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reviewer1851978 - PeerSpot reviewer
Associate Director, Health Information Technologies at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Good performance, secure, easy to use, and the technical support is good
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is reliability. We rarely have any issues and because of this, Dell is our go-to for servers."
  • "I'd like to take the complexities out of all the different tools that surround it, like OpenManage."

What is our primary use case?

We use the servers for various use cases. A lot of our servers act as ESXi hosts that host our VMware infrastructure. We also have a lot of researchers that use them for their own computing, memory, and storage as well.

How has it helped my organization?

When it comes to running high-demand applications, we trust our Dell servers exclusively. Its overall stability and ease of use have helped to improve the way our organization functions.

I believe that our overall data processing time has been reduced, although it's hard for us to quantify that.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is reliability. We rarely have any issues and because of this, Dell is our go-to for servers.

We make use of the encrypt-at-rest security feature, which allows us to keep our servers locked down in our data centers as best we can.

We used the CloudIQ feature for monitoring and it's pretty good overall. We have a challenge in our area because our IT is very broad and there is a lot of overlap. Other people's work is visible and we have a big environment, so there is a team of people that keep an eye on things.

What needs improvement?

I'd like to take the complexities out of all the different tools that surround it, like OpenManage. There's some different licensing and it gets a little wonky at times. Other than that, the product itself works fine. Rather, it's some of the management issues.

Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for approximately 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a pretty reliable product.

How are customer service and support?

Dell's support is fantastic. We've never really had any problems with them.

I would rate them an eight out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We did not use another similar solution prior to this one.

We are looking for some of the newer models to replace some of our older equipment. We may not have to have as many as before, because it's more efficient.

How was the initial setup?

Once we get a server, we can have it up in a day. One person can do it unless it's a heavy server. In that case, we need two people to lift it. Almost anybody on our staff can deploy this server if it's needed.

What about the implementation team?

We handle the deployment in-house.

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

There are no costs in addition to the standard licensing fees.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

When you compare this product to using a public cloud, you definitely have to pay attention to what you're doing in a public cloud. This is because you're generally using a shared server with other people and there can be problems because of this.

What other advice do I have?

We are currently working towards full automation when it comes to managing PowerEdge. It looks pretty good at this stage. It most definitely assists with the overall operations.

My advice for anybody who is considering this product is that Dell is a reliable partner. The product works well and you can't really go wrong with it. As the product changes over time, it's pretty seamless and you don't have to learn a lot of new things. After four years, it may only be slightly different.

I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Manager at Mutural Trust Bank
Real User
Enables us to do remote troubleshooting
Pros and Cons
  • "The initial setup is so easy."
  • "As the disks and memory should be expandable, I would highlight scalability as an issue."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution to help me with battery and memory DIMM errors.

What is most valuable?

The remote management control is a valuable feature. There is no need to connect the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. We can install our operating system and whatever else we wish. Thanks to the enterprise license which enables remote connectivity there is no need to connect. This allows us to make use as we see fit, such as that involving the operating system installation and, occasionally, the host machine, in which case we can connect to the console remotely. This allows us to do remote troubleshooting, which is a nice feature. 

What needs improvement?

When it comes to battery and memory DIMM errors, it seems there is a bug. Also, the number of disks should be expandable. Many medium and large companies are using cloud-based rack servers. There should be a greater amount of CPU, memory, and hard disks. As the disks and memory should be expandable, I would highlight scalability as an issue.

For how long have I used the solution?

I am currently using Dell EMC PowerEdge Rack Servers and have been doing so over the course of the past 12 months. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I feel Dell EMC PowerEdge Rack Servers to be reliable solutions for rack only because this rack solutions is not applicable to other cases. It is reliable, based on the rack solution. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

When it comes to the rack server, the number of disks lack scalability.

How are customer service and technical support?

Dell EMC PowerEdge Rack Servers' remote support is quite good. Many a times I have opened a case and received from them a prompt response and solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is so easy. One just need establish a remote connection with the network console, allowing the applications database to be installed as desired. 

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

The licensing comes with a warranty.

If I wish to use the remote console, I can access it so that I may obtain the enterprise license on the server. Once two or three years have elapsed, or subsequent to getting the warranty, there is no need to get the license. 

The cost goes up when taking into account the enterprise-level license.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I evaluated Blade in addition to the solution. 

What other advice do I have?

The reason we use on-premises and not cloud is because we are talking about a bank. The financial data is not published outside.

Before I could recommend implementing the solution, I wish to describe a scenario. As mentioned, in terms of the rack server I can speak positively. However, were I to compare Dell EMC PowerEdge Rack Servers to other solutions, such as Blade, it wouldn't be helpful for this rack server only, as we are merely talking about CPU, RAM and some disks. 

Owing to the scalability issue, I rate Dell EMC PowerEdge Rack Servers as a nine out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Automation Service Engineer (DCS) at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Stable with an easy implementation process and very user-friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "It's a very user-friendly solution."
  • "The performance could be a bit better."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for its performance.

What is most valuable?

Dell offers very good performance. The hardware is very, very good.

The product has very good diagnostics.

It's a very user-friendly solution.

At the rack level, we can access and can see the status. When deploying you can see if there are any issues with the system. 

In terms of maintenance, it's easy. 

The hard drive is just plug and play. You just unplug the old one and put in the new hard drive. It's very, very straightforward.

What needs improvement?

The performance could be a bit better.

If they want to coordinate between the different fast CPUs with the memory or maybe if they put some polling systems that are a bit better it could possibly increase the performance of the servers. 

It would be great if the product had some wireless capabilities.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the solution for two years at this point. It hasn't been a very long time.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

THe solution is very, very stable. It's one of its greatest features. The solution doesn't crash or freeze. It doesn't have bugs or glitches. It's worked well for us.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We do plan to increase usage in the future. We'll continue to stick with them as we never have issues with the solution and you can scale it.

We have about 50 users on the solution, although they aren't direct users.

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is good. We have set up three years of support for this solution. We always get a fast response. We can also write the ticket on the widget via a support program and the team will reach out to us directly in order to assist. We've been quite satisfied with their level of service so far.

How was the initial setup?

We didn't find the implementation to be complex. The initial setup was fairly straightforward. It was easy for us to handle. We were able to do everything ourselves in-house.

The deployment takes about an hour. To install just the racks only takes five minutes.

What about the implementation team?

I handled the installation myself. I didn't need any help from any consultants or integrators.

What other advice do I have?

We're a partner as a buyer of the solution.

We're using the latest version of the solution.

Overall, I would rate the solution nine out of ten. We've never had any issues with Dell servers. They're good. They're very stable. I'd recommend the solution to other organizations.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
System Engineer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 20
Good performance and easy to work with
Pros and Cons
  • "They are easy to configure. It is simple to work with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers."
  • "The performance of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is very good."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use VMware hypervisor on Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. We use the PowerEdge storage with iSCSI.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We use these servers for the hypervisor, and we have many Windows servers on them. They work very well, and they have a very good performance.

    What is most valuable?

    The performance of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is very good. 

    They are easy to configure. It is simple to work with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for two years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    They are very stable.

    How are customer service and support?

    We use Dell support for notebooks, servers, and storage. Overall, I would rate their support an eight out of ten.

    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. We build the hypervisor servers for the company, and these are the only servers we use.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a ten out of ten. They are very good. I am happy with them.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2380632 - PeerSpot reviewer
    System Engineer at a cloud solution provider with 1-10 employees
    Real User
    Offers robust performance and scalability but may require upgrades for improved energy efficiency and may experience stability issues with older hardware
    Pros and Cons
    • "Any necessary adjustments can be made seamlessly without the need to unplug cables, as everything is contained within the rack itself."
    • "There is potential for enhancement in terms of its overall upgradeability."

    What is our primary use case?

    We primarily utilize Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as hosts for virtual machines.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We opted for the OCP primarily due to its exceptional modularity. With compute nodes and storage nodes sharing the same form factor and rack, it simplifies maintenance tasks. Any necessary adjustments can be made seamlessly without the need to unplug cables, as everything is contained within the rack itself. This user-friendly design streamlines operations, particularly for individuals with limited training in server management.

    Our older PowerEdge servers consume significant amounts of power due to their age.

    In terms of high performance, there hasn't been any improvement or decline. We have sufficient redundancy to tolerate the loss of multiple nodes without any impact.

    In terms of productivity, we have the capability to interface directly with the servers when necessary, eliminating the need for remote access.

    What needs improvement?

    There is potential for enhancement in terms of its overall upgradeability.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using it for five years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    In terms of stability, overall it has been satisfactory, although we encountered some issues due to outdated hardware. At one point, we experienced failures likely stemming from aging components, such as a faulty CPU that led to the shutdown of certain virtual machines.

    What other advice do I have?

    It fulfills its intended functions, but we haven't identified any advantages to the additional features. Overall, I would rate it seven out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Pre-Sales Engineer at a tech services company
    Real User
    Support is great, hardware replacements are quick, the system itself is user-friendly
    Pros and Cons
    • "This product has really saved us a lot of headaches when it comes to hardware replacements. It's something it seems that Dell has improved. You quickly log your support case and get support. The turnaround time is really fast."
    • "Compared to the other vendors and generations, this one tends to be more user-friendly, so you spend less time trying to get where you want to go."
    • "The server itself has the most stable updates. The patches and the updates will take you a long way before they release another one, so you aren't constantly doing more updates and upgrades."
    • "The GUI is accessible and everything is pretty much upfront. You don't get lost in navigating between the tabs."
    • "The versions that I work with, they used to max out on memory, on RAM, quickly, so I'd want to think in the newer versions, they actually allocate more processing power and more RAM to them."

    How has it helped my organization?

    Compared to the older versions, and those from other vendors, like HPE servers and some other brands, this one has really saved us a lot of headaches when it comes to hardware replacements. It's something it seems that Dell has improved. You quickly log your support case and get support. The turnaround time is really fast.

    Also, compared to the other vendors and generations, this one tends to be more user-friendly, so you spend less time trying to get where you want to go.

    The server itself has the most stable updates. The patches and the updates will take you a long way before they release another one, so you aren't constantly doing more updates and upgrades. 

    What is most valuable?

    • Its ease of use. The GUI is accessible and everything is pretty much upfront. You don't get lost in navigating between the tabs.
    • I also like a feature they call iDRAC. It's a feature that allows you remotely power on and off the server. 
    • It's got a power plug.
    • It's also almost a tool-less type of server, in the sense that when you want to open it up and change a few components inside, you can do so without a screwdriver or any aid of another tool.
    • It also has a nice front panel, it looks nice in front.

    What needs improvement?

    Of course, the new generation of servers, I've yet to really use them, the 13th and the 14th generations of the Dell rack servers. I haven't gotten my hands on those yet. But as for the versions that I work with, they used to max out on memory, on RAM, quickly, so I'd want to think in the newer versions, they actually allocate more  processing power and more RAM to them. I'd want to think that's what they did with the newer versions.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Three to five years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It's a very stable product. From a software and hardware perspective, it's actually a bit more stable compared to other versions and vendors. It's definitely quite resilient, we haven't had many failures, hardware or software failures.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It is quite scalable. The other versions come with a lot of allocation or provision for you to scale more, so it is a scalable solution.

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

    We switched because of the kind of support we'd get from the vendor itself, a quick response time. That's a very critical issue; how swiftly can they resolve an issue. That is one of the major reasons for the switch. The other reason was the resiliency of the products, which is one of the benefits we enjoy with the current choice that we made.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is quite easy. The Dell OpenManage interface is straightforward, Obviously you have to read through the documentation a bit before you set it up, but it is quite straightforward.

    It took us, I would say, a day for each site, because we set it up at three different sites and they're each about 80 kilometers apart. Each site took a day because we had to rearrange our server room, how the cooling would be done, and the power and things like that. Obviously, there were other things contributing to the setup of the server, not the server itself.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Yes, we did also consider other options but we took this option over the other ones because of the response time, support, and we feel that these guys were a leap ahead in terms of the technology itself.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would tell colleagues to go for it. It's a great product, and as long as they can just stay on the latest and greatest versions, they shouldn't have any issues.

    I would give it an eight out of 10. And the chief reasons are its simplicity and ease of use. 

    The two points I held back I wouldn't necessarily blame on the product, I would blame it on the area, the part of the world that we are in. I think it tends to take a bit long, like one to two weeks, to replace a spare part. Sometimes it can take long because of the customs issues. Really it has nothing to do with the product itself but with area that I'm in. So someone who's in Europe will likely get better service because they are closer to the manufacturing plants and they can get the equipment in, whereas where we're from, the shipment of that stuff would have to hop notable distances. So if they could have a hub that's more central and closer to where we are, then maybe it would be a perfect 10.  

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer1852674 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Systems Administrator at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees
    Real User
    Great performance, reduces unplanned production downtime, and handles high-performance workloads
    Pros and Cons
    • "It's allowing us to scale out a lot faster than before."
    • "In terms of the iDRAC software, when selecting systems, especially multiple systems to upgrade, there's really no way to confirm that specific systems are selected."

    How has it helped my organization?

    We're having increased performance. That's one of the big reasons we went with these PowerEdge servers.

    What is most valuable?

    The iDRAC that comes with the systems is great. It allows us to scale out a lot faster than before.

    PowerEdge servers are good for handling and evolving high-performance workloads. We get everything that we need.

    The biggest needs within our company are performance, stability, and support. If and when something goes wrong hardware-wise, a quick resolution is always a wonderful thing to have.

    We do not use Dell's memory in our PowerEdge environment. We do use them separately.

    PowerEdge Rack Servers have helped to reduce unplanned production downtime. The firmware updates that have been pushed out have reduced the amount of DIMM memory failures or false alarms. That's been really good. That's the main concern we have.

    What needs improvement?

    In terms of the iDRAC software, when selecting systems, especially multiple systems to upgrade, there's really no way to confirm specific systems that are selected. It'll just tell you a number and it's very vague. It says, "Hey, you're about to perform this action on X amount of systems." If it had more visibility, then that would provide more peace of mind for our team and everyone else who uses the iDRAC software as well.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We've been using these PowerEdge rack servers for about two years now.

    How are customer service and support?

    The technical support is good.

    Whenever we ask for clarification on an action plan, we get the required feedback so that we can make informed decisions on our end. We'd love it if they'd keep up with the process that they currently have.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

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

    We switched over to Dell as they were highly competitive in their pricing, and their specs were either identical or gave better performance than some of the other options we were looking at.

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

    The pricing was extremely competitive, and it's one of the big reasons why we went with Dell.

    We use the servers on multiple of our data centers located throughout the United States, and the performance and stability of these systems have been phenomenal.

    What other advice do I have?

    We did not consider public cloud services before choosing PowerEdge DRAC services.

    Performance-wise, hardware-wise, it is solid, however, it could use some improvements around iDRAC. Therefore, I would rate the solution eight out of ten.

    For those considering the solution, I would advise starting by doing some research. The system is incredibly stable and performs similarly to other systems that we're reviewing.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2318322 - PeerSpot reviewer
    ITAdministrator at a manufacturing company with 11-50 employees
    Real User
    Top 20
    Offers seamless integration, rock-solid stability, and efficient customer support
    Pros and Cons
    • "The product is well-rounded and has been effective in meeting our needs."
    • "I would like for PowerEdge Rack Servers could be a bit more compact."

    How has it helped my organization?

    I chose Dell PowerEdge servers to tackle key issues in our setup. It adds extra security, aligning with our data protection goals. Gold Service support ensures reliable assistance, minimizing downtime. The smooth integration between services makes switching to Dell a confident move for our server needs. PowerEdge Rack Servers boosted our organization's flexibility without any issues. They just worked perfectly, with no negative impact. It has also boosted our IT staff's productivity. I now have more time for other tasks, and while it's hard to quantify, it saves me a few hours each week.

    What is most valuable?

    The product is well-rounded and has been effective in meeting our needs. The customer feedback has been positive as well.

    What needs improvement?

    For the next release, I would like for PowerEdge Rack Servers to be a bit more compact.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for 12 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The overall stability is excellent. There is almost no downtime, and the system runs smoothly. PowerEdge servers have significantly minimized production downtime for me. They run smoothly without causing any hassles, allowing me to focus on administration. Updates are infrequent, and the system operates seamlessly in the background, requiring minimal attention.

    How are customer service and support?

    I would rate the support as a ten out of ten.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    What was our ROI?

    Quick customer support, especially with gold support, has been key for maximizing return on investment. In a hard disk issue, they fixed it within three hours.

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

    In terms of pricing and licensing, it is a trade-off. If you find it expensive, you can limit access, but if the budget allows, you can expand.

    What other advice do I have?

    Overall, I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as a ten out of ten.

    Foreign Language: (German)

    Bietet reibungslose Integration, hohe Stabilität und effizienten Kundensupport

    Wie hat es meiner Organisation geholfen?

    Ich habe mich für Dell PowerEdge-Server entschieden, um die wichtigsten Punkte in unserer Organisation zu lösen. Sie bieten zusätzliche Sicherheit und entsprechen unseren Datenschutzanforderungen. Der Gold Service-Support gewährleistet zuverlässige Unterstützung und minimiert Ausfallzeiten. Die nahtlose Integration zwischen den Services macht den Wechsel zu Dell zu einem sicheren Schritt für unsere Serveranforderungen. Die PowerEdge Rack Server haben die Flexibilität unserer Organisation ohne Probleme erhöht. Sie haben einfach perfekt funktioniert, ohne sich negativ auszuwirken. Außerdem hat sich die Produktivität unseres IT-Personals erhöht. Ich habe jetzt mehr Zeit für andere Aufgaben, und obwohl es schwer abzuschätzen ist, habe ich dadurch ein paar Stunden in der Woche gespart.

    Was ist am wertvollsten?

    Das Produkt ist gut ausgestattet und hat unsere Anforderungen erfüllt. Das Kundenfeedback war ebenfalls positiv.

    Was muss verbessert werden?

    Für die nächste Version würde ich mir wünschen, dass die PowerEdge Rack Server etwas weniger Platz benötigen.

    Wie lange habe ich die Lösung verwendet?

    Ich arbeite schon seit 12 Jahren mit Dell PowerEdge Rack Servern.

    Was halte ich von der Stabilität der Lösung?

    Die allgemeine Stabilität ist ausgezeichnet. Es gibt fast keine Ausfallzeiten, und das System läuft reibungslos. Die PowerEdge-Server haben die Ausfallzeiten in der Produktion für mich deutlich minimiert. Sie laufen reibungslos, ohne Probleme zu verursachen, so dass ich mich auf die Verwaltung konzentrieren kann. Es werden nur selten Updates durchgeführt, und das System arbeitet nahtlos im Hintergrund und erfordert nur minimale Überwachung.

    Wie sind Kundendienst und Support?

    Ich würde den Support mit zehn von zehn bewerten.

    Wie würden Sie den Kundenservice und -support bewerten?

    Positiv

    Wie hoch war unser ROI?

    Der schnelle Kundensupport, insbesondere der Gold-Support, war der Schlüssel zur Erhöhung der Investitionsrentabilität. Ein Problem mit einer Festplatte wurde innerhalb von drei Stunden behoben.

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

    Was die Preise und die Lizenzierung angeht, handelt es sich um einen Kompromiss. Wenn Sie es teuer finden, können Sie den Zugang einschränken, aber falls Ihr Budget es ermöglicht, können Sie es erweitern.

    Welche anderen Ratschläge habe ich?

    Insgesamt würde ich die Dell PowerEdge Rack Server mit zehn von zehn Punkten bewerten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    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: February 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.