Dell EMC Unity: The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE (User Correctable)
Summary: When adding a new DAE to the Unity array, it fails with the message: The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE
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Symptoms
Adding extra DAE to Unity array.
When adding a new DAE to the Unity array, it fails with the below message:
The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE
When adding a new DAE to the Unity array, it fails with the below message:
The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE
Cause
This is functioning as designed. The number of drives limitation per Unity system counts in the number of drive slots. So if the number of drive slots available and attached to the Unity array exceeds the limitation, this alert will happen preventing further DAE additions.
Resolution
To add capacity to the array, fill existing DAE empty drive slots up to the maximum supported amount.
Each Unity model supports a different number of drive slots and DAEs.
The number of DAEs supported by the Unity All Flash and Unity Hybrid is variable depending on the drive type in the DPE and DAEs. A Unity All Flash and Unity Hybrid system cannot be configured with more drive slots than supported and will fault the DAE that contains the slots above the system limits.
Each Unity model supports a different number of drive slots and DAEs.
| Unity 300F/350F and Unity 300 | 150 drive slots |
| Unity 400F/450F and Unity 400 | 250 drive slots |
| Unity 500F/550F and Unity 500 | 500 drive slots |
| Unity 600F/650F and Unity 600 | 1000 drive slots |
Additional Information
Alert Message on Unity:
The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE
SP Logs:
"2019-01-31T11:01:21.208Z" "UNITY300_spb" "Kittyhawk_safe" "13942" "unix/spb/root" "ERROR" "1:1678045" :: "Bus 1 Enclosure 2 exceeds the limit for the drives and/or expanders on the bus." :: Category=System Component=espkg
"2019-01-31T11:02:19.400Z" "IN-CCUEMCUNITY300_spb" "Neo_CEM" "28559" "N/A" "CRIT" "14:6019e" :: "DAE 1 2 has exceeded the maximum allowable number of enclosures" :: Category=User Component=Health
"2019-01-31T13:25:25.160Z" "UNITY300_spb" "Neo_CEM" "28559" "N/A" "WARN" "14:60262" :: "Cannot use drive DAE 1 2 Disk 12 because the system has exceeded the maximum allowable number of drives" :: Category=User Component=Health
To check the system limitations for drive slots:
GUI: (Settings > Software and licenses > System Limits: Max Drive Count)
Additional Documentation Reference
Dell EMC Unity™ Family
Dell EMC Unity All Flash and Unity Hybrid
Hardware Information Guide
P/N 302-002-563
The number of Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) added has exceeded the maximum allowed. Remove the newly attached DAE
SP Logs:
"2019-01-31T11:01:21.208Z" "UNITY300_spb" "Kittyhawk_safe" "13942" "unix/spb/root" "ERROR" "1:1678045" :: "Bus 1 Enclosure 2 exceeds the limit for the drives and/or expanders on the bus." :: Category=System Component=espkg
"2019-01-31T11:02:19.400Z" "IN-CCUEMCUNITY300_spb" "Neo_CEM" "28559" "N/A" "CRIT" "14:6019e" :: "DAE 1 2 has exceeded the maximum allowable number of enclosures" :: Category=User Component=Health
"2019-01-31T13:25:25.160Z" "UNITY300_spb" "Neo_CEM" "28559" "N/A" "WARN" "14:60262" :: "Cannot use drive DAE 1 2 Disk 12 because the system has exceeded the maximum allowable number of drives" :: Category=User Component=Health
To check the system limitations for drive slots:
GUI: (Settings > Software and licenses > System Limits: Max Drive Count)
Additional Documentation Reference
Dell EMC Unity™ Family
Dell EMC Unity All Flash and Unity Hybrid
Hardware Information Guide
P/N 302-002-563
Affected Products
Dell EMC Unity FamilyProducts
Dell EMC Unity Family |Dell EMC Unity All Flash, Dell EMC Unity FamilyArticle Properties
Article Number: 000057260
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 11 Dec 2025
Version: 3
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