STORAGE & RAID ADVISOR

Plan capacity. Check the complete storage path.

Plan server RAID capacity and explore your model’s storage options. Keep the chassis, controller and required accessories together in one review.

01 · YOUR PLATFORM — OPTIONAL

Choose the server and drive option

You can skip this section and use the capacity planner below. Selecting a chassis narrows results to its drive options and bay limits.

Skip to capacity plan →

ManufacturerModel

Chassis / storage option

Select the option that matches your installed hardware, or leave it unknown.

Drive form factorDrive interfaceController / HBA modelController options from this server’s CTO catalog. Confirm the installed controller for an upgrade.

02 · CAPACITY PLAN

Plan your storage

Choose one of the two calculators below. Neither requires a server selection.

Total drives, including spares

Capacity per driveCapacity unit

For example: 300 GB, 960 GB or 1.92 TB. 1 TB = 1,000 GB.

Dedicated hot spares (optional)RAID level

Hot spares are included in the total drive count and reserved for rebuilds; they add no usable capacity. This planner assumes spare and member drives have the same capacity. Use 0 for RAID 0.

Assumes equal-capacity drives in a new array. For mixed sizes, use the smallest member capacity. Existing-array migrations need a separate review.

Capacity is one part of the decision

Drive path

Check the drive, carrier, backplane, cables and controller as a combination. A matching connector or size alone is insufficient.

Performance

RAID capacity does not predict application speed. Workload, drive endurance, controller settings and rebuild activity matter.

Protection

RAID is not a backup. The estimate excludes formatting, metadata and operating-system overhead. A spare contributes no usable array capacity.

Reference: Dell RAID level definitions →

How to read the results

Manufacturer documented

A cited document supports the stated rule. Conditions still apply to your configuration.

Catalog reference

A listed platform or chassis option helps you plan. It does not establish what is installed in your system.

Needs confirmation

Missing or conflicting details are carried into your review request. They are never counted as a compatibility pass.

Need a configuration checked?

Send your model, installed components and intended upgrade. We can help identify the parts and restrictions that matter.

Ask a specialist →

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