Hello, 

 The minimum is 12 in a 4100.  EQL supports 1/2 or fully populated configurations only.  The drives must be the same speed and size as the original drives. 

 The drives will have to be qualified specifically for the EQL arrays.  You cannot use OEM or non EQL drives. E.g. from a PowerVault or other Dell storage device. 

 Once you have them, stage them in the slots, but do NOT fully seat them into the slot.  Once all 12 drives are installed then one by one w/o stopping fully seat the drives into the slots. 

 What version of EQL firmware are you running?  

 Regards, 

Don 

Hello, 

 You are welcome.  That is very old firmware.  That came out Oct 2013. 

Make sure the replacement drives are same size and speed. 

 Regards,

Don 

ok. So.. should I upgrade the firmware before install disks or will run with this firmw?

Thanks for you answer! . Firm 6.0.7

Hello, 

 For many reasons you should upgrade the firmware.  There are so many fixes and enhancements since then.  Especially in the area of defective drive monitoring and removal. 

 You wouldn't run a server unpacked for 5 years, the storage is the same. 

 It will take you quite a few steps to get to current firmware.   Current firmware also allows the newer drives to be larger in size and only use the amount of space that matches the existing drives.  Older firmware like you are running does not.  

 So you still have a support contract on this array? 

 Regards, 

Don 

Hello, 

 OK without a contract you won't be able to download the firmware.  The contract maintains the license to use the firmware, bundled applications and get updates. 

 Regards,

Don 

Hi!
I know this topic is very old, however I would like to make sure that the Dell PS4100X only runs when it is either fully loaded (24 drives) or half full (12 drives). You can't do the initial setup without filling it half or full with disks.
Regards.