Which backend port are required to expand the PowerStore x200 models to have NVMe Expansions?

InDell PowerStore X200models (part of Dell’s midrange storage portfolio), NVMe expansions are supported by leveraging the NVMe-oF (NVMe over Fabrics) capabilities. Specifically, NVMe expansions require high-speed backend connectivity, and in these models, this is provided by a100 GbE 2-port Mezz card.

Here’s the step-by-step explanation:

✅NVMe Expansion Architecture:

PowerStore uses NVMe drives for extremely low latency and high throughput. To expand the system and connect additional NVMe expansion enclosures (like PowerStore’s NVMe Expansion Enclosures), you need backend ports that support NVMe connectivity.

✅Backend Port Choice:

The100 GbE 2-port Mezz cardis explicitly designed to support these NVMe backend connections. It provides the necessary bandwidth and low latency to support the NVMe expansion enclosures.

✅Why not the other options?

The25 GbE 4-port Mezz cardis typically used for front-end host connectivity and does not support backend NVMe expansion.

The32 Gb FC I/O Moduleis for Fibre Channel SAN connectivity, not for NVMe backend expansions.

✅Documentation Reference:

The officialDell PowerStore Technical SpecificationsandDell PowerStore Hardware Information Guidestate that the backend connectivity for NVMe expansions in PowerStore X200 systems relies on the100 GbE 2-port Mezzanine card.