Dell PowerEdge 6950

Basic remote access is facilitated by an embedded IPMI 2 controller chip, which allows the server to be accessed over the LAN or serial port. But access is via a simple command-line shell, which allows you to reboot the server and control its power supply. HP wins out, as its fifth-generation servers have an embedded iLO2 remote management controller chip as standard; Dell's DRAC 5 card costs extra.

The 6950 also supports the SMASH (Server Management Architecture for Server Hardware) command-line protocol. This is designed to allow IPMI controllers from multiple vendors to be accessed using a common interface and command set, but it's seen little recognition from blue chips since it was finalised in 2005.

We were disappointed with the entry-level SC1435, but the PowerEdge 6950 shows clearly where Dell's priorities are for its AMD servers. Build quality and design are extremely good, it supports high-performance SAS storage and it is, of course, ready to accept AMD's next-generation quad-core Opterons, so it can easily be upgraded to a 16-way system.

Author: Dave Mitchell