EqualLogic

Unique Dell EqualLogic Peer Storage Architecture

The Dell EqualLogic PS4100 and PS6100 are replacing the PS4000 and PS6000, respectively, as the new EqualLogic flagship offerings. With a new, faster backplane that can handle more drives, the new architectures are a perfect balance of performance and capacity.

For legacy Equallogic customers, the backward compatibility of the 6100 and 4100 series arrays with all previous models continues to disrupt the traditional frame-based vendors.

The PS4100 and PS6100 come with the same enterprise SAN features built directly into the firmware; the only difference is a revved up controller on the PS6100 and a higher number of supported attributes. We thought a side-by-side comparison might help those that are familiar with the PS Series.

	PS4100	PS6100
Cache	4GB Per Controller	4GB Per Controller
Backplane Speed	6G SAS	6G SAS
GbE Connections	2 Per Controller	4 Per Controller
Members Per Group	2	16
Volumes	512	1024
Snapshots Per Volume	512	512

Here’s an interesting point. Although you cannot have more than 2 PS4100s in a Group, if you add a single PS6000/PS6100 to the group the limits disappear and there are no restrictions. Site to site replication implies 2 groups.

Dell EqualLogic Capacity and Model Selection

Use the chart below to determine what capacity unit you need for your storage project. All Dell Equallogic units include 8, 16, 24 or 48 drives, dual power supplies and dual fans. Dual controller units are recommended for primary sites.

The complete suite of software is included – Snapshots, Replication (for off-site Disaster Recovery), Volume Management, Multi-path I/O capability (for performance), Cloning and more. There are no licenses or keys needed.

Dell EqualLogic PS 4100 Series Storage Array – Quick Reference
		PS4100X	PS4100X	PS4100X	PS4100XV	PS4100E	PS4100E	PS4100E	PS4100E	PS4100XV 3.5″
Controllers/Array		dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual
Raw Capacity		7.2TB	14.4TB	21.6TB	3.5TB	6TB	12TB	24TB	36TB	7.2TB
Usable in Raid 10		2.9	5.7	8.6	1.4	2.2	4.3	8.7	13.05	2.6
Usable in Raid 50		4.7	9.4	14	2.3	3.5	6.9	13.9	20.85	4.2
Usable in Raid 5		5.5	10.9	16.4	2.7	4.3	8.7	17.3	25.95	5.2
Usuable in Raid 6		4.9	9.9	14.8	2.4	3.9	7.8	15.6	23.4	4.7
IOPS (80/20) from Sizing Tool
RPS R50		3256	3256	3256	4664	671	671	671	671	4664
RPS R10		4334	4334	4334	6127	902	902	902	902	6127
Drive Speed (rpm)		10k	10k	10k	10k	7.2k	7.2k	7.2k	7.2k	15k
# of Drives		24	24	24	24	12	12	12	12	12
Drive FF		2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
Rack U		2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
(GB)		300 SAS	600 SAS	900 SAS	146 SAS	500 NLSAS	1TB-NLSAS	2TB-NLSAS	3TB-NLSAS	600 SAS
List Price (US)
Service – all PS4100 Arrays		1 Year	3 Year	4 Year	5 Year
NBD (UxIP)
NBD Prosupport for IT List
Nonmission Critical 4hr (UxP4H)
Nonmission Critical 4hr Prosupport List
Mission Critical 4hr (UxPME4)
Mission Critical 4hr Prosupport List

Dell EqualLogic PS 6100 Series SAN – Quick Reference
		PS6100X	PS6100X	PS6100X	PS6100XV	PS6100S	PS6100S	PS6100XS	PS6100E	PS6100E	PS6100E	PS6100E	PS6100XV 3.5″
Controllers/Array		dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual	dual
Raw Capacity		7.2TB	14.4TB	21.6TB	3.5TB	4.8TB	9.6TB	14.4TB	12TB	24TB	48TB	72TB	14.4TB
Usable in Raid 10		2.9	5.7	8.6	1.4	1.9	3.8	8	4.8	9.5	19.1	28.65	5.7
Usable in Raid 50		4.7	9.4	14	2.3	3.1	6.2	8	7.8	15.6	31.2	46.8	9.4
Usable in Raid 5		5.5	10.9	16.4	2.7	3.6	7.3	8	9.1	18.2	36.4	54.6	10.9
Usuable in Raid 6		4.9	9.9	14.8	2.4	3.3	6.6	8	8.2	16.5	32.9	49.35	9.9
IOPS (80/20) from Sizing Tool
RPS R50		3245	3245	3245	4664	15785	15785	11759	1485	1485	1485	1485	4664
RPS R10		4334	4334	4334	6127	18744	18744	11759	1980	1980	1980	1980	6127
Drive Speed (rpm)		10k	10k	10k	15k	15k	15k	15k	7.2k	7.2k	7.2k	7.2k	15k
# of Drives		24	24	24	24	24	24	24	24	24	24	24	24
Drive FF		2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	3.5	3.5	3.5/2.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
Rack U		2	2	2	2	2	2	2	4	4	4	4	4
(GB)		300 SAS	600 SAS	900 SAS	146 SAS	200 SSD	400 SSD	400SSD/600SAS	500 NLSAS	1TB-NLSAS	2TB-NLSAS	3TB-NLSAS	600 SAS
List Price (US)
Service – all PS4100 Arrays		1 Year	3 Year	4 Year	5 Year
NBD (UxIP)
NBD Prosupport for IT List
Nonmission Critical 4hr (UxP4H)
Nonmission Critical 4hr Prosupport List
Mission Critical 4hr (UxPME4)
Mission Critical 4hr Prosupport List

Dell offers a variety of support levels based on the severity of the issue and the support levels. You can find Dell EqualLogic Support Options Here (opens in new window).

Dell EqualLogic Planning Documents

Do you have to create an iSCSI SAN plan for your organization or committee? We make it easy. We have several good planning templates and powerpoint presentations to assist you in planning/presenting your project. Feel free to download and use any of our templates.

Migrate to VMWare in 4 Steps – PowerPoint / Adobe PDF

iSCSI SAN Plan Template MS-Word / Adobe PDF

Unfunded SAN Requirements Template MS-Word / Adobe PDF

VMWare ESX Server 3.0.1 / Equallogic Technical Plan Adobe PDF