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Overview
The Dell EMC Unity XT 480F is an all-flash unified storage array designed for midrange enterprise workloads. It offers high performance, advanced efficiency, and seamless integration with multicloud environments. With dual-active controllers, native support for block, file, and VMware vVols, and comprehensive data services built in, the Unity XT 480F is suitable for mission-critical database, virtualization, file services, and mixed workload deployments.
Features
- All-flash architecture with low latency and high throughput
- Dual-active storage processors for high availability
- Unified support for block (iSCSI, FC), file (NAS), and VMware vVols
- Inline data reduction (compression, deduplication) and guaranteed data reduction ratios (e.g. up to 5:1)
- Automated tiering, flash caching, and FAST cache for performance optimization
- Scalable design: supports expansion via Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs)
- Hot-swappable I/O modules and backend SAS modules
- Flexible front-end connectivity: Fibre Channel, Ethernet (iSCSI/NFS/SMB), up to 25 GbE options
- Backend connectivity via 12 Gb/s SAS for DAE expansion
- Enterprise software services included: snapshots, replication, encryption, data protection features
- Simplified, modern management interface
- Integrated multicloud features, enabling cloud tiering, replication, and hybrid cloud workflows
Specifications
Category
Specification
Controller / Architecture
Dual-active storage processors (redundant)
CPU (per array)
2 × dual-socket Intel processors, 32 cores total, 1.8 GHz (for 480F model)
Memory
192 GB system memory
Cache / FAST Cache
Up to ~1.2 TB FAST cache; total internal cache up to ~1.39 TB
Drive / Capacity
Minimum 6 SSDs (or 10 HDDs if in hybrid mode), maximum up to 750 drives
Raw Capacity Ceiling
Up to ~4.0 PB (using large SSDs and full expansion)
Drive Form Factor
2.5″ drives (all-flash) in 2U 25-drive trays; supports 3U 80-drive trays for expansion
RAID Support
RAID 0/1, RAID 5, RAID 6
I/O / Host Interfaces (Front-end)
Supports I/O module options including: • 16 Gb Fibre Channel (4-port) • 32 Gb Fibre Channel (4-port) • 25 GbE Optical (4-port) • 10 GbE BaseT (4-port)
Backend Connectivity (to DAEs)
Embedded 4 × 4-lane 12 Gb/s SAS ports; optional 4-port 12 Gb SAS I/O module (supports x8 lane connections)
Max DAEs / Drives per System
Up to 48 DAEs or equivalent to achieve ~750 drives
Mezzanine / Expansion Slots
Up to 2 optional I/O / SAS modules per storage processor; I/O modules must be mirrored
Dimensions (DPE unit)
Approx. 3.43 in (height) × 17.61 in (width) × 31.32 in (depth)
Power Requirements
~1,800 W (high-line); ~1,450 W (low-line) depending on configuration
Power Redundancy
Dual redundant power supplies per unit; battery-backup module (BBU) to support single module power in failure condition
Host Scale / Limits
Hosts (SAN initiators), file systems, LUNs, snapshots, etc., scale into the thousands (e.g. up to ~1,024 hosts, ~1,500 file systems)
Protocols Supported
iSCSI, NFS, SMB, Fibre Channel, VMware vVols
Data Services
Inline compression, deduplication, thin provisioning, snapshots, replication, encryption, tiering, caching
Operating Environment
Optimized for multicloud integration, hybrid cloud workflows, and modern data center environments
Environmental / Standards
Compliance with ASHRAE, various cooling and power guidelines
