Dell Compellent Storage Controller
Storage hardware with the flexibility to meet cost, performance and availability requirements

Overview:

Dell Compellent users can now select single- or dual-controller configurations with 4 or 8 Gb Fibre Channel, 1 or 10 Gb iSCSI, or 10 Gb Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frontend interconnects to meet cost, performance and availability requirements. The Series 30 and Series 40 storage controllers connect to any open-system servers without server-side agents and automatically fail over to another controller when clustered. The new Series 40 features more memory, six PCI-e slots and a battery-less cache, and provides 25% higher I/O performance than the Series 30. Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and cooling fans help ensure non-stop operation and high availability. Virtual ports increase port capacity, disk bandwidth, I/O connectivity and port failover.

The Dell Compellent Fluid Data architecture allows organizations to select single- or dual-controller configurations with a combination of industry-standard front- and back-end interconnects to meet cost, performance and availability requirements. The Storage Center SAN supports 4/8Gb Fibre Channel, 1/10Gb iSCSI and 10Gb Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) front-end connectivity as well as 4Gb Fibre Channel and 3/6Gb SAS for back-end connectivity.

Dell Compellent storage controllers connect to open-system servers without server-side agents, and automatically fail over to another controller when clustered. Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and cooling fans help to ensure non-stop operation and high availability. Virtual ports increase port capacity, disk bandwidth, I/O connectivity and port failover.

• Persistent hardware architecture for no forklift upgrades
• Upgrade and add technology over time on same platform
• Standards-based hardware helps to avoid technology lock-in
• Connect servers and disks with ease via PCI cards
• Controller clustering for high availability
• Shared-nothing approach for no single point of failure
• High-speed mirrored, write-back cache to prevent data loss

Key Benefits:

Deliver high availability, now and in the future

Dell Compellent storage controllers are designed to deliver high availability while meeting specific organizational cost and performance requirements. Redundant and hot-swappable power supplies and cooling fans help to ensure non-stop operation. Dell Compellent controllers—whether Series 40 or Series 30—provide automatic failover capabilities and are hot-swappable when implemented in a clustered configuration.

Dell Compellent controllers also off er the flexibility to meet changing enterprise requirements. Customers can select one or two controllers per system, and then opt to use any combination of 4Gb or 8Gb FC, 1Gb or 10Gb iSCSI, or 10Gb FCoE front-end server interconnects. The controllers connect to any open-system servers without the need for dedicated server agents. On the back-end, Dell Compellent controllers support a combination of 4Gb FC, 3Gb SAS or 6Gb SAS connectivity, depending on the HBAs utilized. Virtual ports increase port capacity, drive bandwidth, I/O connectivity and port failover.

Go enterprise with a Series 30 controller

The Series 30 controller features a 32-bit operating system and a 3.0GHz Dual-core processor. Each unit offers five I/O expansion slots for a maximum of 20 ports. The maximum cache size per controller is 3.5GB, and the battery-backed cache features multithreaded, read-ahead mirrored write technology for continuous data protection.

Push performance with a Series 40 controller

The Series 40 controller features a 32-bit operating system and a 2.53GHz Quad-core processor. Each unit offers six I/O expansion slots for a maximum of 24 ports. The maximum cache size per controller is 4.0GB, and the battery-less cache features multithreaded, read-ahead mirrored write technology for continuous data protection.

Next-generation hardware capabilities set the Series 40 controller apart. When used in conjunction with 6Gb SAS technology, I/O performance is improved by 25 percent with the Series 40. Also, the Series 40 features memory that is 20 percent faster than the memory available in the Series 30.

Both the Series 40 and 30 controllers offer support for a fabric switch, as well as Microsoft Cluster Server and Multipath Input/Output (MPIO) technology. The controllers also support leading host operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, Linux, IBM AIX, Novell NetWare, Apple, Tru64 and VMware ESX.

Product Views:

Front View

Rear View

Technical Specifications:

Dell Compellent Controllers	Series 30	Series 40
Controller
Number of controllers	1 or 2	1 or 2
PCI expansion slots	PCI-X: 1 PCI-E: 4	PCI-E6
Expansion slot adapters	Fibre Channel, iSCSI, SAS, FCoE	Fibre Channel, iSCSI, SAS, FCoE
PCI data transfer rate	Fibre Channel: 4, 8 Gbps iSCSI: 1, 10 Gbps FCoE: 10 Gbps	Fibre Channel: 4, 8 Gbps iSCSI: 1, 10 Gbps FCoE: 10 Gbps
Maximum number of ports	20	24
Modular architecture	Yes	Yes
Processor speed	3.0 GHz Dual-core	2.53GHz quad-core
Active/active cluster	Yes	Yes
Power supplies redundant and hot-swappable	Yes	Yes
Cooling fans redundant and hot-swappable	Yes	Yes
Controller(s) redundant and hot-swappable	Yes, with clustered controllers	Yes, with clustered controllers
Controller cluster distance	300 meters*	300 meters
Inlet Type	NEMA 5-15/CS22.2, n˚42	NEMA 5-15/CS22.2, n˚42
Cache
Maximum cache size per system	3.5 GB	4GB
Multi-threaded read ahead, mirrored write cache	Yes	Yes
Cache back-up battery	72 hours	N/A (no battery)
Front-end (host) interface
Host interface support	FC (4Gb, 8Gb) iSCSI (1Gb, 10Gb) FCoE (10Gb)
Simultaneous host interface support	Yes, FC, iSCSI and/or FCoE
Maximum host ports	22
Fabric switch support	Yes
Host operating system support**	Microsoft Windows, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, Linux, IBM AIX, Novell NetWare, Apple, Tru64, VMware ESX
Server agent required	No
Microsoft cluster server support	Yes
Microsoft multipath input/output (MPIO) support	Yes
File-level support	Yes, Storage Center with NAS and zNAS
RAID
RAID Level Support	Support for RAID levels 0, 5, 6 and 10 Any combination of RAID levels can exist on a single Storage Center Multiple RAID levels can exist on the same storage tier within an array Storage is virtualized and pooled across array without RAID group limitations
Power Supplies
Wattage	360 W peak output	400 W peak output
Heat Dissipation	1,229 BTU/hour	1,365 BTU/hour
Physical
Height x Width x Depth	5.2" (13.2cm) x 17.2" (43.7 cm) x 25.5" (64.8 cm)
Weight	75 lb. (34.1 kg)
Environmental
Temperature	Operating: 50-95° F (10-35° C)
Relative Humidity	Operating: 8% to 90% (non-condensing)

*Requires Storage Center 6.0 and optional memory upgrade **See Dell Compellent Compatibility Matrix for latest supported Operating Systems.

Fluid Data Architecture:

A Dell Fluid Data architecture enables Dell Compellent network storage to manage enterprise data at a more granular level. Details about each block of data are captured in action, providing real-time system intelligence. A powerful data management and movement engine uses this information to actively store, migrate and protect data efficiently and cost-effectively.

With a Dell Fluid Data architecture, Dell Compellent breaks through the boundaries of traditional data storage systems to deliver solutions with the future built in. Business applications are implemented faster, information to make decisions is available when it's needed, new technologies are readily adopted and deployed, and data is protected against downtime and disaster.

Dell Fluid Data Architecture Delivers

• Breakthrough efficiency—buy fewer drives and use more Tier 3 storage, saving on power and space
• Intelligent storage automation—simplify your IT infrastructure with zero-touch management
• Single platform scalability—scale on demand with a persistent, technology-independent platform
• Continuous data protection—protect data with space-efficient snapshots and multi-site replication
• Best-in-class comprehensive enterprise support—like having a Dell Compellent expert on staff

Services:

Dell Compellent Copilot Support

Dell Compellent Copilot Support delivers proactive, comprehensive 24x7 technical support that covers the entire storage infrastructure. Operating out of a state-of-the-art U.S. call center, Dell Compellent Copilot engineers continuously monitor system performance and alert customers of potential issues. Dell Compellent Copilot Support provides:

• 24x7 access to highly trained Dell Compellent Copilot Support engineers.
• Priority or next business day on-site* response by Dell Compellent-certified technicians.
• Priority, next business day or UPS ground delivery of replacement parts.
• Real-time storage system monitoring via integrated PhoneHome technology.

Dell Compellent Copilot Support enables you to choose the right level of phone support, on-site support and parts delivery for your unique business needs. Every call is answered by a highly trained Copilot engineer, who takes ownership of the entire storage infrastructure, including third-party technology partner products.

Speed of Response	Protection	Premium Proactive
Call Center: Immediate — Perfect for enterprise storage environments where immediate phone assistance by a highly trained support engineer is a must to speed issue resolution and avoid unplanned downtime. On-Site: Priority or Next Business Day — Choose from Priority (4/8/24-hour, depending on location) or next business day on-site response by a Dell Compellent-certified technician. Parts Delivery: Priority or Next Business Day — Choose from Priority (4/8/24-hour, depending on location) or next business day parts delivery. UPS ground shipping also available.	Data Management and Protection Warranty protection of hardware components. Software Subscription includes perpetual software licensing for patches, updates and releases; only incur additional fees when adding new functionality or more capacity. Live Volume Data Migration provides online migration of data to new disk drives and/or enclosures without downtime or disruption.	PhoneHome — Provides enhanced proactive support capabilities through: Real-time remote monitoring of system capacity and performance. Automatic capacity threshold alerts. Proactive calls from Copilot engineer to notify customer of possible issues. Dell Compellent Copilot Optimize — Through the personal assistance of a Dedicated Support Expert, we help you improve system utilization and performance with proactive reviews, health checks and evaluations, as well as advanced configuration and software support.

Feature	Dell Compellent Copilot Support
Support Options	24x7 Support, Priority Response	24x7 Support, Next Business Day Response	24x7 Support, Call Center Only
Call Center Support	24x7 Support Center	24x7 Support Center	24x7 Support Center
On-Site Response	Priority (4-, 8- or 24-hour)	Next Business Day	—
Parts Delivery	Priority (4-, 8- or 24-hour)	Next Business Day	UPS Ground
Software Releases	Perpetual Software Licensing	Perpetual Software Licensing	Perpetual Software Licensing
PhoneHome Technology	24x7 Monitoring & Response	24x7 Monitoring & Response	24x7 Monitoring & Response

Dell Compellent Services

Dell Services storage experts go beyond everyday administration to help you improve the performance and utilization of your Compellent Storage Center system. The Dell Compellent Services portfolio provides system installation and implementation, as well as training. From disaster recovery planning to physical relocation, the Dell Services team is available to provide professional assistance when you need it.

• Dell Compellent Deployment. Implement fast. Implement correctly. Implement once. No need for your IT staff to spend time researching correct processes and advanced configuration task sequences, or purchasing the correct tools. We can reduce costs and relieve your IT department of the time consuming implementation tasks that otherwise divert valuable IT resources from business critical activities. 
  
  We bring two unmatched values to every implementation: deep knowledge of our products and broad experience deploying them. We do 1000’s of deployments every year across the globe, in just about every type of customer environment. From this vast experience we have acquired best practices that are integrated into our processes. As a result we are very well aware of what undocumented activity must occur to avoid mistakes. In addition to doing it right the first time, we rarely encounter situations or issues for which we are not prepared. So, you can be confident your new Dell Compellent storage system is installed properly, configured per the design specifications and that your data is migrated safely from your legacy storage system without disrupting operations or end-users.

• Dell Compellent Training. Our Administration and Management and Advanced Instructor-led courses are designed to help you understand how to manage and maintain your Storage Center on an ongoing basis to ensure efficient utilization and continuous availability. These courses are led by our knowledgeable storage experts who will guide you through hands-on exercises to ensure you gain the necessary skills to maximize your Storage Center performance.
  
  Dell Education Services trains over 10,000 individuals a year for companies and organizations just like yours. We are committed to offering essential courses and programs with options to fit your unique needs. We create a wide array of training plans that work for you ranging from convenient online self-paced training, to Live Distance Learning which allows you to virtually be in the classroom with a live instructor while sitting in front of your own computer, to hands-on instructor-led classroom training offered at various sites or at the convenience of your location.

Dell Storage Consulting Services

Storage Consulting from Dell helps customers develop transformational strategies to meet their complex Data Management business needs. By engaging Dell, customers can optimize the way that data is stored, protected and managed, allowing customers to free up valuable resources, budget, and time. Here are just some of the areas with which we can assist you:

• The consolidation of storage infrastructure within one/multiple data centers
• The optimization of storage infrastructure for virtual environments
• The development and adoption of data protection processes or improvement of backup operational processes
• The classification and categorization of data for storage tiering
• The planning, design and implementation of an IT Disaster Recovery plan or simply Data Disaster Recovery

Documentation:

Dell Compellent Storage Controllers Datasheet (.PDF)