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Silver 2U rack enclosure with twelve 3.5-inch drive bays, dual controllers, redundant 580W supplies and rails

DELL

DELL ME5012 12-bay 3.5" barebone server, dual-control, 580W redundant, SAS

SKU CH-B7KH-6KDTG MPN ME5012

12-bay 3.5-inch storage enclosure with dual controllers, 580W redundant power supplies, rack rails and SAS connectivity

  • ProcessorNone (Storage device, no CPU included)
  • Processor socketNone (Storage device, no CPU socket)
  • 12 x 3.5-inch bays provide high-capacity storage density
  • Dual-controller design delivers continuous availability during failures
  • 580W redundant power supplies protect against outage
  • Included rack rails simplify cabinet mounting
  • SAS host interface enables direct controller connectivity

12-bay SAS storage enclosure

The Dell ME5012 is a 12-bay 3.5-inch barebone enclosure designed for storage-centric deployments. It ships without compute modules, so it suits teams that need raw capacity behind existing servers. Dual controllers provide path redundancy for continuous availability.

Capacity headroom and limits

Twelve 3.5-inch bays support high-capacity SAS drives for large sequential workloads such as backup, archive or media repositories. The enclosure has no internal CPU or memory, so all processing must come from the attached host. Performance scales with the host controller and drive selection, not the chassis itself.

Build, connectors and daily use

A 580W redundant power supply keeps the unit running through a single supply failure. Included rack rails simplify mounting in standard cabinets. SAS host connectivity links the enclosure directly to a RAID controller or HBA, making it a straightforward expansion shelf for existing infrastructure.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Barebone Servers & DIY Kits, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $7,661.99
Pricier than about 83% of the 532 comparable items (median $2,503.49).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameDell
Product linePowerEdge ME5012
Model nameME5012
Processor
ProcessorNone (Storage device, no CPU included)
Processor socketNone (Storage device, no CPU socket)

Questions about this item

Will the ME5012 connect to my existing SAS host bus adapter without extra converters?

The enclosure uses a SAS host interface, so it links directly to any compatible SAS HBA or RAID card using standard SAS cables.

How can I confirm both controllers and the 580W redundant supplies are active after racking the unit?

Each controller and power supply has front-facing status LEDs; solid green on all four modules shows the dual-controller pair and both 580W units are operating normally.

Does the shipment include drive carriers for all 12 bays, or must I order them separately?

The barebone unit ships with rack mounting rails only; 3.5-inch drive carriers for the 12 bays are not included and must be purchased separately.

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