As the push to develop groundbreaking AI solutions becomes stronger, so does the demand for specialized infrastructure to power these technologies. Businesses are spending aggressively on servers that support AI-powered applications, also called AI servers. In fact, a recent report by the IDC has predicted that the market for AI servers will touch $49.1 billion by 2027.

 

AI servers are built specifically to handle AI workloads, which sets them apart from conventional servers. They feature robust GPUs, high-speed memory, and sophisticated processors optimized for AI tasks. Their technical capabilities make them indispensable for organizations looking to tap into the full potential of AI.

 

Among the many AI servers available today, the Dell PowerEdge XE8640 stands out. The XE8640 is a high-performance server optimized for AI training, inferencing as well as HPC modeling and simulation. In this blog, we will delve deep into the features of the server and learn why it is worthwhile for businesses to invest in this piece of hardware.

 

Inside the PowerEdge XE8640: Key Features to Engineer Next-Gen AI Solutions

 

• Processing Power: The PowerEdge XE8640 showcases exceptional computational capabilities with its dual-processor configuration. It can accommodate either two 5th-generation Intel Xeon processors with 64 cores each or two 4th-generation processors with 56 cores each. Multiple cores allow for parallel processing where thousands of instructions related to a particular task are executed simultaneously. This makes it suitable for compute-intensive AI-ML operations.

 

• Memory: The PowerEdge XE8640 comes with expansive 32 DDR5 DIMM slots. It supports up to 4TB of RDIMM with maximum speeds reaching 5600 MT/s. The server offers direct memory access (DMA), a feature that allows direct data transfer between I/O devices and the main memory. Such an architecture reduces the utilization of the CPU and speeds up the processing of AI workloads, making it ideal for high-performance computing.

 

• GPU: The device supports four NVIDIA H100 Tensor core 700W SXM5 GPUs fully interconnected with NVIDIA’s NVLink technology. It delivers an unprecedented GPU-to-GPU communication speed of 900GB/s—a 1.5x improvement over its predecessor. The XE8640’s virtualization capabilities are also noteworthy. Its NVIDIA Multi-Instance GPU (MIG) feature allows the GPU to be partitioned into multiple instances, each with its own set of resources. This enables several workloads to run concurrently on a single machine, improving resource utilization for demanding AI operations.

 

• Storage: The PowerEdge XE8640 supports NVMe SSDs that ensure high throughputs for all kinds of enterprise workloads. There are 8 drive bays on the front that can accommodate SATA, SAS, or NVMe SSDs as per the need. All configurations deliver an impressive storage capacity of up to 122.88 TB. This makes the device suitable for AI projects which necessitate top-tier storage infrastructure that can be scaled as required.

 

• Security: The PowerEdge XE8640 boasts a cyber-resilient architecture designed for zero-trust environments. A meticulously guarded supply chain ensures the integrity of its components right from manufacturing to assembly. The server employs a silicon-based root of trust technology that validates the security of its firmware before booting or code execution. Additionally, mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls create a robust defense against unauthorized access.

 

• Management Console: Dell offers powerful server monitoring capabilities, thanks to OpenManage Enterprise, an intuitive systems management console. OpenManage enables IT teams to oversee multiple PowerEdge servers from a single, unified interface. It allows users to seamlessly deploy, update, secure, and monitor servers and other devices in their environment; this eliminates several routine tasks and simplifies IT operations.

 

• Suggested Reading: PowerEdge Server: The Robust Infrastructure Powering Enterprise AI Transformation

 

• Cooling: The PowerEdge XE8640 employs two kinds of cooling to maintain optimal temperatures. The processors use traditional air cooling, while the GPUs benefit from more advanced liquid-assisted air cooling. This hybrid cooling architecture ensures efficient heat dissipation and maintains stable performance during AI operations. It also helps extend the lifespan of the hardware.

 

• Expansion Slots: The server has four PCIe Gen 5 slots to connect external devices to the motherboard. These slots help augment its processing capabilities and versatility. For instance, high-end graphics cards can be installed on the device for tasks like gaming or 3D rendering. Likewise, NVMe SSDs can be connected to the server to reduce latency and improve I/O performance during data-intensive operations.

 

Dell PowerEdge XE8640: Technical Specifications

 

Here are a few important specifications of PowerEdge XE8640:

 

Feature	Specification
Processor	Two 4th or 5th-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. 56-64 cores per processor.
Memory	32 DDR5 DIMM slots. Up to 4 TB RDIMM and supported. Maximum speed of 5600 MT/s.
GPU	4 NVIDIA HGX H100 80GB 700W SXM5 GPUs. NVIDIA NVLink ensures full interconnectivity between GPUs.
Storage	Max Storage of up to 122.88 TB Up to 8x 2.5″ SAS/SATA/NVMe SSD Up to 8x E3.S NVMe SSD
RAID Controller	Software RAID: S160
PCIe	Up to 4 PCIe Gen 5 slots
Network Options	1 x OCP 3.0 (x8 PCIe lanes)
Form Factor	4U rack server
Cooling	Air cooling for processors Liquid-assisted air cooling for GPU

Accelerate Your AI Projects with the PowerEdge XE8640 | Buy Now

 

 

Why Should Businesses Choose PowerEdge XE8640 to Fuel Their AI Initiatives?

 

• Unmatched Processing Capabilities: The XE8640 comes with next-gen Intel Xeon processors with built-in accelerators for enhanced performance-per-core to support demanding AI workloads. The server is well-suited for training and inferencing of AI/ML/DL models, simulations, and other high-performance computing applications.

 

• Hassle-Free Server Management: Dell offers three tiers of server management for the PowerEdge lineup: iDRAC, OpenManage Enterprise, and CloudIQ. For managing one or two servers, the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is perfect. For larger server deployments, the OpenManage Enterprise console, which allows users to manage up to 8000 servers per instance, is ideal. CloudIQ, a cloud-based AIOps application, is a great fit for businesses that want to leverage advanced AI-ML capabilities or have servers located across multiple sites. All three solutions are interconnected, so the users enjoy a seamless experience as they scale.

 

• Optimized Power Consumption: Dell’s OpenManage Enterprise comes with a Power Manager plug-in that allows users to monitor and curb excessive energy consumption. The solution enables IT teams to identify unutilized or underutilized servers and take measures to cap consumption if necessary. Power Manager also allows in-depth monitoring of carbon footprint metrics, so that users stay compliant with energy regulations. Through these features, organizations cut down on operational costs and advance their sustainability goals while maintaining optimal server performance.

 

• Foolproof Security Measures: The PowerEdge XE8640 server integrates robust security features to address today’s heightened cybersecurity threats. The device follows a zero-trust architecture that treats each user and device as a potential risk requiring continuous verification.

 

• Another noteworthy feature is Dell’s Secured Component Verification (SCV) technology which uses cryptographic verification to validate the authenticity of server components throughout the supply chain. Dell’s security framework also incorporates safeguards like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and iDRAC controls to restrict system access to authorized users.

 

• Comprehensive Support: PowerEdge users benefit from Dell’s support services designed for end-to-end lifecycle management. Their ecosystem encompasses everything from strategic planning to implementation and technical support. This helps organizations maximize their technology investments while receiving expert guidance at every stage.

 

PowerEdge XE8640: Your Gateway to AI Excellence

 

The PowerEdge XE8640 stands as a cutting-edge AI server, combining powerful Intel Xeon processors, NVIDIA H100 GPUs, and expansive memory capabilities to handle complex AI workloads. Its comprehensive security framework, efficient power management, and state-of-the-art cooling system ensure reliable performance for AI deployments. Dell’s OpenManage portfolio simplifies server administration while providing robust monitoring capabilities for streamlined operations.

 

 

Need assistance configuring an AI server? Tech experts at Uvation can help you build a solution tailored to your requirements. Contact us today to kickstart your AI initiatives with confidence.