Dell PowerEdge R240 Servers

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is an entry-level, 1U rack server designed to provide cost-effective performance, essential features, and streamlined manageability for small businesses, remote offices, and home lab setups. Purpose-built for foundational workloads like file hosting, web services, and lightweight applications, the R240 offers dependable compute in a compact form factor. With Intel Xeon E-Series processors and Dell’s integrated management tools, the R240 ensures operational efficiency, data protection, and scalability for IT environments with modest resource needs and limited space.

Performance

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is powered by Intel Xeon E-2100 or E-2200 series processors, offering up to 6 cores and base frequencies reaching 3.8 GHz, making it well-suited for small-scale, single-threaded business workloads. With Intel Hyper-Threading support, the server can process multiple threads per core, enhancing responsiveness for multitasking operations. This level of processing power makes the R240 an ideal choice for tasks such as web hosting, email services, and light data processing. Optional Intel Core i3 and Pentium processors are also available for businesses seeking even more cost-conscious performance. The R240 delivers the reliability and performance necessary to support essential daily operations without overprovisioning.

Memory and Scalability

The R240 supports up to 64GB of DDR4 ECC UDIMM memory across two DIMM slots. ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory helps protect critical data by automatically detecting and correcting single-bit memory errors, ensuring high reliability in day-to-day use. While its memory expandability is modest, the R240 is fully capable of supporting small workloads like business-critical applications, DNS, DHCP, and print services. Its two-slot memory configuration is sufficient for companies with stable workloads and minimal variability. For organizations that prioritize simplicity and predictable performance, the R240's memory design strikes a practical balance between capability and cost.

Storage Flexibility

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is available in both 2-bay and 4-bay 3.5" chassis options, offering simple storage expandability in a compact footprint. It supports a range of SATA and SAS hard drives and SSDs, with each bay configured for hot-swappable access in select models. Businesses can choose between high-capacity drives for general-purpose storage or SSDs for faster application performance. Storage redundancy is supported via PERC S140 software RAID or optional H330/HBA330 controllers, enabling configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. This storage flexibility allows the R240 to function as a general-purpose file server, backup target, or low-end database host.

I/O and Expandability

The R240 provides one PCIe Gen 3.0 x16 expansion slot, allowing for optional components like additional NICs or storage controllers. Integrated dual 1GbE NICs provide baseline network performance suitable for typical small office environments. A dedicated iDRAC port and USB 3.0 connectivity offer simplified access for deployment, maintenance, and data migration. Although not intended for GPU-intensive workloads, the R240 supports modest hardware enhancements that expand its utility in customized setups. Its 1U rack form factor ensures compatibility with dense rack environments and remote or edge deployments where space efficiency is key.

Virtualization and Home Lab Use

The PowerEdge R240 supports basic virtualization tasks and is compatible with hypervisors such as VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Linux KVM. While not intended for high-density virtual machine (VM) environments, the R240 can efficiently run a few VMs for testing, sandboxing, or consolidating light applications. This makes it a popular option for home labs and small businesses exploring virtualization on a budget. Its affordable price point and straightforward configuration also make it an ideal training platform for aspiring IT professionals. Whether hosting internal tools, lab environments, or small-scale workloads, the R240 delivers reliable, entry-level virtual infrastructure.

Management and Automation

The R240 features Dell’s iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller, enabling comprehensive remote server management through a dedicated out-of-band interface. Administrators can monitor system health, perform firmware updates, and conduct troubleshooting without being physically present, which is especially valuable in branch office or remote deployments. Dell OpenManage tools further enhance automation and visibility, streamlining deployment and routine maintenance tasks. These management capabilities reduce administrative overhead and improve responsiveness to system issues. For businesses with limited IT staff, the R240 provides simplified control without sacrificing visibility or security.

Energy Efficiency

Energy-conscious by design, the R240 uses efficient 250W or 350W power supplies, depending on configuration. With Dell’s Dynamic Power Management, the server intelligently adjusts power usage based on workload intensity, ensuring efficient energy consumption across varying usage scenarios. These features help businesses lower operational costs and reduce their environmental impact without compromising performance. Its low thermal footprint makes the R240 suitable for installation in noise-sensitive or temperature-restricted environments. These efficiency attributes are especially valuable for long-term cost containment in small office deployments or edge computing use cases.

Reliability and Availability

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is equipped with features that enhance uptime and protect critical business operations. ECC memory, software RAID, and optional redundant power supplies provide safeguards against common hardware failures. Support for hot-swappable drives (in select models) and proactive monitoring via iDRAC9 ensures minimal downtime during maintenance or hardware replacement. Dell’s ProSupport options add additional peace of mind for organizations requiring SLAs or mission-critical reliability. For businesses seeking a trustworthy, entry-level platform that can run around the clock, the R240 offers the right mix of stability and resilience.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Compute Power: Intel Xeon E-2100/E-2200 processors with up to 6 cores.
• Memory Capacity: Up to 64GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM across 2 slots.
• Storage Options: 2-bay or 4-bay 3.5" hot-swap drive support with RAID options.
• I/O Expandability: One PCIe Gen 3.0 x16 slot and dual onboard 1GbE NICs.
• Virtualization Support: Compatible with VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM for light virtualization.
• Management Tools: iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller and OpenManage integration.
• Energy Efficiency: Efficient 250W/350W PSUs and dynamic power optimization.
• Reliability: ECC memory, RAID support, hot-swap drive options, and redundant PSU configurations.
  

Business Value

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is a reliable, cost-effective entry point for organizations looking to support essential workloads without unnecessary complexity. Its combination of compact design, solid performance, and simplified remote management makes it ideal for first-time server buyers, branch deployments, and edge computing use cases. Whether supporting file sharing, small-scale virtualization, or internal applications, the R240 offers consistent value at a manageable price. For home lab users, it provides an affordable, professional-grade platform for testing and development. Overall, the R240 strikes a strong balance between affordability, efficiency, and essential enterprise-grade features.

An Entry-Level Server Perfect for Small Business Services

The Dell PowerEdge R240 is an affordable and efficient 1U rack server that delivers powerful Intel Xeon performance, flexible storage options, and enterprise-class features in a space-saving design. Perfect for small businesses and remote offices, it offers reliability, easy management, and the scalability to grow with your needs—making it a smart investment for any organization.