Server Specifications for Hosting NETLAB+ Pod Virtual Machines (previous models)

The following table shows specifications for ESXi host servers used to host virtual machines in NETLAB+ pods. The models listed here are older models, previously recommended but no longer available.

Please check the VMware Compatibility Guide to verify that all server hardware components are compatible with the version of VMware ESXi that you wish to use.

The table below shows specifications for server models that are no longer available. Please refer to the Remote PC Support page for the current specifications.

Please note that the Dell PERC H200 RAID controller for the Dell R710 is no longer recommended due to poor performance under load. You may use Dell PERC H700 controllers for the Dell R710.

Components Recommended Minimum / Features - Dell R710 Recommended Minimum / Features - Dell R720
Server Model Dell R710 Dell R720
Operating System Specify NO operating system on order. Specify NO operating system on order.
Hypervisor (installed by you) VMware ESXi 5.1 (recommended)
VMware ESXi 4.1 U2 (supported)
VMware ESXi 5.1 (recommended)
VMware ESXi 4.1 U2 (supported)
Physical CPUs Two (2) x Intel Xeon E5620 Quad Core @ 2.4GHz Two (2) x Intel Xeon E5-2630 Six Core @ 2.3GHz
Hardware Assisted Virtualization Support Intel-VT Intel-VT and Intel-EPT
Total CPU Cores/Threads 8 cores, 16 threads 12 cores, 24 threads
Total System Memory Requirements vary based on server role or curriculum.

Management Server: 32GB or higher recommended.
Cisco NetAcad only: 64GB or higher recommended.

See the course-specific configuration minimums below.

Use 16GB quad-ranked DIMMs for maximum expansion.
(Kingston part number KTD-PE310Q/16G)

See Recommended Memory Configurations for Dell R710
Requirements vary based on server role or curriculum.

Management Server: 32GB or higher recommended.
Cisco NetAcad only: 64GB or higher recommended.

See the course-specific configuration minimums below.

Use 16GB DIMMs for maximum expansion.
(Kingston part number KTD-PE316/16G)

Chassis Hard Drive Configuration 6 x 3.5" 8 x 3.5"
Storage Configuration Options 1.5TB Internal Direct Attached Storage Option
  • H700 RAID Controller, 512MB Cache
  • RAID 5
  • 3 X 1TB, 3.5 SATA, 7200 RPM 3.0GB/s
  • Western Digital RE4 WD1003FBYX Recommended
  • 1 VMware VMFS Datastore

3.5TB Internal Direct Attached Storage Option
  • H700 RAID Controller, 512MB Cache
  • RAID 5
  • 3 X 2TB, 3.5 SATA, 7200RPM, 3.0GB/s
  • Western Digital RE4 WD2003FYYS Recommended
  • 2 VMware VMFS Datastores

Please review the RAID controller section for important performance information.

Dell PERC H700 Controllers with 512MB cache are recommended.

Dell PERC H200 Controllers are NOT recommended.
7 TB Internal Direct Attached Storage Option
  • H710P RAID Controller, 1 GB Cache
  • RAID 5
  • 8 x 1TB, 3.5 SATA, 7200 RPM 3.0GB/s
  • Western Digital RE4 WD1003FBYX Recommended
  • 1 VMware VMFS Datastore

14 TB Internal Direct Attached Storage Option
  • H710P RAID Controller, 1 GB Cache
  • RAID 5
  • 8 x 2TB, 3.5 SATA, 7200 RPM 3.0GB/s
  • Western Digital RE4 WD1003FBYX Recommended
  • 1 VMware VMFS Datastore
NIC Dual Two-Port Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II 5709 Gigabit Ethernet Broadcom 5720 QP 1Gb Network Daughter Card
Riser Card Riser with 2 PCIe x8 + 2 PCIe x4 Slot Riser with 6 PCIe x8 + 1 PCIe x16 Slot
BIOS Setting Performance BIOS Setting Performance BIOS Setting
Power Supplies High Output Power Supply, Redundant, 870W Dual, Hot-plug, Redundant Power Supply (1+1), 750W
Embedded Management iDRAC6 Express iDRAC7 Express
Optical Drive DVD ROM, SATA, Internal DVD ROM, SATA, Internal
Important Notes
  • NDG does not support AMD based systems.
  • Two (2) physical CPUs per server (i.e. dual-socket) are required on both the Dell R710 (8 cores, 16 threads) and R720 (12 cores, 24 threads).
  • 64-bit processors with hardware assisted virtualization (Intel-VT/EPT) are required for good virtual machine performance and to support most virtualization courses.
  • Internal Direct Attached Storage consists of hard drives that reside on the ESXi server and are connected directly to the host system via a RAID controller.
  • VMware ESXi 5.1 must be in use as the host hypervisor to have a single VMFS datastore on volumes greater than 2TB.