Dell PowerEdge R-Series Reviews

In my work environment, I deploy Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for servers. We are currently running database and file sharing workloads on our Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.

The best features of the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers include the fact that I haven't had any problems, and the Dell support at the ProSupport level is very good. The impact of the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers on my organization has been positive, as I haven't had any outages. This is due to the equipment. Using the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers has helped us reduce unplanned production downtime. We've reduced unplanned production downtime significantly, as I haven't had any hardware failures. The flexibility of my operations has been positively affected by the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, as they're good for space savings.

I don't have any issues or complaints with the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, but they could make the service tags larger as I get older. It's not that they aren't customizable; you can actually use your phone to scan the barcode, and everything's pretty good.

I have probably 15 years of experience with the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.

The issue was with the hardware, not on my side or Dell's side.

I would rate Dell support for their rack servers as a 10.

I've been using Dell throughout my entire career, so I've not experienced other solutions that don't measure up to Dell.

We used Computacenter as our third party reseller. My experience with the third party we used was very good.

I haven't seen ROI in terms of operational impacts; the reliability of the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is what stands out as the main thing.

I have only been using PowerEdge throughout my career without evaluating other options.

We recycle the devices as part of our sustainability efforts. We have not been using or running any AI workloads on the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. To someone considering running AI workloads on these servers but concerned about costs, that's a valid concern. We don't have a current need or workload for AI. It ensures we have the right technology, and what we're paying for that technology is good fair value. Our AI journey, while we're not using it right now, we probably plan to implement it within the next nine months.

Overall, I would rate the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a solid 10.

On-premises

We use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for branch office installations, acting as a standalone server. We primarily utilize it for virtualization.

There is nothing special, but Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have a strong presence in Qatar, which influences our choice. We use it for virtualization, and for our use case, it works fine without issues.

We haven't upgraded anything yet. We are simply utilizing even the older models, as they are still working for us. Dell's pricing for hardware is fine, but the software installed on the servers is a cost driver, not the server itself. Regarding additional functions, upgrading storage speed with an SSD drive and increasing memory capacity is needed for improved performance.

I have been working with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for five years.

I would rate the stability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers at ten. I have no issues with their stability.

The scalability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is excellent. I would rate it at ten.

The technical support from Dell is highly dependent on the service level agreement (SLA). With a higher level of support, such as pro-support, the service is exceptional. I would rate it at nine.

Positive

Previously, we were working with SolarWinds Security Event Manager. However, we switched to Google Graylog, an open-source solution.

The initial setup process was very straightforward and simple. Once delivered, we could spin it up within an hour.

Sometimes, integration is part of the project. Local partners, who provide installation and commissioning services, are involved in the process.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have reasonable pricing, which I would rate at eight. Other brands might be cheaper, but Dell's pricing is acceptable for us. However, the software associated with servers, like VMware subscription licenses, drives costs.

I haven't worked with other servers, but I am aware of other brands like HP and IBM.

I do not have any specific suggestions for improvements or changes. Overall, Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers meet our requirements, and I have no issues with the hardware. I would rate the overall solution at ten.

On-premises

We are an MSP and we use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for our customers.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers work with other products, such as different kinds of storage. We use the racks and the servers more in the server room, so we have to apply servers, other types of storage, and different types of firewalls, and it all works together smoothly.

It helps reduce our footprint by 20 to 30 percent.

Regarding reliability, we feel it's a one-time installation. We don't have problems operating it. If we have to shut down, we have to restart and it all goes right back. Our customers are satisfied with the system, so we don't hear any specific problems and it is quiet. That's the most important thing because if we're providing services to our clients, it's important for us that they work fluently and then the client doesn't complain. 

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers reduce downtime. They go right back up, reducing downtime by 20 to 30 percent compared to HP Servers.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers do a good job of reducing our energy consumption.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are good at handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads. They are comfortable to use and provide good results for our needs. I have not encountered any installation or maintenance issues.

The overall flexibility is good. As long as we plan and know what is needed, it is easy. There are a lot of specialists and Dell Professional Services that can help.

The most valuable features are resiliency, reliability, easy installation, maintenance, and compatibility with other systems or servers.

The price distance increases with the higher-end, more complex servers, and there is room for improvement.

I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for five years.

The scalability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is good. They are able to meet all of our needs. We have not seen any limitations.

The deployment is straightforward.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers provide a return on investment through the time saved for our technicians during complex projects, installation, mounting, and onboarding.

The more complex the server requirements, the more expensive it gets.

We evaluated HP Servers but found them to have more downtime.

I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers eight out of ten. The price and response time from the test specialists keep it from being a ten out of ten.

We used Dell Professional Services to plan, implement, and adopt our solution a long time ago. The service was great. I would rate Dell Professional Services eight out of ten. If they responded quicker to our emails, they would be ten out of ten.

We use Dell PowerEdge for databases, file servers, and virtualization.

PowerEdge reduces energy consumption by achieving the same results with fewer servers and more virtualization. We're starting our AI journey with some AI workloads running on R750 servers. I don't have much insight into the applications, but I recommend Dell servers to colleagues who want to run AI workloads. In the end, the benefit outweighs the cost. 

We constantly upgrade to newer hardware, and everything stays the same but with updated architecture. This consistency is good for our technicians on the data center side. We also appreciate the integration with VMware. It keeps things simple for us. 

We use PowerEdge servers in conjunction with VMware, a VCF Rack, and VxRail. That has worked out well. We are using it for firmware upgrades and other similar tasks. It's a one-stop shop, but it could be better when the servers aren't on a VCF stack. Profile handling and upgrading standalone servers could improve, but they have gotten better over the years.

I have used Dell servers for 20 years. I've used Dell PowerEdge servers at my current company for six years, but I used them at other jobs. 

We don't have issues with PowerEdge except for occasional hardware problems. 

We can easily scale PowerEdge. We have a good platform on the software side, so we just scale out with more servers. We have had some issues scaling up more ports, but that's hardware. Nothing scales to infinity. We've had no problem handling high-performance workloads. We upgrade every few years to the latest and fastest hardware when necessary. 

I rate Dell support nine out of 10. They've helped us get the platform running and perform remote upgrades. They've been a good intermediary contact point for discussions with VMware and Broadcom. I talk with the support engineer, who talks with the networking team or someone else.

Positive

We have used HP and IBM Servers. Initially, we decided to adopt Dell because they offered a better price point. We are satisfied with the solution and will continue to use it. 

I rate PowerEdge eight out of 10 for ease of deployment. 

We deployed the servers using consultants this time, but we've used Dell professional services before. Our experience with consultants was good. 

I rate PowerEdge Rack Servers eight out of 10. 

On-premises

I use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as the main server for my network. I install Windows Server and utilize all the features it offers for my network management.

I use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as the main server for my network. I install Windows Server and utilize all the features it offers for my network management. One of the valuable features is Active Directory, which helps in managing the network. Additionally, it is used as the active server for my network.

I would like Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers to be faster and more secure. Improving these aspects would be beneficial. If possible, I would also appreciate a reduction in price.

I have been working with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for about sixteen years.

The deployment of Windows Server on Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers was very easy. Implementing Windows Server is straightforward.

The product is very stable.

I haven't faced any problems with the servers, so I haven't had any reason to contact customer service.

Positive

I previously used HP servers before switching to Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.

The initial setup was very easy with Windows Server.

I used Windows Server for deployment and did not utilize any specific Dell deployment services or consultants.

I have not seen a return on investment.

The price of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is not cheap, especially considering the currency circumstances in Egypt. I purchased it for approximately 500,000 Egyptian pounds.

I use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as the main server for my network. I install Windows Server and utilize all the features it offers for my network management. One of the valuable features is Active Directory, which helps in managing the network. Additionally, it is used as the active server for my network. I would rate the overall solution as eight to nine out of ten.

On-premises

Our internal infrastructure for multiple networks on our large site uses Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers in VxRail clusters to support over 2,000 users, numerous labs, and development environments. These Dell servers function as the primary compute nodes within the VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure solution.

We implemented Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers because we were looking for a complete solution, and Dell was a strong contender. Their VxRail solution for SimpliVity offered implementation, upgrades, and support as a bundle, making it the ideal choice for us, and it has worked perfectly.

I put aside the monetary value. I'm seeking a more stable solution and fewer headaches for our IT professionals. Now that this solution is implemented, upgrades, additional solutions, and system stability are much easier to achieve. It's difficult to put a price on that, but it's an IT professional's dream come true.

To date, we have not encountered any issues with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers' ability to handle the evolving needs of high-performance workloads. Our data center has been primarily based on HP solutions for a considerable time, and we have only started incorporating Dell solutions into our infrastructure in the last three years. We are pleased with their performance, consider them a good product, and recommend them.

SimpliVity's most valuable features are its unified management and operational capabilities. It is amazing to have a single pane of glass to view, manage, and operate the entire environment without switching between Windows, software, or web environments.

The pricing always has room for improvement.

The support experience has room for improvement. As a secure site, we require personnel with specific clearances, and sometimes, the language barrier poses a challenge. English-to-Hebrew translation can impact various processes, particularly when troubleshooting errors necessitates collaboration with US or European teams across different time zones. Moreover, vendors occasionally request logs, which we cannot provide due to security protocols. The language barrier can make it difficult to clearly communicate our needs and issues to support personnel overseas. Therefore, we require more Dell technical support staff based in Israel.

I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for three and a half years.

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers offer excellent stability. I implemented the Stretch Cluster as an active-active solution to handle scenarios such as a complete data center loss. To test the solution's robustness, I pulled the power cables from the server, simulating a potential real-world failure. Other vendors' solutions couldn't handle this, but Dell's appropriately performed, prompting immediate implementation. Now, I can confidently attest to its effectiveness. We've undergone data center and rack maintenance without any issues. Even during a complete networking loss over a weekend, the solution continued to operate seamlessly.

Dell's Professional Services are fantastic. I saw some people at the convention who helped us implement our environment because we faced some initial challenges as it was a new product. They were all amazing. The professional services team I speak to on the phone when I have a crisis, an upgrade, or even just a random error message is incredibly professional and helpful. I have nothing but positive things to say about them—they're amazing.

Positive

We use HP blade centers and rack servers as the foundation of our main data center. However, we are now transitioning to Dell Solutions, which offers comparable products from a different vendor, and we are happy with this change.

The deployment was moderately complex. Despite the installation manual provided by Dell to their professional services team, there were always additional tips and tricks not mentioned in the manual. However, the Dell Deployment Services team was highly skilled and experienced, allowing them to anticipate and address any issues that arose, resulting in a successful deployment.

Choosing an active solution that I implemented cost considerably more money. However, the return on investment was evident when something occurred on the weekend while we were off-site. No one experienced any disruption beyond a simple virtual machine reboot, which was remarkable. The work continued seamlessly. Even if someone worked over the weekend, they could still come to the office on Monday. I wasn't bothered with any calls about malfunctions or outages.

I rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers ten out of ten.

My focus is liquid cooling. We are taking the air-cooled PowerEdge systems and converting them to liquid cooling. That usually involves replacing and doing material compatibility, adjusting the thermal interface materials inside the systems, and adjusting the heat sinks. We turn off the fans and adjust the BIOS systems in some of the subsystems, such as PSUs.

This allows the server that has been designed for air cooling to be submerged in dielectric fluid so that it can now be cooled with dielectric fluid running through the systems. Because of the fact that it is submerged, all the subsystems are being cooled, but instead of air, it is done by fluid. It is far more effective at pulling heat out of the systems, taking that heat out of the unit, and then being able to use that heat for other purposes.

For the larger PowerEdge systems that have GPU integrations in them, we have seen a lot of trends in building those for AI systems. We have seen a generated interest in the PowerEdge system across the board for a majority of industries.

I am quite new to the company, but I see that customers keep asking for these servers. From our side, because of our relationship with Dell, we can take a server and convert it to liquid far quicker than with other partners. That has been a big advantage. The PowerEdge system is good in many aspects. Many times customers just want to deploy these systems, especially given the acceleration that we have seen in the AI industry. People just want to be able to get their systems up and running as quickly as possible, so sometimes, there is an advantage to the lead time of getting these things converted. We have been able to do that quicker through Dell than with other IT vendors. We have relationships with HPE as well as with Lenovo. We are dynamic. We are not tied to any particular vendor, and we can work with all customers to deploy different systems inside their environment for liquid cooling.

From our side, there is always a little bit of a challenge with the footprint. I am in an area where we are submerging these devices in tanks. We are in a situation where some of the server designs are a little bit deep. For example, PowerEdge R760xa has a slightly extended depth. It is not as long as PowerEdge XE9680, but PowerEdge R760xa is a beast in itself. It is influencing the infrastructure designers to change their footprint so that they can incorporate something like this in their AI systems. That is very impressive. This is the thing that so many people are talking about at the moment. We see a lot of potential in a device like this because of the fact that you can load H100 or H200 GPUs with NVLink. It is a complete system for AI training models.

We have our own challenges with firmware, but that is only because we sometimes have to adjust the firmware of things like PSUs. With the firmware that they have by default, there is a fan running inside that. When we run fluid through, we want to adjust the firmware so that the fan is turned off. We usually have to adjust the firmware to a very high version because we do not want someone updating the firmware to the new standard. That is because the moment they do that, the fans will start running again, and all the alarms are going to go off because a bunch of fluids are running through the systems. So, we have our own firmware challenges to work with, but Dell is strong in being able to help us with that information and get the firmware so that we can adjust it. It is not just one vendor who provides the PSUs, and firmware adjustments are far more successful than having to emulate the PSUs, which is something some people have done in the past, but they led to some failures inside the PSUs when they try to convert to liquid cooling.

In terms of energy consumption, because I am on the liquid cooling side of things, we turn the fans off. If we can get a PowerEdge system and convert it to liquid cooling, we can reduce the power consumption of that server by up to 40%. In data center environments, energy consumption is becoming an important ratio to measure when people are building up these large data centers around the world. Currently, in an air-cool system, power usage effectiveness (PUE) is 2.0 or 1.5. When you start to liquidate all these, that dramatically drops to 1.2 or 1 PUE. You can even get less than 1 PUE if you effectively reuse the heat. So, you get more environment-friendly servers. If you are reducing carbon emissions and your power consumption by 20% or 30%, that is incredibly attractive when you are trying to build out new systems. Not only that, with air-cool, to maintain strong air conditioning to keep these things cool, especially something like PowerEdge XE9680, air conditioning has to use up a lot of water, whereas, with immersion, you do not have to use up that water. You are using incredibly small amounts of water to cool. It is even zero in many cases. So, liquid cooling has a huge amount of environmentally friendly advantages, and the fact that we are able to do quite a lot of liquid cooling PowerEdge systems in turn makes PowerEdge a more environmentally friendly option.

Because we are able to change the standard with cooling, it gets purchased in positions where we can run the GPUs at their maximum performance. In fluid systems that we have tested using things like PowerEdge XE9680, we are able to achieve maximum frequency and maximum performance.

The Dell name holds a lot of weight on our position as a partner of Dell's when it comes to liquid cooling the systems. We have a great relationship with Dell, so we are able to exchange information very easily to be able to build these systems for our customers. When it comes to converting one of these to liquid cooling, we need to know a lot of information about the sub-components, the vendors, and the firmware inside PSUs. Without a strong relationship with our IT partner Dell, we would not be able to do that effectively and quickly to meet the lead times of our customers.

Dell PowerEdge systems are very strong or well-rounded systems. A lot of people like the 4th and 5th generation Xeon that has been implemented into PowerEdge. Xeon has a good advantage when it comes to the inputting element of AI systems, and, of course, Intel also has a good name. However, from our position, as a partner and as a systems integrator, the real strength is the relationship that we have with Dell and being able to exchange that information.

I have been a part of my current organization for a few months. I started at the end of last year. I have been acclimatizing to the PowerEdge systems. 

In the metrics that I have worked with, they have been very stable and reliable so far. We have not had cases where we have to go in and do maintenance work on our side of things. Usually, any issues that they have had from a liquid cooling side of things have mostly been down to people not doing the proper practice when it comes to installation. 

A lot of the time, we deal with customers who already have a pre-existing architecture. They perhaps have Cisco systems or HPE systems in their infrastructure. The challenge is to convert them to a new unit. The data center's presentation is such a big element of design. It is good if they stick with the same vendor and have the same relationship, but it is sometimes challenging to have someone change their traditional air-cooled infrastructure systems with the ones from Dell.

I have not heard anything negative about its deployment.

To those who are thinking about liquid cooling, I would strongly recommend it, especially in the EU. It is an environmentally friendly option. It is important to make sure that you have an integrator who understands liquid cooling to a strong degree. It is not something that you can just convert by yourself in the data center. It is something that needs to be done in a lab environment, and it needs to be supported going forward by someone who understands liquid cooling. You need a liquid cooling specialist who is able to assist with that, as well as being able to assist on the services and support side from Dell. We work fluently with Dell in those situations. We found that once the liquid cooling starts running in these systems, if there is going to be a problem, it would have happened in the first few weeks. It is usually down to installation practices, not the systems themselves.

I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a nine out of ten. It is a very strong solution.