The PowerEdge XR2 is a ruggedized 1U rack server designed to deliver enterprise-class performance in harsh and remote environments. Built for edge computing, it supports dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 2TB RAM, and offers shock, dust, humidity, and temperature resistance, making it perfect for industries requiring reliable data processing outside traditional data centers.
What Are the Main Features of the PowerEdge XR2?
The PowerEdge XR2 boasts dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors (up to 150W each), 16 DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 2TB RAM, and eight hot-plug 2.5-inch drive bays. Its chassis is a short 20-inch depth, ruggedized for shock, vibration, dust, and electromagnetic interference, with redundant power supplies and advanced remote management via iDRAC9. This combination delivers compact power and reliability for industrial and military-grade applications.
Enterprise-grade hot-swappable components, tool-less storage access, and PCIe Gen3 x16 slots for flexible expansion underline its versatile design. With operating temperature tolerance up to 45°C (131°F for up to 8 hours) and certified operation at altitude up to 15,000 feet, the XR2 is engineered for the most challenging environments. Wecent offers fully certified units ensuring quality meets global standards.
How Does the PowerEdge XR2 Perform in Rugged Environments?
Designed to meet military MIL-STD-810G standards, the PowerEdge XR2 is tested for operational shock, vibration, dust ingress, humidity, and electromagnetic interference. Its rugged steel chassis and shock-isolated drive bays protect components during transit and harsh field use such as maritime, oil rigs, and remote field offices.
The system can cold-start at -15°C and handle temperature spikes up to 55°C for limited durations, ensuring uptime when deployed in extreme climates. Its EMI shielding ensures reliable operation near sensitive equipment. This rugged performance is critical for defense, telecommunications, energy, and outdoor industrial applications where downtime is costly.
What Hardware Configurations and Specifications Does the PowerEdge XR2 Support?
The XR2 offers up to two Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 26 cores each and 150W thermal design power. It supports registered (RDIMM) and load-reduced (LRDIMM) DDR4 memory modules at speeds up to 2666 MT/s with 16 DIMM slots, enabling up to 2TB RAM. Storage options include up to eight 2.5” SAS/SATA or NVMe hot-plug drives, plus dual M.2 flash boot options.
The server supports high-performance RAID controllers (PERC 9 series) and features dual low-profile PCIe 3.0 slots and onboard network interfaces supporting 1/10/40 GbE speeds. Redundant 550W AC or optional 600W DC power supplies ensure uninterrupted power. With weights between 11 to 20 kilograms depending on configuration, it balances portability and performance. Wecent’s expert sourcing ensures genuine components with global warranty backing.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processors | 2x Intel Xeon Scalable up to 150W |
| Memory | Up to 2TB DDR4, 16 DIMM slots |
| Storage Bays | Up to 8x 2.5” hot-plug SAS/SATA/NVMe |
| RAID Controllers | PERC 9 Series (HBA330, H730P, etc.) |
| Network Interfaces | 1/10/40 GbE options |
| Power Supply | Redundant 550W AC or 600W DC |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 42.8 mm x 434 mm x 548 mm |
| Weight | 11-20 kg depending on configuration |
How Is the PowerEdge XR2 Managed and Maintained Remotely?
The PowerEdge XR2 comes with the industry-leading integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC9), providing administrators with full remote server management capabilities. Through iDRAC9, users can monitor health, update firmware, troubleshoot, and maintain the server securely from anywhere in the world.
The server supports lifecycle management, including automated deployment, firmware updates, and remote power cycling. Redundant hot-swappable power supplies and tool-less access to internal components reduce downtime and ease maintenance, a vital feature for deployments in remote or hazardous locations.
Why Should Enterprises Choose the PowerEdge XR2 for Edge Computing?
Enterprises needing compute power close to data sources will benefit from the XR2’s compact rugged design that operates reliably in extreme conditions where traditional data centers cannot reach. It delivers high core counts, large memory capacity, and flexible storage options, ideal for virtualization, software-defined storage, or application tiers in industrial environments.
By providing a rugged server with global support and certification, Wecent ensures enterprises can deploy a future-proof edge solution without compromises in performance or reliability. The XR2’s flexibility for customization and OEM integration also helps tailor solutions to unique operational needs.
How Does the PowerEdge XR2 Compare to Traditional Rack Servers?
Unlike standard 1U rack servers, the PowerEdge XR2 is about 20% less deep with a ruggedized chassis designed for on-the-move and harsh environment usage. Traditional servers lack the shock-isolation features, EMI shielding, and extreme environment certifications that the XR2 offers, which are essential for defense, energy, and industrial applications.
While traditional servers excel in data center conditions, the XR2 balances portability, ruggedness, and high performance for edge computing. It maintains compatibility with PowerEdge ecosystems, ensuring seamless integration with familiar management and support systems.
What Certifications and Standards Does the PowerEdge XR2 Meet?
The PowerEdge XR2 complies with MIL-STD-810G standards for shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature resistance, plus certifications related to electromagnetic interference and dust ingress. It is also compliant with CE, FCC, and RoHS certification requirements, ensuring international regulatory compliance.
These certifications make the XR2 suited for military, maritime, oil and gas, and other mission-critical applications where standard commercial servers fail. Wecent guarantees that every PowerEdge XR2 server provided meets these high-quality and durability standards for global use.
How Can Businesses Customize PowerEdge XR2 to Their Specific Industrial Needs?
Businesses can customize disk controller options, storage types (SAS, SATA, NVMe), memory configurations, and network interfaces to best fit application-specific demands. OEM services allow for branding, customized intake, and specialized hardware integration.
Remote management can be tailored with security features like common access card readers for encrypted drive removal, enhancing data security in sensitive deployments. Wecent collaborates closely with clients to deliver bespoke solutions, ensuring scalability and longevity without limiting performance.
Wecent Expert Views
“The PowerEdge XR2 represents a leap in rugged edge computing, merging enterprise-class performance with industrial durability. At Wecent, our commitment to quality means our clients receive servers tested to the highest standards, ready to operate where most fail. The XR2’s flexibility, advanced remote management, and robust hardware make it an ideal choice for industries demanding unwavering reliability, no matter the environment. This server isn’t just a product; it’s a strategic asset for maintaining continuous operations in critical, remote locations.”
— Wecent Technology Senior Solutions Architect
Conclusion
The PowerEdge XR2 delivers unmatched rugged performance in a compact 1U rack form factor tailored for remote and harsh environments. Its combination of dual Xeon Scalable processors, extensive memory support, shock-isolated storage, and advanced remote management make it a premier choice for edge computing applications. Enterprises working in mission-critical fields benefit from its certifications, reliability, and customization options brought by Wecent’s expert solutions. Choose the XR2 for uncompromising enterprise power and ruggedness on the edge.
FAQs
Q1: Can the PowerEdge XR2 operate in extreme temperatures?
Yes, it supports operation from -15°C cold starts and can withstand up to 45°C continuously with excursions to 55°C for up to 8 hours.
Q2: What types of storage drives does the XR2 support?
It supports up to eight hot-plug 2.5” drives including SAS, SATA, and NVMe SSDs.
Q3: Is the XR2 compatible with remote management tools?
Yes, it features Dell’s iDRAC9 for secure and full remote management capabilities.
Q4: How does the XR2 ensure data security in mobile deployments?
It includes options like a common access card reader for quick, encrypted drive removal in case of evacuation.
Q5: Which industries benefit most from the PowerEdge XR2?
Defense, maritime, telecommunications, oil and gas, and field data centers benefit from its rugged and reliable design.