Industry’s first single-server Cloud RAN solution breaks through the deployment complexity and economics barriers holding back Open RAN adoption.
Open RAN has promised to transform telecommunications infrastructure with greater flexibility, vendor choice, and operational efficiency. While deployment complexity and economics have limited adoption, the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t changes that equation as the industry’s first single-server platform capable of running complete Cloud RAN and Open RAN DU workloads. By consolidating what previously required multiple servers, operators can now achieve both the performance and economics needed to make their RAN transformation successful. The XR8720t achieves this breakthrough by building on the PowerEdge XR8000 platform’s modular foundation with the compute and networking density that Cloud RAN demands.
Modular excellence: The PowerEdge XR8000 platform
The PowerEdge XR8000 modular sled-based design addresses key operational challenges that telecom operators face in the field. Hot-swappable sleds enable component upgrades and maintenance without shutting down the entire system, reducing costly truck rolls and service disruptions. As subscriber demand grows or new services are added, operators can scale processing capacity incrementally rather than replacing entire systems. This flexibility also allows running Cloud RAN alongside edge applications within the same chassis, maximizing infrastructure investment.
The platform initially launched with the PowerEdge XR8610t and the XR8620t, which support Edge AI and general Telecom workloads, including RAN. The PowerEdge XR8720t expands these capabilities by delivering a major performance leap specifically for Cloud RAN and Open RAN DU workloads, providing the processing power and networking density that production RAN deployments require.
Double the ports and more than double the cores
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- Intel® Xeon® 6 SoC with 72 cores: The PowerEdge XR8720t is purpose-built to support Intel’s next-generation 72-core Xeon® 6 SoC Processor. Supported by the XR8000 chassis’ dual 1400W power supplies, the platform delivers the robust power envelope these CPUs require. Advanced thermal management ensures consistent performance even under demanding processing loads, allowing operators to scale as technology advances and network loads grow.
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- Up to 24 SFP28 ports for fronthaul/backhaul connectivity: This port density addresses the critical networking requirements for high-traffic, multi-sector Cloud RAN deployments to reach full production scale. Industry analysis shows that 16 to 24 ports are required for these demanding deployments, and operators can now achieve this with a single server rather than the multiple systems previously required.
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- Run Cloud RAN on a Single Server: Historically, adopting meant weighing complexity and costs against benefits often requiring multiple servers to match the performance of traditional systems. The PowerEdge XR8720t consolidates all processing and networking into a single server, dramatically reducing operational complexity and delivering parity with legacy infrastructure. Organizations can now implement RAN workloads that are both economically and operationally superior, with none of the trade-offs of previous hardware generations
Three key operational advantages
- Multi-Workload Flexibility
The sled-based architecture of the PowerEdge XR8000 platform allows operators to run different workloads simultaneously. They can, for example, deploy Cloud RAN DU on PowerEdge XR8720t, while running Edge and AI applications on PowerEdge XR8620t sleds, all in the same chassis. This maximizes infrastructure value while supporting different service requirements.
- Hot-Swappable Serviceability
Edge deployments often take place in hard-to-reach or critical environments. The PowerEdge XR8000 platform features hot-swappable sleds so that an upgrade to the PowerEdge XR8720t server is fast and easy, allowing for quick, downtime-free servicing and replacement. This means fewer truck rolls, lower maintenance costs, and minimal business disruption.
- Efficient Power and Space Usage
The shared power infrastructure of the PowerEdge XR8000 platform reduces energy consumption by allowing multiple sleds to share a single set of redundant power supplies. With a compact 2U footprint and high-density connectivity, the platform addresses the space and power constraints common in cell site and enterprise edge environments.
Ruggedized for the Edge
Built for demanding environments, the PowerEdge XR8720t operates from -5°C to 55°C and features a compact 433mm depth. The server holds comprehensive certifications including NEBS Level 3 and GR-3108 Class 1 compliance, meeting military and telecom standards.
Breaking through the barriers
The PowerEdge XR8720t represents a fundamental shift in Cloud RAN economics and deployment complexity. By consolidating complete Cloud RAN and Open RAN DU workloads onto a single server, operators gain significant operational advantages: reduced rack space requirements within a compact 2U chassis, simplified cabling and management through unified architecture, and lower CAPEX and OPEX through hardware consolidation and improved serviceability.
The modular sled design also enables streamlined silicon upgrades as network demands and technologies evolve, protecting infrastructure investments while avoiding disruptive full-scale overhauls. For telecommunications operators ready to move beyond the complexity and cost barriers that have limited Cloud RAN adoption, the XR8720t delivers the performance density and operational simplicity needed to make Open RAN transformation both economically and operationally viable.
