Dell PowerVault MD & ME Series Storage

Expansion enclosures, RAID arrays, controllers, enclosure modules and drives

About PowerVault Storage

Dell PowerVault is Dell's line of external storage for PowerEdge servers. It covers two different kinds of system, and the difference matters when you order: expansion enclosures (JBODs) that add drive bays behind a RAID controller in the server, and RAID arrays with their own controllers that present storage to hosts over SAS, iSCSI or Fibre Channel.

The PowerVault families

MD1200 / MD1220: 6Gb/s SAS expansion enclosures with 12 x 3.5-inch or 24 x 2.5-inch bays
MD1400 / MD1420: the 12Gb/s SAS successors, with the same bay layouts
MD3200 family: RAID arrays, where an i suffix (MD3200i) means iSCSI host ports and an f suffix (MD3600f) means Fibre Channel
MD3400 / MD3420 and MD3800: the 12Gb/s RAID array generation
ME4 series: the ME4012, ME4024 and ME4084 arrays, followed by the ME5 series

Before you order

Match the host controller to the shelf. The MD1200 and MD1220 attach to 6Gb/s external SAS controllers such as the PERC H800 and H810. The MD1400 and MD1420 use 12Gb/s controllers such as the PERC H830 and H840. The cables differ too: SFF-8088 on the 6Gb/s generation, SFF-8644 on 12Gb/s.
EMM or controller. Expansion enclosures use enclosure management modules (EMMs); RAID arrays use RAID controller modules. They are different parts even where the chassis look alike.
Drives need the right carrier. PowerVault drives ship in Dell carriers matched to the enclosure generation. Quote the Dell part number and the enclosure model.

Send us the Service Tag or part number and we will confirm the exact match.

Featured PowerVault Storage Products

Browse all 1,416 PowerVault Storage SKUs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Dell MD1200 and the MD3200?

The MD1200 is an expansion enclosure (JBOD) with enclosure management modules and no RAID controllers; the RAID controller lives in the server. The MD3200 is a RAID array with its own controllers that presents storage to hosts over SAS. Both are 12-bay 3.5-inch enclosures, but their modules are not interchangeable.

Which PERC controller works with a PowerVault MD1400?

The MD1400 and MD1420 are 12Gb/s SAS enclosures and attach to 12Gb/s external SAS controllers such as the PERC H830 or H840, using SFF-8644 cables. The older 6Gb/s PERC H800 and H810 are intended for the MD1200 and MD1220. Confirm support for your exact server and controller on Dell's support site.

What do the i and f suffixes mean on PowerVault arrays?

They describe the host interface. An i model, such as the MD3200i, has iSCSI host ports, and an f model, such as the MD3600f, has Fibre Channel host ports. Models without a suffix use SAS host ports.

Is the PowerVault MD series still supported?

The MD1200, MD3200 and related generations are past end of sale and have been succeeded by the ME4 and ME5 series. Check Dell's support site with your Service Tag for the support status of a specific unit.