


( Brand: Dell ), ( Type: Board ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 693W6 )
The Dell Poweredge R720 and R820 servers are renowned for their robustness and scalability in data center environments. To enhance the performance and reliability of these servers, Dell offers the 2.5-inch SAS SFF (Small Form Factor) Backplane Board for 6Gbps (Dell Part Number: 693W6) which is designed specifically for these models.
This backplane board allows for the installation of high-capacity and high-performance 2.5-inch SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives, such as SSDs (Solid State Drives). Unlike traditional 3.5-inch drives, 2.5-inch SAS drives offer a smaller form factor, making them ideal for space-constrained servers like the Poweredge R720 and R820.
The backplane board supports ten drive bays, each capable of accommodating a 2.5-inch SAS drive. With a raw capacity of up to 1TB per drive (as of current market offerings), this allows for a total raw capacity of 10TB for the backplane, assuming all ten bays are populated with 1TB drives.
Data transfer between the server and the drives is facilitated by the 6Gbps SAS interface, offering an impressive data transfer rate of up to 750MB/s for each drive. The backplane also supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 and RAID 50/60 configurations through the integrated Dell Perc H700 controller or the Dell PERC H710P controller, ensuring data protection and fault tolerance.
The SFF backplane board is hot-pluggable, enabling administrators to add, remove, or replace drives without having to power off the server. This improves system uptime and enhances data center efficiency. The use of redundant power supplies further ensures business continuity and a more robust design that can help protect against power disruptions.
2.5-inch SAS SFF drives are used in various applications including boot drives, data drives, and cache drives. With low power consumption, high performance, and a small footprint, these drives are a popular choice for hyperscale and cloud environments, making the 693W6backplane board an essential addition to your Dell Poweredge R720 and R820 servers.
In conclusion, the Dell 693W6 2.5-inch SAS SFF Backplane Board for Poweredge R720 and R820 servers is a versatile and strategic investment for data center deployments. Its small form factor, lightning-fast transfer rates, and robust RAID support make it an integral component for optimizing the performance and reliability of your 2.5-inch based deployments.
The Dell Poweredge R720 and R820 servers are popular choices for businesses and data centers due to their high performance, scalability, and reliability. One of the possible upgrades for these servers is the addition of a Small Form Factor (SFF) 2.5 SAS backplane for SSDs. In this text, we will discuss the pros, cons, and a recommendation regarding the purchase of a Dell Poweredge R720/R820 with a 2.5 SFF backplane (specifically the PERC H710, H810, or H310 controller).
Pros:1. Improved Performance: Using SSDs instead of conventional hard drives significantly enhances read and write speeds. Since the SFF backplane supports 2.5-inch SAS SSDs, organizations can upgrade their storage capacity and enjoy faster data access.
2. Enhanced Data Security: SSDs eliminate moving parts, making them less prone to physical damage and reducing the risk of data loss due to mechanical failures. Additionally, the SAS interface ensures secure data transfer between the backplane and servers.
3. Scalability: The SFF backplane supports up to 24 SAS 2.5-inch drives (depending on the controller model) and allows for easy expansion.Users can upgrade their configuration when their storage needs increase.
4. Reduced Power Consumption: SSDs consume less power than traditional hard drives. By upgrading to an SFF backplane with SSDs, organizations can potentially reduce their overall power consumption and saving costs.
5. Supported by Dell: Dell officially supports the use of the SFF backplane for 2.5-inch SAS SSDs on their Poweredge R720 and R820 servers, making it a reliable and reputable choice.
Cons:1. Cost: The price point of the SFF backplane with an H710, H810, or H310 controller is relatively high when compared to conventional representational state transfer (REST) controllers. This factor might dissuade smaller businesses or budget-conscious organizations.
2. Limited Storage Capacity: The 24-drive limit may not be suitable for enterprises requiring larger storage capacities. Alternatively, these organizations might consider rack-mount SAS storage arrays as a more future-proof solution.
3. Upgrade Complexity: Installing an SFF backplane with SAS SSDs involves some level of technical knowledge. Specifically, the server configuration, RAID setup, and cabling must be carefully managed to ensure proper functionality.As a result, it may take more time and resources for smaller IT teams to leverage the benefits of the SFF backplane.
Recommendation:For organizations seeking improved performance, redundancy, and high-density storage for their Dell Poweredge R720 or R820 servers, an SFF 2.5-inch SAS backplane with a PERC H710, H810, or H310 controller is an excellent option. The advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages for businesses dealing with large data sets, intensive workloads, and escalating storage requirements.
However, smaller businesses or those with tight budgets should consider conventional hard drives or other storage solutions. For larger enterprises, rack-mount SAS storage arrays may be a more cost-effective and scalable choice.
In conclusion, the choice to buy a Dell Poweredge R720/R820 with a 2.5 SFF SAS backplane is an investment that offers increased storage performance, enhanced security, reduced power consumption, and supported by Dell. Weighing the pros and cons, the benefits of this configuration, especially for businesses with demanding data storage needs, typically outweigh the cons.
REAL-DEAL DELL EXCESS Field Service STOCK. Original OEM. Dell PowerEdge R720/R820 4 x 2.5 SSD Backplane Board / SFF 693W6. Parts are individual service parts properly packed/sealed inanity-static bags in ready to ship boxes.
This part is DELL OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer. This part and its shipping box are Dell replacement parts used by technicians for warranty exchange on customer systems.