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HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 vs Dell PowerStore

Both the HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 and Dell PowerStore are NVMe all-flash arrays aimed at the midrange and mission-critical tier, but they answer the scaling question very differently. The B10000 uses a disaggregated, scale-out architecture that grows compute and capacity independently and ships with a 100% data availability guarantee; PowerStore pairs active/active dual-node appliances that scale out as a federated cluster. This comparison breaks down architecture, AIOps, security, and procurement so you can match the right all-flash array to your workload and budget.

The short answer

For mission-critical consolidation where you want to scale performance and capacity independently and lean on a contractual 100% data availability guarantee, the HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 is the stronger architecture and the better fit for GreenLake consumption buyers. Dell PowerStore wins on broad install base, a simple unified block-and-file profile, and Dell's aggressive 6:1 data reduction guarantee for general virtualization. Choose the B10000 for disaggregated scale and availability assurance; choose PowerStore for a proven, all-in-one midrange array. For federal and SLED buyers, both are sourceable on the right contract vehicles, and we can quote either side by side.

HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 vs Dell PowerStore, head to head

HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000
Dell PowerStore
Performance
All-active multinode design with I/O on every controller, port, and drive; ultra-low latency end-to-end NVMeadvantage
Active/active dual-node appliances with end-to-end NVMe and NVMe-oF (FC and TCP)
Scalability
Disaggregated scale-out: add compute or capacity independently, 15 TB to 5.6 PB, non-disruptive 2-drive incrementsadvantage
Scale-up within an appliance plus scale-out to a 4-appliance cluster (up to ~11.3 PB effective)
Management / AIOps
Cloud-native Data Services Cloud Console with HPE InfoSight predictive analytics
CloudIQ / APEX AIOps Infrastructure Observability for predictive monitoring
Security
FIPS-validated self-encrypting drives, data-at-rest encryption, ArcusOS per-node fault isolation, ransomware protection
FIPS 140-2/140-3 Level 2 SEDs, D@RE, STIG-hardened PowerStoreOS for DoD
Ecosystem / Lock-in
Shared Alletra Storage MP hardware platform spanning block and file; GreenLake hybrid cloud integrationadvantage
Tightly integrated Dell stack (PowerEdge, VxRail, APEX); native VMware vVols and AppsON
Support
HPE 6-nines+ track record, 100% data availability guarantee, optional GreenLake managed serviceadvantage
Dell ProSupport, 99.9999% (six-nines) availability design, mature global service
Price / Value
Midrange cost with mission-critical capability; pay-per-use via GreenLake; efficiency guarantee
Competitive midrange pricing with an industry-leading 6:1 data reduction guarantee, no assessmentadvantage
Federal / TAA
Sourceable as TAA-compliant on GPC/SAP/FAR; strong public-sector storage pedigree
Widely available on federal vehicles; STIG-hardened OS aids ATO efforts

Specifications side by side

HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000
Dell PowerStore
Architecture
Disaggregated, scale-out block (all-active)
Active/active dual-node, scale-up + scale-out cluster
Controller / node model
Independent compute nodes + separate storage (NVMe JBOF)
Two identical nodes per appliance, both servicing I/O
Operating system
HPE Alletra Storage ArcusOS (per-node instance)
PowerStoreOS (STIG-hardened option)
Media
End-to-end NVMe SSD
NVMe SSD and NVMe SCM SSD
Host connectivity
FC and iSCSI; NVMe-oF support
FC, iSCSI, NVMe-oF (FC and TCP)
Raw/usable capacity range
~15 TB to 5.6 PB per system
Per-appliance scale-up; cluster up to ~11.3 PB effective
Capacity expansion
Non-disruptive, in 2-drive increments
Add drives in appliance; add appliances to cluster
Availability
100% data availability guarantee (full HW + SW redundancy)
Designed for 99.9999% (six-nines) availability
Data reduction
Always-on dedup + compression; efficiency guarantee
Always-on dedup + compression; 6:1 reduction guarantee
AIOps / telemetry
Data Services Cloud Console + HPE InfoSight
CloudIQ / APEX AIOps Infrastructure Observability
Encryption / compliance
FIPS-validated SEDs, data-at-rest encryption
FIPS 140-2/140-3 Level 2 SEDs, D@RE
Consumption model
CapEx or HPE GreenLake pay-per-use
CapEx or Dell APEX subscription

Where HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 wins

  • Disaggregated architecture scales performance and capacity independently, so you don't overbuy controllers to add disk
  • Industry-first 100% data availability guarantee for block storage, backed by full hardware and software redundancy
  • All-active design keeps every controller, port, and drive in the I/O path for consistent low latency
  • Cloud-native management via Data Services Cloud Console with HPE InfoSight predictive analytics
  • Flexible GreenLake consumption and a shared Alletra Storage MP platform that spans block and file

Where Dell PowerStore wins

  • Massive installed base and a simple, well-understood active/active dual-node design
  • Industry-leading 6:1 data reduction guarantee with no assessment or signature required
  • Tight integration with the Dell ecosystem, VMware vVols, and AppsON on-array app hosting
  • STIG-hardened PowerStoreOS eases DoD and federal accreditation
  • NVMe SCM tier option for latency-sensitive metadata and workloads

Which one should you buy?

Mission-critical database and ERP consolidation needing predictable latency at scale

Pick HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000. The all-active, disaggregated design and 100% data availability guarantee suit tier-0/tier-1 consolidation where downtime is unacceptable.

General-purpose VMware virtualization for a midsize enterprise

Pick Dell PowerStore. The dual-node appliance, vVols integration, and 6:1 data reduction guarantee make it a clean, cost-effective fit for mixed VM estates.

You expect uneven growth and want to add capacity without paying for more controllers

Pick HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000. Independent scaling of compute and capacity avoids the overprovisioning baked into fixed dual-node appliances.

DoD or agency workload that must clear accreditation quickly

Pick Dell PowerStore. STIG-hardened PowerStoreOS and FIPS-validated SEDs streamline the ATO path, though both arrays are sourceable for federal.

Consumption-based hybrid cloud storage tied into a broader as-a-service estate

Pick HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000. Native GreenLake integration delivers pay-per-use block storage alongside the rest of an HPE hybrid cloud footprint.

Frequently asked

What is the main difference between HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 and Dell PowerStore?

The B10000 uses a disaggregated, scale-out architecture that separates compute from storage so each scales independently, and it carries a 100% data availability guarantee. PowerStore uses paired active/active dual-node appliances that scale up internally and scale out as a federated cluster. The B10000 is built for independent scaling and availability assurance; PowerStore favors a simple, unified all-in-one design.

Is the HPE Alletra MP B10000 faster than Dell PowerStore?

Both are end-to-end NVMe arrays with very low latency. The B10000's all-active design keeps every controller, host port, and drive engaged in I/O processing, which helps sustain consistent performance under heavy consolidation. PowerStore's active/active dual-node design is also strong, and real-world results depend on workload, data reduction, and configuration, so we recommend sizing both for your specific I/O profile.

What does the 100% data availability guarantee on the B10000 actually mean?

HPE markets the B10000 as the industry's first disaggregated scale-out block array with a 100% data availability guarantee, underpinned by full hardware redundancy and a separate instance of ArcusOS running on each controller node. Dell positions PowerStore as designed for 99.9999% (six-nines) availability. The guarantees are contractual commitments with specific terms, so review the SLA language for either platform.

How do the two arrays compare on data reduction?

Both run always-on inline deduplication and compression. Dell publishes an industry-leading 6:1 data reduction guarantee on reducible data with no assessment or signature required. HPE backs the B10000 with its own storage efficiency guarantee. Achievable ratios vary by data type, so neither number should be read as a promise for your specific dataset.

Which is better for VMware environments?

PowerStore has deep VMware integration, including vVols and AppsON for hosting VMs directly on the array, which appeals to vSphere-centric shops. The B10000 also integrates well with VMware and adds independent scaling and the availability guarantee. For pure general-purpose VM consolidation PowerStore is a natural fit; for mission-critical VMs that must never go offline the B10000's architecture has the edge.

Are both arrays available on federal contract vehicles like GPC, SAP, and FAR?

Yes. As an authorized HPE reseller we can source the HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 as a TAA-compliant configuration through vehicles such as GPC, SAP, and FAR, and Dell PowerStore is likewise widely available on federal contracts. PowerStore's STIG-hardened OS can help with accreditation. Tell us your contract vehicle and we can quote either array accordingly.

Can the B10000 and PowerStore both do NVMe over Fabrics?

Yes. Both support NVMe-oF for low-latency host connectivity. PowerStore supports NVMe-oF over both Fibre Channel and TCP, and the B10000 supports NVMe-oF alongside traditional FC and iSCSI. The right transport depends on your existing fabric and host stack.

Which array offers a better as-a-service or consumption model?

The B10000 is tightly integrated with HPE GreenLake for pay-per-use block storage and unified hybrid cloud operations, while PowerStore is available through Dell APEX subscriptions. If you want consumption pricing as part of a broader hybrid cloud estate, the B10000 with GreenLake is the more cohesive option; PowerStore via APEX is a solid choice within a Dell-centric environment.

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