Dell PowerVault NX3100 Network Attached Storage
Consolidate your file servers and make your information sharing more efficient

Overview:

The PowerVault™ NX3100 is a capacity-dense, dedicated network attached storage (NAS) solution that’s integrated with enhanced file-sharing software and designed to help smaller offices stay efficient and productive. The NX3100 is also flexible enough to support applications (block data) that help people with limited resources save time by eliminating the need to manage separate types of storage. 

• Supports up to 24TB in a compact 2U chassis
• Expands up to 384TB total external capacity with Dell PowerVault, EqualLogic™ and EMC™ arrays
• Ships with everything you need — the automated initial setup and configuration wizard lets you easily set and forget

Share up to 576TB of Files and Application Data.

• Grow capacity internally up to 36TB, using 12 data drives in a compact 2U chassis. Choose from 450GB/600GB SAS or 1TB/2TB/3TB near-line SAS The NX3100 system grows with your business needs.
• Expand capacity externally with a wide selection of Dell’s PowerVault arrays for up to 576TB maximum capacity.
• Manage your data with the built-in data management software. Create policy based actions to move, backup or otherwise manage the lifecycle of your data.
• Deliver better managed file services across Server Message Block (SMB) and NFS with File Services Resource Manager (FSRM).

By merging file servers and block storage into one PowerVault NX3100 system, you can manage more with less effort. This enables you to leverage existing protocols, technologies and IP infrastructure, cutting your system-wide deployment and management costs for info-sharing across both file and block data.

Storage technology that works for you The NX3100 offers of the right mix of high storage capacity and software to keep your storage network highly efficient. The factory-installed Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 x64 operating system condenses the top file-serving features from Windows Server 2008 and adds advanced storage management features designed for faster, more efficient and more reliable file sharing. Choose higher-capacity or higher-performance with select SAS, near-line SAS and SATA hard drives. Reduce duplicate files (transparent file-level deduplication) with single-instance storage (SIS). Access information faster through Distributed File System (DFS) namespaces. Share files across Windows and non-Windows clients with CIFS (SMB 2.0) and NFS.

Block and file storage, Single Instant Storage and internal as well as external capacity expansion. The smart integration of these SMB critical features help ensure that your storage investment is protected for years to come.

Set Up and Manage with Ease

The PowerVault NX3100 integrates everything you need, right out of the box, to begin sharing information safely and efficiently, without wasting time, money and resources building a file server from scratch.

• Automates setup and configuration with the “initial configuration task” tool.
• Supports unlimited users through included client-added licenses (CALs).
• Manage your information remotely through a web-based browser using Remote Desktop and the Microsoft Management Console.

The NX3100 NAS system integrates seamlessly into your Windows environment, taking advantage of the same management and protection tools you’ve already deployed. Integration with non-Windows clients is also effortless and transparent. 

Headless operation and remote management are offered through the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) and Java Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). In addition, the Remote Desktop for Administration feature in Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 provides remote administration of re-occurring management tasks, saving valuable time and resources.

Key Benefits:

Share up to 576TB of Files and Applications in Your Office

The PowerVault NX3100 is a capacity-dense system dedicated for information-sharing of both file and block data. It packs 24TB of internal capacity in a short, 2U chassis using the available 12 hard drive bays. Start consolidating your multiple file servers today by expanding externally up to 384TB using any of Dell's PowerVault, EqualLogic™ or EMC arrays.

Network File System (NFS) consolidates all of your file-sharing resources to help improve productivity. Users can now easily collaborate because they can share data across Windows® and non-Windows clients. Through NFS, data can be replicated through Distributed File System (DFS), protected by Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) backup solutions and reported and monitored by File System Resource Manager (FSRM).

Put the Latest Storage Technology to Work for You

The PowerVault NX3100 offers the right levels of capacity and storage software to keep you efficient. Choose from high-capacity near-line SAS drives up to 2TB each or higher-performance SAS drives up to 600GB to customize your NX3100 for your environment. Plus, you can expand externally with fast, 6Gb SAS arrays, like Dell's PowerVault MD1200 and MD1220, to dynamically grow your valuable sharing space without compromising performance.

Stay focused on your business with advanced storage features in Microsoft's proven Windows Storage Server 2008 software. Single-instance storage (SIS) is file-level deduplication that improves file performance and optimizes disk capacity by actively comparing and eliminating identical files. This process is transparent to end users and applications and requires no user intervention.

Setup and Manage Your Information with Ease

Don't waste time building file servers from scratch. The PowerVault NX3100 arrives with everything you need to easily share information, saving you valuable time. Dell integrates Microsoft's Windows Storage Server 2008 with convenient setup wizards, like the Initial Configuration Task tool, to get your NAS up and running quickly with few steps. It seamlessly fits into your current Windows environment, allowing you to leverage the same management and protection tools already deployed. In fact, Windows Storage Server 2008 includes unlimited Client Access Licenses (CALs), so you won't have to worry about keeping pace with additional users.

Set quotas, run reports and get visibility to your files and storage statistics with File Services Resource Manager (FSRM). This will help improve compliance and control over your file services. It also helps in planning and implementing future policy changes and the addition of storage capacity to meet your businesses growth. By combining storage allocation, share management for CIFS/SMB, as well as NFS, you gain a single view for all of your file serving responsibilities.

Product Views:

GalleryFeatures

Front View

Front Open (12 Drives) View

Rear View

Intel Xeon Processors Enhanced system performance with Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 processor options.	DDR3 Memory Low power consumption; available in 6GB, 12GB and 24GB capacity.
Energy-Efficient Power Supplies Dual, hot-swap, quick-release, energy-efficient power supplies	Low-Flow Fans Efficient fan design to optimize power consumption and noise.

Technical Specifications:

Services:

Hardware Support Service Plans

Dell IT Infrastructure Services
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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 NX3100 Datasheet (.PDF)