HPE MSA 2040 vs Dell ME4: CLI Configuration Showdown for SAN Storage Arrays

Storage matters — not just what you store, but how you manage it. In the world of enterprise-level SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions, both the HPE MSA 2040 and the Dell PowerVault ME4 series offer serious capability for the price point, particularly when sourced refurbished. But here’s the catch: their CLI (Command Line Interface) workflows feel very different once you get stuck in.

So if you're the person who ends up scripting out WWN aliases at 10pm or configuring zoning over coffee, this one’s for you. We’re cutting through the brochure speak and getting into what actually happens when you're hands-on — with working examples, config notes, and typical real-world use cases.

HPE MSA 2040 vs Dell ME4: Quick Overview

CLI Configuration – Side-by-Side Scenarios

Whether you’re deploying SANs in a two-rack dev lab or replacing a 10-year-old NetApp in production, CLI configuration is either a pain point or a power tool. Here's how both systems stack up in typical scenarios.

1. Setting Management IPs

Use case: You're racking new SANs at a remote branch and configuring them over console or SSH before shipping them live.

HPE MSA 2040

set network-parameters ethernet-port 1 ipv4-address 192.168.1.10 subnet-mask 255.255.255.0
set default-gateway 192.168.1.1
set dns-server primary 8.8.8.8
set dns-server secondary 8.8.4.4

Notes:

• Use show network-parameters to verify.

• SSH is supported (though it might need to be enabled via serial).

Dell ME4

set management-ports ipv4 address 192.168.1.20 netmask 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.1.1
set dns-servers primary 8.8.8.8 secondary 8.8.4.4

Notes:

• SSH is enabled by default — no hunting for toggles.

2. Creating Aliases and Adding WWNs

Use case: You're zoning Fibre Channel hosts into your SAN, or you're mapping multiple VMware hosts in a cluster.

HPE MSA 2040

create alias name="ESXi-Host-01" wwns="21:00:00:24:ff:2a:b3:11"
create alias name="ClusterGroup" wwns="21:00:00:24:ff:2a:b3:11,21:00:00:24:ff:2a:b3:12"
show alias

Dell ME4

create host-group "ClusterGroup"
create host "ESXi-Host-01" host-type VMware
add initiator "21:00:00:24:ff:2a:b3:11" to host "ESXi-Host-01"
add host "ESXi-Host-01" to host-group "ClusterGroup"

3. External Zoning (via FC switch)

Use case: You’re doing this in a more traditional enterprise SAN with dedicated switches — common in HPE MSA deployments.

Brocade Zoning (used with HPE MSA)

alicreate "Server_A", "21:00:00:24:ff:2a:b3:11"
alicreate "Storage_A", "10:00:00:00:c9:3b:2a:4e"
zonecreate "Zone_A", "Server_A;Storage_A"
cfgcreate "SAN_Config", "Zone_A"
cfgsave
cfgenable "SAN_Config"

Dell ME4 (Volume Mapping)

create volume "VMFS_Datastore" size 1TB
map volume "VMFS_Datastore" to host-group "ClusterGroup"

No native zoning inside the ME4 — it’s simplified to volume-to-host mappings.

Real-World Scenarios: When to Pick What?

Scenario A: Branch office with limited IT resources

• Dell ME4 wins — minimal config, volume mapping is simple, SSH is ready out of the box.

• Great if you're managing this remotely and don’t want to dive into FC zoning scripts.

Scenario B: Enterprise datacentre with Brocade FC fabric

• HPE MSA fits better — FC zoning is expected, and you can get surgical with your pathing and visibility.

Scenario C: Mixed hypervisor environment

• Both are fine, but Dell ME4’s host-type option for VMware is a time-saver if you're spinning up ESXi clusters regularly.

FAQs

Can I configure everything via GUI instead?
Yes. Both systems come with full-featured web GUIs. The CLI just gets you under the bonnet faster.

Which works best with VMware?
Both work well, but Dell ME4’s host-type shortcuts make setup slightly quicker.

Do refurbished models lose out on support?
Not with a proper vendor. Intelligent Servers test every SAN, offer warranties, and support options. You’re not buying blind.

Final Thoughts: Enterprise Storage, Minus the Drama

The HPE MSA 2040 gives you full-fat zoning and deeper Fibre Channel control — great if you already have a Brocade mindset. The Dell ME4 feels like less hassle out of the box, especially for iSCSI-based setups.

If you know your way around a CLI, you’ll appreciate that both platforms give you what you need without too much marketing fluff in the middle. It just depends on how much control you want — and how many SANs you’ve got to wrangle on a Monday morning.

Let’s Talk It Through

If you’re planning an upgrade — or even just thinking about it — we’re happy to have a conversation. No hard sell. Just a chance to talk through your options with someone who understands the pressures you’re under and knows how to make a budget go further.