Dell PowerEdge XR4000: Multi-Node Design
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Summary
The Dell XR4000 is a compact multi-node server designed for the edge. This document discusses the XR4000’s unique form factors and sled options.
What is a multi-node server?
The Dell PowerEdge XR4000 is a rugged multi-node edge server with Intel’s next- generation Xeon D processor, making it a perfect fit for edge deployments. Available in two unique and flexible form factors, the “rackable” chassis supports up to four 1U sleds, and the “stackable” chassis supports up to two. Customers who need additional storage or PCIe expansion can choose a 2U sled option.
In addition, the XR4000 supports an optional witness node for single-chassis VMware vSAN cluster deployments. Each sled includes iDRAC for management, a CPU, memory, storage, networking, PCIe expansion (2U sled), and cooling.
Compute sleds
The compute sleds offer common features such as power and management connectors to the chassis backplane, pull handles and mechanical locks (for example, spring clips) for attachment to the chassis, side rails to aid insertion and stability in the chassis, and ventilation holes and baffles as appropriate for cooling.
Figure 1. 1U compute sled interior
The XR4000 offers 1U and 2U sleds. The 1U sled is provided for dense compute requirements. The 2U chassis shares the same “1st U” and common motherboard with the 1U sled but includes an additional riser to provide two more PCIe Gen4 FHFL I/O slots.
Figure 2. 1U compute sled
The 1U sled meets dense compute requirements, with storage up to 4 x M.2 drives (from 480 GB up to 3.84 TB each) and up to 2 x M.2 NVMe BOSS N1 ET. The memory can scale up to 512 GB total with 4 x memory slots. It also includes a LAN on motherboard (LOM) option with 4 x SFP from CPU.
2U compute sled
Figure 3. 2U compute sled interior
The 2U compute sled builds upon the common first 1U of the 1U sled with additional 2 x 16 FHFL PCIe 4.0 lots, with a combined power capacity of 250 W. These slots can support GPUs, such Nvidia A2/A30s, SFP, DPUs, SoC accelerators, and other NIC options. The additional storage option supports optional 8 x M.2 storage drives (4 x per x16 slot) and 12 x
M.2 total (not including BOSS).
Nano Server node
Each chassis also supports an optional low-power server called the Dell Nano Processing Unit or NPU. The NPU is an x86 sled built with Intel's Atom Processor C Series. Designed for the edge, the NPU includes industrial-grade components capable of reliable operation in an extended temperature range. For more information, see Dell PowerEdge XR4000: Nano Processing Unit.
Chassis with sleds
The two chassis types share the components of common 100 to 240 VAC power supplies (PSUs), up to two per chassis, and an optional embedded controller card called the Nano Server.
Both chassis types optionally include a lockable bezel to prevent unwanted access to the Sleds and PSUs, with intelligent filter monitoring that creates a system alert when the filter needs to be changed.
XR4000 is offered in two options for chassis:
- 2U rackmount chassis
Figure 4. 2U rackmount chassis
The “rackable” chassis is a 2U, 14-inch (355 mm) deep, 19-inch-wide chassis, with mounting ears to support a standard 19-inch-wide rack. The rackable chassis supports both front-to-back and back-to-front airflow and the following combination of 1U and 2U compute sleds:
- 2U flexible/stackable mount chassis
The “stackable” chassis is also 2U, 14 inches (355 mm) deep, but is only 10.5 inches wide and is typically deployed in desktop, VESA plates, DIN rails, or stacked environments. The stackable chassis also supports both front-to-back and back-to-front airflow.
Figure 5. 2U stackable chassis
Service and manage
The XR4000 offers a front servicing (cold aisle) chassis option, which allows it to be deployed with all cables connected to the front. This option simplifies cable management and allows the server to be installed in areas where space is limited and access to the front and back of the chassis is not possible. Also, the sleds are designed to be easily field replaceable by non-IT personal.
Redundancy
The XR4000 multi-node server gives IT administrators the ability to deploy compact, redundant server solutions. For example, two sleds can be configured identically and installed in the same chassis. One acts as the primary, and the other is the secondary, or backup. If the primary server goes down, the secondary server steps in to minimize or eliminate downtime. This redundant server configuration is also a great way for administrators to seamlessly manage software updates. For example, administrators can deploy the secondary server while performing maintenance, updates, or development work on the primary server.
Scaling
The XR4000 server, with its unique form factor and multiple deployment options, provides flexibility to start with a single node and scale up to four independent nodes as needed. Depending on the requirements of various workloads, deployment options can change; for example, a user can add a 2U GPU-capable sled. The same sleds can work in either the flexible or rackmount chassis based on space constraints or user requirements.
Conclusion
PowerEdge XR4000 offers a streamlined approach for various edge deployment options based on different edge use cases. Addressing the need for a small form factor at the edge with industry-standard rugged certifications (NEBS and MIL-STD), the XR4000 ultimately provides a compact solution for improved edge performance, low power, reduced redundancy, and improved TCO.