The Dell PowerVault ME5 series offers three distinct storage arrays—ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084—designed for scalable, high-performance enterprise storage. Each model suits different business needs, balancing capacity, speed, and expandability to empower IT infrastructure in manufacturing, wholesale, and OEM supply chains.
What are the key features of the ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 storage arrays?
The ME5012 features a 2U chassis with 12 bays for 3.5” drives, ideal for businesses needing robust performance and moderate capacity. The ME5024 also has a 2U form factor but supports 24 bays of 2.5” drives, delivering higher density with fast SAS and SSD compatibility. The ME5084 is a 5U, high-density array supporting 84 bays of 3.5” drives, designed for massive data needs without sacrificing speed. All models boast dual-active controllers for high availability and use Intel Xeon processors, supporting RAID configurations, with up to 16GB cache per controller.
How do the ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 compare in performance and scalability?
Performance scales from the ME5012 to ME5084, with ME5012 delivering excellent throughput for small to medium workloads, ME5024 providing enhanced speed and density for greater IOPS demands, and ME5084 excelling in capacity and throughput for large-scale enterprise storage. Scalability is impressive: ME5012 and ME5024 support up to nine expansion enclosures, while ME5084 uses denser expansions allowing up to 336 drives and petabytes of raw capacity. This makes the ME5 series adaptable from virtualization and database applications to AI and big data.
| Model | Drive Bays | Form Factor | Max Expansion Drives | Max Raw Capacity | Cache per Controller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME5012 | 12 x 3.5” | 2U | 264 | Up to 8 PB | 16GB |
| ME5024 | 24 x 2.5” | 2U | 276 | Up to 8 PB | 16GB |
| ME5084 | 84 x 3.5” | 5U | 336 | Up to 8 PB | 16GB |
What expansion enclosures are compatible with these ME5 storage models?
The ME5012 and ME5024 use ME412 (12-bay) and ME424 (24-bay) expansion enclosures for additional capacity, while all three models support the dense ME484 enclosure (84 bays). The ME484’s higher density supports large-scale capacity growth efficiently. Expansion enclosures connect seamlessly via 12Gb SAS, maintaining high throughput and simplifying capacity scaling as business data demands grow.
How do these storage arrays support business workloads and virtualization?
Optimized for SAN and DAS environments, ME5 arrays handle mixed workloads such as virtualization, databases, backup, and high-performance computing. They integrate with VMware, Hyper-V, Windows Server, and Linux, enabling businesses to manage virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and AI applications effectively. Dual-active controllers and distributed RAID (ADAPT) technology improve data protection, drive rebuild speed, and uptime, critical for continuous manufacturing and wholesale operations.
What connectivity and management options do the ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 offer?
Connectivity options include Fibre Channel (up to 32Gb), iSCSI (10Gb to 25Gb), and SAS (12Gb), facilitating flexible network integration. Management is simplified via the PowerVault Manager’s HTML5 web GUI and supported by Dell’s CloudIQ predictive analytics, allowing proactive maintenance and performance monitoring. Dual controllers with failover capability guarantee business continuity for OEM manufacturers relying on uninterrupted data access.
Why should Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers consider the ME5 series for OEM supply?
The ME5 series delivers a reliable, scalable storage backbone essential for Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers handling large datasets and rapid growth. OEMs benefit from Dell’s integration with established hardware brands and certifications ensuring quality and compliance. The ME5 arrays’ modular design aligns perfectly with OEM needs for flexible, cost-effective solutions that grow with production demands, while offering international market compatibility and support.
How does Wecent ensure quality and reliability in delivering ME5 series servers to global clients?
Wecent, headquartered in Shenzhen, leverages over 8 years of experience to provide original Dell PowerVault ME5 series servers with full certifications like CE, FCC, and RoHS. Wecent ensures all units undergo rigorous testing and are backed by professional after-sales support. This guarantees clients worldwide—especially in Europe, Africa, and South America—receive dependable, high-performance storage solutions that power critical manufacturing and enterprise operations.
What are the cost benefits and ROI of investing in ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 storage systems for enterprises?
Investing in ME5 storage arrays offers enterprises scalable capacity that reduces the need for frequent hardware upgrades, lowering total cost of ownership. The high performance of Intel Xeon processors and advanced RAID technology optimizes data throughput and minimizes downtime, translating into productivity gains. Competitive pricing from suppliers like Wecent enhances ROI by providing durable, certified hardware paired with expert consulting and tailored IT infrastructure solutions that support long-term growth.
Wecent Expert Views
“Wecent Technology is proud to supply the Dell PowerVault ME5 series, a suite of storage solutions that perfectly balances performance, scalability, and affordability. For manufacturers and wholesalers aiming to optimize their IT infrastructure, ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 offer unmatched flexibility to address diverse business workloads. Coupled with Wecent’s dedicated support and authentic hardware supply from China, we help global enterprises empower their operations with resilient and efficient IT solutions.”
Conclusion
Choosing between the Dell PowerVault ME5012, ME5024, and ME5084 depends on specific business size, data capacity, and performance requirements. These ME5 models bring enterprise-class technologies to small and medium-sized businesses, OEMs, and wholesalers, delivering scalability, reliability, and simplicity. Partnering with a trusted supplier like Wecent ensures original certified hardware, professional services, and competitive pricing. Enterprises leveraging these storage arrays can confidently optimize IT infrastructure for growth, innovation, and operational continuity.
FAQs
Q1: Can the ME5012 and ME5024 expansion enclosures be mixed?
A1: ME5012 and ME5024 support ME412 (12-bay) and ME424 (24-bay) expansion enclosures, but they cannot mix expansions simultaneously.
Q2: What types of drives are supported by these models?
A2: The ME5 series supports SAS, NL-SAS, and SSD drives, including FIPS-certified self-encrypting drives for security.
Q3: Are the ME5 storage arrays suitable for virtualization?
A3: Yes, they integrate seamlessly with VMware, Hyper-V, and other virtualization platforms, supporting VDI and database workloads effectively.
Q4: How does Wecent add value to ME5 product supply?
A4: Wecent offers authentic Dell ME5 servers with certifications, expert guidance, technical support, and competitive pricing for global clients.
Q5: What is the maximum raw storage capacity of the ME5084?
A5: The ME5084 scales up to 8 petabytes with expansion enclosures, making it ideal for large-scale data storage needs.