Dell EMC SC5020 Storage Array
Accelerate workloads, automate savings

Overview:

Self-optimizing SSD, HDD or hybrid configurations provide an affordable high-performance solution for mixed application environments.

Accelerate your workloads, automate your savings

SC Series Hybrid arrays take the guesswork out of storage economics with a modern architecture that optimizes your data center for cost-savings while delivering transformational SSD, HDD or tiered performance.

SC is an integrated portfolio of array models that work together to give companies of all sizes the technology advantage they need to compete in today’s volatile markets. From affordable entry solutions offering the lowest effective $/GB1 , to large arrays providing over 2 million maximum IOPS and 6PB raw capacity2 , SC has the power to take you from where you are now to where you want to go.

Highlights include:

• Advanced auto-tiering – Achieve IOPS goals with the least expensive mix of storage media, even as performance needs evolve. Data Progression and RAID tiering eliminate manual provisioning and help your storage adapt to the unique requirements of each workload.
• Deduplication & Compression – Dramatically reduces the raw capacity required to store your data
• Multi-array Federation – Gives you freedom to make fast changes without interrupting applications and users
• World-class deployment & support options – From intuitive customer-installable solutions, to expert onsite and remote professional services, SC Series has what it takes to ensure your installation goes right the first time.

Respond to changing requirements

Self-optimizing SC arrays auto-tune your environment for day-to-day and long-term success, helping you stay agile in an unpredictable future. Based on real-time usage monitoring and application performance demands, patented SC Data Progression continually adjusts multiple drive tiers and RAID levels for maximum efficiency.

By default, all new data is written to the fastest Tier 1 drives at RAID 10 speeds, then converted to economical RAID 5/6 (on the same drives) for subsequent reads. As data ages, it’s moved to less expensive storage until it becomes more active again. Data is precisely where it’s needed, when it’s needed – the perfect combination of high IOPs and cost savings.

FEDERATE the combined performance and capacity of up to 10 arrays

Thanks to a built-in “storage hypervisor” capability, multiple heterogeneous SC Series models can be grouped in federated clusters under unified management. Need to move a volume to another array? Included Live Migrate makes it click-simple, keeping workloads online and preserving snapshot and replication relationships throughout the move. Volume Advisor offers ongoing load balancing guidance, suggesting the best initial data locations, then alerting you with optimization recommendations over time.

Always available storage

SC Series Live Volume also keeps workloads running during unexpected outages and disasters with non-disruptive autofailover between synchronized volumes on local and remote arrays. This service guards vital business operations 24/7, helps you achieve “Zero RTO/RPO” goals, and even auto-repairs your high-availability environment when a downed array comes back online.

Rich feature set protects your investment

Despite remarkably low entry and lifecycle costs, SC Series offers a comprehensive range of advanced features and integrations to ensure your array continues to add value, even as the business grows and matures.

• Powerful native management tools – New Unisphere HTML5 Web UI lets you configure SC quickly with no software installation required. Just point your browser from any mobile device to accomplish most day-to-day tasks. Popular DSM (Dell Storage Manager) client application is still available for advanced management.
• CloudIQ – Free cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) suite provides predictive analytics, categorized alerts, remediation recommendations and a convenient dashboard to monitor the health of your SC environment.
• Dynamic Capacity – Pervasive “thin methods” allocate capacity exclusively on demand.
• Thin snapshots – Records changes only, preserved automatically when you move data within a federation.
• Thin clones – Create virtually unlimited volume copies for VDI or Test/Dev, without consuming additional space.
• Replication – Sync/async, single-hop, multi-hop (chained), 1-to-many mixed topology, deduped for efficiency.
• Multi-protocol network support – Flexible FC and iSCSI connections, up to 33,000 MB/s bandwidth per array.
• Native application recovery tools – Replay Manager ensures reliable application consistent snapshots of Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) enabled applications (Exchange, SQL Server and Hyper-V) and VMware virtual machines (VMs). Recover more quickly from farther back in time, with lower risk of human error.
• Chargeback – Simplifies budgeting by calculating storage costs for individual applications and departments.
• Distributed sparing – 500% faster rebuilds,5 eliminates need for dedicated spares, use all drives for I/O
• Persistent software licensing – Never pay twice for the same software, minimizes cost of upgrades
• PS Series (EqualLogic) integration – Unified management and cross-platform replication lets you combine two array platforms in a single solution.
• QoS (Quality of Service), Multi-VLAN tagging, SED Encryption, VVOLS, and more…

Trusted, enterprise-class solution

And of course SC Series is backed by the #1 market leader in flash, and the #1 leader in storage overall. Dell EMC products are ubiquitous in data centers around the world -- and you get the benefit of all that technology and business expertise!

• World-class services options – Choose from a range of comprehensive deployment and support options, including ProSupport, ProDeploy, and new Optimize Services. Our renowned team can reduce deployment costs, accelerate time to completion, and even monitor your environment to fix problems before they occur.
• Dell EMC hardware/software support – SC Hybrid arrays support popular Dell EMC products including PowerPath, ViPR, VPLEX, AppSync, RecoverPoint, Connectrix, Data Domain and more.
• Broad 3rd-party integration – Dell EMC has deep relationships with the ecosystem and application leaders that matter to you. VMware, Microsoft, Oracle, OpenStack, IBM, CommVault, VERITAS, Foglight and more.

Features:

Crank up the performance, crank down the cost

SC5020 makes storage cost savings automatic with a modern architecture that optimizes your data center for economics while delivering transformational SSD, HDD or hybrid performance. 

SC Series provides the lowest effective price/GB for flash and hybrid flash*, giving companies of any size the technology advantage they need to compete in today’s fast-changing markets. Highlights include:

• Data Progression – Achieve IOPS goals with the least expensive mix of storage media, even as performance needs evolve
• Deduplication & Compression – Dramatically reduce the raw capacity required to store your data
• RAID tiering – Eliminate manual provisioning, increase efficiency and utilization
• Federation – Simplify multi-array environments with quick and seamless data movement, plus proactive load balancing assistance via Live Migrate and Volume Advisor
• ProSupport Services – Reduce deployment costs with remote installation options that ensure your project goes right the first time.
• Persistent software licensing – Future-proof your investment, minimize the cost of upgrades and expansions

All-new hardware platform

Designed as the next-generation successor to the popular SC4020 array, SC5020 is a performance powerhouse. With dual 8-core Intel processors, 4x more memory and a 12Gb SAS back end, the SC5020 delivers

• Up to 45% more IOPs*
• Up to 3X higher bandwidth (GB/sec)*
• 2X greater max capacity

The new 3U “all-in-one” chassis includes 30 drive bays plus dual hot-swappable controllers, providing up to 460TB raw capacity in a single compact unit. A variety of expansion enclosures lets you scale over 2PB* per array – with even larger scale-out potential in federated multi-array systems.

But the advantages don’t stop with fast hardware. SC5020 includes all the Storage Center Operating System (SCOS) features you’ve come to expect from SC Series storage.

Intelligent advantage for modern workloads

Based on actual use and application performance requirements, SC Series Data Progression dynamically tunes multiple drive tiers and manages RAID levels for performance and cost savings. By default, all new data is written to fastest Tier 1 drives at RAID 10 performance levels, then converted to economical RAID 5/6 (on the same drives) for subsequent reads.

As data ages, it’s moved to less expensive storage until it becomes more active again. Data is precisely where it’s needed, when it’s needed – the perfect combination of high IOPs and cost savings.

Reliable SC Series investment protection

Despite its low initial and lifecycle costs, SC5020 includes all the advanced tools and integrations you need to be sure your array continues to provide value as your business grows.

• Dell Storage Manager – Intuitive control and monitoring of one or multiple systems with powerful features like multi-hop replication, departmental “chargeback,” QoS, VVols support and more.
• Unisphere for SC, Unisphere Central – Convenient HTML 5 Web UI lets you manage one or multiple systems from your mobile device.
• CloudIQ – Cloud-based analytics and monitoring.
• Thin clones – Easily create thousands of discrete volume copies for VDI, test/dev and other applications, without consuming additional storage space.
• Data-at-rest encryption – Supports optional FIPS 140-2 certified self-encrypting drives (SEDs), auto-lock on power down or removal.
• Integration with PS Series (EqualLogic™) arrays — Unified management and bi-directional replication lets you combine two platforms in a single solution.
• Dell EMC ecosystem support – PowerPath, ViPR, VPLEX, RecoverPoint, Connectrix, Data Domain and more.
• Broad 3rd-party integration – VMware, Microsoft, Oracle, OpenStack, IBM, CommVault, VERITAS, Foglight and more.

4:1 All-Flash Storage Efficiency Guarantee

SC Series arrays are efficient in ANY configuration (all-flash, hybrid and HDD) – but we know many businesses are especially concerned about expense when deploying all-flash arrays. That’s why we’re taking the risk out of AFAs by guaranteeing 4:1 efficiency for all-flash SC configurations. Dell EMC promises our all-flash arrays will provide an effective logical storage capacity at least four times the physical capacity of your purchased drives – or we’ll give you more drives at no charge.*

Technical Specifications:

SC Hybrid	SCv3000 Series	SC5020	SC7020	SC9000
Chassis Overview
Rack size	3U	3U	3U	2U
Format	All-in-one unit (dual controllers, internal drive bays, network I/O) Additional capacity via optional expansion enclosures			Controller unit (includes network I/O, no internal drive capacity)
Internal storage capacity	30 x 2.5” drive bays			SCv3000: 16 x 3.5” bays SCv3020: 30 x 2.5” bays
Controllers	Dual hot-swappable per chassis (active/active)			Single controller per chassis, deploy in active/active pairs
Processors	1 per controller Intel Xeon E5-2603v4, 1.7GHz, 6 cores	1 per controller Intel Xeon E5-2630v3, 2.4GHz, 8 cores	2 per controller Intel Xeon E5-2628v3 2.5GHz, 8 cores	2 per controller Intel Xeon E5- 2667v3, 3.2GHz, 8 cores
System memory		64GB per controller 128GB per array	128GB per controller 256GB per array	256GB per controller 512GB per array
Operating system	SCOS 7.2 or higher	SCOS 7.2 or higher	SCOS 7.1 or higher	SCOS 6.7 or higher
Expansion Capacity
Max raw capacity	1PB	2.16PB	4PB	6PB
Maximum drive count	222	222	606	1024
Supported expansion enclosures	12Gb SAS SC400: 12 x 3.5” bays SC420: 24 x 2.5” bays SC460: 60 x 3.5” bays	12Gb SAS SC400: 12 x 3.5” bays SC420: 24 x 2.5” bays SC460: 60 x 3.5” bays	12Gb SAS SC400: 12 x 3.5” bays SC420: 24 x 2.5” bays SC460: 60 x 3.5” bays 6Gb SAS SC200: 12 x 3.5” bays SC220: 24 x 2.5” bays SC280: 84 x 3.5” bays	12Gb SAS SC400: 12 x 3.5” bays SC420: 24 x 2.5” bays SC460: 60 x 3.5” bays 6Gb SAS SC200: 12 x 3.5” bays SC220: 24 x 2.5” bays SC280: 84 x 3.5” bays
Storage media support	SAS, NL-SAS (different drive types, transfer rates and rotational speeds can be mixed in same system) SSD: Write-intensive and read-intensive drives HDD: 15K, 10K, 7.2K RPM
Network and Expansion I/O
Front-end-network protocols	FC, iSCSI, SAS (supports simultaneous multiprotocol: iSCSI + FC or iSCSI + SAS)		FC, iSCSI (supports simultaneous multiprotocol)
Max 32Gb FC ports	NA	8 per array (SFP+)	24 per array (SFP+)	32 per array (SFP+)
Max 16Gb FC ports	8 per array (SFP+)	8 per array (SFP+)	24 per array (SFP+)	40 per array (SFP+)
Max 100Gb iSCSI ports	NA	8 per array (QSFP28)	16 per array (SFP28)	12 per array (QSFP28)
Max 25Gb iSCSI ports	NA	8 per array (QSFP28)	16 per array (SFP28)	20 per array (SFP28)
Max 10Gb iSCSI ports	16 per array (SFP+ or BASE-T)	16 per array (SFP+ or BASE-T)	32 per array (SFP+ or BASE-T)	32 per array (SFP+ or BASE-T)
Max 12Gb SAS (front-end)	8 per array	8 per array	NA	NA
Management ports	2 per array (1Gb BASE-T)
Back-end expansion protocols	12Gb SAS		12Gb SAS (also supports 6Gb expansion)
Max back-end expansion ports	8	8	24	40
SC Hybrid	SCv3000 Series	SC5020	SC7020	SC9000
Functional & Performance
Array configurations	All-flash, all-HDD, or hybrid mix
Storage format	Native block (SAN)
Max SAN hosts	250	500	500	500
Max initiator ports	500	1000	1000	1000
Max LUN size	500TB	500TB	500TB	500TB
Max number of LUNs	1000	2000	2000	2000
Max number of snapshots	4096	8192	16,384	32,000
Max IOPS	665,000	1,025,000	1,200,000	2,220,000
Max IOPS (with latency <1ms)	540,000	818,000	1,050,000	2,085,000
Max IOPS (80% reads, 20% writes)	231,000	330,000	346,000	502,000
Max throughput (reads)	19,000 MB/s	19,000 MB/s	29,000 MB/s	33,000 MB/s
Max throughput (writes)	9,500 MB/s	9,500 MB/s	14,000 MB/s	19,000 MB/s
Data Optimization
Auto-tiering method	Policy-based migration based on real-time data usage, customizable 512KB-4MB page size.
Auto-tiering structure	Up to 3 primary (media-based) tiers total, up to 2 SSD tiers (write- and read-intensive SSDs)
RAID tiering	Auto-provisions and dynamically restripes multiple RAID levels on the same tier; eliminates need to pre-allocate RAID groups
Tiering customizations	User-defined profiles, option to “pin” volumes to any tier or RAID level
RAID support	RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, RAID 10, and RAID 10 DM (Dual Mirror); any combination of RAID levels can exist in single array
Thin provisioning	Active by default on all volumes, operates at full performance across all features
Thin snapshots	Records changes only, snapshots auto-migrate to lower-cost storage
Intelligent deduplication and compression	Compression only, selectable option per volume	Selectable option per volume “Deduplication + compression” mode “Compression-only” mode
Data Mobility and Migration
Replication	Heterogeneous arrays (SC Series any-to-any) Synchronous/Asynchronous via FC or iSCSI Target/source relationships may be one-to-many or many-to-one Supports all SC data services on source and target volumes Change replication types and topologies on demand Supports cross-platform replication with PS Series/EqualLogic arrays (either direction)
Volume mobility	Live Migrate (included in base product) enables host-transparent data movement among arrays; see also Federation section
Federated multi-array systems	Live Migrate (included in base product) enables host-transparent movement of volumes among arrays Snapshots maintained/preserved during migration
Thin Import	Space-efficient, non-disruptive data migration from PS Series (EqualLogic) and MD3 arrays
Thin Clones	Clone standalone volumes with zero duplication of data Clones maintain independent snapshots and replication Ideal for VDI, test/dev, other applications that require discrete instances of common data More efficient than dedupe for database copies
Data Protection, Disaster Recovery, Security
Business continuity	Live Volume bi-directional auto-failover, auto-repair Heterogeneous arrays (SC Series any-to-any, except SCv2000) Continuous operations, disaster recovery, disaster avoidance Includes third-site (tertiary) replication options with Live Volume Managed Replication Zero RTO/RPO with customizable site failover SLAs per volume VMware Metro Stretch Cluster, VMware Site Recovery Manager support
Thin snapshots	Records changes only, snapshots auto-migrate to lower-cost storage
Replay Manager	Application-consistent snapshots in Microsoft, VMware, Oracle environments
Data-at-rest encryption	Supports self-encrypting drives (SEDs) Full Disk Encryption (FCE) based on AES-256 Drives certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Key Management Server (KMS) options available for FIPS 140-2 Level 1, 2 and 3
External key manager support	Gemalto’s SafeNet KeySecure k460, SafeNet KeySecure k250, SafeNet KeySecure k150v Thales EMS 200
Management
Management interface	Browser-based (HTML 5) CloudIQ (cloud-based storage monitoring and analytics) Unisphere for SC (single-array element manager, no software installation required) Unisphere Central for SC (multi-array management) Client application Dell Storage Manager – Advanced multi-array, multi-site and cross-platform (PS Series) management
Federation	Create large multi-array systems under unified management, with seamless workload migration between arrays via included Live Migrate feature. Add arrays non-disruptively, efficiently utilizing their combined capacity and performance. Volume Advisor monitors federated arrays to suggest optimal data placement and load balancing. Volume movement does not impact snapshots or replication data protection. Federate like or unlike arrays, all SC models supported.
Scripting support	Microsoft PowerShell API RESTful API
Host OS support	Microsoft Windows Server, SLES, VMware, Citrix XenServer, RedHat	Microsoft Windows Server, Oracle Solaris, HP-UX, Oracle Linux, IBM AIX, Novell NetWare, SLES, Apple, HPTru64, VMware, Citrix XenServer, RedHat
Third-party application integrationt	VMware, Microsoft, IBM, OpenStack, Symantec, CommVault, Foglight, Docker
Data-in-place upgrades	NA	Transfer drives from SC4020 head unit and any expansions enclosures directly to new SC5020 or SC7020 system.	Transfer drives from SC4020 head unit and any expansions enclosures directly to new SC5020 or SC7020 system.	NA
Coexistence with PS Series arrays	Replication in either direction Day-to-day management from a single interface Thin import: space-efficient, non-disruptive data migration from PS Series arrays
Certifications	VMware vSphere Metro Storage Cluster, VMware SRM, Veritas Storage Foundations Suite, IBM VIOS Recognized, Oracle Validated Infrastructure (OVI); see Dell Storage Support Matrix for additional certifications and details
Reporting/alerts	Support assist (phone home), remote diagnostics and performance monitoring, automated alerts, reports and notifications, departmental chargeback
Firmware updates	Online, non-disruptive. Firmware may be set to download automatically, with option to trigger installation manually if desired.
Workload management	QoS, VVOLs
SC Hybrid	SCv3000 Series	SC5020	SC7020	SC9000
Physical
Rack size	3U	3U	3U	2U (single controller only)
Height	13.33 cm (5.25 inches)	13.33 cm (5.25 inches)	13.33 cm (5.25 inches)	8.73 cm (3.44 in)
Width	44.5 cm (17.52 inches)	44.5 cm (17.52 inches)	44.5 cm (17.52 inches)	8.73 cm (3.44 in)
Depth	78.5 cm (30.9 inches)	78.5 cm (30.9 inches)	78.5 cm (30.9 inches)	8.73 cm (3.44 in)
Weight at max configuration	24.22 kg (53.4 lb)	24.22 kg (53.4 lb)	24.22 kg (53.4 lb)	8.73 cm (3.44 in)
Weight empty	15.15 kg (33.4 lb)	15.15 kg (33.4 lb)	15.15 kg (33.4 lb)	8.73 cm (3.44 in)
Rack support	ReadyRails II static rails for tool-less mounting in 4-post racks with square or unthreaded round holes, or tooled mounting in 4-post threaded-hole racks
Power
Power/wattage	2 hot-swappable power supplies (1378W or 1485W options available, wattage type not interchangeable after point of sale)		2 hot-swappable 1485W power supplies	2 hot-swappable 1100W 80 PLUS Energy Star Platinum-certified power supplies
Maximum output power	1378W supply option: 1378 W 1485W supply option: 1485 W		1485 W	1100 W
Maximum input power	1378W supply option: 1584 W 1485W supply option: 1688 W		1688 W	1200 W
Maximum input current	1378W supply option: 16 A 1485W supply option: 8.8 A		8.8 A	12A
Maximum inrush current	55A for 10 ms or less		55A for 10 ms or less	25A for 10 ms or less
Nominal input voltage operating range	1378W supply option: 100-240 VAC 1485W supply option: 200-240 VAC		200-240 VAC	100-240 VAC
Nominal input frequency	50/60 Hz		50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz
Thermal output/heat dissipation (maximum)	1378W option: 5,770 BTU per hour 1485 option: 5,760 BTU per hour (all-in-one base appliance, no expansion enclosures)		5,760 BTU per hour (all-in-one base appliance, no expansion enclosures)	4,100 BTU per hour (per controller)
Environmental Operating Conditions
Operating temperature	50 - 95°F (10 - 35°C)			41 - 104°F (-5 - 40°C)
Non-operating temperature	-40 - 149°F (-40 - 65°C)			-40 - 149°F (-40 - 65°C)
Operating humidity ranges (non-condensing)	10% to 80% with 29°C (84.2°F) maximum dew point
Non-operating humidity (noncondensing)	5% to 95% with 33°C (91°F) maximum dew point
Inlet type	NEMA 5-15/CS22.2, n°42
Services, Warranties
Services	Dell ProSupport with deployment and consulting services. Optional ProSupport Plus is available offering proactive and preventative services to improve performance and stability. Dell Optimize is available for additional ongoing strategic counsel and guidance from a highly trained system analyst.
Diagnostics engine	Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)
System sizing	Dell EMC Live Optics
Drive warranty	All SSDs are warrantied for full lifetime wear-out replacement with valid service agreement. SSD warranty covers all formats: SLC, MLC an d TLC

Solutions & Services:

Dell EMC offers complete end-to-end services

Optimizing the IT lifecycle is vital. Dell EMC has expert services* for all lifecycle phases that save you time and resources, reduce effort, and improve your IT experience.

Documentation:

Dell EMC SC Series Hybrid Storage Arrays Datasheet (.PDF)