Dell PowerEdge 2900 Gen III Hardware

Question

I am looking to upgrade the CPU in this machine. I am going to get two of the the same code. What is the best CPU I can put in this server?

All hardware firmware, bios and updates are current. I want to put the fastest CPU that is compatible for this Dell NX642 motherboard. Also, I am looking to upgrade the memory. Can anyone recommend any memory configurations that work well for this system.

This system is also capable of Dual GB teamed ethernet via broadcom netxtreme ii 5708 gigabit ethernet nic. Is it worth setting this up? Right now the previous IT company that is managing this network left the second port unplugged. I would assume that they wanted to make the best from their set-up. Is it beneficial to have the teaming set-up? How much faster is it?

I have the KU482 8 port SAS/Sata Backplane

I would like to know what my Hard Drive Max storage/device/connections? I know I have 8 connectors.

DELL-Chris H · Answer

GeorgeSievers,

The biggest processor we offer is a Harpertown 3.3Ghz X5470 1333, if you follow the link provided it will take you to the page for the processor. http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=corp&sku=311-9708

In regards to teaming it allows the traffic to be shared, instead of bottlenecking through one. So if does improve stability and speed.

With the hard drives, I would need to know what controller is installed.

Let me know what you find.

theflash1932 · Answer

Also keep in mind that teaming requires a switch capable of supporting a team ... Not just any switch will work.

GeorgeSievers · Answer

GeorgeSievers,

The biggest processor we offer is a Harpertown 3.3Ghz X5470 1333, if you follow the link provided it will take you to the page for the processor. http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=corp&sku=311-9708

In regards to teaming it allows the traffic to be shared, instead of bottlenecking through one. So if does improve stability and speed.

With the hard drives, I would need to know what controller is installed.

Let me know what you find.

Hello and Thank you for the response. I have read that 3.16Ghz is max for this motherboard, is there something that I missed? http://www.dell.com/downloads/ap/products/servers/en/pe_2900iii_spec_ap.pdf?c=au

On the teaming, I am using the "Dual embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II™ 5708 Gigabit Ethernet NIC" controller. The Braodcom uses a GUI controller app I have noticed in the taskbar. It shows the additional adapter but it isnt plugged in. Would there be something I would need ot do other than plug the ethernet cable in to get this working?

Thanks for your time :)

GeorgeSievers · Answer

Also keep in mind that teaming requires a switch capable of supporting a team ... Not just any switch will work.

There are a few switches available. Is there anything in particular that I would be looking for within the switch?

GeorgeSievers · Answer

Also keep in mind that teaming requires a switch capable of supporting a team ... Not just any switch will work.

There are a few switches available. Is there anything in particular that I would be looking for within the switch?

DELL-Chris H · Answer

George,

The 3.16 max is on the low voltage processors. In regards to the Broadcom teaming. You would need to use BACS (Broadcom Advanced Control Suite) to create the team.

If you download this driver package and then extract it then you will find a setup.exe in the Management Tools folder, you will need to run that to install BACS.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/poweredge-2900?driverId=R306483&osCode=WNET&fileId=2731119251&languageCode=en&categoryId=NI

Let me know

theflash1932 · Answer

Link aggregation must also be supported on the switch.

GeorgeSievers · Answer

Thank you both for your help. The Raid controller I have is a Dell PERC 6/1. Currently there is a Raid 5 setup with 3 160GB PD's, 1 VD which has been partitioned - 60Gb for the OS partition and 256GB for the Data.

pcmeiners · Answer

Aside from the required switch capable of Link aggregation, you need to set up link pairs on the switch. The link below will give you an idea of the speed increase when multiple machines are making requests via a teamed card. You can not test a NIC team's throughput through a single WKS under normal circumstances; if tested from a single wks, your test will only show the results of one NIC of the teamed pair.

https://communities.intel.com/thread/19600

GeorgeSievers · Answer

Ok guys, I found out what switch we are using. It is a NETGEAR GS724T 24 Port Gigabit Smart Switch w/ 2 Combo ports. Link to it on newegg -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122364

I dont know if this supports Link Aggregation or not but there are also 2 patch panels Cat 5e. It looked like the patch panels were installed by the ISP. They were linked up to the VOIP and ethernet cables ran throughout the building for workstations and fax. I dont know If I need to go through this or just straight through the switch listed above.

I am going over the documentation for this switch now in means to find link aggregation support. Does anyone know if it does and if so, where can I find the information on setup.

Thanks everyone for the help :)