We've never had any issues with using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for everything we need. Essentially, they're our go-to brand for servers.
SRE at a government with 51-200 employees
Ensures unparalleled reliability, energy efficiency and ease of deployment
Pros and Cons
- "Primarily, what we value most is the stability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers."
- "There might be room for improvement, especially in the software aspect, such as firmware updates."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
From what I've gathered, it seems that they're heading in the right direction by implementing silicon-based hardware updates, enhancing user access security, and optimizing the supply chain. These developments are sensible, especially for environments like data centers and research facilities, as they prioritize both security and efficiency.
I'm highly impressed by the energy efficiency of Dell PowerEdge Servers. Having worked with servers for a long time, I remember their high power consumption. However, the new Dell products have drastically reduced energy usage, which is not only remarkable but also makes them much quieter.
What is most valuable?
Primarily, what we value most is the stability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. We appreciate the confidence of deploying them in production, knowing they'll perform reliably without any issues.
What needs improvement?
There might be room for improvement, especially in the software aspect, such as firmware updates. While it's relatively straightforward now, it would be beneficial to have a solution that allows updating the server firmware without taking it offline.
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge R-Series
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge R-Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with it for approximately fifteen years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It provides excellent stability capabilities.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability isn't particularly relevant to our use case.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before switching to Dell, we used to rely on HPE servers. Unfortunately, we experienced increasing instability with their hardware over time, particularly noticeable in critical components like storage controllers, which are crucial in my line of work.
We also encountered numerous issues with the mainboards. As a result, we had to explore alternatives from different vendors. Although we also tried Supermicro servers, which showcased some innovative features at the time, we found Dell to offer better stability overall. While Supermicro was aiming for rapid innovation, they struggled with stability issues in their servers.
What about the implementation team?
We managed the deployment in-house, and it was remarkably straightforward. Setting up the racks and mounting the hardware, including the components inside the servers, was hassle-free. Overall, it was a seamless process.
What was our ROI?
I believe the return on investment with Dell servers is positive. While I may not have a precise answer, a strong indication for me is the ongoing satisfaction in receiving the necessary components and support from Dell.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate it ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Teamleiter IT at a retailer with 11-50 employees
The Resilient Architecture approach to security, including silicon-based firmware, signed firmware updates, user access, and supply chain security is good
Pros and Cons
- "The DRA cards for server management is the most valuable feature. They provide a clear overview of server settings and issues. We also like that the notifications are well-organized."
- "The price could possibly use improvement. Dell servers are not the most affordable, and pricing is always a consideration. Otherwise, I don't see any specific areas for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is for Hyper-V server virtualization.
The reason we adopted Dell PowerEdge is because we wanted to simplify and streamline our IT infrastructure as much as possible. That is the challenge we were facing.
How has it helped my organization?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have made my organization much more organized. Before, we didn't have DRA cards or a centralized overview of servers, so managing them required local access. Now, I can centrally monitor and control server issues across all locations.
PowerEdge Server's Cyber Resilient Architecture approach to security, including silicon-based firmware, signed firmware updates, user access, and supply chain security and integrity is good. It's especially good with regular updates that instill confidence.
I can't provide details on the processor architecture, as I'm not deeply familiar with it.
PowerEdge Rack Servers' handling of evolving high-performance workload requirements when equipped with the appropriate server is sufficient and very good. Although it's crucial for a customer to plan for future resource needs.
The servers have had an excellent impact on our organization's sustainability goals. The longer lifespan of Dell servers aligns well with the typical server lifespan calculation of five to seven years.
The OpenManage Console has affected the productivity of our IT personnel. It has become much more manageable. It's easier to administer servers, even for colleagues who are less technically inclined.
What is most valuable?
The DRA cards for server management is the most valuable feature. They provide a clear overview of server settings and issues. We also like that the notifications are well-organized.
What needs improvement?
The price could possibly use improvement. Dell servers are not the most affordable, and pricing is always a consideration. Otherwise, I don't see any specific areas for improvement.
In a future release, having a ten-gigabit LAN onboard from the start would be a significant advantage. It would eliminate the need for aftermarket upgrades.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The servers have good stability. Servers need to run smoothly, and Dell servers do that reliably.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability depends on how you plan and allocate resources. With proper planning, it's scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate their support a nine out of ten. It would be even better if ProSupport for servers were integrated and didn't require additional fees or licenses.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were previously using HPE ProLiant and Microtech servers. They were not as user-friendly or easy to manage.
How was the initial setup?
We did the setup. We installed a Windows server and configured the hard drives.
The complexity of the setup is as complex as setting up any server. It's not as simple as a laptop but not excessively complex if you've done it a few times.
Our strategy was to set up the servers and then we migrated VMs from the old servers once the new ones were ready.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Microsoft licensing for Hyper-V servers is a challenge, but Dell's hardware may be slightly more expensive. Overall, it's manageable.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at HP again but decided on Dell due to our positive experience with Dell laptops.
Also, Dell's Pro Support is something I find valuable, and I believe it's not available to the same extent as other providers.
What other advice do I have?
PowerEdge Rack Servers' energy consumption depends on how the server is utilized. I can't provide specific details, but every server requires power.
The use of PowerEdge Rack Servers hasn't had a significant impact on the overall flexibility of our operation. If anything, it has ensured everything runs smoothly.
I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a nine out of ten. There's not much that needs improvement. Your success with it largely depends on how well you plan.
Foreign Language:(German)
Gute Sicherheitsarchitektur, einschließlich siliziumbasierter Firmware, signierter Firmware-Updates, Benutzerzugang und Sicherheit der Lieferkette
Was ist unser Hauptanwendungsfall?
Unser Hauptanwendungsfall ist die Hyper-V-Servervirtualisierung.
Wir haben uns für Dell PowerEdge entschieden, weil wir unsere IT-Infrastruktur so weit wie möglich vereinfachen und rationalisieren wollten. Das ist die Herausforderung, vor der wir standen.
Wie hat es meiner Organisation geholfen?
Mit den Dell PowerEdge Rack-Servern ist meine Organisation jetzt viel besser organisiert. Vorher hatten wir keine DRA-Karten oder eine zentrale Übersicht über die Server, so dass für die Verwaltung der Server ein lokaler Zugriff erforderlich war. Jetzt kann ich Serverprobleme an allen Standorten zentral überwachen und steuern.
Der Sicherheitsansatz der Cyber Resilient Architecture von PowerEdge Server, einschließlich der siliziumbasierten Firmware, der signierten Firmware-Updates, des Benutzerzugriffs und der Sicherheit und Integrität der Lieferkette, ist gut. Besonders gut ist er bei regelmäßigen Updates, die Vertrauen erwecken.
Ich kann keine Details zur Prozessorarchitektur nennen, da ich mich damit nicht auskenne.
Die PowerEdge Rack Server können mit dem entsprechenden Server die sich entwickelnden Anforderungen an Hochleistungs-Workloads ausreichend und sehr gut erfüllen. Allerdings ist es für einen Kunden entscheidend, den zukünftigen Ressourcenbedarf zu planen.
Die Server haben sich hervorragend auf die Nachhaltigkeitsziele unserer Organisation ausgewirkt. Die längere Betriebsdauer von Dell-Servern deckt sich gut mit der typischen Berechnung der Betriebsdauer von Servern von fünf bis sieben Jahren.
Die OpenManage-Konsole hat sich auf die Produktivität unseres IT-Personals ausgewirkt. Es ist viel einfacher zu verwalten. Es ist einfacher, Server zu verwalten, auch für Kollegen, die technisch weniger versiert sind.
Was ist am wertvollsten?
Die DRA-Karten für die Serververwaltung sind die wertvollste Eigenschaft. Sie bieten einen klaren Überblick über Servereinstellungen und Probleme. Uns gefällt auch, dass die Benachrichtigungen gut organisiert sind.
Was muss verbessert werden?
Der Preis könnte eventuell verbessert werden. Dell-Server sind nicht die günstigsten, und der Preis ist immer eine Überlegung wert. Ansonsten kann ich keine besonderen Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten nennen.
In einer zukünftigen Version wäre es ein großer Vorteil, von Anfang an ein Zehn-Gigabit-LAN an Bord zu haben. Das würde die Notwendigkeit von Nachrüstungen auf dem Markt überflüssig machen.
Wie lange nutze ich die Lösung schon?
Ich verwende Dell PowerEdge Rack Server seit zwei Jahren.
Was halte ich von der Stabilität der Lösung?
Die Server haben gute Stabilität. Server müssen reibungslos laufen, und Dell-Server tun das zuverlässig.
Was denke ich über die Skalierbarkeit der Lösung?
Die Skalierbarkeit hängt davon ab, wie man die Ressourcen plant und zuweist. Mit der richtigen Planung ist sie skalierbar.
Wie sind Kundenservice und Support?
Ich würde den Support mit neun von zehn Punkten bewerten. Es wäre noch besser, wenn ProSupport für Server integriert wäre und keine zusätzlichen Gebühren oder Lizenzen erfordern würde.
Wie bewerten Sie den Kundenservice und -support?
Positiv
Welche Lösung habe ich vorher verwendet und warum habe ich gewechselt?
Wir haben zuvor HPE ProLiant- und Microtech-Server verwendet. Sie waren nicht so benutzerfreundlich und einfach zu verwalten.
Wie war die Ersteinrichtung?
Wir haben die Einrichtung durchgeführt. Wir haben einen Windows-Server installiert und die Festplatten konfiguriert.
Die Einrichtung ist so komplex wie die Einrichtung eines jeden Servers. Es ist nicht so einfach wie bei einem Laptop, aber auch nicht übermäßig komplex, wenn man es schon ein paar Mal gemacht hat.
Unsere Strategie bestand darin, die Server einzurichten und dann die VMs von den alten Servern zu migrieren, sobald die neuen Server bereit waren.
Welche Erfahrungen habe ich mit den Preisen, den Implementierungskosten und der Lizenzierung gemacht?
Die Microsoft-Lizenzierung für Hyper-V-Server ist eine Herausforderung, aber die Hardware von Dell ist möglicherweise etwas teurer. Insgesamt ist es zu bewältigen.
Welche anderen Lösungen habe ich bewertet?
Wir haben HP noch einmal in Betracht gezogen, aber aufgrund unserer positiven Erfahrungen mit Dell-Laptops haben wir uns für Dell entschieden.
Außerdem finde ich den Pro-Support von Dell sehr wertvoll, und ich glaube, dass er bei anderen Anbietern nicht in gleichem Maße verfügbar ist.
Welche anderen Ratschläge kann ich geben?
Der Energieverbrauch von PowerEdge Rack-Servern hängt davon ab, wie der Server genutzt wird. Ich kann keine genauen Angaben machen, aber jeder Server benötigt Strom.
Der Einsatz von PowerEdge Rack Servern hat sich nicht wesentlich auf die Gesamtflexibilität unseres Betriebs ausgewirkt. Wenn überhaupt, dann hat er dafür gesorgt, dass alles reibungslos läuft.
Ich würde Dell PowerEdge Rack Server mit neun von zehn Punkten bewerten. Es gibt nicht viel, was verbessert werden muss. Ihr Erfolg hängt weitgehend davon ab, wie gut man plant.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge R-Series
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge R-Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Engineer
Provides exceptional flexibility, reliability, and productivity, ensuring uninterrupted operations and scalability while minimizing downtime
Pros and Cons
- "Our overall experience with their product and support has been consistently excellent."
- "Occasionally, there might be extended wait times between placing an order and receiving the delivery."
What is our primary use case?
Previously, each branch or specific function had its own dedicated servers for tasks such as backups, file storage, print services, and directory management. However, the current approach has shifted towards utilizing VMware for site-related functions.
This means that instead of individual servers for each task, virtualization technology like VMware is employed to streamline and optimize server management for various purposes across the organization.
How has it helped my organization?
Implementing the solution with Dell servers addressed several challenges we encountered. The physical installation, especially in rack configurations, became significantly easier with a streamlined process - a simple click for various tasks.
In our energy research, we've been using Dell PowerEdge servers for an extended period. Recently, we introduced servers from IBM and HPE into our infrastructure. However, we haven't conducted a comprehensive comparison, particularly regarding power consumption.
The PowerEdge servers have proven to be highly effective in meeting our evolving needs. During server configuration, we strategically plan for around fifty to sixty percent usage, opting for a slightly higher configuration than is strictly necessary. This approach has ensured that we haven't encountered any issues thus far.
Dell PowerEdge servers have positively impacted our organization's sustainability requirements. We are extremely satisfied with their performance so far, experiencing minimal hardware issues. With their support in place, any problems, whether related to hardware or software, are promptly addressed and repaired.
The utilization of Dell PowerEdge rack servers has significantly enhanced the overall flexibility of our operations. The remarkable flexibility of these servers has contributed to increased productivity, eliminating downtime.
What is most valuable?
The integration of servers with VMware has been a smooth and positive process.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement in making it more cost-effective. Another area for improvement could be the delivery process. Occasionally, there might be extended wait times between placing an order and receiving the delivery.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using it for more than twenty years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We are highly satisfied with the level of stability provided.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the servers has been excellent. As we transition to VMware, scalability remains a strong point. Our approach of configuring slightly higher than immediate needs allows for easy scaling without significant challenges.
How are customer service and support?
Our overall experience with their product and support has been consistently excellent. We would rate their support as highly effective, as we have not encountered any significant issues. I would rate it eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation strategy involves careful planning, determining the required components for the server, and configuring all aspects before proceeding with the actual implementation. Once everything is set up according to the plan, the implementation, whether for physical or virtual servers, typically proceeds smoothly without significant complications.
What was our ROI?
In terms of ROI, we have experienced zero downtime with Dell PowerEdge servers. Proactively, if there is any indication of potential issues or planned maintenance, we always prepare alternative solutions. This approach has proven to be highly cost-effective, ensuring uninterrupted operations in our environment. Over my thirteen years with the company, I cannot recall a single instance where colleagues had to wait due to server issues or encountered any significant problems. Overall, the reliability of Dell PowerEdge servers has contributed significantly to a seamless and dependable work environment.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are continuously exploring offerings from various companies, always seeking the best solutions. Currently, we have servers from both HP and IBM, and specifically, we've integrated IBM storage and Solar devices for evaluation. This approach allows us to compare and assess their performance before making informed decisions based on our specific needs.
What other advice do I have?
Adopting the PowerEdge Cyber Resilient Architecture for security involves ensuring that all firmware updates released by Dell are diligently applied. Regular updates are consistently implemented to meet standard security protocols. However, there is also a proactive stance in preparing for unforeseen circumstances, acknowledging the importance of expecting the unexpected.
Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.
Foreign Language:(German)
Bietet außergewöhnliche Flexibilität, Zuverlässigkeit und Produktivität und gewährleistet einen reibungslosen Betrieb und Skalierbarkeit bei minimalen Ausfallzeiten
Was ist unser Hauptanwendungsfall?
Bisher benötigte jeder einzelne Standort oder jede Funktion einen eigenen zugeordneten Server, um Aufgaben wie Datensicherung, Dateispeicherung, Drucken und Verzeichnisverwaltung durchzuführen. Der aktuelle Ansatz ist jedoch dazu übergegangen, VMware für standortbezogene Funktionen zu verwenden.
Das bedeutet, dass anstelle von separaten Servern für jede Aufgabe eine Virtualisierungstechnologie wie VMware eingesetzt wird, um die Serververwaltung für die verschiedenen Zwecke des Unternehmens zu rationalisieren und zu optimieren.
Wie hat es meiner Organisation geholfen?
Durch die Implementierung der Lösung mit Dell-Servern konnten wir mehrere Herausforderungen lösen, mit denen wir zu kämpfen hatten. Die physische Installation, insbesondere in Rack-Konfigurationen, wurde durch einen optimierten Prozess erheblich vereinfacht - ein einfacher Klick für verschiedene Aufgaben.
In unserer Energieforschung verwenden wir schon seit längerem Dell PowerEdge-Server. Vor kurzem haben wir auch Server von IBM und HPE in unsere Infrastruktur aufgenommen. Wir haben jedoch keinen umfassenden Vergleich durchgeführt, insbesondere nicht hinsichtlich des Stromverbrauchs.
Die PowerEdge-Server haben sich bei der Erfüllung unserer wachsenden Anforderungen als äußerst effektiv gezeigt. Bei der Serverkonfiguration rechnen wir strategisch mit einer Auslastung von etwa fünfzig bis sechzig Prozent und entscheiden uns für eine etwas höhere Konfiguration als unbedingt nötig. Dieser Ansatz hat dafür gesorgt, dass wir bisher keine Probleme hatten.
Dell PowerEdge-Server haben sich positiv auf die Nachhaltigkeitsanforderungen unserer Organisation ausgewirkt. Wir sind mit der bisherigen Leistung der Server äußerst zufrieden und hatten nur geringe Probleme mit der Hardware. Dank des Supports von Dell werden alle Probleme, ob sie nun mit der Hardware oder der Software zu tun haben, umgehend angegangen und behoben.
Der Einsatz von Dell PowerEdge-Rack-Servern hat die Gesamtflexibilität unseres Betriebs erheblich verbessert. Die bemerkenswerte Flexibilität dieser Server hat dazu beigetragen, die Produktivität zu steigern und Ausfallzeiten zu vermeiden.
Was ist am wertvollsten?
Die Integration von Servern mit VMware war ein reibungsloser und positiver Prozess.
Was muss verbessert werden?
Verbesserungsbedarf besteht bei der Kosteneffizienz. Ein weiterer verbesserungswürdiger Bereich könnte der Lieferprozess sein. Gelegentlich kann es zu längeren Wartezeiten zwischen der Bestellung und dem Erhalt der Lieferung kommen.
Wie lange nutze ich die Lösung schon?
Wir verwenden die Lösung nun schon seit über zwanzig Jahren.
Was halte ich von der Stabilität der Lösung?
Wir sind sehr zufrieden mit der Stabilität der Lösung.
Was denke ich über die Skalierbarkeit der Lösung?
Die Skalierbarkeit der Server ist ausgezeichnet. Bei der Umstellung auf VMware bleibt die Skalierbarkeit ein wichtiger Punkt. Unser Ansatz, etwas höher zu konfigurieren als der unmittelbare Bedarf, ermöglicht eine einfache Skalierung ohne größere Herausforderungen.
Wie sind Kundenservice und Support?
Unsere allgemeinen Erfahrungen mit dem Produkt und dem Support waren durchweg ausgezeichnet. Wir würden den Support als sehr effektiv bewerten, da wir auf keine nennenswerten Probleme gestoßen sind. Ich würde ihn mit acht von zehn bewerten.
Wie bewerten Sie den Kundenservice und -support?
Positiv
Wie war die Ersteinrichtung?
Die Ersteinrichtung ist sehr einfach.
Wie sieht es mit dem Implementierungsteam aus?
Die Implementierungsstrategie umfasst eine sorgfältige Planung, die Bestimmung der erforderlichen Komponenten für den Server und die Konfiguration aller Aspekte, bevor mit der eigentlichen Implementierung begonnen wird. Sobald alles entsprechend dem Plan eingerichtet ist, erfolgt die Implementierung, ob für physische oder virtuelle Server, in der Regel reibungslos und ohne größere Verzögerungen.
Was war unser ROI?
Was den ROI betrifft, so haben wir mit Dell PowerEdge-Servern keine Ausfallzeiten erlebt. Falls es irgendwelche Hinweise auf potenzielle Probleme oder geplante Wartungsarbeiten gibt, bereiten wir stets alternative Lösungen vor. Dieser Ansatz hat sich als äußerst kosteneffizient erwiesen und gewährleistet einen ununterbrochenen Betrieb in unserer Arbeitsumgebung. In den dreizehn Jahren meiner Tätigkeit für das Unternehmen kann ich mich an keinen einzigen Fall erinnern, in dem Kollegen aufgrund von Serverproblemen warten mussten oder auf nennenswerte Probleme gestoßen wären. Insgesamt hat die Zuverlässigkeit der Dell PowerEdge-Server wesentlich zu einer reibungslosen und zuverlässigen Arbeitsumgebung beigetragen.
Welche anderen Lösungen habe ich bewertet?
Wir prüfen ständig die Angebote verschiedener Unternehmen und suchen immer nach den besten Lösungen. Derzeit haben wir Server sowohl von HP als auch von IBM im Einsatz und haben speziell IBM-Speicher und Solar-Geräte zur Evaluierung integriert. Dadurch können wir die Leistung der beiden Unternehmen vergleichen und bewerten, bevor wir auf der Grundlage unserer spezifischen Anforderungen eine Entscheidung treffen.
Welche anderen Ratschläge kann ich geben?
Wenn Sie die PowerEdge Cyber Resilient Architecture für die Sicherheit übernehmen, müssen Sie sicherstellen, dass alle von Dell veröffentlichten Firmware-Updates gewissenhaft angewendet werden. Regelmäßige Updates werden konsequent implementiert, um die Standard-Sicherheitsprotokolle zu erfüllen. Es wird jedoch auch eine proaktive Einstellung bei der Vorbereitung auf unvorhergesehene Umstände an den Tag gelegt, denn es ist wichtig, sich auf das Unerwartete vorzubereiten.
Insgesamt würde ich das System mit neun von zehn bewerten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
System Engineer at a non-profit with 501-1,000 employees
Can be used for SQL servers, domain controllers, virtual center servers, and backup environments
Pros and Cons
- "Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are easy to manage and install, and it gives us a lot of time to do other things."
- "Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers could improve the bezels in front of it."
What is our primary use case?
We are local governments, and we use the solution for computing power and view. We use the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for our ESX cluster, SQL servers, domain controllers, virtual center servers, and backup environment.
What is most valuable?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are easy to manage and install, and it gives us a lot of time to do other things. We hang it in a rack, install software on it, and it is automatically deployed for the environment.
What needs improvement?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers could improve the bezels in front of it. Because they always change the bezels, it's strange when you come with the customer into your cell room and see ten different bezels hanging.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for 25 to 30 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is a pretty stable solution. When there's something wrong with the hardware or hard drives, it can be changed in a running system.
How are customer service and support?
The solution's technical support is good. I call the technical support team when I have a question or problem, and it's always fixed within 30 to 60 minutes. The technical support team resolves our issues on the phone, or the next day, an engineer would come with spare parts to fix the issue.
I rate the solution’s technical support eight and a half out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used HPE Compaq Server.
After surveying what was better for us, we came to Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers and stayed with it because it was good. Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers' price is better than HPE Compaq Server, and it's easy to rack mount. You don't need equipment to hang it on a rack. With other equipment, you need a screwdriver and a bolt. Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are easy to hang and get out of the systems.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup is a bit complex because we have a fiber environment and a network environment, which we always have to configure. The fiber environment takes a lot of time. The network environment takes some time, wherein you install the OS and deploy your configuration file on it. The implementation is pretty fast and takes five to ten minutes. Then, you do all the configuring around it because you want to connect it to your power store.
What about the implementation team?
In our environment, it takes between 30 and 60 minutes to get the solution out of the box into a running system.
What other advice do I have?
The solution's power consumption has improved a lot. We always have two power supplies on it. When there's a power outage, and one doesn't work, we have the other spare one. The power consumption is always balanced over two. So, power consumption has gone from high to medium and is even lower now. We are not using the spinning disk anymore.
The solution's ability to handle the evolving needs of high-performance workloads is good. We have a couple of power racks exclusively used for SQL storage. Since the SQL databases are running on them, they need performance, and they perform perfectly.
The solution has helped reduce our unplanned production downtime, but that is because we are also using VMware. So, you can do downtime during the daytime and plan it. Our hardware doesn't power off once a year.
We check every month for OpenManage updates. We check the OpenManage appliance, get a catalog, look at it to see if there is new hardware or firmware, and always deploy them every month. So we are always on top of the new updates.
Overall, I rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
IT manager at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
The components last a long time and I have never had to call support
Pros and Cons
- "I like the iDRAC feature. I have also seen long life from each part and haven't had to call support, as far as I remember. I use competitors like HPE and we need spare parts every year."
- "The BIOS interface could be improved; it is very poor. PowerEdge is very good overall, but if you compare the BIOS interface with HPE, it is not very good."
What is our primary use case?
I'm using the server for Exchange and it gives me good performance.
What is most valuable?
I like the iDRAC feature.
I have also seen long life from each part and haven't had to call support, as far as I remember. I use competitors like HPE and we need spare parts every year. I have been using this server for 10 years and haven't faced any problems with the hardware or performance.
What needs improvement?
The BIOS interface could be improved; it is very poor. PowerEdge is very good overall, but if you compare the BIOS interface with HPE, it is not very good. HPE's is very advanced but Dell's is very simple.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for about 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is about a seven out of 10.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable, but we are not planning to get more PowerEdge servers. We are planning to go with hyper-converged. We are looking to extend our environment and deploy a new DR site.
We have multiple locations and about 400 users.
How are customer service and support?
Their support is excellent, but here I'm referring to all our Dell products, because I haven't had to contact them about PowerEdge.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I didn't have a previous solution, but I work with HPE servers at the same time. There is no major difference between them in performance or specifications. I prefer Dell for its warranty, which is very good here in Egypt. I am able to extend my warranty for one or two years.
How was the initial setup?
For me, the setup was easy.
The only maintenance is cleaning it and adding hard disks.
What about the implementation team?
I did it, as a system admin, with my team of three people: technical support and our help desk team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Dell is somewhat more expensive than HPE.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In terms of money, if I compare a cloud system and an on-premises server like PowerEdge, if I rent the same type of product in the cloud for 10 years, it will cost more than if I get a PowerEdge server for five years.
What other advice do I have?
If you invest in your network, it will be advantageous.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
System Administrator at a construction company with 10,001+ employees
Decreased time to deploy new data centers, improved IT staff's productivity and reduced unplanned downtime
Pros and Cons
- "The iDRAC is an excellent service; it allows us to install and deploy our software remotely."
- "Overall, the solution is excellent, though Dell could improve the monitoring."
What is our primary use case?
We are a construction company operating worldwide, and we use PowerEdge servers for local storage at our construction sites. Each site has its own infrastructure, including a Dell server. When construction is completed at one place, we decommission the server and then recommission it to another location. There are many Dell servers in the company, somewhere around 3000-5000.
I used the solution to create a cluster consisting of three servers plus storage, and it automatically failed over using VMware. The OS on top of VMware is usually Windows, which is used for financial systems.
We leverage native Windows OS security features in our environment; we need third-party security tools to ensure the safety of our servers.
Our infrastructure is extensive, so we rely on the reliability of the servers. If a server is down, we need to deploy the support team to fix any issue.
We use the solution as a kind of high server, and they are our go-to servers for data forms. The overall integration of our workloads with PowerEdge Rack Servers is critical.
To protect from malware and other firmware attacks, we use McAfee and other antivirus software. We have our firewall and other layers of protection.
How has it helped my organization?
Using the OpenManage console decreased the time it takes us to deploy new data centers. We use efficient division of labor and the technologies offered by the solution, so we can do in one hour what previously took us four hours.
OpenManage very much improved our IT staff's productivity. We are part of a larger organization, and there is Dell service worldwide. As such, we can centrally control firmware updates and turn the power on and off to the servers. This feature works very well for us.
Using the solution reduced our unplanned downtime by 20% to 30%.
What is most valuable?
The iDRAC is an excellent service; it allows us to install and deploy our software remotely.
The OpenManage app is another excellent service, and VMware supports it. There is no problem with drivers because we can get all of them via VMware or Dell.
The solution is an excellent platform for handling the needs of high-performance workloads, it's a good server for high performance.
The solution's approach to security with signed firmware, drift detection, and BIOS recovery is robust and accessible. We can monitor the security landscape easily via OpenManage.
The solution's energy consumption is excellent for managing the power supply, as it is very efficient thanks to built-in power factor correction. The power consumption depends upon the load; it increases with a high CPU load, and we manage this through Windows. We can also use OpenManage to fine-tune the power management.
The major market players are HP and Dell, and we find Dell to be the more cost-effective server. We're also satisfied with its features; the security, management, remote management, and reliability are all favorable.
What needs improvement?
Overall, the solution is excellent, though Dell could improve the monitoring.
The solution could be more friendly in terms of cost.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have worked at several companies using Dell PowerEdge Rack servers for over ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable; we can increase capacity by adding CPU and memory as required.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service is good. We do a lot of remote work, so we sometimes contact them from sites to assist in making changes, doing updates, or installing remotely.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used HP servers, which are also good, but I switched due to the high cost.
How was the initial setup?
The initial deployment is straightforward, and that improved over time. Our project management is pleased with the quick deployment; nowadays, we can even deploy remotely. Deployment takes no more than one hour.
Our deployment strategy is to work remotely; technicians install a rack on site, and I can deploy as soon as I get iDRAC.
What was our ROI?
Typically, we receive an ROI. By the time construction has finished on a site, the server will already have covered its cost and more.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product is cheaper than HP servers, but the price could always be better.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We considered public cloud servers, but PowerEdge wins in cost versus public cloud. We also have a vast number of files and operate a large number of sites. One of our requirements is to store files locally, so we need to place physical servers at our locations. That's why we went with the Dell Technologies solution.
The latency of PowerEdge versus public clouds was critical to us as end users don't want issues on the network. Some people prefer to go with the cloud no matter the cost, but the price is essential for us, and the PowerEdge servers are more affordable, especially over the long term. In the short term, going with the cloud could be cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the solution ten out of ten.
We use the Dell OpenManage console for our PowerEdge Rack Servers, and it's easy to use.
PowerEdge servers are a good choice, as many people use Dell services on the market, and we find Dell to be the most cost-effective server. In terms of long-term cost, we would choose this solution over a cloud solution every time, so I highly recommend this product.
I recommend a good server room or rack with air conditioning to provide a favorable physical environment for the servers. I also recommend a good network as we can use 10G nowadays, and a good network contributes to computation.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Global Backup Admin Lead at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
We can manage it remotely so it is useful for troubleshooting
Pros and Cons
- "In regards to security, I have noticed that we can implement Active Directory to the iDRAC. It is more secure that way. Then, everyone can access it as they please."
- "I would like them to add more NVMe slots. That would be good. That way, it would have better performance, e.g., enough storage for better performance than a spinning disk."
What is our primary use case?
My division is backup. We use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel to deploy backup systems to back up the entire area or region where we are setting it up. We actually use it as a media server for backup.
For this server, we bought several with a net of 30 terabytes to use with a memory of about 256 gigs.
How has it helped my organization?
We have benefited in performance, especially when installing the media server for the backup and performing backup for high performance and fast storage.
What is most valuable?
I like Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel. It is a good, high performance server. It is easy to manage, especially with the iDRAC.
iDRAC is its most valuable feature. The management from the iDRAC port is useful for me because my server is located in Australia, and I need to manage it from Israel. Therefore, it is useful for troubleshooting.
There is flexibility to use a lot of storage on the server. It has the ability to have it as a RAID and support that. This is most useful for me in the case of a malfunction in one or two drives. It is like having a server and storage together, i.e., hyperconverged. We can manage this remotely.
In regards to security, I have noticed that we can implement Active Directory to the iDRAC. It is more secure that way. Then, everyone can access it as they please.
We use Intel Xeon Scalable processors in our PowerEdge Rack Servers. They have very much helped to improve the performance of our targeted workloads.
What needs improvement?
I would like them to add more NVMe slots. That would be good. That way, it would have better performance, e.g., enough storage for better performance than a spinning disk.
There is some improvement needed in the site (with its arrangement) when trying to find some configuration or troubleshooting matches.
For how long have I used the solution?
We just bought two Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for a region. We installed them about a month ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable.
I am using it for backup, so it has to be reliable. Even in cases where there is downtime, we can then use the solution to retrieve data.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Its scalability is great. I can add more storage and shelf to that server.
How are customer service and support?
I have not yet needed the help of Dell support for PowerEdge Rack Servers. In the past, I have enjoyed my experience with Dell support for storage. I would rate them as eight out of 10.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we had an old HPE server that was backing up systems but taking a lot of time. Now, with the Intel Xeon and Dell server, it is a lot faster.
The HPE server was no longer supported, so we tried to check with some other vendors. Because of its flexibility to have more storage and scalability, we choose Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.
How was the initial setup?
The deployment of PowerEdge Rack Servers was new for me since I used to work with HPE servers. The setup was a little bit different, but it was easy to catch up and do the installation.
It took several minutes to determine how to work with PowerEdge and configure the BIOS. The one thing that surprised me is the ability to configure the BIOS from the iDRAC, not going directly inside the BIOS in order to do so.
What about the implementation team?
I deployed it.
What was our ROI?
We installed the servers, and they are currently working.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing and licensing are fair.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated HPE, Dell, and IBM. We chose Dell PowerEdge mostly because of the price and extendability.
What other advice do I have?
It is easy to manage and extendable. Compared to other vendors, the prices are much lower. Go for it.
I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as 10 out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Easy to manage, maintain, and install
Pros and Cons
- "It is very easy and seamless to use the OpenManage console for lifecycle management or PowerEdge Rack Servers. It is one of the best solutions in the market today to manage the lifecycle of services."
- "It is not good in terms of its energy consumption for a large-scale deployment. I probably would go for something more dense, like blades or any type of small scale hardware service solutions, to lower the heat and power consumption. However, for small environments, this solution is okay and easy to maintain."
What is our primary use case?
It is used for data center service.
PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel are good for handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads with classical use cases.
My company has thousands of customers. We are resellers as well as implement Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers in our organization.
How has it helped my organization?
My organization provides software or application stacks for many organizations. So, Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers add a lot of benefits for integration and testing purposes. It is also a solution for small-scale deployment at remote locations.
PowerEdge Rack Servers have affected the overall flexibility of our operations or business.
For labs, when you don't need a high SLA, HA, or other expensive support and maintenance fees, then it is very easy to deploy these servers. You pay CapEx but the usage for day two is easier.
What is most valuable?
It is easy to manage, maintain, and install.
The new stuff with AI, Hyperscale, and HPC for all sorts of general compute purposes makes it the best solution that you can have today.
PowerEdge Rack Servers’ approach to security with its signed firmware, drift detection, and BIOS recovery is very good. This is the natural behavior today in the market. All vendors provide it, including Dell.
It is very easy and seamless to use the Dell OpenManage console for the lifecycle management of PowerEdge Rack Servers. It is one of the best solutions in the market today to manage the lifecycle of services.
What needs improvement?
It is not good in terms of its energy consumption for a large-scale deployment. I probably would go for something more dense, like blades or any type of small scale hardware service solutions, to lower the heat and power consumption. However, for small environments, this solution is okay and easy to maintain.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel for 25 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel are easier to handle in regards to upgrade and maintenance than any other solutions. It saves us over 50% of our time.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Usually, it is a very good solution for small-scale environments and environments that have difficulty providing services since the maintenance of PowerEdgeRack Servers is easier relative to any other solutions. Therefore, if you go for small-scale deployments, then PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel are very simple and cost-effective.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support from Dell is good. If you have an issue, the tech support is better than Lenovo and about the same as HPE.
I would rate Dell's technical support as 8.5 out of 10, which is very good. While the technical support is very good, they are not perfect. You need to wait, and sometimes you need to escalate, which is a process. At the end of the day, it is economies of scale.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The rack and stack takes a couple of hours, maybe less. The overall installation depends on the use case. In general, it takes about two to three days to have a full working solution.
What was our ROI?
Intel's Optane memory has helped save money when adding memory capacity, compared to adding the same amount of DRAM.
The use of Dell's OpenManage console has decreased the time it takes to deploy new data centers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The overall pricing and licensing are fair according to the market.
Because it is pay-per-use, there is a large offering from the application and software. This is what the customer requires, and I need to provide whatever they want. If they want to use the cloud, i.e., hyperscales as a solution, then I need to provide an application that will run on top. For me, it is a no-brainer. It is whatever the customer wants.
In general, going to the public cloud has its benefits since the CAPEX is low and the OPEX is pay-per-use. However, you need to arrange your application and software in a way that will modernize and utilize the cloud economically. This is the downside of things.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are a big company, so we are always evaluating everything.
For general purpose small-scale deployments, it has easy rack and stack and maintenance. For edge locations, this is the best solution that the market currently has to offer.
Today, we are looking at other solutions other than Intel, such as AMD, because of the cost as well as the quantity of the cores that you can get for the same amount of use or footprint.
There are also other solutions that are more cost-effective, but you can currently only get them on the cloud, like AWS Graviton, which is based off of ARM processing units. Currently, ARM is being provided only on cloud services. I haven't seen anyone provide ARM on-prem. However, if somebody provides a cost-effective, on-prem ARM, then we will consider going for ARM processing units.
I always prefer Dell because it is easier to maintain.
What other advice do I have?
It used to have a very good effect on IT staff's productivity. However, the problem has now moved from the infrastructure to the upper layer.
I like the R640 model the best.
I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as nine out of 10.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
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Updated: January 2026
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