Cisco UCS B-Series and Dell PowerEdge R-Series compete in the server hardware market, targeting enterprises in need of robust server solutions. Based on feature sets, features, and performance, Cisco demonstrates a stronger integration capability particularly with virtualization technologies, whereas Dell excels in ease of remote management and offering diverse customization options.
Features: Cisco UCS B-Series offers strong scalability and integration with virtualization technologies, contributing to centralized management and efficient server provisioning. Key features include its Service Profiles, streamlining deployment, and reducing cable clutter. Dell PowerEdge R-Series stands out with performance management tools, including iDRAC and OpenManage, which enhance remote management, along with extensive customization options, benefitting server monitoring and maintenance.
Room for Improvement: Cisco UCS B-Series could enhance its user experience by simplifying its complex interfaces and reducing high power consumption. These efforts could lower the cost barrier and promote better integration with non-Cisco storage. Dell PowerEdge R-Series users may find value in improved cost-effectiveness, streamlined licensing processes, and better firmware management. Both products should align better with evolving tech trends, like AI integration, to keep pace with market needs.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco UCS B-Series is leveraged primarily for on-premises deployments, backed by quality support from Cisco TAC, noted for availability and problem-solving efficiency. Conversely, Dell PowerEdge R-Series supports both on-premises and private cloud integrations, receiving praise for their effective support, though it could enhance spare parts availability. Cisco’s online support is superior, whereas Dell provides pricing transparency that eases purchasing decisions.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco UCS B-Series, as a premium option, requires higher upfront investment, but users report positive ROI through operational improvements and low maintenance costs. Dell PowerEdge R-Series appeals with competitive pricing, simpler licensing, and value propositions, offering a lower upfront cost. Cisco's higher price calls for budget consideration, whereas Dell is appreciated for strategic cost negotiations and service bundles that enhance cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, we achieved server consolidation, running multiple services on fewer servers without purchasing new ones, resulting in significant financial benefits.
By not having to worry about it, I would estimate we save two to four hours a week, depending on what's happening, such as if we need to spin up a new server, which would contribute to more time if done the old way.
In my immediate case for antenna analysis, Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers offer a reduction from days of computing to half a day or hours.
The value of uptime to us is critical.
Cisco's technical support is highly helpful and responsive.
I would give Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a ten because they're always able to answer all the questions we have; they reach a solution no matter how long it takes, and they don't give up.
It has always been scheduled maintenance, which says a lot for a production environment, as we haven't had to call in a trouble ticket for the actual hardware during its entire run.
Typically, the contacts we have on-site are very knowledgeable, they come in within a day and usually have it fixed and taken care of if there are issues.
The scalability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is excellent.
Any outages or blackouts are limited to particular servers, not affecting the whole chassis or enclosures.
We bought our product with scaling involved, and we've been scaling it up anytime we've needed more storage.
The stability of Cisco UCS B-Series is impeccable, as it has been running smoothly without any need for maintenance.
Over four years, we've had less than 1 percent downtime.
There is a feature to update the server while it is running, so there is no need to restart.
We have truly not had any downtime on the infrastructure at all.
Last year, we faced challenges with firmware upgrades, but they were quickly resolved with assistance from Cisco TAC.
We need to know about any upcoming updates so that we can plan accordingly.
The beneficial aspect of that feature was that we could skip the PowerStore and just have the Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers alone, as they also served as storage, which helped us save money.
This forces you to go up to a larger server to get the desired processor, which increases the cost.
The management software, Cisco One, is priced a bit high but still considered reasonable.
They have been stable and running for years without performance downtime or significant disc failures.
Some customers find it cheaper due to contractual agreements, while others find it expensive, especially when scaling up.
The software associated with servers, like VMware subscription licenses, drives costs.
Its administration capabilities provide easy access to performance reports, logs, and utilization data, which are essential for effective server management.
They keep running for at least five to seven years without any issues.
With PowerEdge Servers, I don't need a one-to-one ratio redundancy, which leads to about eighty percent downtime reduction.
One of the valuable features is Active Directory, which helps in managing the network.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Dell PowerEdge R-Series | 3.6% |
| Cisco UCS B-Series | 6.9% |
| Other | 89.5% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 20 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 15 |
| Large Enterprise | 41 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 95 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 59 |
| Large Enterprise | 112 |
PowerEdge R-Series delivers high performance, flexibility, and scalability for data centers. It supports demanding tasks with robust management tools and advanced cooling, providing reliability and efficiency across various workloads.
Engineered for large deployments, PowerEdge R-Series supports extensive configurations optimizing performance in data centers. With features like advanced cooling and energy-efficient architecture, it empowers organizations to manage heavy workloads while facilitating seamless scalability. It offers remote management, robust security, and integration with VMware ensuring operational excellence and high availability for business-critical applications.
What are the key features of Dell PowerEdge R-Series?PowerEdge R-Series is deployed across industries for virtualization, database hosting, and application servers. It supports environments like VMware and Hyper-V for AI, cloud infrastructure, and computing tasks. Widely used by finance, healthcare, and academia, it enhances reliability and efficiency of IT infrastructure.
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