Dell-PowerVault MD1400

Description

The Dell PowerVault MD1400 is an enterprise-grade storage expansion enclosure designed to provide additional high-capacity, high-performance storage for compatible Dell PowerEdge server environments. It uses 12Gb/s SAS technology and is specifically engineered for use with Dell PowerEdge servers and compatible PowerEdge RAID Controllers.

12-Bay Storage Capacity

The MD1400 provides 12 hot-pluggable drive bays supporting:

3.5-inch SAS and NL-SAS drives
2.5-inch SAS and SSD drives using adapters
Supported self-encrypting drives (SED)
Mixed storage configurations, subject to Dell compatibility requirements

Dell documentation lists configurations with up to 12 drives per enclosure, making the MD1400 suitable for applications where additional capacity is required without replacing or upgrading the server itself.

High-Speed 12Gb/s SAS Connectivity

The MD1400 provides end-to-end 12Gb/s SAS connectivity, enabling high-speed communication between the storage enclosure and compatible PowerEdge servers through supported PowerEdge RAID controllers/HBAs. It uses Mini-SAS HD connectors for host and expansion connections.

This makes it particularly suitable for environments requiring fast access to large volumes of data.

Storage Expansion

With compatible PERC H830/H840 controllers, the MD1400 can be deployed as part of a larger DAS storage configuration. Dell documentation specifies support for connecting multiple MD1400 enclosures, allowing organizations to scale storage capacity as requirements increase.

Redundant Enclosure Management

The MD1400 includes two Enclosure Management Modules (EMMs), providing redundant enclosure-management capability. This helps improve operational resilience and simplifies monitoring and management of the storage enclosure.

RAID Support

When paired with compatible Dell PowerEdge RAID controllers, the MD1400 platform supports multiple RAID levels, including:

RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 5
RAID 6
RAID 10
RAID 50
RAID 60

The actual RAID functionality depends on the installed controller and system configuration.

Enterprise-Class Hot-Plug Design

The MD1400 is designed for enterprise environments, with hot-pluggable drives and redundant enclosure-management components. This allows storage components to be serviced or replaced with minimal disruption when supported by the overall system configuration.

2U Rack-Mount Form Factor

The MD1400 uses a compact 2U rack-mounted chassis, making it suitable for standard data-center and server-room installations.

Physical dimensions are approximately:

Height: 8.7 cm / 3.43 in
Width: 48.2 cm / 18.98 in
Depth: 59.2 cm / 23.3 in, including PSU handle
Maximum weight: approximately 28.39 kg / 62.58 lb

Power and Cooling

The enclosure supports redundant power configurations with 600W AC power supplies. Dell also specifies a 700W DC power-supply option for applicable configurations. The AC input range is 100–240V with automatic ranging.

Ideal Applications

The Dell PowerVault MD1400 is well suited for:

Enterprise DAS environments
Dell PowerEdge server storage expansion
Database storage
Virtualization
Backup and recovery
File servers
High-capacity data storage
Surveillance and media storage
Business applications
Data-center storage expansion

Key Specifications

Feature	Specification
Product	Dell PowerVault MD1400
Type	Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) Enclosure
Form Factor	2U Rack
Drive Bays	Up to 12
Drive Size	3.5-inch; 2.5-inch with adapter
Drive Types	SAS, NL-SAS, SSD, SED
SAS Interface	12Gb/s
Host Connectivity	12Gb SAS
Connector	Mini-SAS HD
Management Modules	2 × EMM
RAID	0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60*
Expansion	Up to 8 enclosures with supported PERC H830/H840 configuration
AC Power Supply	600W
DC Power Supply	700W option
Height	8.7 cm
Width	48.2 cm
Depth	59.2 cm
Maximum Weight	Approx. 28.39 kg

*RAID functionality is provided through the compatible PowerEdge RAID controller rather than by the MD1400 enclosure itself.

Configuration Note

The MD1400 is a storage enclosure rather than a standalone storage array. It requires a compatible host server and supported PERC H830/H840 or other compatible connectivity configuration. The actual usable capacity, drive types, RAID level, and performance depend on the installed drives and host controller.