Questions[dell](server)

I have a Dell PowerEdge R710 with dual Intel Xeon E5503 CPUs. It has 96GB(12x8GB) of ECC DIMMs. In its BIOS, memory is configured for "Advanced ECC".

My question is if my DIMMs are already ECC, does it make sense to enable this "Advanced ECC" mode in BIOS or should I switch to "Optimized"?

Dell describes these modes as such:

Advanced ECC Mode This mode uses two MCHs and “ties” them together to emulate a 128-bit data bus DIMM. This is primarily used to achieve a Single Device Data Correction (SDDC) for DIMMs based on x8 DRAM technology. SDDC is supported with x4 based DIMMs in every memory mode. One MCH is completely un-utilized, and any memory installed in this channel will generate a warning message during POST.

Memory Optimized Mode In this mode, the MCHs run independently of each other; for example, one can be idle, one can be performing a write operation, and the other can be preparing for a read operation. Memory may be installed in one, two, or three channels. To fully realize the performance benefit of the memory optimized mode, all three channels per CPU should be populated. This implies that some ‘atypical’ memory configurations, such as 3GB, 6GB, or 12GB, will yield the best performance. This is the recommended mode unless specific RAS features are needed.

Dell PowerEdge R710 Systems Hardware Owner's Manual (PDF)

As noted here, Dell is no longer allowing 3rd party disks to be used with their latest servers. As in, they don't work period. Which means that if you buy one of these boxes and want to upgrade the storage later, you have buy disks from Dell at significant premiums.

Dell has just given me a very strong reason to take my server business elsewhere. My company buys (instead of leasing) our servers, and typically uses them for 5 years. I need to be able to upgrade/repurpose storage periodically, and do not want to be locked in to whatever Dell might have in stock, at inflated prices to boot. As you will see in the comments of the above link, it seems HP is doing the same thing.

I am looking for a server vendor that offers 3-5 year warranty with same day/next day onsite service, and allows me to use 3rd party disks.

Suggestions?

I've ordered some rack hardware from Dell. A 42U rack, a 3U EqualLogic SAN, two 1U PowerConnect 5424 switches, three 1U PowerEdge servers, and some other stuff such as a tapedrive, firewall, UPS, etc.

Since I have little experience with racks I wonder why the switches have their ports on the front of the rack, while all the devices that connect to it (SAN, servers, tape, firewall) have their ethernet ports on the back.

My assumption is that is makes it easy to plug/unplug cables, and to watch the blinkenlights. It does make the cable management a bit more awkward though, since I'll have to feed all the cables from the back of the rack to the switch ports on the front, either via the side of the rack or by leaving some vertical space between the devices.

Why is this, and what is a good way to manage the cables?

Any tips or pics on how to layout a rack with such diverse hardware in it?

I have a Dell R710 2U server. It's pretty heavy, so it seems to me like it needs support in the front and the back, but we only have a 2-post rack. The rack is bolted to the floor, so it's pretty sturdy.

In general, is it okay to flush-mount a 2U server in a 2-post rack?

I have a much lighter 1U server mounted there, and it seems okay. Also, the tech guide for the R710 says:

Support for flush and center mount installation in CEA-310-E compliant 2-post racks (1U & 2U only)

But it just doesn't seem right to me.

Thanks!

Update: I contacted Dell tech support, and they pointed me to a 3rd party solution from racksolutions.com for center-mounting the R170 in a relay rack. So I'll try that + one of the shelves suggested by Zypher.

We've had a number of servers from Dell recently, all of which have had hardware-assisted virtualization disabled in the BIOS.

As far as I know hardware-assisted virtualization is a good thing - so why would Dell disable it? Does it have a performance overhead if the machine isn't acting as a virtual machine host? Are there any security issues?

In case it's relevant to your answers we will primarily be using:

• Host OS: Windows Server 2003 Enterprise R2 (32-bit)
• Guest OS:Windows Server 2003 Enterprise R2 (32-bit)
• VMM: Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise R2 SP1