Dell VMAX 950F
The Dell EMC VMAX 950F represents the final, fastest evolution of the VMAX all-flash architecture, upgraded with Intel Xeon Broadwell 18-core processors and 32Gb Fibre Channel connectivity. With a 68% performance improvement over previous generations, the 950F delivered over 6.7 million IOPS and consolidated mission-critical open systems and mainframe workloads onto a single resilient footprint.
Also written as: VMAX 950F, Dell EMC VMAX 950F, Flagship VMAX All Flash
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | VMAX |
| Form factor | system bay multi-cabinet |
| Released | May 2017 |
| End of sale | May 2020 |
| End of support | May 2025 |
| Cpu platform | Up to 8 V-Bricks (16 directors), Intel Xeon Broadwell 18-core processors (288 total cores) |
| Memory max (GB) | 16,384 |
| Drive bays | Up to 480x 2.5-inch SAS SSDs across high-density DAE enclosures |
| Raw capacity | Up to 4.4 PB effective all-flash storage |
| Network onboard | Front-end ports supporting 32Gb/16Gb FC, 10GbE iSCSI, and 16Gb FICON |
| Power supply | Redundant multi-cabinet high-voltage power distribution units with battery vaults |
Generations
- Previous generation: Dell VMAX 850F
- Next generation: Dell PowerMax 8000
Compatible parts
HBAs
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMU Dell Emulex LPe35002 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Drive caddies
DXD9H Dell 2.5-inch Gen14/Gen15/Gen16 Hot-Plug Drive Caddy Tray (SFF)
SSDs
400-AZPZ Dell 1.92TB SAS Read Intensive 12Gb/s 2.5-inch Hot-Plug SSD
400-BDSD Dell 3.84TB SAS Read Intensive 12Gb/s 2.5-inch Hot-Plug SSD
Works together
How the Dell VMAX 950F connects to servers, storage and the network: 2 ways, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge C4140 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R440 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R540 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R640 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740xd 2U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter- 540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Switches
Dell Connectrix DS-6620B 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148U-ON 1U switch
Dell Connectrix DS-6610B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-6630B 2U switch
Optics
407-BBOG Dell 16Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver- 407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ ELWL 25 km
iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet
Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.
Servers
- Dell PowerEdge C4140 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R440 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R540 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R640 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R740 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R740xd 2U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBGN Dell Broadcom 57412 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ PCIe Adapter
540-BBGO Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 PCIe Adapter
540-BBGP Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter
540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
Switches
Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4128T-ON 1U switch
Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148FE-ON 1U switch
Optics
407-BBOU Dell 10GbE SFP+ SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 300m MMF)- 407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
SFP-10G-LR-AR Arista 10GBASE-LR SFP+ Optical Transceiver Module
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
- Dell E-Lab Navigator (Dell interoperability) dell.com
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell VMAX 950F.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used VMAX 950F: what to check
Examine director processor boards, check 32Gb FC transceiver compatibility, inspect SPS lithium-ion battery modules, and verify license generation for HYPERMAX OS features.
FAQ
What performance increase does the 950F have over the 850F?
The 950F provides roughly 68% higher IOPS and 30% faster response times thanks to upgraded Broadwell processors.
What remote replication options are supported?
Full SRDF/Synchronous, SRDF/Asynchronous, SRDF/Metro, and SRDF/Star multi-site architectures are fully supported.
Buying or selling VMAX 950F?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Dell EMC VMAX 950F Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27