Dell EMC PowerEdge R6515 Server

Description

Recommended for workloads like virtualization, software defined storage (SDS) and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), the Dell EMC PowerEdge R6515 Server can be configured with three different storage conditions. Outfitted with a single AMD EPYC series 7002 or 7003 series processor, it can apply up to 64 physical cores and 128 virtual threads that can be augmented with up to 2x single-width GPUs. Dell’s OpenManage management suite accelerates operations with automated infrastructure enabling easy management at chassis or remotely using a smart phone or tablet. Powering the system are dual redundant 550W Platinum-grade PSUs, although it should be noted that certain premium configurations may require a 2+0 mode only with redundancy unavailable.

Performance

This system can be outfitted with one second or third-generation AME EPYC series processors supporting up to 64 physical cores and 128 virtual threads. These processors also support 8x memory channels with memory speeds of up to 3200MT/s, and 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes for improved bandwidth for I/O and NVMe storage. Most configurations will support a CPU with a TDP of up to 280W, however the 10x 2.5-inch NVMe drive bay version will max out at a cTDP of 240W max.

Memory

The single AMD EPYC processor features 8x memory channels, and there are 16x memory module slots on the system board. Registered and Load-Reduced memory modules are supported on this platform providing 1TB or 2TB at capacity, respectfully. DIMM speeds of up to 3200MT/s are supported.

Storage

There are three basic storage conditions on the Dell EMC PowerEdge R6515 Server. 4x 3.5-inch hot plug SAS, SATA drive bays. Up to 10x 2.5-inch hot-plug SAS, SATA or NVMe drive bays and another configuration with 8x hot swap storage bays supporting SAS or SATA drive formats. Front accessible drive bays currently use a PCIe 3.0 bus. Support of SAS drive formats requires the installation of a discrete HBA/RAID controller. As an option, the system will support a boot optimized subsystem, or BOSS, featuring one or two M.2 drives that can be configured in a hardware RAID for support of the OS. Alternatively, the system also supports an Internal Dual SD module (IDSDM) with one card dedicated for redundancy.

Expansion

Two risers in the back of the system support 1x low-profile, half-length slot each with one offering a PCIe Gen 4.0 interface and the other a PCIe Gen3.0 interface, both feature a x16 slot length. In addition to providing options for network controllers, or SAS HBA/RAID controllers, the 2x PCIe slots can also be outfitted with single-width GPUs for compute acceleration. In order to preserve the limited PCIe slots, this platform also supports a LOM rider card with several options for port connections and link speeds, including 2 x 25GbE SFP28. Two integrated LAN ports in back provide a 1GbE interface and sit adjacent to a dedicated management port.

Management

One dedicated port on the back of the system grants access to the integrated Dell Remote Access Controller for at chassis and remote management of the chassis. iDRAC can be used independently or in conjunction with the Dell OpenManage system for management of multiple servers over a network. Tools include monitoring, updating, plus deployment of PowerEdge Server assets and the ability to create alerts.

Summary

Offering just a single AMD EPYC processor, the Dell EMC PowerEdge R6515 Server still delivers very impressive performance with up to 64 physical cores and 128 virtual threads. This system offers easy scale out for Cloud infrastructures and a reduced total cost of ownership given the need for only 1x processor. Organizations can quickly realize their return on investment by incorporating one of these systems into their existing network.