Description
The Dell R740 server introduces Dell’s cyber-resistant architecture featuring an updated Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9.0 (iDRAC9) for improved local and remote management of the system. New persistent memory options can also increase performance by a factor of ten. Ideal workloads for this platform include:

Virtual Desktop infrastructure (VDI)
Private Cloud
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
 

Performance
One or two first or second-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors are supported on this system and deliver a 27% increase in processing cores and a 50% increase in throughput. Choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum processors with up to 28 cores per processor for 56 total cores in a two-processor configuration. High-end Nvidia GPUs or FPGAs are supported on this system.

Memory
Registered (RDIMM), load-reduced (LRDIMM) and non-volatile (NVDIMM-N) memory modules are supported on the Dell EMC R740 Server. It supports 24 memory slots in a two-processor configuration, and only 12 with a single processor. In a two-processor configuration with all 24 slots loaded with 128GB RDIMM or LRDIMM modules the system will support a maximum of 3TB! NVMe DIMM modules are not supported with a single processor and are limited to just 12 memory module slots for a maximum of 192GB. However, NVDIMM modules can only be paired Registered DIMM modules in the remaining slots. Depending on your choice of 1st or 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, maximum memory speeds will be either 2666MHz or 2933Mhz, respectively.

Storage
There are two chassis configurations, one with 16 x 2.5-inch drives and another with 8 x 3.5-inch drives, supporting a maximum of 60TB or 80TB respectively. SAS, SATA, and Nearline SAS HDDs and SSDs are supported. Mixing of different drive types is not supported. There are several optional storage devices that can be installed, including a slim SATA optical drive and a Dual SD Card module/vFlash card with two three micro SD cards—two for the IDSDM and one vFlash card to support a failsafe hypervisor. The system comes standard with an S140 software RAID controller but again you have options supporting more RAID configurations and increased bandwidth. For external hard drive support, Dell recommends the PERC H840.

A Dell PowerEdge Boot Optimized Storage Subsystem, or BOSS is supported on the Dell R740 Server. BOSS utilizes one or two boot optimized M.2 storage sticks on a PCIe card that can be configured for “pass-thru” mode or with two devices installed can be configured with a hardware RAID 1 in mirror mode for a failsafe boot. This hardware is especially attractive for Administrators running a Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI), or Software Defined Storage (SDS) allowing the OS to be separated from storage. Configuration of the BOSS is done through the System BIOS (F2), and also integrated with Dell OpenManage.

Expansion
Eight PCIe Gen 3.0 expansion slots are supported on the Dell PowerEdge R740 Server, which is one more than what was offered on the previous generation R730. Depending on your needs, there are several different riser options to choose from that will support additional NICs, HBAs, external HD/RAID controllers, and GPUs. In fact, the system will support six 150W cards or three 300W Accelerator cards. Outfitted with three double-wide GPUs the system will support 50$ more VDI deployments than the R730. Network Daughter Card (NDC) options include connection speeds of 1GbE, 10GbE, and 25GbE with dual and quad ports. For additional bandwidth Administrators can install stand-up PCIe cards.

Management
The system features a cyber-resilient architecture and comes standard with iDRAC9 with LifeCycle Controller Express, which offers improved automation and security features. OpenManage also delivers easy integration with VMware vSphere, Microsoft System Center, and Nagios. There’s also an improved Quick Sync 2 bezel with integrated near-field communications (NFC) that can be used with both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets with NFC capabilities to get on the spot server and network status. New and improved security features include Configuration Lock-Down, Embedded Firmware Authentication, Secure Boot, and System Erase.

Summary
There are many features to improve performance, throughput, reliability, and security on the new Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 Server. A new and improved Bezel design can also add a little bling to your server enclosure while increasing security and management access.