Dell has released a new external storage enclosure based on small form factor disk drives, which it claims can help improve data access times while reducing power consumption.

The Dell PowerVault MD1120 is the computer makers first external enclosure based on 2.5-inch serial attached SCSI (SAS) drives. The 24 that are packed into the 2U MD1120 deliver a system that takes up 70 per cent less space than an equivalent unit based on 3.5-inch drives, while needing 50 per cent less power, Dell claimed.

"The PowerVault MD1120 delivers on Dell’s focus to provide data centre solutions that are effective, versatile and, above all, simple to use," said Robin Kuepers, head of storage, Dell in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in a statement.

The MD1120 is ideal for organisations that need extra storage for data-intensive applications, or as an entry-level enclosure for supporting business critical applications such as email, database and online transaction processing, he added.

Dell said that the MD1120 can scale up to six enclosures, housing 144 drives, when connected to its PowerEdge RAID Controller.