The Dell PowerScale A300 archive NAS chassis weighs a maximum of 114.4 kg (252.2 lbs) fully loaded, balancing high-capacity storage with a compact 4U form factor for efficient rack deployment. This weight supports scalability from 120 TB to 1.2 PB per chassis while ensuring manageable installation in standard data centers.
What Challenges Does the Storage Industry Face Today?
Unstructured data volumes surge by 23% annually, straining legacy systems and inflating costs for enterprises worldwide. Organizations grapple with fragmented silos that hinder scalability and increase energy consumption by up to 40% compared to modern scale-out solutions. Compliance demands for long-term retention amplify these pressures, pushing IT teams toward efficient archive platforms.
Rising data growth outpaces traditional capacity planning, with 80% of enterprise data now unstructured and requiring active archive access. Power costs alone can exceed $0.10 per GB annually in inefficient setups, underscoring the need for inline data reduction technologies.
Why Do Traditional Solutions Fall Short?
Legacy NAS systems limit scalability to fixed capacities, often capping at 100 TB per unit with no seamless cluster expansion. They lack inline compression, resulting in 2-3x higher storage footprints and elevated TCO over five years.
Management complexity multiplies across silos, demanding separate tools for hot, warm, and cold tiers. Security gaps persist, as older architectures rarely include data-at-rest encryption or secure erase features standard in newer designs.
What Is the PowerScale A300 Solution?
The PowerScale A300 delivers scale-out active archive storage with OneFS operating system, supporting up to 1.2 PB per chassis and 75 PB per cluster. It features inline compression and deduplication for 2:1 to 3:1 efficiency ratios, alongside 100,000 IOPS performance.
WECENT, a leading authorized Dell agent, supplies genuine PowerScale A300 units with full installation support. Dual-redundant power supplies and ASHRAE A3 compliance ensure reliability in diverse environments.
How Does PowerScale A300 Compare to Traditional Storage?
| Feature | Traditional NAS | PowerScale A300 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Capacity per Chassis | 100 TB fixed | 120 TB – 1.2 PB scalable |
| Data Reduction | None or post-process | Inline compression & dedupe (3:1) |
| Cluster Scale | Limited to 1-2 PB | Up to 75 PB |
| Weight (Max Loaded) | Varies, often heavier | 114.4 kg / 252.2 lbs |
| Management | Multiple tools | Unified OneFS interface |
This table highlights quantifiable edges in density and efficiency.
How Do You Deploy PowerScale A300?
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Assess workload: Calculate data growth and select chassis count (1-63 per cluster).
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Rack installation: Secure 4U space with 40″ front and 42″ rear clearance; lift chassis weighing up to 252.2 lbs using approved tools.
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Configure OneFS: Enable networking (2x 25GbE front-end), data reduction, and security policies.
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Migrate data: Tier unstructured files with validation for <5ms latency access.
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Monitor: Use OneFS dashboard for ongoing optimization.
WECENT provides end-to-end guidance, from selection to maintenance.
WECENT Expert Views
“The PowerScale A300’s 114.4 kg frame packs enterprise-grade capacity into a rack-optimized design, ideal for AI-driven archives. With WECENT’s customization, clients achieve 3:1 reduction ratios while cutting TCO by 40%. Our 8+ years partnering with Dell ensure seamless deployment for data centers in finance and healthcare.”
— WECENT Senior Storage Specialist
What Are Real-World Scenarios for PowerScale A300?
Media Firm Scenario
Problem: 500 TB video backlog with slow retrieval.
Traditional: Offsite tapes, 24-hour delays.
After A300: Inline dedupe cuts space 3:1; access in seconds.
Benefit: $150K annual savings, 100K IOPS throughput.
Healthcare Provider
Problem: 2 PB imaging growth, compliance risks.
Traditional: Tiered disks, manual encryption.
After A300: Unified secure archive, auto-retention.
Benefit: Meets HIPAA with 75 PB scalability.
University Research
Problem: Petabyte datasets, budget constraints.
Traditional: Cloud silos, escalating fees.
After A300: On-prem efficiency, 2:1 compression.
Benefit: 50% lower costs vs. public cloud.
Finance Enterprise
Problem: Audit logs exploding storage.
Traditional: Separate NAS, high power draw.
After A300: OneFS clustering, energy-efficient.
Benefit: Scales to 252 nodes, reduces power 30%.
WECENT tailors these deployments worldwide.
Why Adopt PowerScale A300 Now?
AI and big data trends demand 50% more archive capacity by 2027, favoring scale-out platforms with proven reduction tech. Delaying upgrades risks 20-30% higher TCO amid rising energy prices.
Key Takeaways and Action Steps
PowerScale A300 at 252.2 lbs max offers unmatched archive density. Contact WECENT today for a free assessment—deploy within weeks to slash TCO and future-proof storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the PowerScale A300 weigh?
Maximum 114.4 kg (252.2 lbs) per fully loaded chassis.
What capacity does it support?
120 TB to 1.2 PB per chassis, scaling to 75 PB in clusters.
Does it include data reduction?
Yes, inline compression and deduplication deliver 2:1-3:1 ratios.
Can WECENT customize deployments?
WECENT offers OEM options, installation, and 24/7 support for PowerScale.
Is it rack-compatible?
Yes, 4U form factor fits standard 19″ racks with specified clearances.