The Dell PowerEdge R730 is a 2U rack-mounted server designed for high-performance computing and virtualization, offering robust capabilities for demanding workloads. It’s a highly flexible and scalable platform suitable for enterprises, data centers, and small-to-medium businesses that need powerful, reliable servers for applications like virtualization, cloud computing, database management, and more.
Here’s an overview of the key features and specifications of the Dell PowerEdge R730:
Key Features & Specifications
1. Processor (CPU):
- Supports Dual Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 or v4 Series Processors.
- Can support up to 22 cores per processor (depending on the specific Xeon model chosen).
- High-performance processor options like Intel Xeon E5-2690v4, offering up to 3.5 GHz clock speeds.
- Support for Intel Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading, allowing for better multitasking and improved performance.
2. Memory:
- Supports up to 768GB of DDR4 RAM (with 24 DIMM slots).
- Memory speeds up to 2133 MT/s, depending on the type of memory installed.
- Compatible with RDIMMs (Registered DIMMs) and LRDIMMs (Load-Reduced DIMMs) for better scalability.
- Supports Advanced ECC for better memory error detection and correction.
3. Storage:
- 12 x 3.5″ or 2.5″ drive bays (depending on the configuration you choose) for hot-swappable drives.
- Options for HDDs, SSDs, or a combination of both, with enterprise-class storage configurations.
- Supports RAID configurations via the PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller), including RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50.
- Includes up to 3TB of storage using 3.5″ drives or higher capacity using 2.5″ SSDs, depending on the drive configuration.
4. Networking:
- Dual-port 1GbE NIC by default for network connectivity.
- Optional 10GbE or 25GbE network cards available for high-speed networking.
- Flexible PCIe expansion slots to add additional network cards or storage controllers.
5. Expansion Slots (PCIe):
- Up to 7 PCIe 3.0 slots for expansion cards such as additional storage controllers, network cards, and GPUs.
- Flexibility for adding specialized hardware such as GPU accelerators for workloads like deep learning, video rendering, or graphics processing.
6. Power Supply:
- Redundant power supplies for high availability (up to 1100W).
- Efficient power management options to optimize energy consumption and cost.
- Hot-pluggable, meaning power supplies can be replaced without shutting down the server.
7. Management and Remote Access:
- iDRAC8 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller): Provides out-of-band management for remote server monitoring, management, and troubleshooting.
- OpenManage Essentials for easy server management through an intuitive web interface.
- LifeCycle Controller for server provisioning, deployment, and updates.
- Supports virtual media, remote console, and firmware management through iDRAC.
8. Cooling and Efficiency:
- Advanced cooling system designed for energy efficiency.
- Fans and heat sinks are optimized for reducing noise and power consumption while maintaining the server’s internal temperature.
9. Security:
- TPM (Trusted Platform Module) for hardware-based encryption and secure boot.
- Secure Boot and System Lockdown features to help protect against malicious firmware attacks.
- Power-on password and remote lock capabilities for physical security.
Use Cases for Dell PowerEdge R730:
The R730 is a versatile server ideal for a variety of workloads:
- Virtualization: A popular choice for VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and other virtualization platforms. It can run multiple virtual machines (VMs) efficiently thanks to its powerful processors and substantial memory capacity.
- Database Servers: Suitable for running enterprise-grade databases such as SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL.
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): Can be used for scientific computing, simulations, and other data-intensive applications.
- Web Hosting & Application Servers: A great fit for hosting large-scale web applications, file services, or business applications.
- Private Cloud: Ideal for building a private cloud infrastructure with software like OpenStack or VMware vSphere.
Operating System Support:
- Supports Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, and other Linux distributions.
- Compatible with VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and other hypervisors for virtualization environments.
Comparison to Other Models:
- PowerEdge R730 vs. R740: The R740 is a more modern, slightly upgraded version of the R730, offering support for newer processors and additional features like NVMe drives and better GPU support. The R730, however, is still highly capable and is often more cost-effective for environments not requiring the latest hardware.
- R730 vs. R630: The R630 is a 1U server, more compact than the R730, but offers fewer expansion options. It may be a better choice for situations where space is at a premium and fewer drive bays are needed.
