• Lenovo ThinkSystem & DE Series Storage Arrays – DM3000H, DM5000H, DM7000H, DE2000H, DE4000H & DE6000H Buying Guide

    Keywords

    DM3000H, DM5000H, DM7000H, DE2000H, DE4000H, DE6000H, hybrid storage array, all-flash storage, entry-level SAN, scalable array, enterprise-grade NAS/SAN

    Description

    Lenovo’s ThinkSystem DM and DE series cover entry-level to large-enterprise hybrid and all-flash arrays. From the compact DE2000H geared toward small offices to the massive DM7000H delivering 134 PB raw capacity, there’s a right-sized array for every use case.

    The DM series offers unified NAS/SAN options—DM3000H for SMBs, DM5000H for mid-sized flash-optimized workloads, and DM7000H for large-scale, high-availability environments. Meanwhile, the DE series provides budget-friendly hybrid storage with dual controllers and Dynamic Disk Pools.

    Each model supports flexible drive configurations and expansion enclosures to grow capacity on demand—ideal for evolving applications like virtualization, analytics, backup, and media archives. Unified management and high-availability features ensure 24×7 reliability across all series.

    Key Features

    • Modular Scalability: Expand from 12 to thousands of drives via 2U/4U chassis and expansion shelves.
    • Unified & SAN Modes: DM series supports file and block protocols; DE series focuses on block iSCSI/FC SAN.
    • High Availability: Dual active-active controllers, ECC memory, battery-backed cache, hot-swap modules.
    • Data Services: Dynamic Disk Pools, RAID-TEC/DP, snapshots, thin provisioning, compression, mirroring.
    • Flexible Connectivity: 12 Gb SAS, 10/25 Gb iSCSI, 8/16/32 Gb FC options on all models.
    • Enterprise-Grade Capacity: Up to 1.9 PB (DM3000H) → 134 PB (DM7000H); 1.47 PB (DE2000H/DE4000H) → 2.88 PB (DE6000H).

    Configuration

    ModelSeriesChassis & DrivesMax Raw CapacityMax DrivesController RAMTypical Use
    DM3000H DM 2U / 12 bays 1.9 PB 144 64 GB ECC SMB unified NAS/SAN
    DM5000H DM 2U / 24 bays 23.5 PB 1,728 768 GB ECC Mid-sized flash workloads
    DM7000H DM 4U / 24 bays 134 PB 8,640 3,072 GB ECC Large-scale, high-availability
    DE2000H DE 2U / 12 or 24 bays 1.47 PB 96 16 GB Entry-level SAN/DAS
    DE4000H DE 2U / 24 bays 1.47 PB 96 16 GB Mid-sized hybrid workloads
    DE6000H DE 2U / 24 bays 2.88 PB 480 32 GB Large-scale hybrid SAN

    Compatibility

    All DM and DE arrays support Windows Server, VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, RHEL/SLES Linux, and major backup/replication suites. DM series also integrates ONTAP management and SnapMirror replication; DE series integrates Lenovo XClarity.

    Usage Scenarios

    DM3000H fits SMBs needing unified NAS/SAN with up to 1.9 PB capacity in a 2U chassis and moderate IOPS.

    DM5000H accelerates mixed flash workloads—databases, VDI, analytics—scaling to 23.5 PB with 768 GB RAM.

    DM7000H underpins large-enterprise infrastructures, offering 134 PB raw, 8,640 drives, and 3 TB cache for mission-critical SLA compliance.

    DE2000H and DE4000H deliver entry to mid-level hybrid performance for remote offices or departmental SANs with up to 1.47 PB.

    DE6000H supports large-scale SAN data lakes, media archives, and backup targets with 2.88 PB raw and 32 GB cache.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Q: Which array offers the highest raw capacity?
      A: The DM7000H provides up to 134 PB raw in a 4U24 configuration.
    • Q: Can DE2000H and DE4000H mix SFF and LFF drives?
      A: Yes—expansion enclosures allow mixing 2.5″ and 3.5″ drives behind any controller chassis.
    • Q: What software features differentiate DM vs. DE series?
      A: DM series runs ONTAP with advanced replication (SnapMirror), while DE series uses Lenovo’s Dynamic Disk Pools and XClarity integration.
    • Q: How do I scale beyond base bays?
      A: Attach DE120S/DE240S/DE600S expansion shelves for DE series or DM240S/DM480S shelves for DM series to grow drive counts.
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