Dell PowerVault Storage is a cost-effective and scalable storage solution designed for enterprises and SMBs. It provides high-capacity, reliable storage for backup, virtualization, and general IT workloads. The PowerVault family consists of three main series:
ML-Series (Tape Backup Storage)
ME-Series (Entry-Level SAN Storage)
NX-Series (NAS Storage)
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This article provides a detailed technical comparison of these PowerVault models, explaining their differences, use cases, and key specifications in an easy-to-understand format.
Dell PowerVault Storage Comparison – A Complete Guide to ML, ME, and NX Series
Discover key differences, technical specifications, scalability options, and performance benchmarks of Dell PowerVault storage. Learn which model best fits your enterprise needs with insights from Server-Parts.eu.
Dell PowerVault ML-Series: Tape Backup Solutions
The PowerVault ML-Series is Dell’s tape backup storage, providing cost-effective, long-term data retention with high durability.
ML-Series Models:
Model | Capacity (Compressed) | Tape Technology | Max Drives |
ML3 | Up to 45 TB per cartridge | LTO-8, LTO-9 | 16 |
ML3 with Expansion | Up to 1.53 PB | LTO-8, LTO-9 | 48 |
ML6000 | Up to 12.6 PB | LTO-8, LTO-9 | 96 |
Why Choose PowerVault ML-Series?
Cost-effective backup and archiving
Air-gapped security for ransomware protection
Scalable with additional expansion modules
Supports LTO-8 and LTO-9 for high-speed data transfers
Ideal for organizations requiring long-term, high-capacity backup solutions with low cost per GB.
Dell PowerVault ME-Series: Entry-Level SAN Storage
The PowerVault ME-Series offers block storage for SMBs and enterprises needing affordable, high-performance SAN solutions.
ME-Series Models:
Model | CPU | Memory (Max GB) | Max Raw Capacity |
ME4012 | Dual Xeon | 64 GB | 3 PB |
ME4024 | Dual Xeon | 64 GB | 3 PB |
ME4084 | Dual Xeon | 128 GB | 4 PB |
Key Features of ME-Series:
SAN connectivity via iSCSI, SAS, or Fibre Channel
Supports NVMe SSD, SAS SSD, and HDD for flexible performance and capacity
Automated tiering for optimized storage efficiency
RAID support for data protection
Best for small and medium businesses looking for high-performance block storage at an affordable price.
Dell PowerVault NX-Series: Network-Attached Storage (NAS)
The PowerVault NX-Series is Dell’s dedicated NAS appliance designed for file sharing and data protection.
NX-Series Models:
Model | CPU | Memory (Max GB) | Max Capacity |
NX3240 | Single Xeon | 64 GB | 96 TB |
NX3340 | Dual Xeon | 128 GB | 192 TB |
Why Choose PowerVault NX-Series?
Pre-installed Windows Storage Server
SMB, NFS, and iSCSI support for flexible file sharing
Integrated deduplication for space optimization
Snapshot backups and replication for data security
Best for businesses requiring scalable, high-performance NAS storage for file sharing, backup, and data management.
Which Dell PowerVault Storage Model Is Right for You?
✅ Choose PowerVault ML-Series if:
You need long-term, cost-effective tape backup.
You require air-gapped security for ransomware protection.
You need scalability up to 12.6 PB.
✅ Choose PowerVault ME-Series if:
You need high-performance SAN storage.
You require NVMe SSD, SAS SSD, or HDD flexibility.
You want RAID support and automated tiering.
✅ Choose PowerVault NX-Series if:
You need scalable NAS storage for file sharing.
You require Windows Storage Server pre-installed.
You need deduplication and snapshot backup support.
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