Release Notes

ME4 Series overview
6 Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series and Linux | 3924-BP-L
1 ME4 Series overview
The ME4 Series is a next-generation, entry-level storage system that is available in three models: PowerVault
ME4012, ME4024, and ME4084. Three disk expansion enclosure models are also available to provide
expanded capacity: PowerVault ME412, ME424, and ME484.
1.1 Hardware features
ME4 Series arrays are available with single or dual controllers. A dual-controller configuration offers a higher
level of availability, protection, and double the I/O modules for connectivity and performance. In this
configuration, if a partner controller fails, the storage system will fail over and run on a single controller until
the redundancy is restored. With proper cabling is in place and MPIO configured, the failover should not
cause any service interruption to the hosts and applications.
ME4 Series arrays can be configured in all-flash, all-HDD, or hybrid configurations, and are designed to be
installed by customers. To find more information about ME4 Series features and hardware specifications, visit
Dell.com.
1.2 Software features
ME4 Series storage includes a comprehensive set of software features in an all-inclusive license. The
following sections provide a summary of the ME4 Series software features. For more information, refer to
ME4 Series Administrator's Guide on Dell.com/support.
1.2.1 Virtual and linear storage
ME4 Series arrays support two storage technologies: virtual and linear storage.
Virtual storage is the foundation for data-management features such as thin provisioning, automated tiered
storage (ATS), and other virtualization features. Virtual storage virtualizes the physical devices and creates
virtual volumes that reside in virtual disk groups. A virtual volume is a set of pages that are mapped to the
physical devices. A virtual volume can span across more than 16 physical devices which is highly flexible and
efficient. It also offers excellent performance because it scales with the number of physical devices in the
pool.
Linear storage does not virtualize the logical data on the physical devices. It stores data in sequential, fully-
allocated physical blocks and the mapping is static. While it offers better performance for certain sequential
workloads, it is inflexible, and many virtualization features such as tiering, snapshots, and replications are not
available on linear pools. The most common use case for linear storage is for video archiving.
In most cases, Dell EMC recommends using virtual storage with ME4 Series systems.
1.2.2 RAID data protection levels
ME4 Series arrays support RAID data protection levels NRAID, 0, 1, 10, 3, 5, 50, 6 and ADAPT. ADAPT is a
special RAID implementation that offers some unique benefits. It can withstand two drive failures with very
fast rebuilds. Spare capacity is distributed across all drives instead of dedicated spare drives. ADAPT disk
groups can have up to 128 drives and allow mixing different drive sizes. Data is stored across all disks evenly.
The storage system automatically rebalances the data when new drives are added or when the distribution of
data has become imbalanced.