Some questions about NVMe in Dell poweredge R720

Hi,

Unfortunately, R720 do not support NVMe drives. This is because the PERC controller that R720 supports, eg: S110 or H710 does not support NVMe drives. Hence, the server will not be able to detect the drives. 

Hello,

Are you referring to the AIC or the U2 variant? I also have people on other forums that are putting NVMe drives in their R720. Could you elaborate on what you mean?

Hi,

Apologies for the vague explanatory. If you refer AIC as Add In Card, that would be Dell BOSS card, PowerEdge R720 does not support the card, only starting 14G servers onwards would support it. Ref: https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/boss-s-1_Users-Guide_en-us.pdf.

Here's a good previous old topic that you can refer: https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/poweredge-os-forum/some-questions-about-nvme-in-dell-poweredge-r720/68c9a591d0f60126a2dd46a6?commentId=68c9fade10a8f57607b30df6

It depends on what purpose that you want to install NVMe onto the server, as the users explained, functionality of the NVMe is limited, it cannot be used as boot device. This aligns with what I mentioned about the RAID controller, as the server uses the controller to communicate with the storage devices. 

@DELL-Joey C​ 

I see so the AIC cards, it can't recognize on boot (but I am assuming that the OS can "see" it after boot) but the Express Flash NVMe PCIe SSD cards, if I have the right RAID controller, it will be able to see that one and be able to boot of it.

Is that correct?

Hi,

Correct on the part where mentioned if you have the correct RAID controller, it would be able to be detected and boot. As for the AIC (PCIe NVMe cards), R720 does not have the correct hardware to support. The chipset and BIOS limitation would not have NVMe support. The server's backplane too does not have the capability to support NVMe. 

Oh so it can't even read the NMVe when the OS boots?

As for your comment about the server's backplane. My understanding is that the R720 needs an upgrade in order to support U.2 drives. Which technically speaking, those are NMVe but in the 2.5 in SSD form factor.

SO basically if I get this kit here, I should be able to do the U.2 NVMe drives correct? And it will work via boot?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174864266816

Sorry, I might have linked the wrong thing. Right now, I have 16 2.5 in drives in mine and I would like to get some NVMe U.2 cards in there.I am pretty sure that I need to purchase this guy:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264420748392?chn=ps&google_free_listing_action=view_item

But will I need other components too? (Excluding the cables and the actual drives themselves)

Hi,

Based on the page you provided, the DPN# is 693W6 which is a SSD backplane. 

With reference of the user guide: https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/poweredge-r720_owners-manual_en-us.pdf you can refer to page 94 of backplane configuration 2.5 inch (x8) SAS/SATA backplane and 2.5 inch (x4) Dell PowerEdge Express Flash (PCIe SSD) backplane. 

Page 102 describes how the connection will be and referring to that, you will need a bridge card with DPN# YPNRC. The card is installed in Riser 2 Slot 4 referring to the guide page 64

The backplane supports drives DPN# eg:
0PHJ5 SSD, 800GB, PCIe, 2.5 inch, Multi Level Cell, Samsung
4WNJN SSD, 1.6TB, PCIe, 2.5 inch, Multi Level Cell, Samsung

But, I can't be sure that the server will be able to boot from the SSD, as I can't find any related documentation on this setup for OS boot. 

Hello Joey,

Thank you for your feedback. I took some extra time to look through what it would take for me to do what I want and I have decided to not proceed forward. Basically, I would be losing a PCIe x16 slot which I want to reserve those for 2 GPUs. 

Instead, I think that I will come back to the NVMe drive into the x8 slot. I know that I can't boot from it which is fine. But the OS should be able to read/write from the NVMe drive correct?

Hi,

Apologies, but I don't quite understand on what you mentioned on x8 slot. Are you referring to Figure 62. Removing and Installing the 2.5 Inch (x8) SAS/SATA Backplane—PowerEdge R720 on page 99 of the guide? If that's the backplane you have, it does not support NVMe. 

No, I am referring to installing NVMe drives into Riser 1. Page 69 Figure 36

Hi,

If you are referring on installing BOSS card (the AIC) that I've mentioned previously, R720 does not support. 

Yes I am referring to that. I understand that the R720 doesn't support it as a boot drive. I am moving away from that logic. I am going to be using the SAS drives as the boot drives. But for general data storage, the AIC NVME drive should still work correct? I should be able to read/write from the drive after the OS boots.

Hello,

I don't know if that will do what you want.

The BOSS is (Boot Optimized Storage Solution). I don't think you can use it as system storage but you may try.