United States
Q
What is Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Storage and who should use it?
A
Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 is an entry-level, high-performance SAN storage array designed for SMBs and remote offices that need reliable block storage for file shares, databases, virtualization and backup workloads.
Q
Which Dell ME4 models are available and how do they differ?
A
The ME4012, ME4024 and ME4084 vary by drive count and connectivity: ME4012 supports up to 12 drives, ME4024 up to 24 drives and ME4084 up to 84 drives, with options for SAS, SATA and NVMe SSDs plus 12 Gb/s SAS host ports or Fibre Channel.
Q
How do I scale capacity on a Dell ME4 array?
A
You scale capacity by adding ME4 expansion enclosures—up to three on ME4012/4024 and up to 12 on ME4084—and integrating additional SAS or NVMe drives without downtime.
Q
What performance can I expect from a ME4 Storage system?
A
ME4 delivers up to 300k IOPS and sub-millisecond latency with all-flash or hybrid configurations, supporting mixed random and sequential workloads for virtualization, databases and VDI.
Q
Does ME4 Storage support VMware and Hyper-V environments?
A
Yes. ME4 offers certified integration with VMware vSphere (including VAAI and VVols) and Microsoft Hyper-V (including ODX), enabling efficient VM provisioning and offloaded storage operations.
Q
Which data services are included with Dell ME4?
A
Built-in services include thin provisioning, snapshots, remote replication, automated tiering (for hybrid), SMART caching and controller-based RAID 0/1/5/6 for data protection and efficient utilization.
Q
How do I manage and monitor a ME4 array?
A
ME4 uses a web-based GUI, Unisphere management software and REST APIs for automated provisioning, health monitoring, analytics and firmware updates from any browser or via Dell EMC OpenManage.
Q
What options exist for data protection and replication?
A
ME4 offers synchronous and asynchronous replication between arrays, non-disruptive snapshots, local RAID protection and integration with Dell EMC RecoverPoint for continuous replication.
Q
Can I mix drive types in a Dell ME4 chassis?
A
Yes. ME4 supports mixed-drive tiers (SAS HDD, SATA SSD, NVMe) for hybrid configurations, automatically tiering hot data to fastest media while retaining cold data on high-capacity disks.
Q
How energy-efficient is the ME4 Storage series?
A
ME4 arrays optimize power with variable speed fans, power supplies up to 94% efficient, aggressive drive spin-down policies and intelligent cooling, reducing OPEX in small IT environments.
Q
What is the deployment time for a ME4 Storage system?
A
Most ME4 arrays can be racked, cabled and configured in under two hours using the Quick Start guide and Unisphere wizards for rapid provisioning of volumes and replication.
Q
How does Dell support ME4 after purchase?
A
Dell EMC ProSupport delivers 24/7 hardware and software support, next-business-day onsite service options, firmware updates, health checks and integration support to maximize uptime.
Q
What warranty coverage comes with Dell ME4 Storage?
A
ME4 includes a three-year limited hardware warranty with next-business-day onsite exchange, plus three years of software and firmware updates, expandable up to five years.
Q
How secure is data on Dell ME4 arrays?
A
ME4 provides encryption at rest via self-encrypting drives (SEDs), role-based access control, audit logging, secure firmware, and support for secure erase to protect sensitive information.
Q
Can I automate provisioning and integration with my orchestration tools?
A
Yes. ME4 offers a RESTful API, PowerShell modules and VMware vRealize Plug-ins for seamless integration and automation with Ansible, Terraform and other orchestration frameworks.
Q
How do I upgrade firmware or add new features on ME4?
A
Firmware upgrades are non-disruptive and managed via Unisphere or OpenManage, while new software features like replication or data services can be activated by purchasing license keys without downtime.
