United States
Q
What is the Dell PowerVault MD1200 storage enclosure?
A
The Dell PowerVault MD1200 is a direct-attach 2U SAS expansion enclosure that provides high-density, high-performance storage with 12 drive bays and 12Gb/s SAS connectivity for Dell servers.
Q
What are the key features of the Dell PowerVault MD1200?
A
Key features include twelve hot-swappable 3.5\
Q
What storage capacities are supported by the MD1200?
A
The MD1200 supports up to 96TB of raw capacity using twelve 8TB NL-SAS drives and allows mixed HDD and SSD configurations for tiered performance.
Q
Which drive types are compatible with the MD1200?
A
The enclosure supports 3.5\
Q
How does the MD1200 connect to Dell servers?
A
The MD1200 connects to Dell servers via dual 12Gb/s Mini-SAS ports using a SAS HBA or PERC RAID controller, providing redundant paths for high availability.
Q
Which RAID levels can I use with the MD1200?
A
When paired with a Dell PERC or MD series controller, the MD1200 supports hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 for balanced performance and data protection.
Q
How do I configure the MD1200 enclosure?
A
Configuration is performed using the Dell Storage Manager or the RAID controller’s BIOS utility, where you define RAID sets, assign LUNs, and manage volume provisioning.
Q
What is the procedure for installing drives in the MD1200?
A
To install drives, power down the enclosure, slide each drive into an empty bay until it clicks, then power the system back on to recognize the new modules automatically.
Q
How can I monitor the health of my MD1200?
A
Use Dell OpenManage Server Administrator or Dell Storage Manager for real-time alerts, predictive failure analytics, and detailed health reports on drives and enclosure components.
Q
Can I mix HDDs and SSDs in the same MD1200 enclosure?
A
Yes, the MD1200 supports mixed HDD and SSD deployments, though drives should be grouped into separate RAID pools to optimize performance and endurance characteristics.
Q
Is the MD1200 scalable with other PowerVault arrays?
A
You can chain up to four MD1200 enclosures behind a single Dell storage controller to scale capacity up to 384TB of raw storage in a single pool.
Q
What is the power consumption of the MD1200?
A
Under full load, the MD1200 consumes up to 550W, and it features redundant hot-swappable power supplies to ensure continuous operation.
Q
Does the MD1200 support hot-swapping of drives and components?
A
Yes, the MD1200 supports hot-swapping of drives, power supplies, and cooling modules without interrupting storage access or server workloads.
Q
What management software is included with the MD1200?
A
The MD1200 includes Dell Storage Manager for centralized administration, and integrates with OpenManage and Active Directory for streamlined operations.
Q
Which workloads are best suited for the MD1200?
A
The MD1200 is ideal for mid-market virtualization, database acceleration, backup target storage, and data archiving where cost-effective, high-capacity expansion is required.
Q
How do I update the firmware on my MD1200?
A
Firmware updates are applied via the Dell Repository Manager or OpenManage Server Administrator, which guide you through downloading and installing the latest enclosure, drive, and backplane firmware.
Q
What warranty and support options are available for the MD1200?
A
The MD1200 ships with a three-year limited hardware warranty and offers optional ProSupport for 24/7 onsite service, extended coverage, and proactive health monitoring.
