Dell PowerEdge 12th Generation Servers Enable Customers to Maximize Benefits of Microsoft Windows Server 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 5, 2012 – Dell today announced its innovations in the PowerEdge 12th generation servers that enable customers to take immediate advantage of key advancements in Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Server 2012. Dell PowerEdge 12th generation server customers can optimize the dynamic virtualization infrastructure that Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V provides to scale and secure workloads, cost-effectively virtualize their data center, manage infrastructure efficiently, and build cloud environments.


Realize the Full Potential of Virtualization
Fully engineered for virtualization with large memory support and enhanced IO throughput, PowerEdge 12th generation servers enable customers to maximize the comprehensive virtualization platform offered in Windows Server 2012. This helps IT administrators create dynamic data centers and cloud infrastructures that provide flexible workloads, networks and storage solutions.
• Dell PowerEdge M420 and C6220 servers provide virtualization node density that drives the increased scalability of Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V environments
• Dell vStart and reference architectures provide streamlined deployment and building blocks for private cloud

Streamline Management of IT Infrastructure
Dell PowerEdge embedded server management, Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 7 with Lifecycle Controller, simplifies hardware management and integrates seamlessly with System Center 2012 to offer improved IT efficiency and productivity in Windows Server 2012 virtual and physical environments.

Windows Server 2012 and Dell PowerEdge customers are able to automate deployment, updates, monitoring and maintenance of Dell servers in physical and virtual environments through OpenManage integration with Microsoft System Center. Dell Lifecycle Controller Integration is unique in enabling agent-free, automated, remote, one-to-many BIOS and firmware server updates through the System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) console, independent of the operating system (OS) and hypervisor. PowerEdge updates can be performed up to 11 times faster and in 81 percent fewer steps than HP servers in a comparable multi-vendor OS and hypervisor environment*.

Enable Improved Workforce Productivity
Dell innovations can enhance workforce productivity by amplifying the access to applications and data which Windows Server 2012 empowers. These benefits are highlighted by Dell end-to-end Desktop Virtualization Solutions offering a combination of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), reducing the cost per seat while optimizing the user experience. Dell recently announced Dell DVS Reference Architecture for Windows Server 2012, providing organizations choosing to deploy a Microsoft-based virtualization strategy with an end-to-end virtualization solution including support for application virtualization using App-V, and a choice of RDS and virtual machines that are all configured, deployed and managed from a single console. This reference architecture documents pre-tested and pre-configured hardware including Dell PowerEdge R720 rack servers, EqualLogic Storage, a Force10 networking switch, and select Dell Wyse end points.

Take a Practical Path to IT-as-a-Service and Cloud
By pairing Windows Server 2012 with PowerEdge 12th generation server solutions, customers are able to change the economics of how applications and IT services are delivered using cloud computing and IT-as-a-service. This is achieved by leveraging Dell’s established experience building clouds with some of the world’s largest cloud computing providers like Microsoft, Bing Maps and eBay. Dell is able to guide customers to maximum efficiency through cloud usage, with technology and expertise. This includes:

• Dell PowerEdge C and DCS solutions, including the C6220 and Modular Data Center (MDC), which power some of the world’s largest cloud computing providers; and
• Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions for Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS).
An Enterprise-Class Data Center for Delivering Mission-Critical Microsoft Workloads
The Dell Converged Blade Data Center provides an enterprise infrastructure optimal for Microsoft workloads. Specifically, Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V delivers key new features and capabilities that, when combined with end-to-end Dell solutions, offer a high level of value for a virtualized environment. For example:
• Dell end-to-end 10Gbe networking architecture offers quick migrations when coupled with Hyper-V’s ability to use higher network bandwidths for live migrations in a clustered environment and perform multiple migrations simultaneously.
• This infrastructure offers an entire enterprise-class data center, complete with converged storage and fabric ideal for delivering mission-critical Microsoft workloads such as Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, SQL Server, and .NET applications.
• Dell’s Virtual Network Architecture, distributed core leaf-spine architectures, and converged infrastructure solutions complement Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 and network virtualization technologies to enable customers to seamlessly move workloads from private to hybrid and cloud environments.

Ensure a Smooth Transition
Overall customers are able to power Microsoft’s cutting-edge Windows Server 2012 innovations with Dell’s complete end-to-end solutions, expertise and services. This enables customers to make informed migration decisions and implement IT infrastructures that integrate Windows Server 2012 at the time best suited for their unique needs.

*Source: Principled Technologies, Inc. “Agent-free management: Dell PowerEdge R720 vs. HP Proliant DL380 G7 in deployment and manageability”, a January 2012 test report commissioned by Dell.  For the full report, see http://www.principledtechnologies.com/clients/reports/Dell/agent-free_management_06-12.pdf.