Dell PowerVault MD1200 Direct Attached Storage
Versatile, high-capacity direct-attached storage array

Overview:

The Dell PowerVault™ MD1200 direct-attached storage array is the second generation of our low-cost, high-capacity expansion enclosure that improves density, versatility, and performance to enhance support for mainstream and capacity-intensive applications.

Dell PowerVault™ MD1200 direct-attached storage array offers versatility and high-capacity storage for mainstream applications, with optimal performance in sequential (streaming) applications.

• Seamless server expansion for 6Gb/s SAS environments
• Supports mainstream and capacity-intensive applications such as email, backup to disk and video streaming
• Deployment and drive versatility good for investment protection and data tiering

At a Glance

Dell PowerVault MD1200 direct-attached storage array offers versatility and high-capacity storage for mainstream applications, with optimal performance in sequential (streaming) applications.

Expansion for Mainstream and Capacity-Intensive Single Server Applications

Dell PowerVault MD1200 direct-attached storage array is the second generation of Dell's low-cost, high-capacity expansion enclosure that improves density, versatility and performance over previous generation to enhance support for mainstream and capacity-intensive applications.

The PowerVault MD1200 offers seamless expansion for Dell PowerEdge servers with the PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter and provides you with the most drive flexibility of any Dell direct-attach storage arrays.

Easily Expand Your Server Capacity: The PowerVault MD1200 is engineered to seamlessly expand the capacity of Dell PowerEdge servers. This expansion array can support twelve, 3.5- or 2.5-inch SAS hard-disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs)1 in a 2U array and expands up to 8 arrays behind a single PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter.

Versatility and Flexibility to Meet Most Business Needs: The PowerVault MD1200 is Dell's most versatile direct-attached storage array. Featuring support for 2.5 inch drives, as well as the ability to mix 2.5-inch1 and 3.5-inch enclosures behind a single PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter, PowerVault MD1200 delivers capacity and performance to support most customer deployments.

Support the Business, No Matter the Need

The PowerVault MD1200 supports most mainstream business requirements with added flexibility and versatility to mix 2.5-inch drives in a 3.5-inch enclosure and mix 2.5- and 3.5-inch enclosures behind a single PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter.

	This offers customers the ability to support mainstream, capacity-intensive and performance-intensive applications in a single storage solution. This flexibility makes it easy to tier your data by matching your data requirements and drive characteristics to maximize the efficiency of your storage solution.
	Support for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives in PowerVault MD1200. Additionally, customers can mix 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch enclosures behind a single PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter
	Mix and Match 7.2K (Nearline), 10,000 and 15,000 RPM SAS Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) with Solid State Drives (SSD). This includes SAS HDDs that support SED (Self-Encrypting Drive) technology.

Keeping Your Data Safe

Access and accuracy of your data are key to the success of any business. The PowerVault MD1200 has been engineered to help maximize your uptime and security of your data.

	Redundant Path with I/O Load Balancing: You can rest assured that your data will be available when you need it. Even if a single cable path fails from one port of the PERC H800, you will continue to have access to your data through the second port.
	Self-Encrypting Drives (SED): Self-encrypting drives help to ensure that your data is secure with drive-level encryption, so, even if a drive is removed from its storage system or the server in which it is housed, the data on the drive is encrypted and rendered useless to anyone who attempts to access it without the appropriate security authorization. Additionally, SED supports instant secure erase of drives, which permanently removes data when repurposing or decommissioning drives.
	Hot-Swappable Drives: With hot-swappable drives, you can remove and replace drives even when your system is operating. No need to shut down, and no need to reboot: New drives are available right away.

Leveraging the PERC H800 RAID Controller

The PowerVault MD1200 leverages the PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter with the latest PCI Express 2.0 interface, offering excellent performance for enterprise.

• The configuration of the PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter helps to increase reliability and fault tolerance by enabling the software to recognize the entire array as a single unit, regardless of how many disks are activated for storage in the array. With the PERC H800, customers can choose the RAID option that supports their application. The PERC H800 supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60.
• Dell PowerVault MD1200 storage array is engineered to work optimally with Dell PowerEdge servers. Dell OpenManage™ Storage Manager Software can manage both the external array and internal storage within the server itself.
• Streamlining storage management through a single, common interface helps reduce resource load on the system, and is easier to navigate for the user as well. The PowerVault MD1200 utilizes the same 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives as 11th Generation PowerEdge servers, and the same power supplies and fans as the PowerVault MD1220, helping to reduce the number of spares required.
• The PowerVault MD1220 is supported behind the following servers: R210,T310,T410,R410,R510,R610,T610,R710,T710,R910,R810. See PERC H800 server compatability matrix for a list of currently supported servers.

Key Benefits:

Simple and versatile server expansion

The PowerVault MD1200 offers seamless expansion for Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers with the PERC H800 HostRAID adapter and gives customers the most drive flexibility of any of Dell's direct-attached storage arrays.

• Easily expand your server capacity: This expansion array can support twelve 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SAS HDDs and SAS SSDs in a 2U array and expands up to 8 arrays behind a single PERC H800 HostRAID adapter.
• Versatility and flexibility to meet most business needs: With the ability to mix 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch enclosures behind a single PERC H800 HostRAID adapter and support for 2.5-inch drives2, PowerVault MD1200 delivers capacity and performance to support most customer deployments.

Keeping up with business needs

The PowerVault MD1200 offers customers the ability to support mainstream, capacity-intensive, and performance-intensive applications in a single storage solution. This flexibility makes it easy to tier your data by matching your data requirements and drive characteristics. The following features maximize the efficiency of your storage solution:

• Support for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives in PowerVault MD1200.
• Ability to mix 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch enclosures behind a single PERC H800 HostRAID adapter.
• Ability to mix and match 7.2K (nearline), 10K, and 15K RPM SAS Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) with Solid State Drives (SSDs). This includes SAS HDDs that support Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) technology.

Keeping your data safe

Access and accuracy of data is key to success for any business. The PowerVault MD1200 has been engineered to maximize uptime and the security of your data.

• Redundant Path with I/O Load Balancing: Even if a single cable path fails from one port of the PERC H800, you will continue to have access to your data through the second port.
• Self Encrypting Drives (SED): With drive-level encryption, if a drive is removed from its storage system or the server it is housed in, the data on that drive is encrypted and useless to anyone who attempts to access it without the appropriate security authorization. Additionally, SED supports Instant Secure Erase of drives which permanently removes data when repurposing or decommissioning drives.
• Hot Swappable Drives: With hot swappable drives, you can remove and replace drives even when your system is operating; no need to turn it off and no need to reboot—new drives are available right away.

Affinity with PowerEdge

The Dell PowerVault MD1200 storage array is engineered to work optimally with Dell PowerEdge™ servers, utilizing the PERC H800 HostRAID adapter, Dell OpenManage™ Storage Manager, and common components, as follows:

• The configuration of the PERC H800 enables the software to recognize all storage as a single unit, helping to increase reliability and fault tolerance.
• Dell OpenManage Storage Manager software can manage both the external array and internal storage, streamlining storage management through a single, common interface. This helps reduce resource load on the system, and enables easier navigation for the user.
• The PowerVault MD1200 leverages the same 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives as 11G PowerEdge servers and the same power supplies and fans as the PowerVault MD1220, reducing the cost of spares.

Product Views:

Front View

Front Open (12 Drives) View

Rear View

Versatile Storage Array Get support for a variety of business needs with the ability to mix 2.5 inch drives in a 3.5 inch enclosure.	Redundant and Reliable Dual-port controllers for redundant path, redundant power supplies and fans.
Energy-effient storage 2.5" drives, variable-speed fans and 80PLUS Silver Certified power supplies - ideal for energy-conscious customers.	Supports Future Growth Expand up to 96 drives behind a PERC H800 Host-RAID adapter.

Technical Specifications:

PowerVault MD1200
Features
PERC H800	PCI-E 2.0 Host-RAID adapter with two external x4 SAS ports, standard 512MB cache and TBBU (transportable battery-backup unit)
Drives	Up to twelve (12) hot-pluggable SAS Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) at 7.2K, 10K, and 15K rpm and SAS Solid State Drives (SSDs)
Drive Performance and Capacities	2.5" SAS HDDs in 3.5" carrier, 10,000 RPM 6Gb/s SAS drives available in 300GB and 600GB 2.5" SAS SSDs in 3.5" carrier, 3Gb/s SSD available in 149GB
Maximum Capacity (per enclosure)	24TB using twelve (12) 2TB 7,200 RPM 6Gb/s SAS disk drives
Expansion Capabilities	PERC H800 HostRAID adapter enables expansion to 8 enclosures (4 enclosures per port)
Host Connectivity
Unified Mode	Unified mode (single path) for daisy chaining of up to 8 enclosures per PERC H800 (4 enclosures per port, single path) Unified mode (recommended redundant path) for daisy chaining up to 4 enclosures per PERC H800 (4 enclosures connected to both ports via redundant path cabling)
Split-Mode/Dual-Host Access	Split mode with dual Enclosure Management Modules providing direct connectivity to drives 0 though 5 and a separate connectivity to drives 6 through 11
Enclosure Management Modules and RAID levels
Enclosure Management Modules (EMM)	2 EMM provide redundant enclosure management capability
RAID Levels	PERC H800 supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60
Back-Panel Connectors (per EMM)
Host Connectivity	1 SAS (SFF 8088) IN connector for connection to the host
Expansion Connectivity	1 SAS (SFF 8088) OUT connector for expansion to an additional enclosure
Service Management	1 6-pin UART mini-DIN connector (for factory use only)
Power Supplies (per supply)
Wattage	600 W
Maximum Heat Dissipation	188 W
Input Voltage Range	100-240 VAC, auto-sensing
Frequency Range	50/60 Hz
Amperage	8.6 A at 100 V, 4.3 A at 240 V
Available Hard Drive Power (per slot)
Supported Continuous Consumption	up to 1.16 A at +5V up to 1.6 A at +12V
Physical
Height x Width x Depth	8.7cm (3.39 inches) x 48.2cm (18.8 inches) x 59.4cm (23.17 inches)
Weight	28.39 kg (62.6 lb) (maximum configuration) 8.84 kg (19.5 lb) (empty)
Environmental
Temperature	Operating: 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F) with maximum temperature gradation of 10°C per hour Storage: -40° to 65°C (-40° to 149°F) with temperature gradation of 20°C per hour
Relative Humidity	Operating: 8% to 85% (non-condensing) with maximum humidity gradation of 10% per hour Storage: 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
Altitude	Operating: -16 to 3048 m (-50 to 10,000 ft) Storage: -16 to 10,600 m (-50 to 35,000 ft)

¹Based on testing performed by Dell Labs in comparing Dell PERC H800 with PowerVault MD1220 to PERC 6/E with PowerVault MD1120.

Services:

Having the right backup solution is key to protecting your critical information. So is having the right support. Dell ProSupport™ is a portfolio of globally consistent, customer-driven support services that provides businesses of all sizes with flexible, reliable and easier support solutions.

Dell ProSupport starts with the Dell ProSupport for IT service model designed for IT professionals like you. Dell ProSupport for IT provides:

• 24x7 Direct access to Dell Expert Centers
• Fast-track dispatch for Dell certified technicians
• Escalation management through Dell’s Global Command Centers

Next, Dell ProSupport Options align to the way you use technology — rapidly responding to your needs, protecting your investment, productivity and sensitive data, and providing enhanced proactive support services to reduce the risk and complexity of managing your infrastructure.

Speed of Response	Protection	Premium Proactive
Mission Critical — Perfect for server and storage environments where avoiding unplanned downtime and reducing recovery time through priority response are a must. The package includes priority 4-hour on-site2 service or optional 2-hour response with 6-hour hardware repair, Dell's proven Critical Situation process and emergency dispatch.	Keep Your Hard Drive — Enables you to control your sensitive data by retaining your hard drive and helps you comply with current data privacy regulations to help mitigate risks associated with regulatory or civil liabilities.	Enterprise-Wide Contract — Provides enhanced proactive capabilities through: Designated Service Delivery Manager Performance benchmarking and custom reporting Planning and assessments Proactive Maintenance — Maximizes the availability and stability of your infrastructure proactively. The package includes a detailed system assessment and implementation of driver or firmware updates and upgrades for your server or storage systems.  Remote Advisory Options —Provides telephone and Internet access to technical expertise for specialized applications and solutions such as Microsoft® Exchange, Virtualization and more.
Basic Hardware Warranty
Basic Support Ideal for nonessential application environments. This service offers business-hour, phone-based support* for hardware-only issues with Next Business Day On-Site Service following completion of phone-based troubleshooting.
Additional Service Offerings
Comprehensive Storage Training and Certification Through comprehensive storage training courses, Dell provides expertise in implementing Dell storage into an existing IT infrastructure. If you are interested in validating or maintaining your skill sets for company compliance, the Dell Certified Network Storage Networking Professional Certification path is available. Storage Consolidation Our storage experts analyze existing infrastructure, operational practices and technical readiness to develop a roadmap for conducting a storage consolidation. They will also develop a detailed consolidation deployment plan as well as a validated and refined solution design.

Dell PowerVault MD Storage Arrays Compare:

Dell PowerVault MD 3200/3600/1200 Series of storage arrays simplify IT by optimizing your data storage architecture and insuring the availability of your data. This frees up valuable resources to help reduce costs and make innovation a daily practice. Managing the relentless growth of application data can strain IT organizations, whose strategic roles have expanded even in the face of contracting budgets. The Dell PowerVault MD 3200/3600/1200 Series of storage arrays address these challenges with versatile solutions that are optimized for smaller-scale storage consolidation, flexible virtualization projects and high business continuity. The PowerVault MD 3200/3600/1200 Series includes high-performance SAN and direct-attached storage arrays, high-capacity expansion enclosures and robust management software that together deliver exceptional flexibility, scalability and value. To help suit your particular business requirements, MD 3200/3600 Series arrays offer iSCSI, Fibre Channel or SAS technology.

 

	MD1200	MD1220	MD3200	MD3220	MD3200i
Drives	12	24	12	24	12
Max. Drives	96	192	96	96	96
Drive Type	3.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 3.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	2.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 2.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	3.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 3.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	2.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 2.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	3.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 3.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs
Max. Cache	Controller Dependent	Controller Dependent	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)
Host Interface	Two 6Gbps SAS	Two 6Gbps SAS	Eight x 6Gbps SAS (4 per controller)	Eight x 6Gbps SAS (4 per controller)	Eight x 1Gbps Ethernet (4 per controller)
Max. Hosts	Controller Dependent	Controller Dependent	8	8	32
Max. HA Hosts	Controller Dependent	Controller Dependent	4	4	32
Form Factor	2U	2U	2U	2U	2U
Management Software	OpenManage™ Storage Management	OpenManage™ Storage Management	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager
Optional Features	N/A	N/A	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-encrypting drives, High Performance Tier	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-encrypting drives, High Performance Tier	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-encrypting drives, High Performance Tier
Server Support	Dell PowerEdge only	Dell PowerEdge only	Dell servers	Dell servers	Industry-standard servers
OS Support	Controller Dependent	Controller Dependent	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer
	MD3220i	MD3600i	MD3620i	MD3600f	MD3620f
Drives	24	12	24	12	24
Max. Drives	96	96	96	96	96
Drive Type	2.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 2.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	3.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 3.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	2.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 2.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	3.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 3.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs	2.5-inch 6 Gbps SAS and NL SAS HDDs, 2.5-inch 3 Gbps SSDs
Max. Cache	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)	4GB (2GB per controller)
Host Interface	Eight x 1Gbps Ethernet (4 per controller)	Four x 10Gbps Ethernet (2 per controller)	Four x 10Gbps Ethernet (2 per controller)	Eight x 8Gb/s Fibre Channel (4 ports per controller)	Eight x 8Gb/s Fibre Channel (4 ports per controller)
Max. Hosts	32	64	64	64	64
Max. HA Hosts	32	64	64	64	64
Form Factor	2U	2U	2U	2U	2U
Management Software	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager	MD Storage Manager
Optional Features	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-Encrypting Drives, High Performance Tier	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-Encrypting Drives, High Performance Tier	Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-Encrypting Drives, High Performance Tier	Remote Replication, Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-Encrypting Drives, High Performance Tier	Remote Replication, Snapshot, Virtual Disk Copy, Self-Encrypting Drives, High Performance Tier
Server Support	Industry-standard servers	Industry-standard servers	Industry-standard servers	Industry-standard servers	Industry-standard servers
OS Support	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer	Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V Citrix XenServer

Documentation:

Dell PowerVault MD1200 Datasheet (.PDF)

Dell PowerVault MD Family Brochure Datasheet (.PDF)