Setting Up Dell R720 Server in the Home Lab

I recently stumbled upon an incredible deal for the Dell PowerEdge R720 server. This powerhouse boasts impressive specifications:

Technical Specifications

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• Server Model: Dell PowerEdge R720
• RAM: 192GB
• Processors: Dual 6-core CPUs with Hyper-Threading (24 threads)
• iDRAC Controller: iDRAC7 Enterprise
• Storage: 2 x 2TB SSD & 6 x 300GB SAS drives at 6Gb/s

This article covers my journey of integrating this powerhouse into my home lab setup.

Delivery and Initial Setup

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The server arrived in good condition, but I encountered an issue where the front backplane wasn’t connected because the included mini SAS cable was too short. I had to search online to find a 59cm mini SAS cable long enough to connect the backplane to the motherboard.

I was lucky and I found this cable pretty quick thanks to this company in Romania:
i-Service - MiniSAS

Configuring the Cooling System with IPMItool

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Managing server cooling effectively is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. Using IPMItool, I was able to configure the fans to balance between cooling efficiency and noise levels. Below are the steps and commands I used:

Install IPMItool:

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sudo apt-get install ipmitool

Enable/disable manual fan control

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Enable

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ipmitool -I lanplus -H ip_addr -U username -P password raw 0x30 0x30 0x01 0x00

Disable

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ipmitool -I lanplus -H ip_addr -U username -P password raw 0x30 0x30 0x01 0x01

Set fan speed

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ipmitool -I lanplus -H ip_addr -U username -P password raw 0x30 0x30 0x02 0xff 0x14

Consult the table to adapt the speed to your needs

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Monitor fan status

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ipmitool sensor | grep -i fan

Upgrading Firmware via UpdateYODell.net

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Keeping firmware up-to-date is essential for security and performance. I upgraded my R720’s firmware using the resources available on UpdateYODell.net. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Identify Your Server’s Generation:

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Visit Wikipedia’s Dell PowerEdge page to find your server model and its generation.

Configure iDRAC for FTP Update:

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• Access the iDRAC web interface.
• Navigate to Maintenance > System Update.
• Select FTP as the update method and use next settings:
  • Address - ftp.updateyodell.net
  • User Name - dell
  • Password - calvin
  • Path - g11, g12(dell r720), g13, or g14
• Click Check for Updates and proceed with the upgrade.

Migrating Proxmox Cluster

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Migrating my Proxmox cluster to the new server was simplified by utilizing an NFS share on my Synology DS223 in the homelab. Here’s how I did it:

Mount NFS Share on New Proxmox Server:

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mount -t nfs <synology_ip>:/path/to/nfs /mnt/pve/nfs

Restore VMs from NFS:

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pct restore <vmid> /mnt/pve/nfs/dump/dump.tar

Benefits of Using NFS with Proxmox: Using an NFS share for backups and migrations offers several advantages:

• Simplicity: Easy to set up and manage.
• Efficiency: Fast transfer speeds, especially with a dedicated network.
• Flexibility: Can easily expand storage as needed.

Storage Configuration

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In the Dell R720, I configured the storage with two 2TB SSDs in RAID 1 for the operating system and primary applications, and six 300GB SAS drives in RAID 10 for data storage. This setup offers a great balance between performance, redundancy, and storage capacity.

Benefits of This Storage Setup:

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• RAID 1 for SSDs: Provides redundancy, ensuring that the OS and critical applications are safe even if one SSD fails.
• RAID 10 for SAS Drives: Combines the speed benefits of RAID 0 with the redundancy of RAID 1, offering fast read/write speeds and protection against drive failures.

Integrating with UPS Using PowerPanel

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To protect the server from power outages, integrating it with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) was crucial. Instead of using NUT, I opted for PowerPanel:

Install PowerPanel:

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Download and install the PowerPanel software from the CyberPower website.

Download

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curl -o cyberpowerpowerpanel.deb https://www.cyberpower.com/tw/en/File/GetFileSampleByType?fileId=SU-18070001-06&fileType=Download%20Center&fileSubType=FileOriginal

Install

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dpkg -i cyberpowerpowerpanel.deb

Configure PowerPanel:

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I configured PowerPanel in my environment with the following command:

pwrstat -lowbatt -runtime 300 -capacity 35 -active on -cmd /etc/pwrstatd-lowbatt.sh -duration 1 -shutdown on

Explanation of the Command:

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• -lowbatt: Triggers the action when the battery is low.
• -runtime 300: Triggers the action when the UPS runtime drops below 300 seconds.
• -capacity 35: Triggers the action when the battery capacity drops below 35%.
• -active on: Enables the action.
• -cmd /etc/pwrstatd-lowbatt.sh: Executes the specified script when the condition is met.
• -duration 1: Specifies the duration in minutes to wait before executing the shutdown.
• -shutdown on: Initiates a system shutdown when the condition is met.

This configuration ensures that my server shuts down gracefully in the event of a power outage, protecting data integrity and preventing hardware damage.

Monitoring and Management

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For monitoring the server’s performance and health, I use a combination of Prometheus and Grafana. These tools provide detailed metrics and visualizations, allowing me to keep an eye on resource usage, temperatures, and potential issues.

Backup Strategy

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Having a robust backup strategy is crucial in any lab environment. I use Proxmox’s built-in backup tools to create regular snapshots of my VMs, which are then stored on the NFS share. This ensures that I can quickly recover from any data loss or corruption.

Conclusion

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Setting up the Dell R720 in my home lab has been an exciting journey. From configuring cooling and upgrading firmware to migrating my Proxmox cluster and integrating with a UPS, every step has enhanced my lab’s performance and reliability. Additionally, the advanced network and storage configurations have made my setup more robust and efficient. I hope this guide helps you in your home lab endeavors.

• Stay tuned for more updates and experiments in my home lab!

Credits

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