Dell PERC
Dell PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) is a family of hardware RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controllers manufactured by Dell Technologies for use in their PowerEdge server line. These controllers are designed to provide enhanced data protection, improved performance, and simplified storage management compared to software-based RAID solutions.
PERC controllers operate independently of the server's central processing unit (CPU), offloading RAID calculations and thereby improving overall system performance, particularly in read/write intensive applications. They typically feature dedicated processors and cache memory for this purpose.
Functionality offered by Dell PERC controllers includes:
- RAID Level Support: PERC controllers support various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, allowing administrators to choose the appropriate level of redundancy and performance for their specific needs.
- Cache Memory: The integrated cache memory enhances read and write performance by storing frequently accessed data. Battery backup units (BBUs) or flash-based cache protection modules are often included to protect data in the cache in the event of a power failure.
- Management Tools: Dell provides management utilities and software for configuring, monitoring, and managing PERC controllers. These tools allow administrators to create and manage RAID arrays, monitor drive health, and perform other storage-related tasks.
- Hot Spare Support: PERC controllers support hot spare drives, which automatically replace a failed drive in a RAID array, minimizing downtime and maintaining data protection.
- Drive Compatibility: PERC controllers are compatible with a range of drive types, including SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), SATA (Serial ATA), and NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drives, depending on the specific controller model.
Dell PERC controllers are a critical component of Dell PowerEdge servers, providing robust data protection and improved storage performance for a variety of applications and workloads. They represent a key aspect of Dell's server storage solutions.