Dell™ PowerEdge™ R710 Technical Guidebook

R710 Volatility Chart Continued.

How is data input to this memory?

Planar, Poweredge R710

Controller Configuration

Loading flash memory requires a vendor-provided firmware file and loader program that is executed by booting

up the system from a floppy or OS-based executable (DUPs, Unified Server Configurator) containing the firmware

Data

file and the loader. Storage adapters loaded with bad firmware will not provide storage controller behavior.

 

FRU

Factory only. Not customer updatable.

Integrated Mirroring

Embedded storage firmware controls this data

NVSRAM

 

iDRAC6 Enterprise

 

VFlash

Preloaded media before installation, or remote out-of-band upload of user data (i.e., ISO images, files) or local

server read/write capability to use like a hard disk

 

How is this memory write protected?

How is the memory cleared?

Planar, Poweredge R710

System BIOS SPI Flash

Software write protected

Not possible with any utilities or applications and

system is not functional if corrupted/removed.

 

 

 

Not explicitly protected but special applications

 

LOM Configuration Data

are needed to communicate through the LOMs to

Not user clearable

 

reprogram this ROM.

 

iDRAC6 Controller ROM

Protected permanently by hardware

Not clearable

iDRAC6 Controller RAM

n/a

iDRAC reset

System CPLD

Requires special system-specific utility

Not possible with any utilities or applications and

system is not functional if corrupted/removed.

 

 

System CPLD

It's not accessible

Not clearable

iDRAC6 Express Internal

Writes are proxied through a temporary iDRAC

 

scratchpad RAM and not directly made from an OS or

Not user clearable

Flash

OS application.

 

 

 

System RAM

OS control

Reboot or power down system

TPM ID EEPROM

HW read only

Not - read only

(Plug in module only)

 

 

TPM Binding EEPROM

Locked by BIOS from physical access by anyone after

N/A - BIOS control only

(on China planar only)

boot

 

iDRAC6 SDRAM

n/a

AC cycle for BMC OS and reset / power off server for

VGA frame buffer

 

 

iDRAC6 FRU

Writes controlled by iDRAC embedded OS

EPPID is not clearable

 

 

Not possible with any utilities or applications and

iDRAC6 Boot Block

iDRAC embedded OS control of the write protection.

iDRAC does not function as expected if corrupted/

Flash

removed. Lifecycle log is clearable only in a factory

 

 

 

environment. SEL is user clearable.

Trusted Platform Module

SW write protected

F2 setup option

chipset

CMOS

N/A - BIOS only control

Planar NVRAM_CLR jumper or remove AC cord, remove cover, remove coin cell battery. Wait for 30 seconds, replace battery, cover, and then AC cord.

F2 system setup option to restore defaults

2.5" backplane or 3.5" Backplane

Storage Controller Processor

Embedded firmware only writeable through controlled iDRAC methods

Not possible with any utilities or applications and backplane does not function as expected if corrupted/ removed.

control panel

Internal USB

OS control

OS control format

Internal SD Module

Only by SD card write-protect switch.

OS control format

Power Supply

 

 

PSU Microcontroller

Protected by the embedded microcontroller. Special keys are used by special vendor-provided utilities to unlock the ROM with various CRC checks during load.

N/A - not in-system clearable

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Dell R710 manual Nvsram

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.