All drives are installed at the front of the system and connect to the system board through the SAS backplane. Hard drives are supplied in special hot- swappable hard-drive carriers that fit in the hard-drive bays.

CAUTION: Before attempting to remove or install a drive while the system is running, see the documentation for the storage controller card to ensure that the host adapter is configured correctly to support hot-swap drive removal and insertion.

CAUTION: Do not turn off or reboot your system while the drive is being formatted. Doing so can cause a drive failure.

NOTE: Use only drives that have been tested and approved for use with the SAS backplane board.

When you format a hard drive, allow enough time for the formatting to be completed. Be aware that high-capacity hard drives can take a number of hours to format.

Mixed SAS/SATA Hard-Drive Configurations

Mixed hard-drive configurations of SAS and SATA drives are allowed. In this configuration, two SAS drives must be installed in hard-drive slots 0 and 1 only. The remaining slots can have SATA drives installed.

Mixed 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch configurations of SAS and SATA drives are also supported in the 3.5-inch–bay chassis only. In this configuration, two 10,000- RPM 2.5-inch SAS drives installed in 3.5-inch adapters must be used in hard- drive slots 0 and 1 only (see "Front-Panel Features and Indicators"). The remaining hard drives must be 3.5 inches in size and must be either all SAS or all SATA drives.

Removing a Hard-Drive Blank

CAUTION: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard-drive bays must have drive blanks installed.

1Remove the front bezel. See "Removing the Front Bezel."

2Grasp the front of the hard-drive blank, press the release lever on the right side, and slide the blank out until it is free of the drive bay. See Figure 3-4.

Installing System Components

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Dell R710 owner manual Mixed SAS/SATA Hard-Drive Configurations, Removing a Hard-Drive Blank

R710 specifications

The Dell PowerEdge R710 is a highly versatile and robust server that has been a popular choice for businesses seeking reliable performance and efficient management. Launched as part of Dell’s 11th generation PowerEdge line, the R710 is designed to handle various workloads, making it ideal for virtualization, data analysis, and enterprise applications.

One of the standout features of the R710 is its support for dual Intel Xeon 5500 or 5600 series processors. This capability allows for substantial processing power and improved energy efficiency through Intel’s Nehalem architecture. The server can accommodate up to 128GB of DDR3 RAM across its 16 DIMM slots, delivering the memory capacity needed for demanding applications while also providing the performance enhancements of higher memory speeds.

The R710 also boasts an impressive array of storage options. It supports up to eight 2.5-inch or six 3.5-inch hard drives, which can be configured in various RAID levels for enhanced data protection and performance. The server is compatible with both SAS and SATA drives, providing flexibility for different storage needs. Additionally, the optional PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) allows for enhanced RAID configurations, ensuring data integrity and performance optimization.

In terms of connectivity, the Dell R710 comes equipped with four Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed networking. This connectivity facilitates effective communication in virtualized and clustered environments. The server is also built with optional iDRAC (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) technology, which provides administrators with advanced management capabilities, remote control, and monitoring features that simplify server administration, minimize downtime, and enhance overall productivity.

Thermal efficiency is another key characteristic of the R710. Its innovative cooling design features intelligent fans that optimize airflow based on workload demands, ensuring that the system runs at optimal temperatures while minimizing energy consumption. This contributes to reduced operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

The modular design of the R710 allows for easy upgrades and maintenance, making it a practical option for IT departments. The server’s support for various operating systems, including Windows Server and various distributions of Linux, ensures compatibility with diverse environments.

In summary, the Dell PowerEdge R710 is an enterprise-class server that balances power, flexibility, and efficient management features. With its dual-processor capability, extensive memory options, robust storage configurations, and advanced management tools, it remains a solid choice for organizations looking to streamline their IT operations and enhance performance.