Change Management Process (Server Hardware)
- Change Management Process (Server Hardware)
This document details the specifications, performance, use cases, and maintenance considerations for a standardized server hardware configuration designated “CMP-Server-v3”. This configuration is designed for medium to large enterprise environments requiring a balance of performance, reliability, and scalability. This document is intended for System Administrators, IT Managers, and Hardware Support personnel. All changes to this configuration *must* follow the established Change Control Procedures.
1. Hardware Specifications
The CMP-Server-v3 configuration consists of the following components. All components are sourced from approved vendors listed in the Approved Vendor List. Deviations require explicit approval from the Hardware Engineering team.
Component | Specification | Manufacturer/Part Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
CPU | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 Cores/64 Threads per CPU, 2.0 GHz Base, 3.4 GHz Turbo) | Intel - CDU4100004 | Supports AVX-512 instructions for accelerated workloads. See CPU Performance Analysis for detailed performance metrics. |
Motherboard | Supermicro X12DPG-QT6 | Supermicro - X12DPG-QT6 | Dual Socket LGA 4189, Supports up to 8TB DDR4 ECC Registered Memory. See Motherboard Compatibility Matrix. |
RAM | 256GB DDR4 ECC Registered 3200MHz (8 x 32GB DIMMs) | Samsung - M393A4G40DB1-CWE | Configured in a 8-channel configuration for optimal bandwidth. Supports memory mirroring for increased reliability (optional, see Memory Configuration Options). |
Storage – Boot Drive | 480GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD | Samsung 980 Pro - MZ-V8P480B/AM | Used for the operating system and frequently accessed applications. See SSD Performance Comparison. |
Storage – Data Drives | 8 x 8TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM HDD | Seagate Exos X18 - STH8000600 | Configured in RAID 6 for data redundancy and performance. Managed by a dedicated hardware RAID controller (see below). |
RAID Controller | Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9460-8i | Broadcom - 270-1130-01 | Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD. Features 8GB cache with battery backup unit (BBU). See RAID Configuration Guide. |
Network Interface Card (NIC) | Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ | Mellanox ConnectX-5 - MCT-X550-CCA-2S | Supports RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) for low-latency networking. See Network Configuration Best Practices. |
Power Supply Unit (PSU) | 2 x 1600W 80+ Platinum Redundant Power Supplies | Supermicro - PVS-1600P12 | Provides N+1 redundancy. Supports hot-swapping. See Power Supply Redundancy Details. |
Chassis | 4U Rackmount Chassis | Supermicro 847E16-R1200B | Supports hot-swap drive bays and redundant cooling fans. See Chassis Cooling System. |
Remote Management | IPMI 2.0 Compliant with Dedicated LAN Port | Supermicro IPMI 2.0 Module | Allows remote access for monitoring and management. See IPMI Configuration and Security. |
2. Performance Characteristics
The CMP-Server-v3 configuration delivers robust performance across a variety of workloads. Performance testing was conducted in a controlled environment using industry-standard benchmarks.
- **CPU Performance:** The dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 processors provide excellent performance for compute-intensive tasks. SPECint_rate2017 scores averaged 145.2, and SPECfp_rate2017 scores averaged 210.8. Detailed results and testing methodology can be found in the CPU Performance Report.
- **Storage Performance:** The RAID 6 array of 8 x 8TB HDDs delivers sustained read/write speeds of approximately 800MB/s. The NVMe boot drive provides extremely fast boot times and application loading speeds, with sequential read/write speeds exceeding 7000MB/s. See Storage Performance Analysis for detailed I/O performance metrics.
- **Network Performance:** The dual 10GbE NICs provide ample bandwidth for network-intensive applications. Throughput tests consistently achieved 9.4Gbps with minimal latency. See Network Performance Testing for detailed network statistics.
- **Virtualization Performance:** Running VMware vSphere 7.0, the server was able to support up to 40 virtual machines with 4 vCPUs and 16GB of RAM each, with acceptable performance levels. See Virtualization Performance Report.
- **Real-World Application Performance:**
* **Database Server (PostgreSQL):** Transaction processing rates averaged 50,000 TPS with a 99th percentile latency of 2ms. * **Web Server (Apache):** Capable of handling 10,000 concurrent users with an average response time of 0.5 seconds. * **File Server (SMB/CIFS):** Sustained transfer rates of 750MB/s for large file transfers.
3. Recommended Use Cases
The CMP-Server-v3 configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:
- **Virtualization Host:** The high core count, large memory capacity, and fast storage make it an excellent platform for running virtual machines.
- **Database Server:** The powerful processors, fast storage, and ample memory provide the performance and capacity required for demanding database workloads. Supported databases include PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. See Database Server Best Practices.
- **Application Server:** Suitable for hosting a wide range of applications, including web applications, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- **File Server:** The large storage capacity and RAID 6 redundancy make it an ideal solution for storing and sharing large files.
- **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** The AVX-512 support and high memory bandwidth can accelerate certain HPC workloads. However, specialized HPC configurations may be more appropriate for extremely demanding applications.
- **Data Analytics:** Capable of handling moderate data analytics workloads, especially when paired with an appropriate data analytics software stack.
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
The CMP-Server-v3 configuration is positioned as a high-performance, reliable, and scalable solution. Here's a comparison with other common server configurations:
Configuration | CPU | RAM | Storage | Network | Estimated Cost | Use Cases |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMP-Server-v2 | Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | 128GB DDR4 | 4 x 4TB SAS HDD | Dual Port 1GbE | $8,000 | Small to Medium Business Applications, File Server, Web Server |
**CMP-Server-v3 (This Document)** | Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 | 256GB DDR4 | 8 x 8TB SAS HDD + 480GB NVMe SSD | Dual Port 10GbE | $18,000 | Virtualization, Database Server, Application Server, Data Analytics |
CMP-Server-v4 | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 | 512GB DDR4 | 16 x 16TB SAS HDD + 960GB NVMe SSD | Quad Port 25GbE | $35,000 | Large-Scale Virtualization, Mission-Critical Databases, High-Throughput Applications |
Dell PowerEdge R750 | Similar Options Available (Configurable) | Configurable | Configurable | Configurable | Varies | Broad Range of Applications |
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 | Similar Options Available (Configurable) | Configurable | Configurable | Configurable | Varies | Broad Range of Applications |
- Key Differences:** The CMP-Server-v3 offers a significant performance upgrade over the CMP-Server-v2, particularly in CPU and storage performance. Compared to the CMP-Server-v4, it provides a balance between performance and cost, making it suitable for a wider range of applications. Dell and HPE servers offer comparable features and performance, but require careful configuration to match the CMP-Server-v3 specifications.
5. Maintenance Considerations
Maintaining the CMP-Server-v3 configuration requires adherence to established procedures to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- **Cooling:** The server generates a significant amount of heat. Ensure the server room has adequate cooling capacity. Regularly check and clean the cooling fans. Monitor server temperatures using IPMI or other monitoring tools. See Cooling System Maintenance.
- **Power Requirements:** The server requires a dedicated 208V/30A power circuit. Ensure the power circuit is properly grounded. The redundant power supplies provide N+1 redundancy, but regular power supply testing is recommended. See Power Management Best Practices.
- **Storage Maintenance:** Regularly monitor the health of the hard drives using SMART data. Replace failing drives promptly. Ensure the RAID configuration is properly maintained and synchronized. Implement a regular backup schedule. See Data Backup and Recovery Procedures.
- **Firmware Updates:** Keep all firmware (BIOS, RAID controller, NIC, etc.) up to date to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Follow the Firmware Update Procedure.
- **Security:** Implement strong security measures, including password protection, access control lists, and intrusion detection systems. Regularly review security logs. See Server Security Hardening Guide.
- **Physical Security:** Ensure the server is located in a secure environment with restricted access.
- **Fan Replacement:** Replace fans proactively based on SMART data or operational hours, typically every 1-2 years. Use only approved replacement parts from the Approved Vendor List.
- **PSU Testing:** Perform periodic PSU testing (e.g., load testing) to verify redundancy functionality.
- **Regular Health Checks:** Conduct monthly server health checks, including log file analysis, performance monitoring, and hardware component verification. Review the Server Health Check Checklist.
- **Documentation:** Maintain accurate documentation of all hardware and software configurations. Update documentation whenever changes are made. See Documentation Standards.
Change Control Procedures Approved Vendor List CPU Performance Analysis Motherboard Compatibility Matrix Memory Configuration Options SSD Performance Comparison RAID Configuration Guide Network Configuration Best Practices Power Supply Redundancy Details Chassis Cooling System IPMI Configuration and Security Database Server Best Practices Virtualization Performance Report Cooling System Maintenance Power Management Best Practices Data Backup and Recovery Procedures Firmware Update Procedure Server Security Hardening Guide Server Health Check Checklist Documentation Standards Network Performance Testing CPU Performance Report Storage Performance Analysis
Intel-Based Server Configurations
Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
---|---|---|
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB | CPU Benchmark: 8046 |
Core i7-8700 Server | 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 13124 |
Core i9-9900K Server | 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB | CPU Benchmark: 49969 |
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD | |
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) | 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD | |
Core i5-13500 Workstation | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000 |
AMD-Based Server Configurations
Configuration | Specifications | Benchmark |
---|---|---|
Ryzen 5 3600 Server | 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 17849 |
Ryzen 7 7700 Server | 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 35224 |
Ryzen 9 5950X Server | 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 46045 |
Ryzen 9 7950X Server | 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 63561 |
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) | 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) | 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) | 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe | CPU Benchmark: 48021 |
EPYC 9454P Server | 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe |
Order Your Dedicated Server
Configure and order your ideal server configuration
Need Assistance?
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️