Lenovo 2U24 Chassis - 7Y75100CNA

Lenovo 7Y75100CNA ThinkSystem DE4000H 2U 24-Bay Hybrid Storage Array

Overview

The Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000H — model 7Y75100CNA — is a 2U rack-mountable hybrid storage array built for organizations that need flexible, high-density SAN or DAS connectivity without moving to an all-flash architecture. Packing 24 drive bays into a 2U chassis, it supports mixed HDD/SSD configurations that let you tier performance-sensitive workloads onto flash while keeping high-capacity spinning media in the same enclosure. This is the kind of array that fits naturally in a mid-market data center, a video surveillance back-end, or a secondary storage tier alongside Lenovo ThinkSystem servers already in the rack. If you're evaluating network video recorders or centralized storage for multi-camera deployments, this unit belongs in the conversation.

Key Features

• 24 Drive Bays in 2U: Fitting 24 bays into a 2U profile means you spend less rack space per terabyte than most mid-range alternatives. For a surveillance or general-purpose secondary storage build, that density translates directly into lower rack licensing costs and better use of limited colocation space.
• 32GB Controller Memory: The 32GB of controller cache accelerates read and write operations by keeping frequently accessed data closer to the processor. In write-intensive workloads — think continuous motion-triggered video writes or database transaction logs — larger cache reduces the number of trips to spinning disk and keeps throughput consistent under load.
• Dual Redundant Power Supplies (913W Maximum): Each controller module is backed by a redundant power supply. A single PSU failure will not take the array offline, which is the minimum acceptable design for any storage system supporting production workloads. The 913W maximum draw is relevant for rack power budgeting — plan your PDU circuits accordingly before installation.
• DAS and SAN Connectivity: The 7Y75100CNA supports both Direct Attached Storage and Storage Area Network configurations. That dual-mode flexibility means you can deploy it as dedicated storage for a single host today, then reattach it to a SAN fabric later as your environment grows — without replacing the hardware.
• Hybrid Storage Architecture: Unlike all-flash arrays that demand flash for every bay, a hybrid model lets you mix media types. Assign SSDs to the bays handling your highest-IOPS workloads and populate the remainder with high-capacity HDDs. This approach significantly lowers cost-per-TB compared to pure flash, while still delivering the latency profile needed for demanding applications.
• 2U Rack Form Factor: Standard 2U EIA rack mounting means straightforward integration into any 19-inch rack cabinet without custom brackets or adapter kits. At 21.8 inches deep, verify your rack's usable interior depth — shallow two-post racks may require a shelf or rail extension.
• 3-Year Limited Warranty: Lenovo's 3-year limited warranty covers the unit from the factory, providing a documented support baseline important for procurement teams and long-term TCO planning. Confirm your specific entitlement terms at registration.

Integration and Compatibility

As a ThinkSystem DE4000H, the 7Y75100CNA fits within Lenovo's ThinkSystem storage portfolio and is designed for integration with ThinkSystem server platforms. The DAS/SAN connectivity modes make it compatible with a broad range of host bus adapters and SAN switches supporting the associated transport protocol. For surveillance-specific deployments, pairing this array with a dedicated NVR platform or a server running VMS software gives you a centralized, scalable storage back-end capable of handling continuous write streams from dozens of cameras simultaneously. When planning a IP camera infrastructure at scale, matching storage throughput and retention targets to the array's capacity and cache spec is the correct starting point — not the other way around. For PoE infrastructure feeding the cameras upstream, consult a PoE switch selection guide alongside this storage sizing exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum number of drives the Lenovo 7Y75100CNA supports?

A: The 7Y75100CNA supports up to 24 drive bays in its 2U chassis.

Q: Does the 7Y75100CNA support both SAN and DAS connectivity?

A: Yes. The ThinkSystem DE4000H supports both Direct Attached Storage (DAS) and Storage Area Network (SAN) configurations, giving you flexibility to adapt the deployment as your infrastructure evolves.

Q: What is the power draw of the 7Y75100CNA?

A: The maximum power draw is 913W. The unit ships with dual redundant power supplies, so a single PSU failure will not interrupt operation.

Q: How much controller memory does the 7Y75100CNA include?

A: The array ships with 32GB of controller memory, which accelerates cache-intensive read/write workloads.

Q: What is the warranty on the 7Y75100CNA?

A: Lenovo covers the 7Y75100CNA under a 3-year limited warranty. Verify your specific entitlement at registration.

Q: What rack depth is required to install the 7Y75100CNA?

A: The unit is 21.8 inches deep. Confirm your rack's usable interior depth before ordering — shallow two-post racks may need a shelf or rail extension to support the chassis properly.

Marty Allison

The spec I keep coming back to on the 7Y75100CNA is the dual redundant 913W power supply configuration. In shared storage deployments — where a single array is feeding multiple hosts or an NVR back-end — an unplanned power event that takes storage offline is a much bigger problem than a single server going down. Lenovo built redundancy in at the power layer, which is the right call for any system you're not allowed to take offline during business hours.

Technical Highlights:

• 24-Bay 2U Density: Twenty-four bays in two rack units is a meaningful density advantage for storage builds where rack space is constrained. You're not giving up half a rack to hit high raw capacity — plan your HDD/SSD mix at procurement time based on your write workload profile.
• 32GB Controller Cache: Thirty-two gigabytes of controller memory is the buffer between your host workload and physical media. For continuous-write surveillance workloads with dozens of camera streams, this cache absorbs burst writes and smooths throughput — reducing the latency spikes that cause frame drops at the recorder level.
• DAS + SAN Dual-Mode: Starting in DAS mode and migrating to SAN later without a forklift upgrade is a real operational benefit. It means you can right-size the connectivity investment at deployment and expand the fabric when the environment justifies it.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 21.8 inches of chassis depth, this unit requires a four-post rack with adequate interior depth. Measure your usable rail-to-rail depth before rack planning — do not assume standard 29-inch four-post clearance without verifying against your specific cabinet model.
• The 913W maximum draw is a ceiling, not a steady-state figure, but size your PDU and UPS circuits against it. If you are deploying multiple arrays in the same rack, do not share a single 20A circuit between them without verifying real-world draw under full load.

The 7Y75100CNA is the right unit for a mid-market surveillance or data center storage tier where you need hybrid media flexibility, dual-PSU resilience, and 24-bay density in a standard 2U footprint — particularly in environments running ThinkSystem servers where the storage stack benefits from consistent platform support.