Dell PowerVault MD3200 SAS Storage Array
Exceptional Performance, Flexibility and Scalability

Overview:

The Dell PowerVault MD3200 series of storage arrays is a high-performance 6Gb shared storage solution providing high availability data access. As the next generation of our directly connected shared Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) arrays, this series offers exceptional flexibility and scalability and is ideal for consolidating up to four servers in clustered or virtualized environments. The PowerVault MD3200 array is well suited for deployments where cost per GB is a key requirement.

The PowerVault™ MD3200 series arrays are a dedicated, high-availability (HA), next-generation shared-storage arrays designed to offer superior performance and capacity for storage consolidation. This helps simplify server virtualization, deployment flexibility and scalability. 

• Maximize performance with 6 Gb/s serial-attached SCSI (SAS), 2GB cache per controller and solid-state drive (SSD) support.
• Choose from available single and dual controller models.
• Mix and match drives to create a tiered-storage environment.
• Scale up as you grow, supporting a base configuration of 120 hard drives, with an optional upgraded up to 192 hard drives.

High-Performance, Flexibility and Scalability

The PowerVault MD3200 are Dell next-generation of directly connected shared serial attached SCSI (SAS) arrays, and are qualified for Microsoft Hyper-V™, Citrix XenServer and VMware virtual environments. Reference the hardware support matrix for more details.

Move Up in Performance

MD3200 SAS arrays deliver an exceptional price/performance ratio, offering unmatched value in a dedicated shared-storage solution.

• 6 Gb/s SAS doubles the throughput capability compared to the previous generation of Dell™ SAS.
• Four SAS ports and 2GB cache per controller ensure peak system performance for large database applications.
• Optional high-performance tier firmware enhancement helps boost performance even further.
• SSD support optimizes the system for the most demanding I/O (input/output) applications.
• Four times the base capacity over previous generation arrays.
• Six time capacity over previous generation with optional PFK for hard drives.

New Levels in Flexibility and Scalability

MD3200 SAS arrays enable you to mix and match components to create a tiered data environment.

• Directly connect up to eight non-HA-configured servers or four HA-configured servers to a single MD3200 storage system.
• Deploy up to a base total of 120 hard disk drives, with an option to upgrade to 192 hard drives, by simply plugging in PowerVault MD1200 and/or PowerVault MD1220 expansion enclosures behind the MD3200 arrays.
• Scale your system with a mix of both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch hard drives.

The PowerVault VMware vCenter Plug-In 5.0 support provides VMware administrators with powerful capabilities designed to increase their productivity and simplify their jobs.

The Plug-In is designed to monitor and manage the MD arrays used in conjunction with VMware virtualization software, allowing administrators to monitor and provision the storage subsystems they employ — with the ultimate goal of ensuring the performance and availability of the virtual infrastructure they are managing.

MD storage systems are certified for use in virtualized application environments with VMware ESX, Citrix XenServer and Microsoft Hyper-V™ software. Please see hardware support matrix for more details.

In addition, the MD series storage arrays support vSphere™ Storage APIs for Storage Awareness (VASA). This enables unprecedented coordination between vSphere/vCenter and storage arrays. It provides built-in storage insight in vCenter to support intelligent VM storage provisioning, bolster storage troubleshooting and enable new DRS-related use cases for storage.

System management is easy

The MD3200 arrays are managed by next-generation MD Storage Manager, an intuitive, easy-to-use client-based application. 

• Two different management paths offer easy user interaction, even for those with only a basic familiarity of storage systems.
• The enterprise window feature monitors multiple systems through a single interface.
• Wizard-based array management helps simplify the configuration process.
• Software detects and alerts you of any problems and launches an automatic recovery guru to help troubleshoot and resolve the issues.

Tested, validated and warranted to operate within the highest current temperature and humidity guidelines issued by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), the MD Family of arrays are capable of short-term, excursion-based operation in temperatures up to 113º F (45º C). By leveraging the thermal and reliability advantages engineered into this portfolio of equipment, customers are able to run data centers even warmer, helping reduce additional maintenance and infrastructure costs, while enabling lower overall energy consumption.

Go one step further.

Choose optional premium features for added peace of mind. With additional levels of data protection and availability, you can help reduce data loss and corruption as well as system downtime in case of a storage failure.

• Snapshots
  Point-in-time copies of data provide easy recovery for files accidentally altered or deleted.
• Virtual disk copy (VDC)
  Full, replicated copy of source data enables quick and seamless virtual disk relocation and disk-based backup and recovery.
• Self-encrypting drives (SEDs)
  Drive-level encryption renders data useless to unauthorized users, even if the drive has been removed from the enclosure.
• Instant Secure Erase
  Permanently and securely removes data when SEDs are repurposed or decommissioned.
• High-Performance Tier (HPT)
  Meet the most demanding performance requirements for your organization to remain productive and competitive.
• Additional Hard Drive Premium Feature Key
  Ability to add up to 192 hard drives providing additional capacity to the MD Series of arrays. 

Key Benefits:

A dedicated, high availability shared storage solution

The PowerVault MD3200/MD3220 series of arrays raises the bar for scalability and flexibility in the entry-level storage space. You can connect up to four high-availability servers or eight nonredundant servers for balanced performance in mixed virtualized workloads. MD3200 series arrays are ideal for Microsoft Hyper-V™ and VMware ESX virtual environments.

Support even the most performance-hungry applications

MD3200 series arrays deliver an exceptional price/performance ratio. 6Gb/s SAS doubles the throughput capability of previous generation SAS arrays. These arrays meet the demands of large database applications with:

• Increased processing capability
• Four SAS ports per controller
• High Performance Tier firmware upgrade to boost performance

MD3200 series arrays also support solid state drives (SSD) for the most demanding I/O applications.

Gain a new level of management efficiency

MD3200/MD3220 series arrays are managed by the advanced MD Storage Manager software, an intuitive, easy to use clientbased Java application. Designed for easy user interaction with the system no matter what your level of familiarity with storage systems, it offers two different management paths and features an enterprise window that monitors multiple systems through a single interface.

Wizard-based array management helps simplify the configuration process. MD Storage Manager detects and alerts you to problems, and launches an automatic Recovery Guru to help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem. It's simple—the expertise is built into the software.

The PowerVault vCenter plug-in and vSphere Storage APIs - Storage Awareness (VASA) provides VMware administrators with powerful capabilities designed to increase their productivity and simplify their jobs.

Deployment scalability and flexibility

Scale up. Mix and match drive types to create your optimum tiered data environment.

Scale Easily: Up to 8 servers in a non-HA configuration or 4 servers in a High Availability configuration can be directly connected to a single MD3200 storage system. Storage capacity can be expanded up to a base of 120 hard drives, with an option to grow to 192 hard drives. Scaling capacity is as simple as hot plugging in additional PowerVault MD1200 and/or PowerVault MD1220 expansion enclosures.

Mix and Match Drives: MD3200 arrays can hold up to twelve (12) 3.5 inch form factor hard drives and MD3220 arrays hold up to twenty-four (24) 2.5 inch drives. Both the MD1200 enclosure, which houses a total of twelve 3.5" hard drives, and the MD1220 enclosure, which houses a total of twenty-four 2.5" drives, can be added behind MD3200 series arrays, enabling you to mix 3.5" and 2.5" drives in the same array. This flexibility enables data tiering for optimizing system performance.

Optional data protection

Snapshots: Take point-in-time snapshots of data for backup and other operations. The MD3200 series supports up to 16 snapshots per virtual disk and a total of 256 snapshots per system. Snapshot scheduler and Snapshot Rollback are features included in the Premium Feature Key providing additional data availability.

Virtual Disk Copy (VDC): Make exact, point-in-time full replications of existing virtual disks for decision support and software development testing. Reads and writes are supported while doing a virtual copy.

Self-encrypting Drives (SEDs): SEDs encrypt everything written to the drive and de-crypt everything read from the drive. Once an SED is secured, it becomes "locked" and unreadable by unauthorized persons if the drive is ever removed from the array.

Additional hard drives Premium Feature Key

Ability to add up to 192 hard drives providing additional capacity to the MD Series of arrays.

Product Views:

Front View

Front Open (12 Drives) View

Active RAID controllers Choose single or dual controllers, each with 2GB of battery-backed cache and four 6 Gb/s SAS ports controller.	Implement tiered-storage solutions Mix 3.5" and 2.5" SAS, near-line SAS and solid-state drives to optimize your SAN.
Energy-efficient storage Lower power consumption with 80PLUS Silver Certified pwoer supplies, variable-speed fans and low-power 2.5" drives.	Scale up as you grow Expand capacity, up to 96 HDDs or SSDs, with MD1200 and MD1220 expansion enclosures.

Technical Specifications:

	PowerVault MD3200	PowerVault MD3220
Features
Hard Disk Drives	Up to twelve (12) 3.5 inch SAS, Near-line SAS and SSD drives	Up to twenty-four (24) 2.5 inch SAS, Near-line SAS and SSD drives
3.5" Drive Performance and Capacities	15,000 RPM SAS drives available in 300GB, 450GB and 600GB 7,200 RPM Near-line SAS drives available in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 3TB
2.5" Drive Performance and Capacities	15,000 RPM SAS drives available in 73GB and 146GB 10,000 RPM SAS drives available in 146GB and 300GB 7,200 RPM Near-line SAS drives available in 500GB Solid State Drive (SSD) available in 149GB (available in 3.5" HDD carriers)
Expansion Capabilities	Expand up to a base of 120 hard drives with an optional Premium Feature Key to scale up to 192 total drives using MD1200 and/or MD1220 expansion enclosures
Host Connectivity
Single Controller Models	Supports up to 4 servers directly connected
Dual Controller Models	Supports up to 8 servers directly connected in a non-HA configuration or 4 servers in a HA configuration
Storage Controllers and RAID Levels
Storage Controllers	Each controller contains 2GB of battery-backed cache Dual controllers operate in an active-active environment mirroring each other's cache Cache protection is provided via flash memory for permanent data protection
RAID Levels	Support for RAID levels 0, 1, 10, 5, 6 Up to 120 physical disks per group in RAID 0, 1, 10 Up to 30 physical disks per group in RAID 5, 6 Up to 512 virtual disks
Array Management and Optional Premium Features
Array Management	2nd generation Modular Disk Storage Manager Multi-path software provides failover management of redundant data paths between the server and storage array
Optional Premium Features	Snapshots: Up to 16 snap shots per virtual disk and 256 per system Snapshots Plus Virtual Disk Copy: Up to 16 simultaneous virtual disk copies High Performance Tier firmware upgrade increases array IO and throughput performance Additional Hard Drives - capacity up to 192 hard drives
Back-Panel Connectors (per controller)
Host Connectivity	Four x4 6Gb SAS (SFF8088 mini connector)
Expansion Connectivity	One x4 6Gb SAS (SFF8088 mini connector)
Remote Management	One RJ-45 1Gb Ethernet
Service Management	One PS/2 Serial
LED Indicators
Front Panel	1 two-color LED indicator for system status, 1 single-color LED indicator for power, 1 LED unused in this system
Hard Drive Carrier	1 single-color activity LED, 1 two-color LED status indicator per drive
Storage Controller	1 one-color LED power indicator, 1 one-color LED controller fault indicator, 1 one-color LED controller identifier, 1 one-color LED cache activity indicator, 1 one-color LED battery fault indicator
Power Supply/Cooling Fan Module	3 one-color LED status for AC status, DC status and power supply cooling fan fault
Power Supplies (per supply)
Wattage	600 W peak output
Maximum Heat Dissipation	150 W
Input Voltage Range	90 to 264 VAC
Frequency Range	47 to 63 Hz
Maximum Input Current at Rated Power	55 A for 10ms or less, 25 A for 10-150ms
Available Hard Drive Power (per slot)
Supported Continuous Consumption	3.5" drive: 25 Watts 2.5" drive: 12 Watts
Physical
Height x Width x Depth	8.68cm (3.42") x 44.63cm (17.57") x 56.1cm (22.09")	8.68cm (3.42") x 44.63cm (17.57") x 50.8cm (20")
Weight	29.3kg (64.59 lbs.) (maximum configuration)	24.2kg (53.35 lbs.) (maximum configuration)
Environmental
Expanded Temperature Operating Range	Continuous Operation: 10C to 35C, 10% to 80% relative humidity (RH) with a 26C max dew point. De-rate maximum allowable dry bulb temperature at 1°C/300 meters above 900 meters (1 degree F per 550 feet) 10% of annual operating hours: 5C to 40C, 5% to 85%RH with a 26C max dew point. For temperatures between 35 and 40C, de-rate maximum allowable dry bulb temperature 1°C/175 meters above 950 meters (1 degree F per 319 feet)
Relative Humidity	1% of annual operating hours: -5C to 45C, 5% to 90%RH, with a 26C max dew point. For temperatures between 40 and 45C, de-rate maximum allowable dry bulb temperature 1°C/125 meters above 950 meters (1 degree F per 228 feet)
Altitude	Operating: -16 to 3048 m (-50 to 10,000 ft) Note: For altitudes above 2950 feet, the maximum operating temperature is de-rated 1°F/550 ft.

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. Backup and Recovery To sustain the continued operation of your storage solution, you should engineer availability, security and reliability into every process from the outset. Dell can provide backup and recovery solutions that help ensure adequate procedures are in place to minimize or avoid data loss. 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 MD3200/MD3220 Datasheet (.PDF)

Dell PowerVault MD Family Brochure Datasheet (.PDF)