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Dell PowerVault ME5024
2U dual-controller SAN/DAS array with 24 x 2.5″ drive bays
The PowerVault ME5024 is the twenty-four-bay, 2U performance member of the prior-generation ME5 family. Its small-form-factor bays favor SSD and 10K SAS media, giving the dual-active controllers high drive count for flash and low-latency workloads in a compact chassis. It can scale online with ME412, ME424 or ME484 expansion enclosures, up to 276 drives behind a single base array.
Why the ME5024 is the flash-focused ME5
Twenty-four bays in 2U mean more spindles – or more flash devices – in the same rack space as the ME5012. That matters for random IO, because more SSDs and SAS links widen the performance envelope. The ME5024 runs the same included ME5 data services and expands the same way, so a performance-first configuration can still grow into dense capacity later.
The ME5024 suits database volumes, virtual desktop and virtualization storage, and mixed workloads that benefit from short, predictable latency. It is the prior-generation alternative to the ME5224: identical chassis concept and software, earlier controller silicon, and typically a lower price for buyers who do not need the newest generation.
In practice, the ME5024 often lands where two requirements collide: a database or virtualization team wants flash-level responsiveness, while the budget owner wants to avoid the premium of a brand-new generation. The 24-bay chassis resolves that tension by allowing a genuinely all-flash configuration or a carefully sized hybrid pool, with the same multipathing, snapshots and replication the rest of the ME5 family uses. Because every host protocol is available on the same controllers, the array can be re-cabled or re-purposed as projects move between FC and Ethernet teams, rather than being replaced.
Platform architecture
Dual-active controllers
Two Intel Xeon controllers run active/active and present the same LUNs on both modules. If one module faults, its partner takes over paths without taking volumes offline.
12Gb SAS backend
Drives and ME4-series expansion enclosures connect on a 12Gb SAS back end via wide ports, one per controller, keeping the path to added shelves deterministic.
Pooled virtual storage
Capacity is organized into virtual storage pools with pages that can be auto-tiered across SSD, performance and capacity media as access patterns change.
Included data protection
Redirect-on-write snapshots, thin provisioning, volume copy and asynchronous FC/iSCSI replication are built into the firmware, not bolt-on licenses.
- Dual-active Intel Xeon controllers with automatic, transparent failover
- Native block-level SAN or DAS in a single array
- RAID 1, 5, 6, 10 and distributed ADAPT erasure coding
- Thin provisioning, up to 3 auto-tiers, snapshots and async replication included
- 32Gb FC, 25Gb iSCSI, 10Gb Base-T and 12Gb SAS host options
- AES-256 SED encryption, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 drives and KMIP external key management
- PowerVault Manager HTML5 GUI, CLI and Redfish/Swordfish REST API
Where this model fits
Database and transaction storage
Place database LUNs on SSD or 10K SAS for low latency, with snapshots and replication included for protection.
Virtualization and VDI
Use the high 2.5″ drive count to support many virtual machines or virtual desktops in a single 2U array.
Prior-generation flash value
Get an all-flash or hybrid ME5 configuration at lower cost than the current ME5224, without losing firmware features.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product type | Dual-controller hybrid/flash SAN/DAS storage array |
| Family / generation | PowerVault ME5 (prior generation) |
| Form factor | 2U rack enclosure |
| Controller modules | 2 hot-swappable, active/active; single or dual supported on 2U |
| Drive bays | 24 x 2.5″ small-form-factor |
| System memory | 8GB system + 16GB cache per controller (24GB total) per current spec |
| Storage format | Native block-level SAN or DAS |
| Host interfaces | FC, iSCSI (optical or BaseT), 12Gb SAS |
| Maximum FC ports | 8 x 32Gb (auto-negotiate to 16Gb) |
| Maximum iSCSI ports | 8 x 25Gb SFP28 or 8 x 10Gb BaseT |
| Maximum SAS host ports | 8 x 12Gb SAS |
| RAID levels | 1, 5, 6, 10 and ADAPT distributed erasure coding |
| Drive support | SSD, SAS 10K, NL-SAS and FIPS SED media |
| Data services | Thin provisioning, up to 3 tiers, snapshots, volume copy, async replication |
| Security | AES-256 SED, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 drives, KMIP key management |
| Expansion | Up to 9 ME412/ME424 (2U) or 3 ME484 (5U) enclosures; 276 drives max |
| Max raw capacity | Up to 5.72PB (with three ME484 enclosures) |
| Power supplies | 2 x 580W, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Dimensions / weight | 8.79 x 48.30 x 54.78 cm; up to 30.0 kg loaded |
| Operating temperature | 5C to 35C (derate 1C per 300m above 900m) |
| Management | PowerVault Manager GUI, CLI, Redfish/Swordfish REST API |
| Min/Max drive count | 2 to 276 drives |
| Heat dissipation | 1980 BTU per hour |
| Amperage | 7.6A to 3.0A (x2) |
| Management ports | 2 x 1Gb BASE-T |
Compare the ME5 models
| Specification | ME5012 | ME5024 | ME5084 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 2U | 2U | 5U |
| Drive bays | 12 x 3.5″ | 24 x 2.5″ | 84 x 3.5″ |
| Best at | Low-cost bulk SAN | Flash / performance | Maximum density |
| Max drives (stacked) | 264 | 276 | 336 |
| Max raw capacity | 5.80PB | 5.72PB | 7.39PB |
Typical configurations
How this unit is supplied
Configured to your host
We match the shelf or array to your server model, host bus adapter and cabling so the unit arrives ready to rack and connect, not as a pile of separate parts.
Tested before shipment
Drives, controllers or EMMs, power supplies and firmware revisions are checked so the configuration powers up and presents storage on first install.
Service and warranty
New systems are supplied with the appropriate Dell ProSupport and ProDeploy coverage, with options for proactive and multi-year support.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ME5024 still worth buying?
Yes for performance-focused buyers who want ME5 features at a prior-generation price. The ME5224 is the option for the newest controllers.
What is the difference between ME5024 and ME5224?
Both are 2U with 24 x 2.5″ bays and the same firmware; the ME5224 is the newer ME5200 controller generation, while the ME5024 is usually lower cost.
Why choose the ME5024 over the ME5012?
The 24 small-form-factor bays give higher drive and SSD count, improving random performance for databases and virtualization.
Can it be configured all-flash?
Yes. All twenty-four bays accept SSDs, and the array supports all-flash, hybrid and HDD-only configurations.
How much memory does it have?
The current ME5 specification lists 8GB system plus 16GB cache per controller (24GB total); earlier documents quoted 16GB per controller.
What host protocols are available?
32Gb FC, 25Gb iSCSI, 10Gb Base-T and 12Gb SAS, allowing SAN or DAS attachment.
What is the maximum capacity?
Up to 5.72PB raw when configured with three ME484 dense expansion enclosures.
How many drives can one base array manage?
Up to 276 drives using up to nine 2U shelves or three 5U shelves.
Are data protection features included?
Yes. Snapshots, thin provisioning, volume copy and asynchronous replication are built into the firmware.
What RAID is best for an all-flash pool?
ADAPT distributes data and spare capacity across many SSDs for fast rebuilds; conventional RAID is also available.
What encryption is supported?
AES-256 SEDs including FIPS 140-2 Level 2 drives, with KMIP external key management.
How do I order a configured ME5024?
Share your workload and host details; we configure drives, controllers, host ports, cables and service, then quote the complete array.
Which workloads benefit most from the 24 bays?
Random-IO workloads such as databases, virtualization hosts and VDI, because more small-form-factor SSDs and SAS devices widen parallel access.
Can the ME5024 be re-purposed later for bulk storage?
Yes. Adding ME484 dense shelves behind the same controllers lets a performance-first base array grow into large bulk capacity.
Related PowerVault models
Configure this PowerVault for your environment
Send us your server model, drive mix and host protocol. We will quote a new, fully tested unit with the right Dell service coverage.
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