Dell PowerVault NX3000 Network Attached Storage
Built-in Efficiency, High-Availability Clustering

Overview:

The NX3000 lets you leverage SAN arrays for expansion or deploys in a clustered configuration for high availability. If you are having trouble keeping up with your data growth and you have limited resources to manage your file environments, the Dell PowerVault™ NX3000 is the NAS device you need.

• Advanced software for more efficient data sharing
• No time wasted to set up or manage
• Integration that adapts to your environment
• Integrated or gateway deployment
• Easy to deploy high availability solution

Advanced Software for More Efficient Data

It is now possible to share data among many disparate users in an efficient way. Single Instant Storage (SIS) eliminates data clutter. It identifies duplicate files, saves one copy and replaces other version with pointers to the stored versions. Distributed File System (DFS) gives you simplified, quick access to data stored across wide area network/local area network (WAN/LAN) environments. DFS replication makes it possible to eliminate local backup at branch offices and rely on daily backups from the corporate office. This helps keep administrative tasks centralized and easier to manage.

File Services Resource Manager (FSRM) is a single management interface that delivers better managed file services across Common Internet File System/Network File System (CIFS/NFS) and provides improved control and compliance over files. This is great for audit and planning purposes.

NFS allows administrators to consolidate file-sharing resources so both Windows and non-Windows clients can collaborate more effectively. 

The PowerVault™ NX3000 supports systems management with remote management through Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) and Dell OpenManage™ 6.1including DMC (Dell Management Console), IT Assistant.

No Time Wasted to Set Up or Manage

File services are already preconfigured as part of the NX3000 for painless deployment. This reduces the overall deployment time, as it removes many management tasks and minimizes the impact on organizations’ file infrastructures.

The new Initial Configuration Tasks interface starts automatically during log-on for streamlined setup of admin passwords, network settings, domain membership and configuring updates. This lets users get back to running their business instead of babysitting setup.

Remote management is handled through a simple browser with ActiveX® Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for Windows® or Java™ RDP for non-Windows.

Finally, there is no need for Client Access Licenses (CALs) because support for multiple users is already built into the appliance. The PowerVault™ NX3000 solution expands capacity using PowerVault MD storage arrays or by leveraging storage area network (SAN) arrays, acting as a network attached storage (NAS) gateway. 

Adding to the internal storage capacity of high-performance serial attached SCSI (SAS) drives, or high-capacity nearline-SAS or serial ATA (SATA) drives, external expansion arrays can provide even more flexibility. With support for both SAS and SATA in a single enclosure, MD storage arrays enable organizations to optimize their storage deployments by storing data on different drive technologies without adding unnecessary hardware. 

Implementing clustered, high availability solutions is also easy by clustering two NX3000 appliances. The PowerVault NX3000 can grow with you and support many companies' growing data availability requirements.

Integration that Adapts to Your Environment

The Dell PowerVault NX3000 is a network attached storage system that stores both file and application data(using the optional Internet SCSI target) at the same time while supporting different operating environments. The PowerVault NX3000 can also be deployed as a storage area network (SAN) gateway in front of a Dell/EMC, EqualLogic™ PS Series or PowerVault MD Series backend to leverage your existing SAN investment.

The PowerVault NX3000 harnesses the performance of the Intel Xeon quad-core or dual-core 5500 series processors resulting in improved file access and throughput. Plus, it has the added bonus of advanced software, making data easier to manage and share.

Energy-Efficient Design

The PowerVault NX3000 features Energy Smart™ technologies that are designed to reduce power consumption while increasing performance capacity. Energy-efficient design features include:

• Efficient power supply units right-sized for system requirements
• Innovative system-level design efficiency
• Policy-driven power and thermal management
• Highly efficient standards-based Energy Smart components

All these elements are designed to increase energy efficiency across our latest core data center servers while delivering the performance your business requires.

Key Benefits:

Advanced software for efficient data sharing

Share data among many, disparate users in an efficient, non-intrusive way. Single Instant Storage (SIS) eliminates data clutter by identifying duplicate files, freeing up more, valuable space for your environment. Distributed File System (DFS) and DFS Replication (DFS-R) allow simplified, quick access to data and replication stored across WAN/LAN environments, even to your remote offices. File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) is a single-management interface that helps deliver advanced managed file services across CIFS/NFS and provides exceptional control over files, perfect for audit, compliance and planning purposes.

No wasted time to setup or manage

Avoid the hassle of building a file server from scratch. The PowerVault NX3000 is optimized for storing, sharing, and protecting files and is pre-configured and designed to be ready to go out of the box. Take full advantage of the Initial Configuration Tasks wizard to streamline the setup process. Also, there is no need to buy additional Client-Access Licenses (CALs) for each user you add to your NX3000. Support for multiple users is already built into this file-sharing system. Lastly, manage your files remotely, from wherever you are, using iDRAC, OpenManage including Dell Management Console (DMC), and IT assistant on the NX3000.

Integration that adapts to your environment

Not all environments look the same. The PowerVault NX3000 simplifies your storage footprint by allowing you to store both file and application data simultaneously while supporting different operating environments. You can also use the NX3000 as an NAS gateway with your existing PowerVault, Dell / EMC or Dell EqualLogic™ SAN investments.

High Availability

Implementing clustered, high availability solutions is also easy by clustering two NX3000 appliances. The PowerVault NX3000 can grow with you and support many companies growing data availability requirements.

Product Views:

Front View

Rear View

Prebundled with Windows Storage Server 2008 No need to build a file-sharing solution from scratch	Advanced Software for Efficient Data Sharing Features like Single-Instant Storage, Distributed File System, Data Replication and snapshots takes the workload off of you.
New Intel Xeon 5500 Series Processors Better overall system performance	DDR3 Memory Higher memory capacity and lower power consumption

Technical Specifications:

PowerVault NX3000
Operating System
Operating System	Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 Standard Edition Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 Enterprise Edition
File Access Protocols
File Access Protocols	CIFS, NFS, FTP
Block Access Protocols	Optional iSCSI Target
Processor
Number of Processors	1 or 2
Processors Supported	Intel Xeon Dual-Core and Quad-Core 5000 Sequence Processors
Storage
Internal Storage	6 hard drives
Max Internal Capacity	12TB Raw (with NL-SAS and SATA)
Drives Supported	SAS, SATA, Near-line SAS: 3.5" SATA (7.2K): 160 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB 3.5" SAS (15K): 146 GB, 450 GB, 600 GB 3.5" Near-Line SAS (7.2K): 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Connectivity
Expandability	Optionally expand with MD1200 (H800), MD1000 (PERC 6/E), MD3000 (6 Gb SAS HBA) (or) use as gateway to PowerVault MD3000i or EquaLogic and Dell / EMC arrays
Network Connectivity	Gigabit Ethernet: 4 x RJ45 Connectors, both supporting TCP/IP offload. Optional add-in NICs available
RAID
RAID Type	HW RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50
Power
AC Power/Max Current	Two hot-plug 870W PSUs
Management
Management	Dell OpenManage™ featuring Dell Management Console
Remote Management	Optional iDRAC Enterprise or Native Java RDP plug-in
Data Protection Features
Single Instance Storage (SIS)	Yes
Distributed File System Replication (DFS-R)	Yes
Snapshots	Built-in VSS snapshots for CIFS/NFS. Additional snapshots capability may exist depending on external storage array.
Cluster	Yes (Active/Active)
Chassis
Form Factor	2U Rack
Dimensions	Height: 8.64cm (3.40") Width: 44.31cm (17.44") Depth: 68.07cm (26.80")
Weight	26.1kg (57.54lb) maximum configuration
Slots	2 PCIe x8 + 2 PCIe x4 G2
Fan	Standard redundant cooling
Availability	Hot-plug hard drives Hot-plug redundant power Hot-plug redundant cooling ECC memory
Rack Rails Support	Sliding ReadyRails™ for 4-post Racks Static ReadyRails™ for 4-post & 2-post Racks
Regulatory
Regulatory and Environmental Compliance	Regulatory Model: E02S, Regulatory Type: E02S001

Feature	Dell NX3000 for Compellent	Dell Compellent zNAS
Hardware
Form Factor	2U rack mount	1U rack mount
Clustering	Yes, up to 4 nodes	Yes, up to 2 nodes
CPU	2 Quad-Core Xeon X5650 (2.66Ghz), 64-bit	2 Quad-Core Xeon E5540 (2.53 GHz), 64-bit
Memory Capacity	24GB ECC DDR3 DIMM RAM	24GB or 48GB ECC DDR3 DIMM RAM
Expansion Slots	4 PCI-E slots	2 PCI-E slots
Network Connectivity	On-board: 4 1GbE ports LAN: 1 quad-port 1GbE NIC or 1 dual-port 10GbE NIC SAN: 1 dual-port 8Gb Fibre Channel HBA, 1 quad-port 1GbE NIC for 1Gb iSCSI, or 1 dual-port 10GbE NIC for 10Gb iSCSI	On-board: 2 1GbE ports LAN: 1 quad-port 1GbE NIC or 1 dual-port 10GbE NIC SAN: 1 dual-port 8Gb Fibre Channel HBA
Remote Management	Lifecycle Controller	Embedded IPMI card
Hard Drive	Yes, 2 internal disks in Raid 1	No, boot from SAN
Peripheral Devices	CD/DVD-ROM	CD/DVD-ROM
High Availability	Redundant power supplies, clustered heads (up to 4) with active/active failover	Redundant power supplies, clustered heads (up to 2) with active/active failover
Software
Platform	Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Enterprise	OpenSolaris ZFS
Environment	Ideal for pure CIFS	Ideal for pure NFS or mixed CIFS/NFS
Administration	Active Directory	LDAP or mixed

Services:

Hardware Support Service Plans

Dell IT Infrastructure Services
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Asset Recovery and Recycling Services
Proper disposal, reselling and donation of computer equipment is a time-consuming task that typically falls to the bottom of many IT to-do lists. Dell helps simplify the end-of-life processes for IT equipment in a way that can maximize value for your organization.

Training Services
Arm your employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be as productive as possible. Dell offers comprehensive training services which include hardware and software training, as well as PC skills and professional development classes. With Dell training you can help improve system reliability, maximize productivity and reduce end-user requests and downtime.

Infrastructure Consulting Services
Key challenges facing IT departments today include simplifying operations, planning and building for scalability and improving utilization of their existing systems. Dell’s Infrastructure Consulting Services suite is organized into focused practice areas that signify the intersection of these common customer challenges and our domain expertise — including Systems Management, Messaging, Databases, Virtualization/Consolidation and Storage.

Documentation:

Dell PowerVault NX3000 Datasheet (.PDF)