Description

The Dell PowerEdge T420 is a versatile tower-format enterprise server designed to provide scalable computing and storage capabilities in environments where a rack-mounted server is not required.

With support for two Intel Xeon E5-2400 or E5-2400 v2 processors, the T420 can deliver substantial multi-core processing performance for demanding business applications. Its dual-socket architecture also provides room for future expansion as workloads increase.

The server supports DDR3 ECC Registered and Load-Reduced DIMMs, with up to 384GB of memory using supported configurations. Combined with flexible SAS/SATA storage and Dell PERC RAID controllers, the T420 provides a strong platform for virtualization, databases, file servers, backup systems, and business applications.

Its tower design makes the T420 particularly convenient for small data centers, offices, branch locations, educational institutions, and departmental server rooms.

Key Features

• Brand: Dell
• Model: PowerEdge T420
• Form Factor: Tower Server
• CPU Sockets: 2
• Processor: Intel Xeon E5-2400 / E5-2400 v2 Series
• Memory: DDR3 ECC RDIMM / LRDIMM
• Memory Slots: 12 DIMM slots
• Maximum Memory: Up to 384GB, configuration dependent
• Storage: SAS / SATA HDD and SSD
• RAID: Dell PERC controllers
• Expansion: PCIe Gen 2 / Gen 3, configuration dependent
• Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
• Remote Management: iDRAC7 with Lifecycle Controller
• Power: Redundant hot-plug power supplies, configuration dependent
• Primary Applications: Virtualization, Databases, File Server, Backup & Business Applications

Dual Intel Xeon Processing

The PowerEdge T420 supports up to two Intel Xeon E5-2400/E5-2400 v2 series processors.

The dual-socket architecture provides additional processing capacity for workloads that benefit from multiple CPUs.

Ideal applications include:

• Virtualization
• Database servers
• ERP applications
• File and print services
• Backup
• Business intelligence
• Web applications
• Departmental applications

The exact processor model and performance depend on the installed CPU configuration.

High-Capacity ECC Memory

The T420 features 12 DDR3 DIMM slots and supports ECC Registered and Load-Reduced memory.

Supported configurations can provide up to 384GB of system memory.

ECC memory improves server reliability by helping detect and correct certain memory errors, making it suitable for systems that run continuously and process important business data.

Large memory configurations are useful for:

• Virtual machines
• Databases
• File servers
• Business applications
• Caching
• Consolidated workloads

Flexible Enterprise Storage

The T420 supports a range of enterprise storage technologies, including:

• SAS HDD
• SATA HDD
• SAS SSD
• SATA SSD

Depending on the chassis and backplane configuration, the server can be equipped with multiple internal drives for high-capacity storage or redundant storage configurations.

This flexibility allows the T420 to be configured for:

• File storage
• Backup
• Databases
• Virtualization
• Business applications
• General-purpose server workloads

Dell PERC RAID

The PowerEdge T420 supports Dell PERC RAID controllers for enterprise storage management.

RAID configurations can provide:

• Drive redundancy
• Data protection
• Improved storage performance
• Drive monitoring
• Fault tolerance

The exact RAID levels and capabilities depend on the selected PERC controller.

PCIe Expansion

The T420 provides PCIe expansion capability for additional hardware.

Expansion cards can include:

• Network adapters
• RAID controllers
• Storage controllers
• Fibre Channel HBAs
• Additional Ethernet adapters
• Other PCIe peripherals

This enables the server to be customized for specific networking, storage and application requirements.

Integrated Networking

The PowerEdge T420 includes integrated Ethernet connectivity for standard network infrastructure.

Network interfaces can be used for:

• File sharing
• Application traffic
• Backup
• Virtualization
• Server management
• Business applications

Additional network adapters can be installed when higher bandwidth or network redundancy is required.

iDRAC7 Remote Management

The Dell Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 7 (iDRAC7) provides remote server management capabilities.

IT administrators can remotely:

• Monitor hardware health
• View system inventory
• Check alerts
• Manage firmware
• Control system power
• Run diagnostics
• Access remote console functionality
• Perform server lifecycle management

This is particularly useful for servers installed in branch offices or locations without dedicated on-site IT staff.

Redundant Power

The T420 supports redundant hot-plug power supplies in supported configurations.

A redundant PSU configuration helps improve availability by allowing the server to continue operating if one power supply fails.

Actual power requirements depend on:

• Processor configuration
• Memory
• Storage
• PCIe cards
• Installed peripherals

Tower Form Factor

The T420’s tower design provides a convenient deployment option for organizations without a traditional server rack.

It is suitable for:

• Small businesses
• Branch offices
• Schools
• Healthcare offices
• Professional offices
• Departmental server rooms
• Small data centers

The tower chassis provides easy access to internal components while maintaining the enterprise capabilities of the PowerEdge platform.

Ideal Applications

Virtualization Server

The dual-socket architecture and large memory capacity make the T420 suitable for consolidating multiple virtual machines.

File Server

The T420 can provide centralized file storage and sharing for departmental and small-business environments.

Database Server

Its multi-core Xeon processors, ECC memory and RAID storage make it suitable for database applications.

Backup Server

Multiple storage drives can be configured to provide a centralized backup platform.

Business Applications

The T420 can host ERP, accounting, inventory, collaboration and other business software.

Branch Office Server

The tower design and iDRAC remote management make the T420 suitable for remote and branch-office deployments.

Technical Specifications

Note: Exact processor, memory, drive bays, storage controller, PCIe configuration and PSU specifications depend on the specific T420 configuration.

Key Benefits

Dual-Socket Architecture: Supports up to two Intel Xeon E5 processors for scalable enterprise computing.

Large Memory Capacity: Up to 384GB DDR3 ECC memory provides substantial resources for virtualization and database workloads.

Flexible Storage: Supports SAS and SATA HDD/SSD configurations.

Enterprise RAID: Dell PERC controllers provide storage redundancy and management.

Expandable Architecture: PCIe slots support additional networking, storage and other expansion hardware.

Remote Management: iDRAC7 enables remote monitoring, diagnostics and administration.

Redundant Power: Hot-plug redundant PSU configurations improve availability.

Tower Deployment: Easy to install in offices and server rooms without requiring a dedicated rack.

Product Summary

The Dell PowerEdge T420 is a dependable 2-socket tower server designed for small and medium-sized businesses and departmental IT environments.