Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server

Scale-Up Powerhouse for Mission-Critical Workloads

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is a purpose-built, enterprise-grade platform designed to transform the way organizations handle mission-critical applications, real-time analytics, and scalable virtualization. With its robust 4-socket architecture, cutting-edge Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, and the ability to support up to 12 NVMe drives, the PowerEdge R940 delivers uncompromising performance for today’s most demanding workloads.

This 3U rack server consolidates power, scalability, and reliability into a single platform, enabling enterprises to achieve faster decision-making, reduce latency in mission-critical environments, and confidently scale up to meet ever-increasing data demands.

Key Advantages of the Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server

• Enterprise-class scalability: Up to four 2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with as many as 28 cores per CPU.

• Massive memory footprint: 48 DIMM slots supporting DDR4 up to 2933 MT/s, Intel® Optane™ DC persistent memory, and a maximum capacity of 15.36 TB.

• High-performance storage: Up to 24 x 2.5″ SAS/SATA drives, including support for up to 12 NVMe PCIe SSDs.

• I/O expansion: Up to 13 PCIe Gen3 slots supporting diverse networking and accelerator options.

• Resilient security: Built-in cyber-resilient architecture with Silicon Root of Trust, cryptographically signed firmware, and secure boot.

• Streamlined management: Simplified operations with Dell iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise, and a suite of integrations with VMware, Microsoft, Ansible, and more.

• Proven reliability: Designed for mission-critical workloads where downtime is not an option.

Performance Engineered for Mission-Critical Applications

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is engineered to handle business-defining workloads with unmatched reliability. Enterprises running ERP systems, large in-memory databases, AI/ML inferencing, or critical virtualization clusters can rely on this server to meet performance expectations without compromise.

• Compute Power:
  Supports up to 4 x Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs, each with up to 28 cores, enabling 112 cores per system. This scale-up design is ideal for consolidating multiple workloads into a single, highly reliable platform.

• Memory Depth:
  Featuring 48 DDR4 DIMM slots, with speeds up to 2933 MT/s, supporting both RDIMM and LRDIMM, the R940 scales up to 6 TB of traditional memory. With Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory Modules (DCPMM), total memory can expand to an extraordinary 15.36 TB, ensuring businesses can host the largest databases and in-memory applications with ease.

• Persistent Memory for Real-Time Analytics:
  Intel® Optane™ technology delivers low-latency, high-endurance memory performance that keeps critical data closer to the CPU, enhancing workloads like SAP HANA, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server.

Storage Flexibility and NVMe Acceleration

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is optimized for storage-intensive applications, offering multiple configurations that balance capacity, speed, and cost.

• Drive Bays:

  • Up to 24 x 2.5″ SAS/SATA HDDs or SSDs

  • Support for up to 12 NVMe PCIe SSDs for ultra-low latency performance

  • Maximum raw capacity up to 184.32 TB

• RAID & Controllers:
  Equipped with Dell’s industry-leading PERC options:

  • Internal: H330, H730P, H740P, HBA330

  • External: H840, 12 Gbps SAS HBA

  • Software RAID: S140

  • Boot Optimized Storage Subsystem (BOSS) with dual M.2 SSDs (240GB / 480GB)

This flexibility allows IT teams to configure the server as either a performance-focused NVMe accelerator or a high-capacity database storage node.

Power, Cooling, and Efficiency

Data centers require servers that deliver consistent power while keeping efficiency top of mind. The PowerEdge R940 offers multiple hot-plug, redundant PSU options:

• Platinum: 1100W, 1600W, 2000W, 2400W

• Gold: 1100W – 48VDC

• Hot-plug fans with full redundancy for optimal cooling

By integrating Dell’s energy-efficient designs and advanced cooling capabilities, enterprises benefit from lower operational costs and improved sustainability.

Networking, Expansion, and I/O Capabilities

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server provides a wide range of networking flexibility and PCIe expansion to support modern workloads.

• Network Daughter Cards (NDCs):

  • 4 x 1GbE

  • 4 x 10GbE

  • 2 x 10GbE + 2 x 1GbE

  • 2 x 25GbE

• I/O Slots:
  Up to 13 PCIe Gen3 slots (3 x8 + 10 x16), enabling additional NICs, GPUs, or accelerators for advanced workloads.

• Ports:

  • Front: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x dedicated iDRAC Direct USB

  • Rear: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x serial, 1 x dedicated iDRAC NIC

  • Video: 2 x VGA outputs

This ensures maximum adaptability for growing enterprises requiring high-bandwidth and low-latency connectivity.

Embedded Management & Automation

The PowerEdge R940 simplifies IT management through iDRAC9 and OpenManage Enterprise, empowering administrators to automate, monitor, and optimize infrastructure at scale.

• iDRAC9 Features:

  • Agent-free management

  • RESTful API with Redfish compliance

  • Quick Sync 2 wireless module for mobile management

• OpenManage Suite:

  • Enterprise console for centralized management

  • Power Manager plugin for energy optimization

  • Service and Update Manager plugins for lifecycle management

Integration with third-party platforms like VMware vCenter, Microsoft System Center, Ansible, and ServiceNow ensures seamless alignment with enterprise IT ecosystems.

Security Built-In: Cyber-Resilient Architecture

Every Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is designed with Zero Trust principles, ensuring data and system integrity.

• Hardware and Firmware Protections:

  • Silicon Root of Trust

  • Cryptographically signed firmware

  • Secure Boot

  • Secure Erase

  • System Lockdown (via iDRAC Enterprise)

• Compliance & TPM:
  TPM 1.2/2.0 options available, supporting FIPS and Common Criteria.

By embedding security across the supply chain, firmware, and system operations, the R940 minimizes vulnerabilities and strengthens enterprise cyber resilience.

Operating System & Hypervisor Support

The PowerEdge R940 supports all major operating systems and hypervisors for enterprise flexibility:

• Canonical Ubuntu Server LTS

• Microsoft Windows Server with Hyper-V

• VMware ESXi

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

• Oracle Linux

• Citrix Hypervisor

This broad interoperability ensures organizations can run the OS of their choice without compatibility concerns.

Use Cases for the Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server

The R940 is optimized for organizations requiring maximum uptime, extreme performance, and massive memory capacity. Typical use cases include:

• Virtualization & Private Cloud: Consolidating VMs and workloads into fewer physical systems while ensuring resilience.

• Large Databases: Running Oracle, SAP HANA, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL at enterprise scale.

• AI/ML & Real-Time Analytics: Leveraging NVMe and persistent memory to accelerate data-driven decision-making.

• ERP & Business Applications: Supporting mission-critical SAP or Oracle workloads where downtime is not an option.

• High-Performance Financial Applications: Enabling real-time trading, fraud detection, and risk analytics.

Sustainability and Future-Proofing

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is designed with sustainability in mind:

• Energy-efficient PSU options reduce overall power draw.

• Lifecycle management tools minimize manual intervention and extend system lifespan.

• Recyclable materials and packaging lower carbon footprint.

• Backed by Dell Technologies Services for responsible system retirement.

This ensures businesses can scale confidently while aligning with environmental and operational goals.

Dell EMC Services & Support

Maximize the investment in your PowerEdge R940 with Dell’s global services portfolio:

• ProDeploy Suite: Streamline deployment and reduce time to production.

• ProSupport and ProSupport Plus: 24×7 expert support, predictive issue resolution, and proactive monitoring.

• Consulting Services: Tailored strategies for workload migration, database optimization, and infrastructure modernization.

• Data Migration and Lifecycle Services: Ensure smooth upgrades and responsible retirement of legacy hardware.

Why Choose the Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server?

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server is not just another enterprise server — it’s a scale-up powerhouse built for organizations where performance, resilience, and scalability are mission-critical. With its 4-socket architecture, massive memory footprint, NVMe acceleration, and cyber-resilient architecture, the R940 empowers enterprises to drive innovation, achieve real-time insights, and future-proof their IT investments.

By choosing the PowerEdge R940, businesses gain:

• Confidence in handling mission-critical workloads without downtime.

• Flexibility to adapt storage, memory, and I/O to changing needs.

• Industry-leading security embedded at every layer.

• Simplified management that reduces complexity and operational costs.

Conclusion

The Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 24×2.5″ Server stands as a cornerstone of enterprise IT infrastructure, delivering scalability, performance, and resilience in a 3U form factor. It enables organizations to accelerate innovation, optimize critical workloads, and prepare for future demands with a platform that is as versatile as it is powerful.

For enterprises seeking to consolidate workloads, optimize database performance, or drive real-time decision-making, the PowerEdge R940 remains one of the most capable and reliable servers available today.

Check full specs and datasheet below: Spec sheet, Technical Guide