The Dell PowerEdge R720 is a 2U rack-mounted server designed for a variety of enterprise applications, including virtualization, database hosting, and high-performance computing workloads. It was part of Dell’s 12th generation of PowerEdge servers and is known for its strong performance, scalability, and flexibility.
Here are some key features and specifications of the Dell PowerEdge R720:
Key Features:
- Processor Support:
- Dual Intel Xeon E5-2600 or E5-2600 v2 processors.
- Up to 12 cores per processor, offering high performance for multitasking and multi-threaded applications.
- Memory:
- Up to 768 GB of DDR3 memory (using 32GB RDIMM modules).
- Supports quad-rank memory for higher performance.
- Storage:
- Supports up to 16 x 2.5-inch or 8 x 3.5-inch hot-plug hard drives, depending on the configuration.
- Can support a variety of drive types: SAS, SATA, or SSD.
- Optional RAID configurations using a PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) card.
- Networking:
- Dual embedded 1GbE Ethernet ports (additional NIC options are available).
- Optional 10GbE network adapters or Fibre Channel cards for high-speed networking.
- Expansion Slots:
- Up to 7 PCIe 3.0 slots for additional adapters (NIC, HBA, GPU, etc.).
- Power Supply:
- Dual, redundant 495W or 750W hot-plug power supplies (for redundancy and high availability).
- Management:
- Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC7) with Lifecycle Controller for out-of-band management, remote control, and monitoring of the system.
- Form Factor:
- 2U rackmount form factor, allowing it to fit into standard 19-inch data center racks.
Typical Use Cases:
- Virtualization: The R720 is commonly used for running virtualized workloads using VMware, Hyper-V, or other hypervisor technologies.
- Database Servers: With high memory and CPU capabilities, it’s often deployed in database environments (SQL, Oracle, etc.).
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): It can support demanding HPC applications that require substantial computing power.
- Business-Critical Applications: The R720 is often used for mission-critical workloads due to its reliability and expandability.
Maintenance and Configuration:
- Easy to Service: The R720 is designed with easy serviceability in mind, offering tool-less access to components and redundant power supplies and cooling fans.
- Firmware and BIOS: Firmware updates can be managed through the iDRAC interface or via the Lifecycle Controller.
Popular Configurations:
- Virtualization-optimized: With a combination of high RAM (256GB or more), fast SSDs, and powerful Xeon processors, it’s excellent for virtualized environments.
- Storage-optimized: Configured with high-capacity hard drives and RAID configurations for high storage density.
Advantages:
- Scalability: Can handle significant growth in memory, storage, and processing power.
- Reliability: Redundant power supplies and cooling fans ensure high availability for critical applications.
- Versatility: Suited for a variety of workloads including enterprise, cloud, and business-critical applications.
