Overview
Dell Technologies offers a variety of products and solutions that can be combined into the optimal configuration to support the VDI workload that is required by your business needs. There are various PowerEdge servers, storage, and networking configurations available. This section describes the physical architecture of the PowerEdge R650, R750, and R840 servers, PowerMax, PowerStore, PowerVault, and PowerScale storage, and PowerSwitch networking products which are recommended for VDI deployments and are leveraged for "Management-Optimized," "Density Optimized" and "Virtual Workstation" configurations.
Servers
PowerEdge servers provide the highest performance for a diverse set of VDI workloads from the edge to the cloud to the core. As applications and workplaces become more complex, it is more important than ever for businesses to have end-to-end solutions that work together seamlessly. PowerEdge servers and VMware provide industry-leading solutions for a modern data center, including servers, virtualization, storage, networking, and cloud.
PowerEdge servers deliver lower total cost of ownership (TCO), scalable architectures, intelligent automation and management, and multilayer security when paired with the industry leader in enterprise virtualization software. PowerEdge and VMware help modernize, automate, and protect IT infrastructure.
Dell PowerEdge R650The dual-socket 1U Dell PowerEdge R650 is the ideal rack server to address performance, high scalability, and density. For those who need to increase efficiency and accelerate operations, this rack server is ideal for data center standardization on a wide range of workloads. This is the recommended server model for deploying VDI management resources on but can also be configured similarly to the density optimized configuration, but with less disk capacity and GPU configurations.
Dell PowerEdge R750The dual-socket 2U Dell PowerEdge R750 is a full-featured enterprise server that delivers outstanding performance for the most demanding workloads. With powerful 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, this server provides high-density virtualization with VDI and allows for maximum flexibility. This server provides the highest processor speeds and graphics capabilities with up to two NVIDIA A16 or A40 GPUs per node.
Dell PowerEdge R840The four-socket 2U Dell PowerEdge R840 delivers consistent, high performance results for data-intensive applications and business critical workloads including VDI. With powerful 2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and up to 112 cores, the R840 can handle even the most compute-intensive VDI workloads to drive your business forward faster. Create an optimal configuration of NVMe, SSD, HDD, and GPU resources to address your most demanding workloads — all in a 2U chassis.
VDI-optimized configurationsWe have designated common configurations as Management-Optimized, Density-Optimized, Virtual Workstation, and Compute-Dense. These designations are outlined in the following tables and are referenced throughout the document.
Configuration | Platform | CPU | RAM | GPU (optional) | Description |
Management-Optimized | PowerEdge R650 | 1 x Intel Xeon Gold 6330 (28-core @ 2.0 GHz) | 256 GB (8 x 32 GB @ 2,933 MHz) | None | Offers density and value to provide a dedicated environment to deploy virtualized management infrastructure. |
Density-Optimized | PowerEdge R750 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (28-core @ 2.6 GHz) | 1024 GB (16 x 64 GB @ 3,200 MHz) | Up to 2 x full length, dual width (FLWD) Up to 6 x half length, single width (HLSW) | Offers an abundance of high-performance features and tiered capacity that maximizes user density. |
Virtual Workstation | PowerEdge R750 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6354 (18-core @ 3.0 GHz) | 512 GB (16 x 32 GB @ 3,200 MHz) | Up to 2 x FLDW Up to 6 x HLSW | Offers even higher performance at the tradeoff of user density. Typically for ISV or high-end graphics workstations. |
4-socket Density-Optimized | PowerEdge R840 | 4 x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (20-core @ 2.5 GHz) | 1536 GB (24 x 64 GB @ 2,933 MT/s) | None | Offers support for a wide variety of datacenter workloads including VDI, Data Analytics, Databases, Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, and CRM. |
Starting with VMware vSphere 7.0 update 2, Intel Optane Persistent Memory (PMem) can be deployed with 2nd and 3rd Generation Intel Xeon processors to enable memory tiering. When deployed, a subset of traditional DRAM can be combined with PMEM and configured to run in “Memory Mode.” Tiered memory configurations have been shown to provide nearly equivalent performance for many VDI workloads to a traditional DRAM configuration while potentially reducing overall cost.
For additional information, see vSphere/vSAN Support for Intel's Optane Persistent Memory (PMem) (67645) and Memory Tiering: A New Approach to Solving Modern Data Challenges. The following table shows tiered memory (PMem) configurations:
Configuration | Platform | CPU | RAM | GPU (optional) | Description |
Management-Optimized | PowerEdge R650 | 1 x Intel Xeon Gold 6330 (28-core @ 2.0 GHz) | 1024 GB DRAM - (16 x 16 GB @ 2,933 MT/s) PMem 200 – (8 x 128 GB @ 2,933 MT/s) | None | Offers density and value to provide a dedicated environment to deploy virtualized management infrastructure. |
Density-Optimized | PowerEdge R750 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (28-core @ 2.6 GHz) | 1024 GB DRAM – (16 x 16 GB @ 3,200 MT/s) PMem 200 – (8 x 128 GB @ 3,200 MT/s) | Up to 2 x full length, dual width (FLWD) 1 Up to 4 x half length, single width (HLSW) | Offers an abundance of high-performance features and tiered capacity that maximizes user density. |
Virtual Workstation | PowerEdge R750 | 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6354 (18-core @ 3.0 GHz) | 1024 GB DRAM - (16 x 16 GB @ 3,200 MT/s) PMem 200 – (8 x 128 GB @ 3,200 MT/s) | Up to 2 x FLDW Up to 4 x HLSW | Offers even higher performance at the tradeoff of user density. Typically for ISV or high-end graphics workstations. |
4-socket Density-Optimized | PowerEdge R840 | 4 x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (20-core @ 2.5 GHz) | 2048 GB DRAM - (24 x 32 GB @ 2,666 MT/s) PMem 100 - (16 x 128 GB @ 2,666 MT/s) | None | Offers support for a wide variety of datacenter workloads including VDI, Data Analytics, Databases, Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, and CRM. |
NVIDIA GPUs
You can configure Dell Validated Designs for VDI with the following NVIDIA GPUs:
- NVIDIA A40—These GPUs provide an increase in performance and multi-workload capabilities for the data center, combining superior professional graphics with powerful compute and AI acceleration to meet today’s design, creative, and scientific challenges. Driving the next generation of virtual workstations and server-based workloads, NVIDIA A40 brings features for ray-traced rendering, simulation, virtual production, and more to professionals anytime, anywhere.
- NVIDIA A16—These GPUs combined with NVIDIA Virtual PC (vPC) or NVIDIA RTX Virtual Workstations (vWS) software enables remote desktops and workstations with the power and performance to tackle any project from anywhere. Purpose-built for high-density, graphics-rich VDI and leveraging the NVIDIA Ampere architecture, the A16 provides double the user density compared to the previous generation, while ensuring the best possible user experience.
- NVIDIA A2—The NVIDIA A2 provides a low power, small footprint, high performance GPU that when combined with Dell PowerEdge R650 servers provide the perfect combination for edge deployments at scale, instantly upgrading existing entry level CPU servers to handle a variety of graphical VDI workloads. Featuring a low-profile PCIe Gen4 card and a low 40-60 watt (W) configurable thermal design power (TDP) capability, the A2 brings adaptable graphics acceleration to any compatible server at an entry-level price point.
- NVIDIA T4—Powered by NVIDIA Turing Tensor Cores, the NVIDIA T4 provides a low-profile, low power design at 70 W and provides for VDI graphics enablement at the edge when combined with Dell PowerEdge R650 servers. The T4 GPU is flexible enough to run Knowledge Worker VDI or professional graphics workloads and is optimized for maximum utility in enterprise data centers and the cloud.
The following table summarizes some of the relevant specifications of the previously mentioned GPUs:
GPU | Architecture | Maximum number of vGPU users per card | Thermal design | Dimensions | Memory | VDI use cases |
NVIDIA A40 | Ampere | 32 | 300W | Full height, full length (FHFL) dual slot | 48 GB GDDR6 | For mid-range to high-end 3D design and creative workflows. |
NVIDIA A16 | Ampere | 64 | 250W | FHFL dual slot | 4 x 16 GB GDDR6 | Office productivity applications, graphics-rich virtual desktops, and low to mid-range creative workflows. |
NVIDIA A2 | Ampere | 16 | 40-60W | 1-slot Low-Profile PCIe | 16 GB GDDR6 | Office productivity applications, graphics-rich virtual desktops, and low to mid-range creative workflows. |
NVIDIA T4 | Turing | 16 | 70W | 1-slot Low-Profile PCIe | 16 GB GDDR6 | Office productivity applications, graphics-rich virtual desktops, and low to mid-range creative workflows. Use in space-constrained environments such as 1U servers or edge deployments or where versions of vSphere prior to 7.0 update 2 are required. |
Client components
Users can access the virtual desktops through various client components. The following table lists the client components that Dell Technologies recommends:
Component | Description | Recommended use | More information |
Latitude laptops and 2-in-1 PCs |
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| www.delltechnologies.com/Latitude |
OptiPlex business desktops and All-in-Ones |
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| www.delltechnologies.com/OptiPlex |
Precision workstations |
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| www.delltechnologies.com/Precision |
Storage
Dell PowerMaxPowerMax is the industry’s most secure mission-critical storage platform and the latest release of software (PowerMaxOS 10) delivers over 200 new features with industry-leading storage automation and advanced cyber resiliency to help companies accelerate their journey through digital transformation. It is the next-generation multi-node scale-out architecture with end-to-end NVMe and 100 Gb per second Infiniband (Dynamic Fabric technology). PowerMax 2500 and PowerMax 8500 with end-to-end NVMe design increases performance, scalability, and flexibility for customer innovation, providing IT organizations with reliable mission-critical storage that remains continuously modern over time. PowerMax delivers up to 2x faster performance, up to 14x higher storage density, and includes 4:1 data reduction guaranteed for open systems configurations.
Dell PowerStoreTo enable IT organizations to address their data needs and improve agility to enable digital transformation, Dell Technologies introduces PowerStore, a modern storage appliance that is designed for the data era. PowerStore provides customers with data-centric, intelligent, and adaptable infrastructure that supports both traditional and modern workloads. PowerStore is designed to support any workload by delivering unified storage (physical or virtual, file-based, or container-based) in a performance-optimized appliance that can scale up and out when demands increase.
Dell PowerVaultOptimized for SAN, PowerVault ME5 storage delivers the performance, capacity and operational simplicity that price-sensitive, small to medium-sized businesses demand. PowerVault ME5 supports many types of workloads, including VDI. PowerVault ME5 brings radical simplicity and exceptional affordability to the entry market. It is simple to install and configure, comes with all-inclusive software, and includes an intuitive web-based HTML5 GUI for "anywhere" management. ME5 Series storage flexibly configures as all-flash or hybrid and you can mix HDD and SSD drives in the configuration. It also includes built-in compatibility with VMware, simplifying physical and virtual resource management.
Network storage
In recent years, the increased growth in the amount of data that is stored in file shares and user home directories across IT environments has resulted in an increased focus on better management of this unstructured data. As a result, many organizations are deploying dedicated file workload solutions with capabilities such as cloud file tiering and single file system namespaces across their IT infrastructure, including for file workloads in a VDI environment.
Dell Technologies provides several solutions for different types of file workloads that you can leverage for user profile management and user data.
Dell PowerStore TDell PowerStore T storage is simple, unified storage that enables flexible growth with intelligent scale-up and scale-out capabilities and public cloud integration.
Dell PowerStore T is ideal for general-purpose NAS or SAN mixed workload consolidation, smaller file workloads (including small to midsized VDI environments), and transactional databases.
Dell Technologies recommends that you deploy a separate PowerStore T storage system with a vSphere HA cluster or block when you are deploying Dell PowerStore T in a VDI environment. Each PowerStore T system can scale up to four appliances per cluster. This structure provides the greatest scalability, resiliency, and flexibility when deploying and maintaining file services for the overall user pod. As unstructured data storage needs grow over time, the capacity of each PowerStore T storage system can be scaled up or out independently with minimal user impact. You have the choice to deploy alternative architectures to the one suggested here, but you should carefully consider the tradeoffs.
For guidance about selecting an appropriate PowerStore T storage solution for your file workload requirements, see the Dell PowerStore website.
Dell PowerScaleDell PowerScale storage is a scale-out NAS solution for any file workload. The PowerScale system is ideal for a wide range of file workloads (including large-scale enterprise VDI environments requiring a single file system namespace), high-performance computing (HPC), archiving, and infrastructure consolidation.
Dell Technologies recommends that you deploy a separate PowerScale system with a vSphere HA cluster or block when you are deploying a PowerScale storage system in a VDI environment. This structure provides the greatest scalability, resiliency, and flexibility for deploying and maintaining file services for the overall user pod. As unstructured data-storage needs grow over time, you can scale up the capacity of each PowerScale storage system independently with minimal user impact. In addition to scaling up each PowerScale chassis, you can also scale out a PowerScale system by using the Dell OneFS operating system. Multiple PowerScale systems can provide a single volume and namespace that all user pods in a data center can access.
For guidance about selecting an appropriate PowerScale storage solution for your file workload requirements, see the Dell PowerScale website.
Networking
Dell Validated Designs for VDI enable flexibility in networking selections. VDI validations have been successfully performed with the following hardware, although several other choices are available:
- Dell Networking S5248F-ON (25 GbE ToR switch)—This switch provides optimum flexibility and cost-effectiveness for demanding compute and storage traffic environments. This ToR switch features 48 x 25 GbE SFP28 ports, 4 x 100 GbE QSFP28 ports, and 2 x 100 GbE QFSP28-DD ports. The S5248F-ON switch supports ONIE for zero-touch installation of network operating systems.
- Dell Networking S4048-ON (10 GbE ToR switch)—This switch optimizes your network for virtualization with a high-density, ultra-low-latency ToR switch that features 48 x 10 GbE SFP+ and 6 x 40 GbE ports (or 72 x 10 GbE ports in breakout mode) and up to 720 Gbps performance. The S4048-ON switch supports ONIE for zero-touch installation of alternate network operating systems.
For more information about these switches, see Dell PowerSwitch S Series 10GbE Switches and Dell PowerSwitch S Series 25/40/50/100 GbE Switches.
TopologyThis architecture is designed for true linear scaling and uses a leaf-spine network architecture. This consists of two network tiers: an L2 leaf and an L3 spine. Both tiers are based on 100 GbE and non-blocking switches. This architecture maintains consistent performance without any throughput reduction. The following figure shows this architecture:
SmartFabric ServicesSmartFabric Services (SFS) is included with Dell SmartFabric OS10. With SFS, customers can quickly and easily deploy and automate data center networking fabrics. SFS automatically builds an L3 leaf-spine fabric, which enables faster time to production for private cloud environments while being fully interoperable with the existing data center infrastructure.
For additional configuration, deployment, and other guides for data center networking solutions, see the Data Center Networking Solution Info Hub.