Dell Technologies expands server portfolio with 13 new additions

Dell Technologies has expanded its server portfolio, with an additional 13 next-generation Dell PowerEdge servers, designed to accelerate performance and reliability for computing across core data centres, large-scale public clouds and edge locations.

Next-generation rack, tower, and multi-node PowerEdge servers, with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, include Dell software and engineering advancements, such as a new Smart Flow design, to improve energy and cost efficiency.

Expanded Dell APEX capabilities will help organisations take an as-a-Service approach, allowing for more effective IT operations that make the most of compute resources while minimising risk, Dell states.

Jeff Boudreau, President and General Manager, Infrastructure Solutions Group, Dell Technologies, says, "Customers come to Dell for easily managed yet sophisticated and efficient servers with advanced capabilities to power their business-critical workloads.

"Our next-generation Dell PowerEdge servers offer unmatched innovation that raises the bar in power efficiency, performance and reliability while simplifying how customers can implement a zero trust approach for greater security throughout their IT environments."

New Dell PowerEdge servers are designed to meet the needs of a range of demanding workloads from artificial intelligence and analytics to large-scale databases.

The expanded portfolio announced in November 2022, including the PowerEdge XE family of servers with NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software suite for a full stack, production AI platform builds on advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

New servers for cloud service providers

The introduction of Dell PowerEdge HS5610 and HS5620 servers delivers solutions tailored for cloud service providers managing large-scale, multi-vendor data centres.

Available in both 1U and 2U form factors, these new, two-socket servers include cold aisle serviceable configurations and are available with Dell Open Server Manager, an OpenBMC based systems management solution to simplify multi-vendor fleet management.

Greater performance and simpler management

Next-generation PowerEdge servers provide improved performance, including the Dell PowerEdge R760, which delivers up to 2.9x greater AI inferencing on 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel Deep Learning Boost and Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions.

The PowerEdge R760 also offers up to a 20% increase in VDI users and over 50% more SAP Sales & Distribution users on one server, compared to the previous generation. PowerEdge systems may be ordered with NVIDIA Bluefield-2 data processing units to provide additional offload, acceleration and workload isolation capabilities idea for power efficiency for private, hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.

Enhancements to Dell monitoring software and new services make server management easier:

• Dell CloudIQL: Dell software combines proactive monitoring, machine learning and predictive analytics while offering a comprehensive view of servers wherever they reside. Updates include advancements to server performance forecasting, select maintenance operations and new virtualisation visualisation.
• · Dell ProDeploy services: The Dell ProDeploy Factory Configuration service delivers PowerEdge servers ready to install and preconfigured with the customer's preferred operating system, hypervisor software and settings for RAID, BIOS and iDRAC. The Dell ProDeploy Rack Integration service delivers and installs production-ready racked and networked PowerEdge servers, ideal for companies expanding their data centre environments or undergoing an IT modernisation.
• · Dell iDRAC9: As customers seek increased server automation and intelligence, Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) makes Dell systems easier to deploy and diagnose, equipped with updated features such as Certificate Expiry Notice, Telemetry for Dell Consoles and GPU monitoring.

Designed for sustainability

Dell PowerEdge servers are designed with sustainability in mind, offering customers a 3x performance improvement, compared to 14th Generation PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon Scalable processors launched in 2017, resulting in less floor space required and more powerful and efficient technology across all next-generation systems.

Key highlights include:

• Dell Smart Flow design: A new feature within the Dell Smart Cooling suite increases airflow and reduces fan power by up to 52% compared to previous generation servers. The Smart Flow design supports greater server performance with less power required to cool systems for more efficient data centres.
• Dell OpenManage Enterprise Power Manager 3.0 software: Customers can better manage efficiency and cooling goals, monitor carbon emissions and set power caps up to 82% faster to limit overall energy usage. With the enhanced sustainability target tool, customers can determine overall server use, virtual machine and facility energy consumption, leak detection for liquid cooling systems, and more.
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT): Four next-generation Dell PowerEdge servers will be available with the EPEAT silver designation, and 46 systems will be designated EPEAT bronze. The EPEAT ecolabel is a leading global designation, covering products and services from the technology sector that demonstrate a responsible purchasing decision.

Kuba Stolarski, Research Vice President, IDC Enterprise Infrastructure Practice, comments, "Today's modern data centre requires continuous performance improvements for complex workloads such as AI, ML and VDI.

"As data centre operators endeavour to keep up with the demand from these resource hungry workloads, they must also prioritise environmental and security goals. With its new Smart Flow design, coupled with enhancements to its power and cooling management tools, Dell offers organisations significant improvements in efficient server operation alongside the raw performance gains in its newest generation of servers."

Reliability and security at the core

Next-generation PowerEdge servers help accelerate zero trust adoption within organisations' IT environments. The devices constantly verify access, assuming every user and device is a potential threat, according to Dell.

At the hardware level, silicon-based hardware root of trust, with elements including the Dell Secured Component Verification (SCV), helps verify supply chain security from design to delivery.

Additionally, multi-factor authentication and integrated iDRAC verifies users before granting access. A secure supply chain also enables customers to advance their zero trust approach. Dell SCV offers cryptographic verification of components, which extends supply chain security to the customer's site.

Delivering a scalable, modern compute experience Customers looking for OpEx flexibility can consume PowerEdge servers as a subscription through Dell APEX today.

Using advanced data collection and processor-based measurement by the hour, customers can take a flexible approach to avoid the costs associated with over-provisioning their compute needs.

Later this year, Dell Technologies states the company will expand its Dell APEX portfolio to offer bare metal compute services on-premises, at the edge, or in colocation facilities. Services will be available through a predictable, monthly subscription and easily configured through the APEX Console, enabling customers to meet their workload and IT operational needs with scalable and secure compute resources.

Lisa Spelman, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Intel Xeon Products, says, "4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors have the most built-in accelerators of any CPU on the market to help maximise performance efficiency for real world applications, especially those powered by AI.

"With the latest generation of Dell PowerEdge servers, Intel and Dell continue our strong collaboration in delivering innovations that create real business value, while incorporating leading scalability and security that customers require."