Hardware30.07.2013

IT simplicity, efficiency, agility in a compact, powerful package – the new Dell PowerEdge VRTX

The concept of the ‘data centre in a box’ is not new, however, these solutions have typically been watered down versions of more complex enterprise solutions. No more with the new Dell PowerEdge VRTX from distributor Drive Control Corporation (DCC) is a compact, affordable solution that provides all of the performance, connectivity and storage of an enterprise solution, in a package that is easy to manage and fits under a desk – ideal for Small to Medium Business (SMB) and remote or branch offices.

“SMBs as well as organisations with remote locations, such as offices and stores, require the power and storage that a full-blown data centre can provide, but without the need for on-site IT. The Dell PowerEdge VRTX takes the complexity, hassles and price out of the old ‘data centre-in-a-box’ idea, delivering a technology solution that works for customers, simplifying complexity and delivering powerful capabilities while still being easy to use,” says Jaco Erasmus, Dell Enterprise Sales at DCC.

The VTRX enables organisations to converge servers, storage and networking into a single chassis for easier management and consolidation of business applications. By enabling organisations to converge these technologies into a single 5 Unit desk-side rack, the VTRX helps to solve the typical SMB or remote office challenge of hardware disparity and lack of space, with capacity for up to four server nodes. It eliminates integration problems using pre-integrated, pre-tested, certified server, shared storage, networking, operating systems/hypervisor and management, for simplified deployment and smoother on-going operations. Impressive scalability within the chassis enables additional servers and/or hard drives to be inserted without additional rack space or cabling.

“Users can hot-plug up to 12 3.5-inch or 25 2.5-inch hard drives, for up to 48 Terabytes (TB) of shared storage capacity. In addition, up to eight shared PCI Express (PCIe) slots enable you to include additional equipment such as network or graphics cards, and allocate these to specific servers. It is also possible to add extra power supplies, fans, cooling modules and chassis management controllers for enhanced redundancy,” Erasmus adds.

The VTRX’s Chassis Management Controller (CMC) makes managing server nodes, shared storage and networking a far simpler task, bringing these functions together in a single console using one powerful management tool. The CMC features an easy-to-use Graphic User Interface (GUI) which works with the full suite of Dell OpenManage tools, simplifying remote management of branches through a centralised console.

“The VRTX is both flexible and stable – it allows for extensive hardware configuration and scalability, while offering consistent and uniform performance with regard to systems management operations. For users, this means you can be confident that the VRTX will readily adapt to accommodate new workload requirements, while protecting existing investments in hardware, software, management tools and skills,” Erasmus concludes.

The Dell PowerEdge VTRX is available immediately from DCC and selected resellers.

 

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