With SQL Server 2012 reaching end of life in the near future, many small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are weighing their migration and upgrade options. In the data-driven era, is a smart move that enables users to access and manage growing volumes of data through a single, unified interface that bridges multiple applications, users, data stores and locations. This gives you the ability to leverage new applications and use cases, such as advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for real-time data access and visibility.
The latest generation of Dell EMC PowerEdge servers are an ideal fit for SQL Server 2019, providing a modern foundation for and efficiency. They include 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with faster performance and more cores, the latest generation of NVMe™ solid-state drives paired with PCIe® Gen4 interfaces for double the throughput,¹ faster memory and new Dell EMC PowerEdge RAID Controllers enabling 7X more new orders per minute (NOPM) and up to 5.25X faster RAID array rebuilds.¹
With greater performance, more memory capacity and support for higher core counts, a single server can handle more data and more workloads, enabling you to consolidate and improve workload results without adding to your IT footprint.
For example, a Dell EMC PowerEdge R750 Server with Intel Xeon Gold 6330 processors can accommodate up to 40 cores and 32 memory DIMMs at the same price point as the previous generation’s 28 cores and 24 memory DIMMs. This adds up to 1.60X higher memory bandwidth and up to 2.66X higher memory capacity.² The newer platform’s more efficient architecture increases core performance, memory and I/O bandwidth and provides additional memory channels to accelerate workloads. In addition, it supports more cores and sockets to further enhance performance and throughput even as workloads expand.
Of course, system downtime can negatively impact efficiency. The modern configuration includes faster storage, a faster bus between the storage and the CPU, faster CPU and memory and faster RAID drive controllers, enabling a 5.25X faster rebuild of the RAID array in the event of a drive failure.¹ This enables teams to get back to work faster, protecting productivity and revenue.
Many of the latest generation PowerEdge servers also feature improved air-cooling and optional direct liquid cooling (DLC) technology to support increasing power and thermal requirements, further enhancing infrastructure efficiency.
In addition, PowerEdge servers automate the complete server lifecycle with embedded intelligence that dramatically increases efficiency. The Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise console provides a comprehensive view of Dell EMC PowerEdge servers, storage and network switches. It also supports plugins to automate installation of firmware and drivers for streamlined updates and includes hands-free infrastructure deployment and discovery. Increased utilization and simplified management and support help further reduce complexity and enhance IT efficiency.
With multiple advancements working together to enhance efficiency, modernizing on SQL Server 2019 with the latest generation of Dell EMC PowerEdge servers just makes good economic sense.
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¹ Dell EMC PowerEdge R750 Server compared with similarly-configured Dell EMC PowerEdge R740xd server. Source: Prowess white paper, sponsored by Dell Technologies, “Can Newer Dell EMC Servers Offer Significantly Better Performance for Microsoft SQL Server?” August 2021. Actual results may vary Dell Technologies white paper, “Dell Next Generation PowerEdge Servers: Designed for PCIe Gen4 to Deliver Future Ready Bandwidth,” 2020.
² Source: Intel – 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 processors: 8 channels, 2 DPC (256 GB DDR4), compared to 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 processors: 6 channels, 2 DPC (128 GB DDR4).