSI Single RAID Controller for PowerVault ME5012 and ME5024 is designed to meet the demands of modern enterprise storage environments that require both high throughput and dependable data availability. As a core component of the PowerVault ME5 Series storage arrays, this controller provides advanced connectivity and RAID processing capabilities, allowing organizations to scale performance and reliability without compromising on efficiency or flexibility. Built to integrate seamlessly with Dell’s modular storage architecture, it ensures that mission-critical workloads remain responsive and protected even under intensive I/O conditions. With four 25 Gigabit Ethernet ports dedicated to iSCSI connectivity, this controller supports high-bandwidth data transfers across storage networks. The use of iSCSI over 25GbE provides an optimal balance between speed, cost-efficiency, and compatibility, making it suitable for organizations seeking to modernize their storage infrastructure while maintaining standard Ethernet networking frameworks.

Integrated RAID

At the heart of the Dell 403-BCQU controller is a dedicated RAID processing engine that enables advanced data protection schemes. RAID configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and hybrid levels can be implemented depending on workload requirements, ensuring that data remains protected against disk failures while maintaining optimal performance. The controller offloads RAID calculations from the host system, freeing up CPU resources and improving overall system efficiency. The integrated RAID functionality supports hot-swappable drives and automatic rebuild processes, allowing storage arrays to maintain availability even during component failures or maintenance activities. This ensures business continuity by minimizing downtime and preserving data integrity. The RAID engine also supports advanced error detection and correction, helping to identify and mitigate potential data inconsistencies before they escalate into operational issues.

High-Availability

High availability is a defining characteristic of enterprise storage, and the Dell 403-BCQU controller is engineered to meet these expectations. In dual-controller configurations, it enables active-active operations, allowing both controllers to simultaneously process I/O requests. This architecture ensures load balancing and redundancy, providing continuous access to storage resources even in the event of a controller failure. The controller integrates seamlessly with the PowerVault ME5012 and ME5024 enclosures, supporting failover mechanisms that automatically redirect workloads to the remaining controller if one becomes unavailable. This ensures uninterrupted access to data, a critical requirement for applications such as databases, virtualization platforms, enterprise resource planning systems, and other mission-critical workloads.

Optimized RAID

Rebuild operations are essential in maintaining data protection after drive replacement or failure. The Dell 403-BCQU controller employs intelligent rebuild algorithms that optimize rebuild performance while minimizing the impact on active workloads. This balance ensures that storage systems remain responsive even during rebuild operations, reducing the risk of performance degradation and ensuring consistent service levels. Advanced rebuild prioritization allows administrators to configure rebuild tasks based on workload importance, ensuring that critical volumes receive priority attention. This capability supports dynamic environments where storage workloads may vary throughout the day and where maintaining application performance is a top operational priority.

Advanced iSCSI Connectivity

The controller’s four 25GbE iSCSI ports provide a high-performance networking interface that supports large-scale data transfers with minimal latency. The use of 25GbE technology ensures that the controller can support modern workloads, including high-density virtualization, containerized applications, and data-intensive analytics platforms. These high-speed ports support multipathing and link aggregation, enabling redundant network paths and increased throughput. Multipathing ensures that data remains accessible even if one network path becomes unavailable, while link aggregation allows multiple network connections to be combined for higher bandwidth and improved load balancing. Together, these features contribute to a resilient and high-performance storage network architecture.

Compatibility

One of the key advantages of the Dell 403-BCQU controller is its compatibility with standard Ethernet networking environments. Organizations can integrate the controller into existing network topologies without the need for specialized infrastructure or proprietary networking equipment. The controller supports standard TCP/IP networking protocols, ensuring seamless interoperability with switches, routers, and network management tools. This compatibility allows organizations to maintain consistent network management practices and leverage existing monitoring and security frameworks, simplifying overall infrastructure management.

Low-Latency

Low latency is a critical requirement for many enterprise applications, including transactional databases, real-time analytics platforms, and virtual desktop infrastructures. The Dell 403-BCQU controller is optimized to deliver low-latency data access through its high-speed network interfaces and efficient I/O processing architecture. This ensures that applications receive timely access to data, improving responsiveness and user experience. By reducing network bottlenecks and optimizing storage I/O paths, the controller helps organizations meet stringent performance requirements. This capability is particularly valuable in environments where performance consistency is essential, such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and large-scale e-commerce platforms.

Enterprise-Class

Reliability is a cornerstone of enterprise storage, and the Dell 403-BCQU controller is engineered to deliver consistent, dependable performance over extended periods of operation. Built with enterprise-grade components and rigorous quality standards, the controller is designed to withstand the demands of continuous operation in data center environments.

Data Integrity

Data security is a critical concern in modern IT environments, and the Dell 403-BCQU controller incorporates features designed to protect sensitive information and ensure data integrity. These features support compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements, providing organizations with confidence in the security of their storage infrastructure. The controller supports secure authentication mechanisms and encryption protocols that protect data in transit across the storage network. By ensuring that data transfers remain confidential and tamper-resistant, the controller helps safeguard sensitive information against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Optimized Performance

The Dell 403-BCQU controller is engineered to deliver exceptional performance for data-intensive workloads that demand high throughput and low latency. Its high-speed network interfaces, efficient I/O processing architecture, and dedicated RAID engine work together to ensure that storage systems can handle demanding workloads without compromising performance. This performance optimization benefits a wide range of applications, including databases, analytics platforms, virtualization environments, and content delivery systems. By providing consistent, high-performance data access, the controller supports business-critical operations and enables organizations to achieve their performance objectives.

PowerVault ME5012 and ME5024

The Dell 403-BCQU controller is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with the PowerVault ME5012 and ME5024 storage arrays. This integration ensures optimal performance, reliability, and manageability, enabling organizations to deploy advanced storage solutions with confidence. The controller’s form factor, interface design, and firmware are optimized for compatibility with these storage systems, ensuring that all components work together efficiently.

Use Cases

The Dell 403-BCQU controller is designed to support a wide range of enterprise use cases, from small and medium-sized business environments to large-scale data centers. Its flexibility, performance, and reliability make it suitable for a variety of applications, including virtualization, databases, analytics, and content management systems. This versatility ensures that organizations can leverage the controller across multiple workloads and departments, maximizing the return on investment and simplifying infrastructure management.