The PowerScale A300 spec sheet reveals a 4U scale-out archive NAS platform with 120 TB to 1.4 PB per chassis, scaling to 75 PB in clusters of up to 252 nodes. It features 96 GB memory per node, inline data reduction guaranteeing 2:1 efficiency, dual 100/25 GbE front-end networking, and OneFS OS for unified management. WECENT supplies this original Dell hardware with full support for enterprise deployments.
What Challenges Does the Storage Industry Face Today?
Unstructured data volumes explode at 23% annually, per IDC reports, pushing enterprises toward cost-effective archive solutions. Many organizations grapple with 80% of data sitting idle yet accessible for compliance or analytics.
Legacy systems fragment workflows, inflating TCO by 30-50% due to siloed management and inefficient scaling.
IT teams face rising pressure from ransomware threats, with 75% of breaches targeting backups, demanding robust protection without performance trade-offs.
Why Do Traditional Archive Solutions Fall Short?
Conventional NAS lacks scale-out flexibility, capping capacity at fixed tiers and requiring forklift upgrades that disrupt operations.
Separate deduplication appliances add complexity and latency, failing to deliver inline efficiencies like 2:1 guarantees.
Multi-vendor ecosystems create support gaps, prolonging downtime and escalating costs for integration.
| Feature | Traditional Archive | PowerScale A300 |
|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Fixed tiers (PB limits) | Up to 75 PB, 252 nodes |
| Efficiency | Post-process dedupe | Inline 2:1 guarantee |
| Management | Multi-tool silos | Single OneFS namespace |
| TCO | High (30-50% overhead) | Optimized (35% savings) |
| Access Speed | Tiered latency | Near-primary performance |
What Makes PowerScale A300 the Ideal Solution?
PowerScale A300 packs four nodes in a 4U chassis with up to 60 HDDs and SSD caching options (800 GB to 7.68 TB per node).
It runs OneFS for a single filesystem, supporting NFS, SMB, HDFS, S3 protocols with SmartDedupe reducing needs by 35%.
Security includes data-at-rest encryption, secure erase, and compliance-ready policies, powered by 6-core 1.9 GHz processors.
How Does WECENT Enhance PowerScale A300 Deployments?
WECENT, an authorized Dell agent with 8+ years in enterprise IT, supplies original PowerScale A300 alongside GPUs, servers, and storage.
Their end-to-end services cover consultation, customization, installation, and 24/7 support for seamless integration.
WECENT tailors OEM solutions for finance, healthcare, and data centers, ensuring competitive pricing and warranties.
WECENT Expert Views
“PowerScale A300 transforms archive storage by blending massive scale with primary-like access, ideal for AI-driven analytics on cold data. Paired with WECENT’s customization, clients achieve 40% faster deployments and 25% lower TCO. Our teams handle everything from spec review to cluster optimization, guaranteeing reliability in hybrid environments.”
— WECENT Senior Storage Architect
How Do You Deploy PowerScale A300 Step-by-Step?
Assess workloads: Map data growth to chassis capacity (120 TB-1.4 PB).
Procure via WECENT: Select nodes, drives, and networking (100/25 GbE or InfiniBand).
Rack and cable: Mount 4U chassis, connect power (1070W max), and backend fabric.
Configure OneFS: Set namespace, enable dedupe/compression, and define policies.
Test and migrate: Validate integrity, tier data, and monitor via InsightsIQ.
What Are Real-World Scenarios for PowerScale A300?
Media Firm Case
Problem: Slow retrieval from tape archives delays editing.
Traditional: Manual restores take days.
After A300: Near-instant access via single namespace.
Benefits: 50% faster workflows, 35% storage savings.
Healthcare Provider
Problem: Compliance retention across silos risks fines.
Traditional: Fragmented backups lack encryption.
After A300: Unified secure storage with audit trails.
Benefits: Zero breach incidents, simplified reporting.
University Research
Problem: Petabyte-scale datasets overwhelm local NAS.
Traditional: Multiple tiers cause access delays.
After A300: Scales to 75 PB with policy tiering.
Benefits: Enables AI analysis, cuts admin by 40%.
Finance Enterprise
Problem: High cloud egress fees for archive queries.
Traditional: Hybrid mismatches hike costs.
After A300: On-prem scale-out with S3 compatibility.
Benefits: 60% cost reduction, hybrid flexibility.
Why Act on PowerScale A300 Now?
Data growth accelerates with AI demands, making scalable archives essential by 2026. PowerScale A300 future-proofs infrastructure against 50% annual unstructured data surges.
WECENT accelerates adoption with proven deployments, avoiding common pitfalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum cluster capacity for PowerScale A300?
Up to 75 PB across 63 chassis and 252 nodes.
Does A300 support inline data reduction?
Yes, with 2:1 DRR guarantee and up to 35% additional savings via SmartDedupe.
Can it integrate with existing PowerScale clusters?
Absolutely, via Ethernet or InfiniBand for seamless expansion.
What networking options does it offer?
Dual 100/25 GbE front-end and backend InfiniBand or Ethernet.
How does WECENT support procurement?
Full services from spec consultation to installation and maintenance.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
PowerScale A300 spec sheet unlocks efficient, scalable archiving with proven 2:1 efficiency and 75 PB potential. Contact WECENT today for a tailored quote, site assessment, and deployment roadmap to optimize your storage strategy immediately.