Dell PowerEdge R540 2U Rack Server

Dell PowerEdge R540 2U Rack Server

The Dell PowerEdge R540 offers an excellent balance of performance, scalability, and affordability, making it a versatile choice for various workloads. This 2U rack server is designed for medium to large enterprises, capable of supporting applications such as virtualisation, database management, and data centre operations. Its dual-socket configuration supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors, providing the power and flexibility needed to handle current workloads while offering future scalability.

The R540 is designed to scale with your business or home setup, ensuring that performance and capacity grow as your needs evolve. With support for up to 20 cores per processor and Intel Turbo Boost technology, this server excels in multi-threaded tasks and virtualised environments.


  • Configure your server online now
  • Professionally refurbished & quality tested
  • Built to Order in 2-3 business days
  • Fast UK, EU & worldwide shipping
  • 3-Year RTB Warranty included
Performance and Scalability

The R540 is built to scale with your infrastructure. It supports up to 1TB of DDR4 memory across 16 DIMM slots, ensuring that even the most memory-intensive applications run smoothly. With multiple storage configurations available, you can customise the server to meet your exact storage needs. The R540 supports both SAS and SATA drives, with capacities up to 12x large form factor (LFF) or 8x small form factor (SFF) drives, allowing you to mix and match depending on your performance or budget requirements. RAID options include PERC H730P and H740P controllers, providing enhanced data protection and accelerated performance for mission-critical environments.


Virtualisation and Workload Optimisation

For businesses focused on virtualisation, the PowerEdge R540 offers advanced virtualisation support with Intel VT-x and VT-d technologies. This makes it an excellent platform for running virtual machines using VMware, Hyper-V, or Citrix XenServer. The server’s flexible I/O configuration, including up to 5 PCIe 3.0 slots, enables smooth integration with high-performance network cards, storage controllers, or GPU accelerators, making it suitable for data-intensive workloads like VDI, database management, and AI applications.


Reliability and Management

Like all Dell PowerEdge servers, the R540 is designed with reliability in mind. The hot-plug power supplies and drives ensure maximum uptime, while the integrated iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller simplifies server management by allowing you to monitor, manage, and update the server remotely. This feature-rich management platform is particularly useful for data centres and enterprises that require efficient, hands-off server maintenance.


Advanced Security

The Dell PowerEdge R540 features Dell’s iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller for streamlined server management, monitoring, and troubleshooting, all accessible remotely. This integrated management tool helps minimise downtime and ensures consistent server performance, reducing the need for on-site IT maintenance. The R540 is also equipped with advanced security features, including secure boot and system lockdown, which protect your server from unauthorised access and ensure data integrity.


Need advice on your server setup? Feel free to give our expert team a call or send us a message.

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Tech Specification

Brand

  • Dell

Generation

  • Dell 14th Gen

Model

  • Dell PowerEdge R540

RAM Type

  • DDR4

Machine Form Factor

  • 2U

CPU Model

  • Up to 2x Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 20 cores per processor

Memory (RAM)

  • 16 DDR4 DIMM slots, Supports RDIMM/LRDIMM, speeds up to 2666MT/s, 1TB max

Storage Controller

  • Internal controllers PERC H750, H350, H740P, H730P, H330
  • Software RAID S140

Storage Configuration

  • 12LFF, 8LFF

Network Ports

  • 2 x 1GbE LOM

Expansion Slots

  • Up to 5 Slots (Depending on Chassis)

Interface Ports

  • Front: (1) USB 2.0, (1) VGA, (1) Dedicated IDRAC Direct USB
  • Rear: (2) USB 3.0, (1) Serial, (1) Dedicated iDRAC Port, (1) VGA

Dimensions (HxWxD)

  • 86.8mm (3.41") x 434mm (17.08") x 703.76mm (27.71")

Weight

  • 29.68kg (65.43 lbs.)

Remote Access

  • iDRAC 9
  • iDRAC RESTful API with Redfish
  • Quick Sync 2 BLE/wireless module

ESXi Compatibility

  • ESXi 7.0 U3, ESXi 7.0 U2, ESXi 7.0 U1, ESXi 7.0

Security

  • TPM 1.2/2.0, TCM 2.0 optional
  • Cryptographically signed firmware
  • Secure Boot
  • System Lockdown (requires OpenManage Enterprise)
  • System Erase

Supported Operating Systems

  • Canonical Ubuntu Server LTS
  • Microsoft Windows Server LTSC with Hyper-V
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
  • VMware ESXi

Tools

  • Dell EMC Repository Manager
  • Dell EMC Update Package
  • Dell EMC System Update
  • Dell EMC Server Update Utility

Integrations and Connections

  • Microsoft System Center, VMware vCenter, BMC Truesight
  • Nagios Core & Nagios XI
  • IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus

I/O & Ports

  • 2 x PCIe Gen 3.0 slots
  • One x8 slot low-profile, half-length with x4 slot width
  • One x16 slot low-profile/full-height, half-length with x8 bandwidth

Dell PowerEdge R540

The Dell PowerEdge R540 offers an excellent balance of performance, scalability, and affordability, making it a versatile choice for various workloads. This 2U rack server is designed for medium to large enterprises, capable of supporting applications such as virtualisation, database management, and data centre operations. Its dual-socket configuration supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors, providing the power and flexibility needed to handle current workloads while offering future scalability.

The R540 is designed to scale with your business or home setup, ensuring that performance and capacity grow as your needs evolve. With support for up to 20 cores per processor and Intel Turbo Boost technology, this server excels in multi-threaded tasks and virtualised environments.


  • Configure your server online now
  • Professionally refurbished & quality tested
  • Built to Order in 2-3 business days
  • Fast UK, EU & worldwide shipping
  • 3-Year RTB Warranty included
Performance and Scalability

The R540 is built to scale with your infrastructure. It supports up to 1TB of DDR4 memory across 16 DIMM slots, ensuring that even the most memory-intensive applications run smoothly. With multiple storage configurations available, you can customise the server to meet your exact storage needs. The R540 supports both SAS and SATA drives, with capacities up to 12x large form factor (LFF) or 8x small form factor (SFF) drives, allowing you to mix and match depending on your performance or budget requirements. RAID options include PERC H730P and H740P controllers, providing enhanced data protection and accelerated performance for mission-critical environments.


Virtualisation and Workload Optimisation

For businesses focused on virtualisation, the PowerEdge R540 offers advanced virtualisation support with Intel VT-x and VT-d technologies. This makes it an excellent platform for running virtual machines using VMware, Hyper-V, or Citrix XenServer. The server’s flexible I/O configuration, including up to 5 PCIe 3.0 slots, enables smooth integration with high-performance network cards, storage controllers, or GPU accelerators, making it suitable for data-intensive workloads like VDI, database management, and AI applications.


Reliability and Management

Like all Dell PowerEdge servers, the R540 is designed with reliability in mind. The hot-plug power supplies and drives ensure maximum uptime, while the integrated iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller simplifies server management by allowing you to monitor, manage, and update the server remotely. This feature-rich management platform is particularly useful for data centres and enterprises that require efficient, hands-off server maintenance.


Advanced Security

The Dell PowerEdge R540 features Dell’s iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller for streamlined server management, monitoring, and troubleshooting, all accessible remotely. This integrated management tool helps minimise downtime and ensures consistent server performance, reducing the need for on-site IT maintenance. The R540 is also equipped with advanced security features, including secure boot and system lockdown, which protect your server from unauthorised access and ensure data integrity.


Need advice on your server setup? Feel free to give our expert team a call or send us a message.