Dell EqualLogic PS series Reviews

Dell EqualLogic PS series licensing is straightforward, with initial acquisition typically accompanied by a five-year maintenance package. Subsequent annual maintenance averages about $5,000 per array. Over time, the pricing became more attractive, with reduced costs of ownership. Some users find it mid-range or reasonably priced over extended usage; however, others note scalability limitations when budgets are constrained. Although some find the cost aligned with Dell support, more advanced alternatives exist on the market.

• "I don't think I would say that the product is less expensive...The product's price is not an issue for our company, considering the relationship we have with Dell and the customer support we receive."
• "Price-wise, the solution is cheap. I rate it a three on a scale of one to ten, where one is very cheap, and ten is very expensive."
• "Dell EqualLogic PS series can improve its scale-out feature. Sometimes the customer has a limited budget for storage expansion. When they want to expand their capacity, they need to buy a complete controller plus storage capacity, which sometimes is out of their budget. If Dell EqualLogic PS series support could scale up the environment in which only hard drive extension controllers should be supported, then customers can expand within a lower budget."

Entities primarily use Dell EqualLogic PS series for shared storage within VMware virtual environments. It supports virtual machines, data storage, file servers, and databases. Many rely on it for consistent SAN performance, handling high-performance IOPS needs, including Oracle and SQL databases. Its role in data housing, VMware vSphere environments, and as a network-attached storage device is notable. Despite being at its end-of-life, it remains integral to numerous organizations' storage infrastructures.

Customer service and support for Dell EqualLogic PS series receive positive feedback. Many users report good technical support with quick response times and effective issue resolution. Several users rate the support team highly, noting excellent service and prompt assistance, including hardware replacements. Some users point out the limited duration of direct support, transitioning to third-party assistance after five years. Despite a few challenges, there is widespread satisfaction with the service provided before the end of support.

Users found Dell EqualLogic PS series setup to be straightforward and uncomplicated. Training courses contributed to an easy process, although some underestimated storage needs initially. Setup duration varied with deployment size, but configuration was quick, taking a few hours. Users rated the setup highly for simplicity, indicating significant improvements over earlier solutions. Maintenance requires minimal effort, often without specialized personnel, and is managed through regular updates.

Dell EqualLogic PS series offers mixed scalability experiences. While some appreciate its simplicity and ability to easily expand by adding units, others face limitations due to drive consistency requirements and space constraints. Organizations find it suitable for small to medium-sized operations, with enterprise functions, yet growing companies may need alternatives. It serves user bases variably, ranging from hundreds to thousands. Some companies find upgrading challenging due to full capacities or end-of-life status. Scalability ratings vary.

Dell EqualLogic PS series had initial instability, particularly with pools having more than one member. Early issues involved member crashes due to low capacity, resolved in later updates. While most report strong reliability, network issues were mentioned but resolved. Over the years, users have noted consistent stability, with many citing no crashes or glitches. While slightly less reliable than some alternatives, praise is given for its reliability. Stability ratings vary but generally lean positive.