Dell PowerVault MD3220 Storage Array

Dell PowerVault MD3220 2U SAS RAID Storage Array with Dual Controllers

Professional-grade 24-bay storage enclosure featuring dual 6Gbps SAS controllers, redundant power supplies, and support for multiple RAID configurations. This enterprise storage solution delivers high-availability data protection with scalable capacity expansion, backed by a comprehensive 12-month warranty from Reboot IT.

What Makes the Dell MD3220 a Premium Enterprise Storage Choice?

  • Dual Controller Architecture: Features two independent RAID controllers with 2GB cache each (4GB total mirrored), ensuring zero single points of failure and continuous data availability even during controller maintenance or failure scenarios.
  • High-Speed 6Gbps SAS Connectivity: Four 6Gbps SAS ports per controller provide exceptional throughput up to 4,000 MB/s, delivering the performance needed for demanding database, virtualisation, and backup applications.
  • Flexible RAID Support: Comprehensive RAID level support including 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 configurations allows optimisation for either maximum performance or maximum data protection based on specific workload requirements.
  • Massive Scalability Potential: Native support for up to six MD1200 expansion shelves enables scaling from 24 drives to 168 drives total (96 additional drives), providing petabyte-scale storage growth without infrastructure replacement.
  • Enterprise Redundancy Features: Dual 600W hot-swappable power supplies, redundant cooling systems, and dual-path SAS connectivity ensure maximum uptime and data protection in mission-critical environments.
  • Tool-Free Drive Management: 24 hot-swappable 2.5-inch drive carriers support both SAS and SATA drives, enabling non-disruptive capacity expansion and drive replacement during normal operations.

How Does the Dell MD3220 Perform in Daily Enterprise Use?

The PowerVault MD3220 excels in demanding enterprise environments where storage performance and reliability are non-negotiable. With its dual-controller design, the system maintains full operational capability even when one controller requires maintenance or experiences failure, making it ideal for 24/7 database servers, email systems, and virtualisation platforms. The 4GB of mirrored cache memory accelerates both read and write operations, significantly improving response times for frequently accessed data.

Real-world performance testing demonstrates the MD3220's ability to handle concurrent workloads from multiple servers simultaneously. The 6Gbps SAS interface provides sufficient bandwidth for high-transaction database operations, while the flexible RAID configurations allow administrators to balance performance against data protection. RAID 10 configurations deliver maximum performance for write-intensive applications, while RAID 6 provides optimal protection for archive and backup storage scenarios.

The system's integration with Dell's OpenManage storage management suite provides comprehensive monitoring and alerting capabilities. Administrators receive proactive notifications about drive health, temperature conditions, and performance metrics, enabling preventive maintenance before issues impact operations. The hot-swappable design of drives and power supplies ensures maintenance activities can be performed without system downtime or user impact.

Complete Technical Specifications

Component
Specification
Model Dell PowerVault MD3220
Form Factor 2U rack-mount enclosure
Drive Bays 24× 2.5" SAS/SATA hot-swappable
Controllers Dual redundant RAID controllers
Controller Cache 2GB per controller (4GB total mirrored)
Host Interface 4× 6Gbps SAS ports per controller (8 total)
Maximum Throughput Up to 4,000 MB/s (dual controller active/active)
RAID Levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Drive Support SAS 6Gbps, SATA 6Gbps, SAS 15K RPM, SAS 10K RPM, SSD
Maximum Drive Capacity Up to 2TB per drive (48TB maximum internal)
Expandability Up to 6× MD1200 expansion shelves (96 additional drives)
Power Supply 2× 600W redundant hot-swappable PSUs
Input Voltage 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz auto-sensing
Power Consumption 450W typical, 750W maximum (with drives)
Cooling Redundant hot-swappable fans
Operating Temperature 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
Humidity 20% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Dimensions (W×D×H) 482.6 × 651.1 × 86.8 mm (19" × 25.6" × 3.42")
Weight 18.6 kg (41 lbs) without drives
Rack Rails Rapid Rail 2U static mounting included
Management Dell OpenManage Storage Services, SNMP, CLI
Status Monitoring LCD status panel, LED indicators per drive
Certifications FCC Class A, CE, VCCI, Energy Star qualified

Is the Dell MD3220 Right for Your Needs?

✓ Best For:
• Virtualisation environments requiring high availability
• Database servers with heavy transaction loads
• Email and collaboration platform storage
• Backup and archive consolidation projects
• Multi-server environments needing shared storage
✗ Not Recommended For:
• Single desktop or workstation storage needs
• Home office or small business basic storage
• Environments without redundant network infrastructure
• Budget-constrained projects requiring immediate drive population
• Locations without enterprise-grade power and cooling

Understanding Condition Grades and Battery Health

Our refurbished enterprise storage systems undergo comprehensive testing and restoration through Reboot IT's certified refurbishment process. Each Dell MD3220 unit receives thorough inspection of all controllers, power supplies, cooling systems, and enclosure components. While enterprise storage arrays don't contain traditional batteries, units include backup battery modules in RAID controllers for cache protection during power events.

Grade
Cosmetic Condition
Functional Status
A — Excellent Minimal rack wear, excellent appearance All components tested and verified
B — Good Normal rack wear, good overall condition All components tested and verified
C — Fair Visible wear consistent with enterprise use All components tested and verified

All RAID controller battery modules are tested and verified to provide adequate cache protection. Any degraded battery modules are replaced during our refurbishment process to ensure reliable operation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dell MD3220

What drives does the MD3220 support and are they included?

The MD3220 supports 2.5" SAS and SATA drives including 15K RPM SAS, 10K RPM SAS, 7.2K SATA, and SSD drives. This unit ships without drives installed, allowing you to configure storage capacity and performance based on your specific requirements and budget.

Can I connect multiple servers to the same MD3220 array?

Yes, the dual-controller design with eight total SAS ports supports multiple server connections. However, proper multipathing software and zoning configuration are required to prevent data corruption when sharing storage between multiple hosts.

What warranty coverage is included with this unit?

Your Dell MD3220 includes a comprehensive 12-month warranty provided by Reboot IT, covering all hardware components including controllers, power supplies, fans, and enclosure. This warranty ensures reliable operation and provides replacement support for any defective components.

How much rack space does the MD3220 require for installation?

The MD3220 occupies 2U of standard 19-inch rack space. Allow additional clearance behind the unit for SAS cable connections and adequate airflow. The included rapid rail system enables tool-free installation in most standard server racks.

What expansion options are available if I need more storage capacity?

The MD3220 supports up to six MD1200 expansion shelves, each providing 12 additional drive bays. This enables scaling from the base 24 drives to 96 total drives without replacing the primary array. Each expansion shelf connects via SAS cables and shares the main array's controller management.

Are management cables and software included for setup?

This unit includes the necessary SAS cables for host connectivity. Dell's OpenManage Storage Services software is available as a free download from Dell's support website and provides comprehensive configuration and monitoring capabilities through both GUI and command-line interfaces.

What power requirements should I plan for installation?

The MD3220 requires two separate power circuits for redundancy, each supporting 100-240V input. Typical power consumption is 450W, increasing to approximately 750W maximum when fully populated with drives. Ensure your facility provides adequate power distribution and cooling capacity.

Warranty and After-Sales Support

Your Dell PowerVault MD3220 storage array includes a comprehensive 12-month warranty provided by Reboot IT, covering all hardware components including controllers, power supplies, cooling systems, and enclosure assembly. This warranty protects against manufacturing defects and component failures under normal operating conditions.

Our warranty covers replacement or repair of any defective components, with technical support available throughout the warranty period. As a professionally refurbished enterprise storage system, this unit has undergone extensive testing and quality assurance through Reboot IT's certified refurbishment process, ensuring reliable performance in demanding business environments.

To initiate warranty service, simply contact Reboot IT with your purchase details and a description of the issue. Our technical team will provide prompt resolution through component replacement or repair services, minimising any impact on your storage operations.

Upgradeability and Compatibility Options

The Dell MD3220 offers extensive expandability through its modular architecture. The 24 drive bays support various storage media including high-performance 15K RPM SAS drives for maximum IOPS, cost-effective SATA drives for capacity storage, and SSD drives for ultra-low latency applications. Drive capacities up to 2TB per bay are supported, enabling up to 48TB of raw storage in the base configuration.

System expansion is achieved through MD1200 shelves, each adding 12 drive bays and connecting via standard SAS cables. The dual-controller architecture supports active-active configurations for maximum performance and availability. Controller firmware updates are available from Dell's support portal, ensuring compatibility with newer drive technologies and enhanced features as they become available.

The unit is compatible with major server platforms including Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant, IBM System x, and other enterprise servers equipped with 6Gbps SAS host bus adapters. Multipathing software support includes native Windows, Linux, and VMware drivers for seamless integration into existing virtualisation environments.

ModelMD3200i
BrandDell

Refurbished Computers - Cosmetic Grading Guide


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