Dell PowerEdge R420 1U Rack Server Technical Guide

PowerEdge R420

Technical Guide

DELL

DELL

The PowerEdge R420, a two-socket, 1U rack server that delivers double-down density for web serving, collaboration and high-performance computing.

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January 2014 | Version 5.0

Table of contents

1 System overview.....5
Introduction.....5
Key technologies.....6
2 System features.....7
Comparison of PowerEdge systems.....7
Specifications.....7
3 Chassis views and features.....11
Chassis views.....11
Chassis features.....12
4 Processor.....15
Processor features.....15
Supported processors.....15
Chipset.....16
5 Memory.....17
Supported memory.....17
Memory configurations.....18
Memory speed.....19
Memory RAS features.....19
6 Storage.....21
Internal storage.....21
External storage.....22
Storage controllers.....22
Optical drive.....23
Tape drive.....23
7 Networking and PCIe.....24
Embedded NIC controller.....24
PCIe expansion.....24
8 Power, thermal and acoustics.....26
Power consumption and energy efficiency.....26
Power supply units.....27
Thermal and acoustics.....28
9 Rack rails and cable management.....31
Sliding and static rail systems.....31
Cable management arm.....33
10 Operating systems and virtualization.....34
Supported operating systems.....34
Supported virtualization.....35
11 Dell OpenManage systems management.....36
Systems management solutions.....36
OpenManage systems management.....37
Dell server management operations.....42
Appendix A. Additional specifications.....44
Chassis dimensions and weight.....44
Video specifications.....44
Environmental specifications.....45
Power supply specifications.....46
Rack rail specifications.....46
USB peripherals.....47
Appendix B. Standards compliance.....48

Appendix C. Additional resources.....49
Appendix D. System board block diagram.....51

Tables

Table 1. Key technologies ..... 6
Table 2. Comparing the PowerEdge R410 to PowerEdge R420 ..... 7
Table 3. Technical specifications ..... 8
Table 4. Chassis features ..... 12
Table 5. Security features ..... 14
Table 6. Supported processors ..... 16
Table 7. Memory technologies supported ..... 17
Table 8. DIMMs supported ..... 18
Table 9. Memory speed capabilities ..... 19
Table 10. Memory RAS features ..... 19
Table 11. Supported hard drives ..... 21
Table 12. Supported RAID controllers ..... 22
Table 13. Hard-drive backplane options ..... 23
Table 14. PCIe slot configurations ..... 24
Table 15. Supported NICs and HBAs ..... 25
Table 16. Power tools and technologies ..... 26
Table 17. Power supply efficiency ..... 28
Table 18. Acoustical performance ..... 30
Table 19. Supported rack types ..... 32
Table 20. Primary operating system support ..... 34
Table 21. Virtualization support ..... 35
Table 22. iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller functions and benefits ..... 37
Table 23. Feature comparison for basic management, iDRAC7 Express and iDRAC7 Enterprise ..... 38
Table 24. One-to-one and one-to-many operations ..... 43
Table 25. Supported video modes ..... 44
Table 26. Environmental specifications ..... 45
Table 27. Power supply specifications ..... 46
Table 28. Rail adjustability range ..... 46
Table 29. Industry standards documentation ..... 48
Table 30. Additional resources ..... 49

Figures

Figure 1. Front view without bezel ..... 11
Figure 2. Front view with bezel ..... 11
Figure 3. Back view ..... 11
Figure 4. Internal view ..... 12
Figure 5. LCD control panel ..... 13
Figure 6. QRL location ..... 13
Figure 7. 550W power supply unit ..... 28
Figure 8. Sliding rails with optional CMA ..... 31
Figure 9. Static rails ..... 32
Figure 10. Dell systems management solutions ..... 36
Figure 11.