Specifications

External storage for the R420 is available through optional HBAs for SAS and iSCSI. For more
information, see Dell.com/Storage.
Dell provides highly capable RAID options for you to ensure that your data remains safe. Dell’s RAID
controller options offer impressive performance improvements, including the following features:
 FastPath™ I/O: This feature can help accelerate performance when operating on SSDs.
 Split mirror: This function allows you to break mirrored disk connection in order to quickly
replace a drive.
 Physical disk power management (Dimmer Switch™): This feature allows for power control of
spare or idle drives, which can save energy and operating expenses.
The newest line of PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) cards offer high I/O performance for
database applications and streaming digital media environments. The internal RAID controllers have
a dedicated connection to the system board. The R420 supports the new PERC 8 family of
controllers with improved functionality and faster performance.
The default PERC for the R420 is a mini-type PERC. The R420 also supports the new software RAID
solution that supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10. The R420 supports the PERC cards listed in Table 12. For
more information about the latest PERC offerings, see Dell.com/PERC.
Controller
Description
Features
RAID
modes
supported
Form factor
Usage
model
PERC H810
External
Eight-port, external and
6Gp/s PCIe RAID
controller
Includes 1GB NV DDR3
cache, premium
performance and feature
set, security SED/EKMS,
and SSD as cache
0, 1, 10, 5,
50, 6, 60
Adapter
Premium
performance
PERC H710P
Internal
Eight-port, internal 6Gb/s
PCIe RAID controller
Includes 1GB NV DDR3
cache, premium
performance and feature
set, security SED/EKMS,
and SSD as cache
0, 1, 10, 5,
50, 6, 60
Integrated
mini-type
Premium
performance
PERC H710
Internal
Eight-port, internal 6Gb/s
PCIe RAID controller
Includes 512MB NV
DDR3 cache, advanced
feature set, security
SED/EKMS
0, 1, 10, 5,
50, 6, 60
Integrated
mini-type
Performance
PERC H310
Internal
Eight-port, internal 6Gb/s
PCIe RAID
Supports hot-plug
drives, expansion, pass-
through
0, 1, 10, 5,
50
Integrated
mini-type
Value