Before we dive deep, let me introduce you to the Dell PowerEdge R720. This 2U rackmounted server was first launched back in 2012 and rapidly became one of Dell‘s most popular data center models through the 2010s.
The R720 struck an ideal balance of density, flexibility, and reliability for hosting cloud workloads. And now in 2023, R720 units are widely available on the secondary market for significant discounts from their original $3,000+ price tags.
So should you consider picking one up for your own home lab, hobby projects, or small business infrastructure needs? Read on friend, and let‘s examine if this server classic still fits the bill…
R720 Server Specifications and Hardware
The R720 shipped with some beefy baseline configurations for its era, which help account for its longevity:
Processors
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max Sockets | 2 |
| Supported CPUs | Intel Xeon E5-2600 (Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge) |
| Cores/Threads | Up to 20 cores, 40 threads per CPU |
Memory
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | DDR3 ECC RDIMMS |
| Speed | Up to 1866MT/s |
| Slots | 24 DIMMs |
| Max Capacity | 768GB (32GB DIMMs) |
Storage
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive Bays | Up to 16 x 2.5" or 8 x 3.5" |
| Drive Types | SAS, SATA SSD/HDD, NVMe |
| Max Raw Capacity | 32TB (using 8TB 3.5" HDDs) |
And we haven‘t even touched on networking, I/O expansion, or redundant power. Suffice to say, R720 specs rival plenty of entry single-socket servers even today!
But the hardware is only part of the picture…
Where To Source an R720 Server in 2023
Since the R720 has been out of production for years now, buying new through Dell isn‘t an option. However, many resellers deal in refurbished/renewed models – our friend Amazon included:
- Amazon Renewed – From $500-$2000+ based on config
- Orange Computers – Tested/warrantied units from $745
- eBay – Models from $350, condition varies
I‘d advise scrutinizing the listed details carefully before purchasing. Things like processor specs, RAM capacity, drive types, physical condition, warranty coverage and benchmark results can vary widely. Units with maxed out resources will understandably command higher pricing.
Release History and Success
The R720 rack server landed in February 2012 as part of Dell‘s 12th generation PowerEdge family. It was their first model to adopt Intel Sandy Bridge-EP processors, which offered substantial per-core performance gains versus prior Xeon chips. Dell lagged behind HP and IBM in integrating these new CPUs into servers initially.
But the R720 made up for lost time by doubling down on density and expansion capabilities. It supported over 50% more storage drives, significantly more PCIe I/O, and hot-swappable PSUs/fans compared to the older R710. These well-rounded enhancements made the R720 an instant hit.
By 2014, the Energy Star-certified R720 ranked #15 among Amazon‘s top selling servers, grabbing 3.7% market share behind more contemporary models. Impressive staying power given its 2013 release!
Ideal R720 Server Workloads
While the R720 lags behind bleeding edge performance, it still brings ample capabilities to the table:
- Web hosting and application delivery
- High performance computing (HPC)
- Virtualization and container orchestration
- Large scale backup and surveillance storage
- Network appliances like firewalls or VPN gateways
- Legacy business systems and databases
Real-world examples of R720 deployments include:
- Cloud hosting provider OVH uses R720s to deliver shared hosting servers for under $10 per month
- The Texas Advanced Computing Center relies on R720s to power their Jetstream research cloud infrastructure
- StackPath edge delivery network serves 150 Tbps of traffic globally across R720-based Points of Presence
In short, don‘t underestimate the R720‘s ability to handle rigorous production workloads!
Just ensure any critical software stacks you run are compatible with older Sandy/Ivy Bridge server hardware before committing.
R720 Reliability and Power Efficiency
Dell built the R720 for always-on operation in dense data center environments. Let‘s examine some key reliability and efficiency metrics:
Power Supplies
- Dual hot-swap 495W/750W/1100W PSUs
- Power redundancy to protect against failures
- Up to 94% power efficiency, 80Plus Platinum ratings
Environmentals
- Operating temp range: 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
- Non-operating range: -40°C to 65°C (-40°F to 149°F)
- Built for data center cooling limitations
Acoustics
- Noise levels: 6.5 bels (idling), 7.2 bels (operating) at 23°C
- Quieter than a personal gaming PC!
Power Draw
| Components | Load Wattage | Idle Wattage |
|---|---|---|
| Single E5-2690 CPU | 95W | 34W |
| Dual E5-2690 CPUs | 190W | 51W |
| 768GB RAM populated | 175W | 150W |
As you can observe, the R720 stays relatively cool and quiet but balances significant idle power drain. This is the cost of extreme hardware expansion potential!
In total, a fully-loaded system can draw 450W+ under load. So for home use, anticipate a jump in your electricity bill.
Remote Management Capabilities
Deploying hardware remotely brings massive complexities around access, control, and alerting. Fortunately, Dell packs the R720 with an array robust management features:
Out-of-Band Options
-
iDRAC7 Enterprise enables full-featured BIOS configuration, health monitoring and notification, power control, console access and multi-user role management – all over the network. Crucial for colocated hardware!
-
Quick Sync 2 grants rapid access by briefly connecting an external fob to the chassis. Helpful for complex diagnoses.
Software Stacks
-
OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) centralizes agent-based configuration, inventory reporting, monitoring and updates
-
OpenManage Essentials (OME) packages OMSA capabilities into a unified pane-of-glass view across multiple servers
-
Support for all major server, hypervisor and hardware platforms
This degree of remote visibility allows smaller IT teams to maintain hardware uptime and continuity from anywhere. However do validate all firmware and versions before deploying remotely!
Operating System and Software Support
The R720 debuted alongside Windows Server 2008 R2, carrying forward support through Windows Server 2022. Major Linux distributions with confirmed compatibility include:
- RHEL 6/7/8
- Ubuntu 12.04 through 22.04 LTS
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12+
- CentOS 6+
Hypervisors like VMware ESXi 6.7+ and Linux KVM are listed as supported as well.
But as a general rule, favor newer operating systems optimized for E5-2600 hardware where possible. This avoids potential driver, performance or patching issues.
Likewise always reference Dell‘s support matrix and validate roadmaps for any business critical software that will run on the R720. While flexible, its specs don‘t necessarily favor modern application architectures.
Should You Buy a R720 Today?
For less resource intensive applications, the R720 still presents tremendous value compared to current generation hardware. A $500 server capable of hosting over 100 WordPress sites is hard to argue with!
But carefully weigh its age against business objectives. Enterprise features like proactive firmware updates and manufacturer warranty coverage are non-existent on secondary market units. And newer software stacks demand features like GPU acceleration or storage class memory.
As they say, TCO matters more than sticker pricing alone. Determine if the R720‘s leftover capabilities justify its long term operating costs and platform risks before swiping that credit card!
Parting Thoughts
Revisiting the R720 proves that robust server engineering easily outlives product lifecycles. This platform still outperforms plenty of modern towers thanks to ample density and expansion orientation.
For applications that align with its strengths, it keeps fighting the good fight day after day. But remember to bake in platform sunset risks down the road.
Either way, hats off for this battlehardened veteran that linked the past generation of infrastructure to the next! Hopefully this guide gave you some food for thought on whether it has another tour of duty left.
All the best,
[Your Name]