R540 DAS with Powervault?

Question

Hello. We have an R540 PowerEdge with 8TB all flash raid array as a Veeam backup target. It no longer has enough space to keep the required amount of backups on it. We would like to get more storage. My preference is for some kind of shared storage (NAS not SAN) but, for simplicity we might go with a DAS, perhaps a PowerVault ME4 series. I haven't called the Dell rep yet because I want to do my own research first. I am just wondering how I will be able to connect the R540 to the PowerVault. We already have a 6GB single port SAS card connected to an LTO tape drive. Do I need to get another SAS card?

Thank you

PK

Origin3k · Accepted Answer

The ME4 is a true SAN even if you choose the modell with the SAS FrontEnd Option
Connecting something else to a 12G SAS HbA when already a tape is connected is not supportet.. only another tape can connected to the 2nd. port

You should take a look to a JBOD like the MD1400(3.5" drives) or MD1420 (2.5" drived) and a another RAID Controller for your MD540 like the H830 (not sure if a H840 exists). This is standard PERC but comes with 12G SAS external ports and offer 8G Cache and Battery.

This combo is way cheaper as the ME4.

Regards,
Joerg

adlercolvin · Answer

Thank you, this was a very helpful answer. I'm looking into the MD1420 as a less expensive solution. PK

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R540 DAS with Powervault?

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