Dell Compellent Storage Arrays – new and refurbished

FAQ

What are Compellent arrays used for in business IT infrastructure?

A Compellent array is an external, enterprise-class storage system that gives servers a shared pool of disk space over iSCSI, SAS or Fibre Channel. It works well in virtualized environments (VMware, Hyper-V), for databases and for backup. Features include snapshots, replication, thin provisioning and automatic data tiering.

Which Compellent array should I choose: SCv2020, SC5020 or SC7020?

The SCv2020 is a sensible starting point for a small environment where stability is the main goal. For a server cluster or a large number of virtual machines, it is better to go straight to the SC5020 or SC7020, as they offer higher performance and more ports. The final choice depends on your workload, drive type and interface, so it is worth discussing the configuration before you buy.

Which RAID level should I choose for a Compellent array?

There is no single best RAID level; it all depends on the use case. RAID 10 is usually chosen where write speed matters, such as databases. RAID 6 offers greater protection with large 7.2K drives and for backup, while RAID 5 is a compromise between capacity and data protection.

Do all drives in a Compellent array have to be the same?

Not always. Many models let you mix different media types (7.2K HDD, 10K/15K SAS, SSD) in a single chassis, and data is automatically distributed across the performance tiers. Within a single RAID group, however, it is best to use drives with identical specifications, otherwise the slowest and smallest drive limits both performance and capacity.

What is included with a refurbished Dell Compellent array?

Off-lease arrays from Hardware Direct are tested and supplied fully equipped, with drives, controllers, power supplies and rack rails. They are ready to use on delivery and, if needed, can be expanded with additional disk enclosures. You can check the exact contents of the package in the description of the specific model.