Shortly before Dell introduced the 14th generation of PowerEdge servers, Microsoft released the Windows Server 2016 – its flexible and cost-efficient OS with pioneering software-defined compute, storage, and network virtualization features. Combined with the scalable business architecture, intelligent automation, and integrated security of PowerEdge servers, these new product offerings from two of tech’s biggest enterprise players provide a perfect solution for the modern software-defined data center.
What makes this combination of PowerEdge and Microsoft Server 2016 so beneficial? A recent white paper by TechTarget provides a whopping ten reasons, three of which we’ll cover here. If you want the full skinny on the Windows Server and PowerEdge partnership, download the TechTarget white paper.
Reason #1: A Modern Data Center Environment
Modernizing the data center for the cloud era involves shifting to a software-defined model that extends virtualization from the compute infrastructure to servers and networking. It’s a shared vision by Microsoft and Dell. Microsoft Server 2016 incorporates this vision with an architecture supported by three planes: data, control, and management. This means expanded and enhanced virtualization, networking, storage, management, and security features that can be controlled through the software.
Much like the three-plane architecture of Windows Server 2016, the latest PowerEdge servers are designed for the modern software-defined data center. Dell PowerEdge servers are designed to adapt and scale to dynamic business needs – including for workloads like real-time analytics, software-defined storage, and virtual desktop infrastructure. Dell and Microsoft recognize the importance of the software-defined data center (SDDC), and build solutions to help companies migrate to and manage their own SDDC. PowerEdge 14th generation servers built with the SDDC in mind mean the product family is ideally suited for Windows Server 2016 environments.
Reason #2: Virtualization and the Cloud
In choosing the best server platform for Windows Server 2016, IT teams should focus on the characteristics required to maximize virtualization and cloud features and functionality. This is where the latest PowerEdge servers really excel. Memory capacity is a key for cloud and virtualization optimization, and PowerEdge 14th generation servers come with the largest memory capacity we’ve ever offered. PowerEdge servers also provide excellent platform performance with the fastest processors available, offering performance improvements of 1.65x over the previous generation. Finally, I/O throughput is a key to successful cloud and virtualization deployment. PowerEdge servers all include the latest processor updates, ensuring I/O throughput for all applications and workloads.
Reason #3: The Global Dell Partnership with Microsoft
Our long standing ties with Microsoft allow us to provide customers with transformative benefits in supporting the use of Windows Server 2016 and transitioning your data center to the SDDC model. Dell works closely with Microsoft to develop new solutions and features for the PowerEdge portfolio of servers. Customers benefit from this partnership via access to in-depth knowledge and experience as Dell assists in the customer’s migration to new OS platforms. During the migration to Windows Server 2016, Dell can help with transformation planning and design; mapping dependencies and prerequisites, establishing targets for each new and existing workload; testing, monitoring, and troubleshooting; and ongoing support and professional training.
In migrating to the SDDC model, choosing the right partner for the compute platform (servers) is essential. The PowerEdge focus on the SDDC, Dell innovations tailored for cloud and virtualization, and a world-class partnership between Dell and Microsoft uniquely position Dell to support customers deploying Windows Server 2016. But this is just scratching the surface when it comes to the advantages of partnering with Dell for Windows Server 2016. For a complete list of what this pairing can do for your data center, download and read the full TechTarget white paper.
