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reviewer2335590 - PeerSpot reviewer
Leiter interne IT und Rechenzentrum at a media company
Real User
Top 20
Helps to enhance operational consistency and reliability of our applications
Pros and Cons
  • "What truly impresses me about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is their unwavering commitment to customer service, providing great assistance throughout the entire product lifecycle."
  • "I would like enhanced latitude in the machine assembly process."

What is our primary use case?

To ensure the continued success of our clientele, we leverage the robust capabilities of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers within the confines of our data center.

The straightforward implementation of firmware updates on servers can often prove to be an elusive objective. Recognizing this arduous challenge, we opted to incorporate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers into our infrastructure, thereby facilitating a more streamlined and efficient process. 

How has it helped my organization?

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have demonstrably bolstered the operational consistency and reliability of our applications, thereby enhancing the user experience for our esteemed clientele.

Given our exclusive reliance on Dell servers, conducting a direct comparison of energy consumption across different vendors proves to be a rather intricate endeavor. Nevertheless, I am confident that the power usage falls within a range deemed satisfactory for our operational requirements.

We leverage these server systems for an extended period of time, a practice that demonstrably contributes favorably to the principles of environmental sustainability.

Dell PowerEdge servers have demonstrably curtailed the incidence of production downtime, the precise extent of which remains challenging to quantify. Nevertheless, a marked decline in service outages and a concomitant upswing in availability periods are irrefutable indicators of this positive development.

The OpenManage Console serves as a streamlined nexus, consolidating a multitude of functionalities within a singular, intuitive interface. This holistic design fosters an enhanced level of productivity amongst IT personnel by eliminating the need to navigate through a maze of disparate applications.

Dell PowerEdge servers have contributed to the overall flexibility of our operations. This translates to relatively short delivery times, which is a significant advantage. We can quickly acquire new servers without facing lengthy lead times. 

What is most valuable?

What truly impresses me about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is their unwavering commitment to customer service, providing great assistance throughout the entire product lifecycle. This unparalleled level of support extends for an extended duration, ensuring that our servers remain reliable and secure for years to come. Furthermore, the exceptional quality of these servers is evident in their engineering and robust construction, guaranteeing peak performance and unwavering stability even under the most demanding workloads.

What needs improvement?

I would like enhanced latitude in the machine assembly process. The current constraints, limiting configurations to a select few, often lack inherent rationality. This rigidity makes it challenging to construct servers that are meticulously calibrated to specific requirements. Ideally, we should strive for a system that allows for the bespoke tailoring of servers, ensuring perfect alignment with each unique need.

Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
857,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

While Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have generally garnered a stellar reputation for their reliability and performance, we did encounter a recent hiccup on one of our machines. Thankfully, a dedicated support case was promptly established to address the issue. It turned out to be a faulty component, which was swiftly replaced, and the machine was soon humming along once more. All in all, our experiences with these servers have been overwhelmingly positive, with this singular incident serving as a minor bump in the road.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The servers are provisioned with their core hardware components at the time of acquisition. In most cases, further augmentation isn't particularly rational, although it is feasible to add supplementary memory or storage devices in exceptional circumstances. While this approach generally proves acceptable, it can present challenges in situations where the servers haven't been outfitted with the potential for future expansion. For instance, if a server is only equipped with a single processor, installing a second one later on is an impossibility. While this might seem suboptimal, it does offer the advantage of being cost-effective. After all, there's no need to construct the entire infrastructure if only a portion of it will be utilized.

How are customer service and support?

While previously the realm of technical assistance left much to be desired, with technicians rarely dispatched and resolutions often left frustratingly in our own hands involving the mere shipment of parts or miscellaneous supplies, a remarkable change has taken place. The current landscape of Dell support stands in stark contrast, characterized by the prompt arrival of technicians armed with the requisite materials or their express pre-delivery and a demonstrably high level of ongoing machine support, exceeding even our most exacting expectations.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

In the past, our server infrastructure relied on a patchwork of machines, cobbled together from various components and specifications. These solutions, while valiant efforts in their own right, often fell short in terms of reliability and consistency. Seeking a more robust and standardized approach, we migrated to Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, enticed by their reputation for superior quality and comprehensive warranty programs.

How was the initial setup?

The initial deployment has been occasionally straightforward, but we have also come across instances where machines brought about challenging difficulties that were difficult to pinpoint. In the majority of situations, it's positive, but not consistently.

Given the confines of our restricted IT infrastructure, we opted for a meticulous, hands-on approach to server deployment, manually installing each one within its own designated space.

What about the implementation team?

At the outset, our implementation lacked external assistance. However, we have now brought on board LSK Storage, a value-added reseller, to superintend a wider range of tasks, as we no longer shoulder the entire burden ourselves. Our interactions with them have been exceptionally positive, exceeding our expectations. Indeed, continued collaboration would not be on the table if their performance had been anything less than stellar.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The cost structure associated with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers presents itself as a potential point of contention for budget-conscious consumers, as it could be more strategically positioned to compete within the broader marketplace. Additionally, the degree of configurability offered by these server solutions might warrant further scrutiny, as it may not invariably align with the precise requirements of every individual user or organization.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

During our evaluation process, we meticulously assessed a diverse range of server solutions offered by multiple manufacturers. Ultimately, Dell emerged as the frontrunner due to their unwavering commitment to long-term product availability, ensuring the sustained viability and stability of our IT infrastructure.

What other advice do I have?

I would give Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a rating of nine out of ten. While they offer excellent flexibility, I find that it can be limited in certain situations. Users are required to commit to specific configurations and cannot always choose every desired processor or combination of components. Additionally, there are sometimes unclear dependencies between components, requiring the use of specific minimum amounts of certain resources. These limitations prevent me from giving them a perfect score.

Our infrastructure is optimized for stability rather than raw processing power. While our servers may not boast the most formidable specifications, they consistently deliver reliable performance within their established parameters.

Foreign Language: (German)

Verbessert die betriebliche Konsistenz und Zuverlässigkeit unserer Applikationen

Was ist unser Hauptanwendungsfall?

Zur Gewährleistung des anhaltenden Erfolgs unserer Kunden nutzen wir die robusten Fähigkeiten der Dell PowerEdge Rack Server innerhalb der Grenzen unseres Datenzentrums.

Die unkomplizierte Implementierung von Firmware-Updates auf Servern kann sich oft als schwieriges Unterfangen erweisen. Da wir diese schwierige Herausforderung erkannt haben, haben wir uns für die Integration von Dell PowerEdge Rack Servern in unsere Infrastruktur entschieden, um einen rationalisierten und effizienteren Prozess zu ermöglichen.

Wie hat es meiner Organisation geholfen?

Dell PowerEdge Rack Server haben nachweislich die betriebliche Konsistenz und Zuverlässigkeit unserer Anwendungen verbessert und damit die Benutzerfreundlichkeit für unsere hochgeschätzte Kundschaft erhöht.

Da wir uns ausschließlich auf Dell-Server verlassen, ist ein direkter Vergleich des Energieverbrauchs verschiedener Anbieter ein ziemlich kompliziertes Unterfangen. Dennoch bin ich zuversichtlich, dass der Stromverbrauch in einem Bereich liegt, der für unsere betrieblichen Anforderungen zufriedenstellend ist.

Wir nutzen diese Serversysteme über einen längeren Zeitraum, was nachweisbar einen positiven Einfluss auf die Prinzipien der ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit hat.

Dell PowerEdge-Server haben nachweislich die Zahl der Produktionsausfälle verringert, wobei es schwierig ist, das genaue Ausmaß zu quantifizieren. Ein deutlicher Rückgang der Serviceausfälle und ein gleichzeitiger Anstieg der Verfügbarkeitszeiten sind jedoch unwiderlegbare Indikatoren für diese positive Entwicklung.

Die OpenManage-Konsole dient als optimierter Mittelpunkt, der zahlreiche Funktionen in einer einzigen, intuitiven Benutzeroberfläche zusammenfasst. Dieses ganzheitliche Design fördert die Produktivität des IT-Personals, da es sich nicht mehr durch ein Chaos von unterschiedlichen Anwendungen bewegen muss.

Die Dell PowerEdge-Server haben zur allgemeinen Flexibilität unseres Betriebs beigetragen. Dies führt zu relativ kurzen Lieferzeiten, was ein großer Vorteil ist. Wir können schnell neue Server erwerben, ohne lange Vorlaufzeiten einzuhalten.

Was ist am wertvollsten?

Was mich an den PowerEdge-Rack-Servern von Dell wirklich beeindruckt, ist der unermüdliche Einsatz für den Kundenservice, der während des gesamten Produktlebenszyklus hervorragende Unterstützung bietet. Dieser beispiellose Support erstreckt sich über einen langen Zeitraum und stellt sicher, dass unsere Server auch in den kommenden Jahren zuverlässig und sicher bleiben. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich die außergewöhnliche Qualität dieser Server in ihrer Technik und robusten Bauweise, die selbst bei den anspruchsvollsten Arbeitsbelastungen Spitzenleistungen und unerschütterliche Stabilität garantieren.

Was muss verbessert werden?

Ich wünsche mir mehr Flexibilität bei der Maschinenmontage. Die derzeitigen Zwänge, die die Konfigurationen auf einige wenige beschränken, lassen oft eine inhärente Rationalität vermissen. Diese Starrheit erschwert den Bau von Servern, die genau auf die spezifischen Anforderungen abgestimmt sind. Idealerweise sollten wir ein System anstreben, das die maßgeschneiderte Anpassung von Servern ermöglicht, um eine perfekte Ausrichtung auf jeden einzelnen Bedarf zu gewährleisten.

Wie lange nutze ich die Lösung schon?

Ich benutze Dell PowerEdge Rack Server seit 15 Jahren.

Was halte ich von der Stabilität der Lösung?

Obwohl Dell PowerEdge Rack Server im Allgemeinen einen hervorragenden Ruf für ihre Zuverlässigkeit und Leistung genießen, hatten wir kürzlich ein Problem mit einem unserer Geräte. Glücklicherweise wurde umgehend ein spezieller Support-Fall eingerichtet, um das Problem zu beheben. Es stellte sich heraus, dass es sich um ein fehlerhaftes Bauteil handelte, das schnell ausgetauscht wurde, und das Gerät lief bald wieder einwandfrei. Alles in allem haben wir mit diesen Servern durchweg positive Erfahrungen gemacht, wobei dieser einmalige Vorfall nur ein kleines Hindernis darstellte.

Was denke ich über die Skalierbarkeit der Lösung?

Die Server werden zum Zeitpunkt der Annahme mit ihren wichtigsten Hardwarekomponenten ausgestattet. In den meisten Fällen ist eine weitere Erweiterung nicht besonders rationell, obwohl es in Ausnahmefällen möglich ist, zusätzlichen Speicher oder Speichergeräte hinzuzufügen. Während sich dieser Ansatz im Allgemeinen als akzeptabel erweist, kann er allerdings in Fällen, in denen die Server nicht mit dem Potenzial für zukünftige Erweiterungen ausgestattet wurden, zu Problemen führen. Wenn ein Server beispielsweise nur mit einem einzigen Prozessor ausgestattet ist, ist die Installation eines zweiten Prozessors zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt nicht mehr möglich. Das mag zwar suboptimal erscheinen, hat aber den Vorteil, dass es kostengünstig ist. Schließlich muss nicht die gesamte Infrastruktur aufgebaut werden, wenn nur ein Teil davon genutzt werden soll.

Wie sind Kundenservice und Support?

Während früher die technische Unterstützung viel zu wünschen übrig ließ, da nur selten Techniker entsandt wurden und die Lösung des Problems oft frustrierend in unseren eigenen Händen lag, indem wir lediglich Teile oder sonstiges Material verschicken mussten, hat sich ein bemerkenswerter Wechsel vollzogen. Die gegenwärtige Lage des Dell-Supports steht in krassem Gegensatz dazu. Sie ist gekennzeichnet durch das prompte Eingreifen von Technikern, die mit den erforderlichen Materialien ausgestattet sind, oder durch deren ausdrückliche Vorablieferung und ein nachweislich hohes Niveau des laufenden Supports für die Maschinen, das selbst unsere anspruchsvollsten Erwartungen übertrifft.

Wie bewerten Sie den Kundenservice und -support?

Positiv

Welche Lösung habe ich vorher verwendet und warum habe ich gewechselt?

Früher beruhte unsere Serverinfrastruktur auf einem Patchwork von Maschinen, die aus verschiedenen Komponenten und Spezifikationen zusammengeschustert wurden. Diese Lösungen waren zwar für sich genommen sehr gut, aber in Bezug auf Zuverlässigkeit und Konsistenz oft unzureichend. Auf der Suche nach einem robusteren und standardisierten Ansatz wechselten wir zu Dell PowerEdge Rack-Servern, die durch ihren guten Ruf in Bezug auf Qualität und umfassende Garantieprogramme überzeugen konnten.

Wie war die Ersteinrichtung?

Die Ersteinrichtung verlief gelegentlich problemlos, aber wir sind auch auf Fälle gestoßen, in denen die Maschinen Schwierigkeiten verursachten, die schwer zu lokalisieren waren. In den meisten Fällen ist das Ergebnis positiv, aber nicht durchgängig.

Angesichts unserer begrenzten IT-Infrastruktur haben wir uns für einen sorgfältigen, praktischen Ansatz bei der Serverbereitstellung entschieden, indem wir jeden Server manuell an seinem eigenen Platz installiert haben.

Wie sieht es mit dem Implementierungsteam aus?

Am Anfang fehlte uns bei der Implementierung die externe Unterstützung. Jetzt haben wir jedoch LSK Storage, einen Value-Added Reseller, an Bord geholt, um eine breitere Palette von Aufgaben zu beaufsichtigen, da wir nicht mehr die gesamte Last selbst übernehmen müssen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit diesem Unternehmen war außerordentlich positiv und hat unsere Erwartungen sogar noch übertroffen. Eine weitere Zusammenarbeit käme nicht in Frage, wenn ihre Leistungen nicht so hervorragend wären.

Welche Erfahrungen habe ich mit den Preisen, den Einrichtungskosten und der Lizenzierung gemacht?

Die Preisgestaltung der Dell PowerEdge Rack Server ist ein potenzieller Streitpunkt für preisbewusste Kunden, da sie strategisch besser positioniert sein könnten, um auf dem größeren Markt zu bestehen. Auch der Grad der Konfigurierbarkeit, den diese Serverlösungen bieten, sollte genauer untersucht werden, da er nicht immer den genauen Anforderungen jedes einzelnen Benutzers oder Unternehmens entspricht.

Welche anderen Lösungen habe ich bewertet?

Während unseres Auswahlverfahrens haben wir verschiedene Serverlösungen von mehreren Herstellern sorgfältig geprüft. Letztendlich hat sich Dell als Spitzenreiter herauskristallisiert, da das Unternehmen sich konsequent für eine langfristige Produktverfügbarkeit einsetzt, um die nachhaltige Rentabilität und Stabilität unserer IT-Infrastruktur zu gewährleisten.

Welche anderen Ratschläge kann ich geben?

Ich würde den Dell PowerEdge Rack-Servern eine Bewertung mit neun von zehn Punkten geben. Sie bieten zwar eine ausgezeichnete Flexibilität, aber ich finde, dass diese in bestimmten Situationen begrenzt sein kann. Die Benutzer müssen sich auf bestimmte Konfigurationen festlegen und können nicht immer jeden gewünschten Prozessor oder jede Kombination von Komponenten auswählen. Außerdem gibt es manchmal unklare Abhängigkeiten zwischen Komponenten, die den Einsatz bestimmter Mindestmengen bestimmter Ressourcen erfordern. Diese Einschränkungen hindern mich daran, ihnen eine perfekte Note zu geben.

Unsere Infrastruktur ist eher auf Stabilität als auf reine Rechenleistung optimiert. Auch wenn unsere Server nicht die beeindruckendsten Spezifikationen aufweisen, liefern sie innerhalb der festgelegten Rahmenbedingungen stets eine zuverlässige Leistung.

Welches Modell nutzen Sie für die Entwicklung dieser Lösung?

Im Hause.


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.
PeerSpot user
System Administrator at a construction company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
857,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Moshe Tzarfati - PeerSpot reviewer
Global Backup Admin Lead at Motorola Solutions
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2380641 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director at a cloud solution provider with 1-10 employees
Real User
Customizable, highly reliable, and energy-efficient
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the reliability and ease of swapping out failed equipment. It is very easy to replace power supplies and drives."
  • "From the licensing model perspective, it might be useful for enterprises to get an overall enterprise license, rather than licensing each server. That is one option because we tend to buy the service with the licenses, but some of our older equipment does not have them."

What is our primary use case?

We are a web hosting company, so we host websites. They are predominantly high-value websites. They tend to be very intensive applications, so we use CPUs with lots of cores and memory. We try to get as much performance as possible out of these machines.

At the moment, we are using Dell R640 and 740XD, and we have some 540s for backups.

How has it helped my organization?

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are very good for handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads. Even though we do not use the very latest generation servers, they are in line with our customers' needs. Our customers do not know or care what the specs of the servers are. They just want the results, which speed from websites or whatever applications they are running. We have a very strong reputation in the industry for producing those fast results, and at the moment, Dell servers support that very well. Our knowledge perhaps is not as good as it could be on some of the latest technologies. We do not even use NVMe storage yet, but I am quite interested in seeing some of the new technology for NVMe support.

Due to our environmental compliance, we are very aware of our consumption, and it is pleasing to see regular improvements in that area. We are regularly looking at and reviewing our power consumption. We replaced some of our older Dell models with newer ones, which are way more efficient. They are very good in terms of energy consumption. There is a useful calculator available on their website to work out how much we are going to be using, so we can tell in advance. Before we populate a new data center cabinet, we can see how much we should expect it to be using. That makes it a lot easier. We then do not underfill or overfill a cabinet. We can maximize the use of the space by knowing with some degree of accuracy how much power is going to be used.

What is most valuable?

I like the reliability and ease of swapping out failed equipment. It is very easy to replace power supplies and drives.

What needs improvement?

We use older-generation servers. We are two generations behind. There can be remote access management and iDRAC improvements, but I do not have many complaints about that.

From the licensing model perspective, it might be useful for enterprises to get an overall enterprise license, rather than licensing each server. That is one option because we tend to buy the service with the licenses, but some of our older equipment does not have them.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for about ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

They are very reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We tend to buy quite high-spec servers, so we do not need to upgrade, but storage-wise, typically, we always have an empty base in the servers we deploy. So, we have plenty of scope for scaling.

How are customer service and support?

We do not use their support. We use a third party. We rarely need to get support because the equipment is so reliable. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used to use HPE many years ago. We moved to Dell because their servers were more customizable. We were able to use our own disks, for example, whereas HP would not allow us to do that. They had to ship the disks, and that was the main reason we moved.

Dell is just a little bit more logical. Even when you open up the box and carry out the replacement tasks with the components, it seems a little bit more logical. In every generation, there is a change, but when you open up a new box, it does not take long. Without reading the manual, you can figure out what needs to be done. We have never been disappointed with the new products that do come out, so we are quite involved now and attached to the Dell ecosystem.

How was the initial setup?

They are very good in terms of deployment. Our automated system is there, and there is no problem with using our deployment tool with it. I cannot think of a case where we have hit a problem. It has been fast. There is nothing to do with the hardware. There are no obstacles.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We looked at Supermicro, but we never found them very reliable. The chassis and the build felt a little bit more flimsy compared to Dell. Dell servers felt a lot more like enterprise hardware.

What other advice do I have?

In terms of the impact of PowerEdge Servers on our organization’s sustainability goals, we have not recycled much old equipment. I am not sure what to do with it. I do not know whether they have any incentives for returning old hardware. One thing we need to factor in is how to dispose of older hardware.

For the simple needs that we have, I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2380791 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager, Information Technology at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Reliable servers with efficient deployment, robust performance, and comprehensive management tools
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the key reasons we integrate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, particularly the ID Rack model, is for its remote monitoring and administration capabilities."
  • "Its customer support should be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We employ Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers within our vSphere cluster to support our business applications.

How has it helped my organization?

Virtual storage, bandwidth optimization with caching, SSD integration, and similar features contribute significantly to the overall performance and efficiency of the servers. These advancements provide a notable improvement in operations.

The PowerEdge servers have poor energy consumption performance.

For the sustainability of our company, we plan to purchase new PowerEdge servers. Our current servers have been in use for five years and are nearing the end of their life cycle. Therefore, we intend to replace them with new PowerEdge servers to ensure continued efficiency and satisfaction.

It contributed to reducing production downtime by approximately 20%.

What is most valuable?

One of the key reasons we integrate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, particularly the ID Rack model, is for its remote monitoring and administration capabilities. This feature is essential for managing the servers efficiently, allowing remote access and administration without the need for physical monitors or on-site presence.

What needs improvement?

Using SD cards for installing the hypervisor is not particularly reliable. Its customer support should be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the servers for fifteen years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It offers excellent stability.

How are customer service and support?

Tech support can be slow to respond at times, and there are occasions when they seem hesitant to trust our assessments. This can lead to prolonged troubleshooting processes, often requiring us to provide extensive logs for investigation. I would rate it seven out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We utilize various types of servers, with a predominant focus on HPE models.
In my view, there isn't a significant distinction between them; they essentially perform the same tasks but in slightly different ways. There are variations in management tools, however. Customers seem to prefer Dell, possibly due to their positive experiences with the products and alignment with specific guidelines or regulations.

What about the implementation team?

Deployment was straightforward, and to be honest, not much different from other solutions.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
reviewer2380770 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT-Systems Administrator at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Reliable servers with easy management and good service
Pros and Cons
  • "Reliability is important for us. They are reliable, and the service is very good."
  • "The server itself is good, but sometimes, the salesperson forgets to sell us the right controller. It is related to sales. It is not related to the technical part."

What is our primary use case?

We have virtualization running on Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. We have VMware. We have some physical workloads. We also have Oracle databases.

How has it helped my organization?

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are reliable and do not require a lot of maintenance. We put them in the rack and forget them. 

In terms of the overall flexibility of our operations, we have a lot of servers, and because of virtualization, it is very flexible, but it has nothing to do with the hardware.

What is most valuable?

Reliability is important for us. They are reliable, and the service is very good. iDRAC is a good feature that we use very often. We are rarely in the data center.

What needs improvement?

The server itself is good, but sometimes, the salesperson forgets to sell us the right controller. It is related to sales. It is not related to the technical part. There is nothing that can be improved in these servers technically.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working in this organization for nine years, and they were already using Dell servers when I joined. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

These servers are very stable.

How are customer service and support?

Most times, we take care of things on our own. Usually, when there is something that needs to be fixed or replaced, we take Dell's help. I would rate their support an eight out of ten. It is very good, but it can always be better.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We only use Dell servers.

How was the initial setup?

They are easy to deploy. There are no problems with that.

What was our ROI?

We have seen an ROI. We rarely have any problems with these servers. Overall, it is a good deal.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We have not compared them with others. The price is okay, but they can always be a little bit cheaper.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2318388 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Engineer
Real User
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
PeerSpot user
Brian Mijnals - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at Elde College
Real User
Top 10
An affordable and easy-to-deploy product that is simple to use and provides a lot of features
Pros and Cons
  • "There are fewer complications than what we had before with other brands."
  • "The terabytes are never enough."

What is our primary use case?

We use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for servers and backup.

How has it helped my organization?

The product has improved our business. There are fewer complications than what we had before with other brands.

What is most valuable?

Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is simpler to use when compared with HPE. The product provides more features than what we expected six years ago.

What needs improvement?

The solution must increase the space provided. It is still an issue. The terabytes are never enough.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for six years.

How are customer service and support?

The support is getting better. Before, we had to call and explain what was going on. Now, the support has a website. I rate the support a seven or eight out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We were using HPE before. Many schools were already doing business with Dell. So, we tried it. We also have Dell's laptops and desktops.

How was the initial setup?

The deployment is not difficult at all.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The tool's pricing is very good.

What other advice do I have?

The server does consume energy. The energy consumption is less than what it was three years ago. We still have the same capacity. We don't have many high-performance workloads. We have AutoCAD and SolidWorks. These are two programs that need a lot of CPU. The rest is file surfing and document printing. We are planning to use the OpenManage console.

Overall, I rate the product an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: June 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.