PowerEdge C6320
HPC and scale-out cluster node; the first C-series with real iDRAC.
The PowerEdge C6320 is a legacy model past vendor sales, usually out of warranty but still serviceable. HPC and scale-out cluster node; the first C-series with real iDRAC.
Platform facts
| Vendor | Dell |
|---|---|
| Generation | 13G |
| Form factor | 2U 4-node |
| Sockets | 2 |
| CPU | Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 per node (Haswell-EP / Broadwell-EP) |
| DIMM slots | 16 |
| Memory | DDR4 RDIMM/LRDIMM, up to 512 GB per node |
| Storage | 24x 2.5-inch or 12x 3.5-inch shared across four sleds |
| RAID | PERC H330, H730 mezzanine; onboard SATA |
| Management | iDRAC8 |
| Released | 2015 |
| Status | legacy |
Field notes
Gets iDRAC8 and Lifecycle Controller, so firmware is finally the same process as rack servers. Sleds share PSUs and the chassis fan wall; a single fan failure raises noise on all four nodes. The chassis (C6300) needs its own firmware. Windows Server 2019 / ESXi 7.0 ceilings. Replace with a C6620.
Successor: PowerEdge C6420.
What we do with the PowerEdge C6320
- Specification and procurement of new PowerEdge servers, configured to order
- Rack, rail and cable installation, iDRAC setup and firmware baseline
- Memory, NVMe, PERC and NIC upgrades with qualified parts
- Out-of-warranty repair: PSU, fan, backplane, PERC battery and motherboard replacement
- OS and hypervisor installs: Windows Server, VMware, Proxmox, RHEL, Ubuntu
- ProSupport case handling and lifecycle refresh planning
Keep it or replace it?
A PowerEdge C6320 can keep doing a single job for years if it has good backups, current firmware and spare parts on the shelf. It should not be the only copy of anything, and it should not be internet-facing on an unsupported OS. We will tell you honestly whether a memory or disk upgrade buys useful time or whether the money belongs in a replacement.
Replacement planning covers the OS and licences, not only the box: a PowerEdge C6320 running Windows Server 2012 or an old ESXi needs a migration plan, not a lift-and-shift.
Related models
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Do you work on PowerEdge servers you did not sell?
Yes. Most of our Dell work is on servers a business already owns, in or out of warranty.
Can you update firmware without downtime?
iDRAC and some component firmware update live. BIOS, PERC and NIC firmware need a reboot, which we schedule in a maintenance window.
Can the PowerEdge C6320 run a current operating system?
Check the field notes above. As a rule, current models are certified for Windows Server 2022/2025, ESXi 8 and RHEL 9; legacy models usually stop at Windows Server 2019 or ESXi 7 and may need Proxmox or an older Linux to stay useful.
Need a hand with this?
Tell us what you are running and what is slowing you down. You get a straight assessment and a plan, with no obligation. Support desk is staffed 24/7.