PowerEdge R720xd
Storage-dense 2U for backup, Ceph/ZFS, video and file servers.
The PowerEdge R720xd is an end-of-life model with no vendor support; we keep it running while you plan a replacement. Storage-dense 2U for backup, Ceph/ZFS, video and file servers.
Platform facts
| Vendor | Dell |
|---|---|
| Generation | 12G |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Sockets | 2 |
| CPU | Intel Xeon E5-2600 / E5-2600 v2 (Sandy Bridge-EP / Ivy Bridge-EP) |
| DIMM slots | 24 |
| Memory | DDR3 RDIMM/LRDIMM, up to 768 GB |
| Storage | 24x 2.5-inch or 12x 3.5-inch front plus 2x 2.5-inch rear hot-plug |
| RAID | PERC H310, H710, H710P, H810 |
| Management | iDRAC7 |
| Released | 2012 |
| Status | end of life |
Field notes
Only two PCIe slots are usable in the 26-drive layout, so plan HBA and NIC needs first. The 12x 3.5 backplane expander and the H710P battery fail most often. For ZFS or Storage Spaces Direct, flash an H310 to IT mode or fit an HBA330-class card; the H710 cannot do passthrough. Same 12G OS ceiling (Windows Server 2016, ESXi 6.7). Replace with an R760xd2 or R7615.
Successor: PowerEdge R730xd.
What we do with the PowerEdge R720xd
- 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 R720xd 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 R720xd running Windows Server 2012 or an old ESXi needs a migration plan, not a lift-and-shift.
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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 R720xd 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.