Dell Perc H710 6GBPS SAS PCI-E Raid Controller 017MXW X8 2.0

Overview of the DELL Storage Controller 017MXW

Part Number and Manufacturer

• Part Number: 017MXW
• Manufacturer: DELL

Product Specifications

Device Type

This component is a Storage Controller, specifically a RAID plug-in card designed for advanced data management.

Interface and Performance

• Interface Type: PCI Express 2.0 x8
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 6 Gb/s per port

Connectors and Cache

• Connectors: Two Internal Mini-SAS SFF8088
• Non-Volatile Cache: 512 MB (NV)

Battery Backup and Controller

• Battery Backup: Yes
• SAS Controller: LSI SAS 2208 Dual-core PowerPC ROC

Storage Capacity and RAID Options

• Maximum Hard Drives Supported: 32
• RAID Levels Supported: RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60

Operating Voltage and Weight

• Operating Voltage: +3.3V
• Weight: 1 lb

Compatibility

This storage controller is compatible with the following DELL systems:

• DELL PowerEdge R820
• DELL PowerEdge T320
• DELL PowerEdge T420
• DELL PowerEdge T620
• DELL Precision T5600
• DELL Precision T7600

Supported Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 SP2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.7
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP2

Virtualization Support

• VMware ESX/ESXi 4.1
• VMware 5.0 U1

Interface: SAS

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller is equipped with a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) interface, which offers a range of benefits for users. SAS is a high-speed serial interface that is designed to provide high-performance data transfer between storage devices such as hard drives and the controller.

Improved Performance

One of the key advantages of SAS is its ability to deliver faster data transfer rates compared to other interface options. With the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's SAS interface, users can experience significantly improved performance, allowing for quicker access to data and faster system response times. This is especially crucial for applications that require intensive data processing or large-scale storage solutions.

Efficient Data Management

SAS also offers advanced features for efficient data management. It supports multiplexing, which allows multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over a single physical connection. This enables efficient utilization of bandwidth and reduces latency, resulting in improved overall system performance.

Scalability and Flexibility

The SAS interface is highly scalable, allowing users to connect multiple devices in a daisy-chain configuration. This makes it ideal for storage environments that require expansion or upgrading of storage capacity. Additionally, SAS offers backward compatibility with older SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) devices, providing flexibility for integrating legacy hardware into modern systems.

Reliability and Redundancy

SAS provides robust error detection and correction mechanisms, ensuring the integrity of data during transmission. It also supports RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations, allowing for redundancy and data protection in case of drive failures. The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's SAS interface enables users to implement various RAID levels, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 6, offering different levels of performance, capacity, and redundancy.

Compatibility

SAS is widely adopted in the enterprise storage industry, making it compatible with a wide range of storage devices and server systems. The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's SAS interface ensures seamless compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers and allows for easy integration into existing IT infrastructures.

Data Transfer Rate: Dell 017MXW 6GBPS Adapter

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller boasts an impressive data transfer rate of 6Gbps (gigabits per second). This high-speed transfer rate plays a crucial role in enhancing system performance and efficiency.

Lightning-Fast Data Access

With a data transfer rate of 6Gbps, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller enables lightning-fast access to stored data. This is particularly important for demanding applications that require quick retrieval and processing of large datasets. Whether it's running complex database queries or handling data-intensive virtualization workloads, the high data transfer rate ensures minimal latency and improved overall system responsiveness.

Support for High-Bandwidth Applications

Modern server environments often deal with bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video streaming, data analytics, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). By offering a blazing-fast data transfer rate of 6Gbps, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller allows for seamless handling of these high-bandwidth workloads. It ensures smooth data flow between the storage devices and the controller, eliminating any bottlenecks that could hinder performance.

Optimized Storage Performance

When used in conjunction with high-performance SAS or SSD (Solid State Drive) storage devices, the 6Gbps data transfer rate of the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller maximizes storage performance. It ensures that the storage subsystem can keep up with the demands of data-intensive applications, resulting in faster data access and reduced waiting times.

Future-Proofing

As technology continues to advance, data transfer rates are expected to increase further. By adopting the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller with its 6Gbps data transfer rate, users can future-proof their systems and ensure compatibility with upcoming storage technologies and higher bandwidth requirements.

Interoperability

The 6Gbps data transfer rate of the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller is compatible with both SAS and SATA (Serial ATA) drives. This enables users to choose from a wide range of storage devices, including traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), based on their specific performance and capacity needs.

Interface Type: Dell 017MXW PCI-E Adapter

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller utilizes a PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface, which offers numerous benefits in terms of performance, scalability, and compatibility.

High-Speed Data Transfer

PCI-E is a high-speed interface that provides significantly faster data transfer rates compared to its predecessor, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's PCI-E interface ensures efficient communication between the controller and the server's motherboard, enabling high-performance data transfer for optimal system operation.

Enhanced System Performance

The use of a PCI-E interface eliminates potential bottlenecks that could hinder system performance. The increased bandwidth provided by PCI-E allows for faster communication between the controller and other components of the server, such as CPUs and memory. This results in improved overall system performance, especially in scenarios where multiple concurrent operations are taking place.

Scalability and Expansion

PCI-E offers improved scalability compared to PCI, allowing for the integration of additional expansion cards and devices. The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's PCI-E interface enables users to expand their storage capacity by connecting multiple RAID arrays or other storage devices. It also provides flexibility for future upgrades, ensuring compatibility with upcoming server technologies that may require a PCI-E interface.

Compatibility

PCI-E is a widely adopted industry standard, making it compatible with a vast range of server systems and components. The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's PCI-E interface ensures seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge servers and ensures compatibility with various operating systems and software applications.

Hot-Swap Capability

The PCI-E interface supports hot-swapping, which allows for the addition or removal of expansion cards without shutting down the server. This feature provides convenience and flexibility in maintaining and upgrading the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller, minimizing downtime and maximizing system availability.

Part Number: 017MXW

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller is identified by its unique part number, 017MXW. This alphanumeric code serves as a crucial identifier for ordering, installation, and troubleshooting purposes.

Easy Ordering and Replacement

The part number, 017MXW, simplifies the ordering process for users looking to purchase the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller. By providing this specific identifier, customers can ensure they receive the correct product without any confusion or potential errors.

Product Compatibility

The part number also helps determine product compatibility with specific server models and configurations. By cross-referencing the part number with Dell's compatibility matrix or documentation, users can confirm whether the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller is compatible with their existing hardware setup.

Support and Troubleshooting

When seeking technical support or troubleshooting assistance, providing the part number, 017MXW, allows support personnel to quickly identify the specific model of the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller. This expedites the resolution process and ensures accurate guidance or replacement if necessary.

Documentation and Manuals

The part number is often referenced in documentation and manuals provided by Dell. This facilitates easy access to product-specific information, including installation instructions, configuration guides, and firmware updates. Users can refer to the part number to locate the relevant documentation and ensure they have access to the most up-to-date information.

Lifecycle Management

The part number also plays a vital role in lifecycle management for the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller. It assists in tracking product versions, revisions, and obsolescence, allowing users to plan for potential upgrades or replacements based on the availability and support of newer models.

Slot Type: X8 2.0

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller is designed to be installed in a specific slot type known as X8 2.0. This slot type offers several advantages in terms of bandwidth, compatibility, and expandability.

High Bandwidth

The X8 2.0 slot type provides ample bandwidth to ensure optimal performance for the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller. With eight lanes of communication, it allows for high-speed data transfer between the controller and the server's motherboard. This high bandwidth is particularly beneficial when dealing with large amounts of data or running resource-intensive applications.

Expansion Capability

The X8 2.0 slot type offers expandability for future upgrades and enhancements. It allows users to add additional expansion cards or devices to their server, providing flexibility to meet changing storage requirements. This expandability ensures that the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller can adapt to evolving business needs without requiring a complete hardware overhaul.

Hot-Plug Support

The X8 2.0 slot type supports hot-plug capability, enabling users to add or remove the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller without shutting down the server. This feature simplifies maintenance and upgrades, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted operation of the server.

Improved Cooling and Airflow

The X8 2.0 slot type is designed to optimize cooling and airflow within the server chassis. The placement and orientation of the slot allow for efficient heat dissipation, helping to maintain optimal operating temperatures for the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller and other installed components. This contributes to overall system reliability and longevity.

Cache Size: 512MB NV

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller features a cache size of 512MB NV (Non-Volatile). This cache memory plays a crucial role in enhancing storage performance, data protection, and overall system efficiency.

Improved Read and Write Performance

The cache memory acts as a buffer between the storage devices and the server, allowing for faster data access. With a cache size of 512MB NV, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller can store frequently accessed data in its fast memory for immediate retrieval. This significantly reduces the latency associated with accessing data from the slower storage media, resulting in improved read and write performance.

Enhanced I/O Operations

The cache memory also helps optimize I/O (Input/Output) operations by temporarily storing data before it is written to or read from the storage devices. This allows for efficient handling of bursty or random I/O workloads, where data requests are not sequential. The 512MB NV cache size of the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller ensures sufficient capacity to accommodate a wide range of I/O patterns, resulting in improved overall system responsiveness.

Data Protection and Redundancy

Cache memory plays a vital role in ensuring data protection and redundancy. The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's 512MB NV cache size is equipped with battery backup units (BBUs) or supercapacitors, which provide power in case of an unexpected shutdown. This allows the controller to preserve the data stored in its cache memory, minimizing the risk of data loss or corruption.

Improved RAID Performance

The cache memory significantly enhances RAID performance by optimizing the way data is written to and read from the storage devices. With 512MB NV cache, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller can intelligently group data into larger blocks before writing them to the disks, reducing the overhead associated with small random writes. This improves overall RAID performance and prolongs the lifespan of the storage devices.

Write-Back and Write-Through Modes

The Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller's cache memory supports both write-back and write-through modes. In write-back mode, data is first written to the cache memory and subsequently flushed to the storage devices, providing faster write performance. In write-through mode, data is immediately written to the storage devices without utilizing the cache memory, ensuring data consistency but with slightly lower write performance. Users can choose the appropriate mode based on their specific requirements for performance and data protection.

Compatibility of Part Number or SKU# 017MXW Controller with DELL PowerEdge and Precision Systems

The Part Number or SKU# 017MXW Controller is a highly versatile and reliable component designed for seamless integration with various DELL systems. Specifically, it is compatible with several models in the DELL PowerEdge and Precision series. For those utilizing the DELL PowerEdge R820, the 017MXW Controller offers robust performance enhancements, ensuring that server operations run smoothly and efficiently. Similarly, users of the DELL PowerEdge T320, T420, and T620 models will find that this controller provides exceptional reliability and support for demanding workloads. The controller's compatibility extends to the DELL Precision series as well, including the T5600 and T7600 workstations. These high-performance machines benefit greatly from the advanced capabilities of the 017MXW Controller, which helps to maximize productivity and system responsiveness. Whether you are managing a data center, running complex simulations, or handling extensive computational tasks, the 017MXW Controller stands out as a critical component that enhances the performance and reliability of your DELL PowerEdge and Precision systems. Its compatibility across these models makes it a valuable addition to any enterprise IT infrastructure.

In conclusion, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller offers an impressive array of features and capabilities that make it a versatile and powerful storage solution for modern server environments. The SAS interface ensures improved performance, efficient data management, scalability, and compatibility. The 6Gbps data transfer rate enhances system responsiveness, supports high-bandwidth applications, and future-proofs the system. The PCI-E interface provides high-speed communication, scalability, and compatibility. The unique part number simplifies ordering, compatibility verification, support, and documentation access. The X8 2.0 slot type offers high bandwidth, compatibility, expansion capability, hot-plug support, and improved cooling. The 512MB NV cache size enhances storage performance, data protection, RAID efficiency, and I/O operations. With these features combined, the Dell Perc H710 Raid Controller delivers exceptional performance, reliability, and flexibility for diverse storage needs.