Dell Generation 13 servers released

Yesterday, Dell annouced the launch of their next generation PowerEdge servers. This new generation contains a bunch of new servers. The new models can be seen here –> http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/extras/w/wiki/7520.dell-13th-generation-poweredge-server-resources

Now one of the most important new models is the PowerEdge R730xd server, now one of the nifty features here is that it supports the new 1,8” SSD drives.

So this makes alot of different combinations.

• 18 x 1.8” SSD + 8 x 3.5″ HDD + 2 x 2.5 (rear) – (17TB via 960GB) hot-plug SATA SSD + (48TB via 6TB) NL SAS HDD + (3.5TB via 1.8TB) SAS HDD
• 24 x 2.5” HDD or SSD + 2 x 2.5” HDD or SSD (rear) – 43TB via 1.8TB hot-plug SAS HDD + 3.5TB via 1.8TB hot-plug SAS HDD. Up to 4 NVMe PCIe SSD (6.4TB via 1.6TB)
• 12 x 3.5 HDD or SSD + 2 x 2.5 HDD or SSD (rear) – 72TB via 6TB NL SAS HDD + 3.5TB via 1.8TB SAS HDD
• 16 x 3.5 HDD or SSD + 2 x 2.5 HDD or SSD (rear) – 96TB via 6TB NL SAS HDD + 3.5TB via 1.8TB SAS HDD

And with the new PERC9 which has increased cache and troughput available http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/campaigns/dell-raid-controllers it’s quite a Powerhouse.

Now some of the new features from a managment perspectice with the new release are:

* iDrac Quick Sync

This allows users to take care of some basic management of their PowerEdge servers with a near-field communication (NFC) device, such as a smart phone or tablet. Users can set their IP address, boot devices, and even pull off inventory information and health reports while at the box.

* iDrac Direct

We have also added in the ability via iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller to perform system management tasks from the USB port that is in the front of the server. Customers can load a configuration file on a USB port, iDRAC with LC will detect that a USB key has been plugged in, will pull the configuration information off, and will configure the system quickly, simply, and error-free. Additionally, you can ditch the crash cart and use your tablet or laptop to plug directly into the USB port in the front of the system and launch into iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller.

There are also other new features like.

* SanDisk Cache

This is available on some of the new models, but this feature uses locally SSD drives on the servers to be used for caching –> http://www.sandisk.com/about-sandisk/press-room/press-releases/2014/sandisk-das-cache-software-now-available-for-next-generation-dell-poweredge-servers/ this feature only works on Red Hat / SUSE Linux and Hyper-V this is because that this feature requires and os filter driver that is used to move data back and forth from the cache. Vmware support comes later next year.

Dell has also done some tests/benchmarks against the new servers and conclude that they host up to 18% more users than the old servers –> http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/dell4enterprise/b/dell4enterprise/archive/2014/09/08/new-dell-servers-host-up-to-18-more-virtual-desktop-users

StorageReviewand CRN  has already published a review of the new generation servers and are both impressed with the performance of these new generation servers –> http://www.storagereview.com/dell_poweredge_13g_r730xd_review

http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/300073939/review-dell-poweredge-r730-is-furious-fast.htm/pgno/0/1

Now im sure that this is only one of the few big announcements from Dell this year. Also important to remember that Dell & Nutanix is releasing their XC-series later this fall. Also Dell is one of the few selected partners that have been choosen for deployment of Vmware EVO:RAIL / RACK