United States
Q
What is the Dell MD14xx Storage Series?
A
The Dell MD14xx Storage Series is a family of 12Gbps SAS external disk enclosures designed to expand storage capacity for Dell PowerEdge servers. It features a dual-domain SAS architecture for redundancy and supports up to 16 hot-plug drives per enclosure.
Q
Which drive types are supported by Dell MD14xx enclosures?
A
Dell MD14xx enclosures support 3.5\
Q
What is the maximum raw capacity of a single MD14xx enclosure?
A
A single MD14xx enclosure can house up to 16 x 12 TB drives, delivering a maximum raw capacity of 192 TB. When daisy-chained with up to seven enclosures, total raw capacity can reach 1.15 PB.
Q
Which Dell controllers and HBAs are compatible with MD14xx?
A
MD14xx enclosures are compatible with Dell PERC RAID controllers (H330, H730P, H830, H840) and Dell 12 Gbps SAS HBAs. Compatibility ensures end-to-end support, management, and firmware updates via iDRAC and OMSA.
Q
What RAID levels can I configure on Dell MD14xx Storage?
A
Using a Dell PERC controller, MD14xx enclosures support RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. These levels balance performance, capacity, and redundancy to suit diverse application requirements.
Q
Can I mix SAS and SATA drives in the same MD14xx enclosure?
A
No. Mixing SAS and SATA drives within the same RAID group is not recommended. For optimal performance and reliability, configure each enclosure with one drive type per RAID group.
Q
How do I monitor the health and performance of MD14xx storage?
A
Use Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) or OpenManage Storage Services (OMSS) via iDRAC. These tools provide real-time status, alerts, and performance metrics for drives, enclosures, and controllers.
Q
What management interfaces are available for Dell MD14xx?
A
Dell MD14xx enclosures integrate with iDRAC and support OMSA, OMSS, and the Dell EMC Storage Manager CLI. This provides remote configuration, firmware updates, and comprehensive health monitoring.
Q
How do I update firmware on MD14xx enclosures?
A
Firmware can be updated via iDRAC or OMSA. Download the latest firmware package from Dell Support, upload it through the management interface, and follow the guided update workflow to ensure drive and enclosure consistency.
Q
What is the maximum number of MD14xx enclosures I can cascade?
A
You can cascade up to seven MD14xx enclosures behind a single compatible Dell PERC RAID controller or SAS HBA. This provides high-density storage scaling to over 1 PB raw capacity.
Q
How do I troubleshoot a failed drive in an MD14xx enclosure?
A
Identify the failed drive via LED indicators or OMSA alerts, remove the hot-swappable module, and replace it with a certified hot spare. The RAID controller automatically rebuilds the array without downtime.
Q
What are the typical use cases for Dell MD14xx Storage?
A
Dell MD14xx enclosures are ideal for file and block-level storage use cases such as virtualization, backup and archive, video surveillance, and big data analytics that require dense, cost-effective, and scalable capacity.
Q
What redundancy features does MD14xx offer?
A
MD14xx enclosures feature dual-domain SAS expanders, dual hot-swappable power supplies, and redundant cooling fans. This design ensures continuous data access and high availability in enterprise environments.
Q
What are the power and cooling requirements for MD14xx?
A
Each MD14xx enclosure requires 100–240 VAC and typically consumes up to 500 W under peak load. It uses front-to-back airflow with redundant hot-swappable fans to maintain optimal operating temperature.
Q
How do I install and configure a Dell MD14xx enclosure?
A
Rack-mount the MD14xx, connect its SAS ports to a compatible PERC or HBA, power it on, and enter the RAID controller BIOS to create arrays. Install OMSA on the host OS for ongoing management.
Q
What warranty and support options are available for MD14xx?
A
Dell offers a standard three-year ProSupport plan with next business day onsite service for MD14xx enclosures. Optional ProSupport Plus and extended warranties provide 24×7 technical assistance and faster hardware replacement.
