The Dell PowerEdge R720 is fully end of life, with sales ending around 2015–2016 and official support concluding in 2018. Although Dell no longer provides updates or warranties, the server remains operational for many organizations. With reliable performance, expandability, and broad compatibility, its lifecycle can be extended through expert third-party maintenance and enterprise-grade support from partners such as WECENT.
What Is the Current Dell R720 End of Life Status?
The Dell R720 reached end of life between 2015 and 2016 and end of service life in 2018. This means Dell no longer supplies firmware updates, patches, or hardware support. Even so, the R720 remains effective for virtualization, storage-heavy tasks, and compute workloads due to its dual Intel Xeon E5 processors, high RAM capacity, and flexible storage configuration.
WECENT provides refurbished R720 servers, genuine spare parts, and customized maintenance for industries like finance, healthcare, and data centers, ensuring productive use after official support ends.
| R720 Key Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2U Rack |
| CPU Support | Dual Xeon E5-2600/v2 |
| Max Memory | 768GB DDR3 |
| Storage Options | Up to 24TB SAS/SATA |
| Expansion | 7 PCIe Slots |
The Dell R720 is an older server model that Dell officially stopped supporting several years ago. Its end of life occurred around 2015–2016, and Dell ended service support in 2018. This means the company no longer provides official updates, patches, or hardware assistance. Despite this, the R720 is still useful for tasks like running multiple virtual machines, handling large amounts of storage, or performing complex computations. Its design includes two Intel Xeon processors, lots of memory, and flexible storage options, making it a reliable choice for businesses that don’t need the very latest hardware.
Companies like WECENT help keep these servers functional by offering refurbished units, original spare parts, and maintenance services. This allows organizations in finance, healthcare, and data centers to continue using R720 servers effectively, even without Dell’s official support. Key features of the R720 include its 2U rack size, support for up to 768GB of memory, storage up to 24TB, and multiple expansion slots, giving businesses flexibility to scale or customize the server for their specific needs.
When Did the Dell R720 Reach End of Service Life?
The Dell PowerEdge R720 reached end of service life on May 25, 2018. From that date forward, Dell discontinued break-fix repairs, spare part guarantees, and firmware releases. Businesses still relying on the R720 can face challenges such as outdated firmware or hardware shortages.
WECENT offers structured maintenance plans including proactive monitoring, certified parts replacement, and performance optimization to help enterprises operate these servers safely beyond EOSL.
Why Do Businesses Continue Using the Dell R720 After EOL?
Organizations continue using the R720 because of its strong performance, reliable architecture, and cost efficiency. It integrates smoothly into existing infrastructures, especially in environments where workloads are stable and do not require the latest hardware.
WECENT supplies professionally refurbished R720 servers, high-quality spare components, and expert support, helping companies reduce costs without compromising reliability. Many enterprises choose to extend existing fleets for an additional two to three years before upgrading.
What Are the Risks of Operating an EOL Dell R720?
Running an R720 after EOL introduces risks such as security vulnerabilities from unavailable firmware updates, limited spare part availability, and potential compliance challenges in regulated industries. Older hardware may also experience component degradation, especially power supplies and RAID controllers.
Mitigation strategies include preventive hardware replacement, security hardening, and ongoing monitoring. WECENT’s technical team assists with evaluations, vulnerability assessments, and tailored maintenance plans to minimize operational risks.
How Can You Extend the Dell R720 Server’s Operational Life?
The R720’s lifespan can be extended with third-party maintenance, hardware upgrades, and optimized configurations. Expanding memory, adding SSDs, updating RAID firmware, and enhancing network connectivity help maintain stable performance.
WECENT provides upgrade packages and maintenance services that include GPU enhancements, storage expansion, and iDRAC Enterprise features for better remote management. These services help businesses achieve long-term operational value at reduced costs.
| Comparison | Third-Party Maintenance (WECENT) | OEM (Post-EOSL) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Up to 70% Savings | No Support |
| Spare Parts | Readily Available | Not Provided |
| Support Flexibility | Highly Customizable | Not Available |
| Coverage Duration | Multi-Year Options | None |
Which Servers Are Suitable Replacements for the Dell R720?
Organizations seeking modern alternatives can consider Dell’s 16th and 17th generation PowerEdge servers, such as the R660, R760, R670, or R770. These offer next-generation CPUs, DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen5 support, and superior power efficiency.
WECENT supplies these servers, along with HPE ProLiant Gen11 and Lenovo ThinkSystem models, providing custom configurations tailored for virtualization, cloud, and AI-driven environments.
Can Third-Party Maintenance Support the Dell R720 Successfully?
Yes, professional third-party maintenance can fully support the Dell R720 through certified technicians, reliable parts supply, and rapid response services. This approach ensures uptime, improves stability, and reduces maintenance expenses.
WECENT’s experience in supporting enterprise servers enables consistent performance for R720 deployments, whether used for storage clusters, virtualization platforms, or compute-intensive workloads.
WECENT Expert Views
“Although the Dell R720 is long past its official support window, it continues to deliver dependable performance for many enterprise environments. With strong CPU capabilities, generous memory capacity, and excellent scalability, it remains a practical choice for cost-focused businesses. At WECENT, we maintain extensive inventories of compatible parts, offer full maintenance plans, and support AI upgrades with modern GPUs. This ensures organizations can operate confidently while planning smooth transitions to next-generation PowerEdge systems.”
— WECENT Senior Solutions Architect
How Does WECENT Support End-of-Life Servers Like the R720?
WECENT helps businesses maximize the value of EOL servers through refurbishment, extended maintenance, and tailored upgrade services. As an authorized supplier of Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and NVIDIA solutions, WECENT delivers cost-effective hardware, fast support, and flexible configurations for IT, cloud, and AI applications.
WECENT also supports wholesalers and integrators with custom branding, OEM services, and enterprise-grade system builds.
Key Takeaways and Actionable Advice
The Dell R720 is fully end of life, yet remains viable with the right maintenance strategy. Extend uptime through regular audits, hardware upgrades, and expert third-party maintenance. When preparing for modernization, explore Dell’s R760 and R770 series or equivalent platforms for improved performance and scalability.
For optimized planning, engage WECENT for professional assessments, hardware sourcing, and seamless migration support.
FAQs
Is the Dell R720 supported in 2025?
Dell no longer supports the R720, but WECENT provides full maintenance, spare parts, and technical assistance.
Can Dell R720 storage be upgraded after EOL?
Yes. You can integrate SSDs, expand bays, or attach external storage arrays with help from WECENT specialists.
Is the R720 still reliable for business workloads?
Yes. With proper maintenance and hardware upgrades, it continues to perform well for virtualization, databases, and general compute.
How much does maintaining an R720 cost?
Third-party maintenance is typically far more affordable than OEM support, with pricing dependent on configuration and SLA requirements.
Does WECENT sell refurbished Dell R720 servers?
Yes, all units are professionally tested and customizable with CPUs, memory, drives, and GPU options.
Is the Dell PowerEdge R720 End of Life?
Yes, the Dell PowerEdge R720 reached End of Life (EOL) around 2015–2016 and End of Service Life (EOSL) on May 25, 2018. Dell no longer provides warranties, firmware updates, or official support, though third-party providers like WECENT can still offer maintenance and replacement parts for continued use in non-critical environments.
What does End of Life (EOL) mean for the R720?
EOL means Dell has stopped selling the R720 and will not release new drivers or updates. Users face limited software compatibility, increased security risks, and aging hardware, making it suitable only for testing, homelabs, or workloads supported by third-party maintenance services.
Can the R720 still be used safely?
Yes, the R720 can run non-critical workloads, lab environments, or virtualization setups. However, without official Dell support, enterprises should monitor hardware health and consider third-party support for parts, firmware, and troubleshooting to maintain operational continuity.
Where can businesses get support for an R720 after EOSL?
Third-party maintenance providers like Park Place, Procurri, and WECENT supply replacement parts, repairs, and technical support for the R720. These services help extend server life, ensure reliability, and provide continuity for legacy systems no longer covered by Dell warranties.