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Overview
The Dell PowerVault ME5224 is an entry-level block storage array designed for SAN (Storage Area Network) and DAS (Direct Attached Storage) workloads. It delivers a balance of simplicity, performance, and affordability for small to medium-sized enterprises, while offering enterprise-grade features typically found in higher-end storage systems.
With a dual-active controller architecture, the ME5224 supports mixed-workload environments including virtualization, databases, VDI, backup, archival, and edge/remote deployments. It allows pay-as-you-grow scaling via expansion enclosures, and comes with all-inclusive software for data management, protection, and optimization.
Key Features
- Dual-active controllers with high availability and redundant design
- Multiple protocol support: SAN / DAS block-level storage
- Extensive connectivity options: iSCSI, SAS, FC interfaces
- Support for all-flash, hybrid, or HDD-only configurations
- Auto-tiering, thin provisioning, snapshots, replication, volume copy
- Data-at-rest encryption (SED) and compliance support (KMIP key management)
- Management via HTML5 GUI, CLI, REST / Redfish APIs
- Integration with Dell’s data services and monitoring (e.g. PowerVault Manager, CloudIQ)
- Scalable architecture with expansion enclosures (2U and 5U)
- Intelligent drive firmware updates (online updates)
- High throughput, low-latency performance
- Energy Star certified for data center storage
Specifications
Category
Details
Rack Units / Form Factor
2U chassis
Drive Bays
24 × 2.5″ drive bays
Controller Architecture
Dual-active controllers
Backend Interface / Expansion Protocol
12 Gb/s SAS for expansion enclosures
Front-End Connectivity / Host I/O
• 10 Gb iSCSI BaseT (8 ports) • 25 Gb iSCSI SFP+ (8 ports) • 32 Gb Fibre Channel (8 ports) • 12 Gb SAS (8 ports) • 1 Gb BaseT (management ports)
Supported Media Types
• NLSAS 7.2 K (3.5”) – e.g. 4 TB / 8 TB / 12 TB / 16 TB / 20 TB / 24 TB (some SED/FIPS variants) • SAS 10 K (2.5”) – e.g. 1.2 TB / 2.4 TB (incl. SED) • SSD – e.g. 1.6 TB / 1.92 TB / 3.2 TB / 3.84 TB / 7.68 TB (some SED variants)
Maximum Expansion
Up to 9 × 2U expansion enclosures behind a 2U base Up to 3 × 5U expansion behind a 2U base or behind a 5U base
Maximum Capacity
Scales into the multi-petabyte range (depends on drive choices)
Memory / Controller
Each controller includes 16 GB of cache memory (typical)
Processor
Intel Xeon class processor (multi-core)
RAID / Data Protection
RAID levels: 1, 5, 6, 10, or ADAPT RAID Thin provisioning, snapshots, replication, synchronous / asynchronous, volume copy
Encryption & Security
Self-Encrypting Drives (SED), KMIP key management, data-at-rest encryption, compliance support
Management Tools
PowerVault Manager (HTML5 GUI), CLI, REST/Redfish API, VMware vCenter plugin, integration with monitoring tools
Compatibility & Supported OS / Hypervisors
Windows Server, Linux (RHEL, SLES), VMware ESXi, Citrix XenServer, Hyper-V
Power & Cooling
Typical power draw ~ 580 W (AC) Cooling / BTU rating: ~1,980 BTU/h
Physical Dimensions (Base Chassis)
Height: 8.79 cm / 3.46 in Width: 48.30 cm / 19.01 in Depth: 54.78 cm / 21.56 in
Maximum Weight
Up to ~30 kg (depends on configuration)
Certifications
ENERGY STAR certified for data center storage
Availability / Support
Comes with Dell’s support services and firmware updates; logs and diagnostics capabilities built in
