Powervault

Storage System Enclosures Powervault

Dell EMC's PowerVault series offers a range of storage system enclosures designed to meet diverse data storage needs. These enclosures provide scalable, high-performance storage solutions suitable for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprise environments.

Key Features of PowerVault Storage Enclosures

PowerVault enclosures are equipped with several key features that enhance their functionality and performance:

Scalability

Designed to grow with your business, PowerVault enclosures support a wide range of storage capacities, allowing for seamless expansion as data requirements increase.

High Performance

With support for high-speed data transfer protocols, these enclosures ensure rapid data access and efficient handling of demanding workloads.

Reliability

Built with enterprise-grade components, PowerVault enclosures offer robust data protection features, including RAID support and redundant power supplies, to ensure continuous operation and data integrity.

Ease of Management

Equipped with intuitive management interfaces, these enclosures simplify storage administration tasks, enabling IT teams to monitor and manage storage resources effectively.

Types of PowerVault Storage Enclosures

Dell EMC offers various models within the PowerVault series, each tailored to specific storage needs:

PowerVault ME4 Series

The ME4 Series provides entry-level block storage solutions optimized for simplicity, performance, and affordability. It supports both SAN and DAS workloads, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

PowerVault ME5 Series

Building upon the ME4 Series, the ME5 Series offers enhanced performance and scalability. It supports up to 336 drive slots, depending on the base system and additional expansion enclosures, and is designed to handle more demanding workloads. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

PowerVault MD Series

The MD Series delivers high-performance storage solutions with advanced data protection features. Models like the MD3060e provide up to 60 drives in a 4U form factor, catering to environments with substantial storage requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Supported Expansion Enclosures

To expand storage capacity, PowerVault systems support various expansion enclosures:

2U Expansion Enclosures

Models such as the ME412 and ME424 offer 12 and 24 drive slots, respectively, in a 2U form factor. These enclosures are ideal for environments where space efficiency is crucial. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

5U Expansion Enclosures

The ME484 provides 84 drive slots in a 5U form factor, suitable for applications requiring high storage density. It supports reverse SAS cabling for fault tolerance, ensuring continuous access to data even if an enclosure fails. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Connectivity and Cabling

Proper connectivity is essential for optimal performance:

Cabling Requirements

When connecting expansion enclosures, use supported HD mini-SAS x4 cables. The maximum enclosure cable length allowed in any configuration is 2 meters (6.56 feet). Reverse-cabling configurations may require additional or longer cables to ensure fault tolerance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Controller Enclosures

PowerVault systems can be configured with 2U or 5U controller enclosures, each supporting a specific number of expansion enclosures. For instance, a 2U controller enclosure can support up to ten 2U expansion enclosures, while a 5U controller enclosure can support up to four 5U expansion enclosures. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}