The Dell EMC VEP4600 is a versatile, cost-effective virtual edge networking platform

The Dell EMC VEP4600 is a compact, 1U virtual edge platform designed for network virtualization, such as SD-WAN and firewall applications. It features a 16-core Intel Xeon D-2187NT processor, 64GB of DDR4 memory, and dual 10GbE SFP+ ports, with additional connectivity provided by two rNDC expansion slots that can add eight more 10GbE ports. The system includes dual hot-swappable 495W 80 Plus Platinum power supplies and five hot-swappable fan modules, supporting a front-to-rear airflow design. While the processor is an older Skylake-D generation, it remains highly capable for network processing tasks, offering integrated Intel QuickAssist Technology. The system is pre-installed with VMware ESXi but can run various operating systems, including Linux, Ubuntu, and Proxmox. The VEP4600 is particularly notable for its low price point on the secondary market, often available for under $500, making it an attractive option for home labs and test environments, despite its age and the security vulnerabilities associated with its processor generation.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

The Dell EMC VEP4600 is a compact, 1U virtual edge platform designed for network virtualization, such as SD-WAN and firewall applications. It features a 16-core Intel Xeon D-2187NT processor, 64GB of DDR4 memory, and dual 10GbE SFP+ ports, with additional connectivity provided by two rNDC expansion slots that can add eight more 10GbE ports. The system includes dual hot-swappable 495W 80 Plus Platinum power supplies and five hot-swappable fan modules, supporting a front-to-rear airflow design. While the processor is an older Skylake-D generation, it remains highly capable for network processing tasks, offering integrated Intel QuickAssist Technology. The system is pre-installed with VMware ESXi but can run various operating systems, including Linux, Ubuntu, and Proxmox. The VEP4600 is particularly notable for its low price point on the secondary market, often available for under $500, making it an attractive option for home labs and test environments, despite its age and the security vulnerabilities associated with its processor generation.

The VEP4600 is a 1U server platform designed for virtualizing network functions like SD-WAN and firewalls. The system is powered by a 16-core Intel Xeon D-2187NT processor with integrated QuickAssist Technology.

Connectivity includes dual 10GbE SFP+ ports and two rNDC slots that can expand the system to ten 10GbE ports. The server features redundant, hot-swappable 495W 80 Plus Platinum power supplies and five hot-swappable fan modules.

The platform supports up to 512GB of DDR4 2666MHz memory across four channels. The VEP4600 is available on the secondary market for under $500, offering high value for home lab users.

Chapter guide

Hardware OverviewIntroduction to the Dell EMC VEP4600 and its key hardware specifications.External Hardware OverviewDetailed look at the external ports, including USB, serial console, and networking interfaces.Internal Hardware OverviewExamination of the internal components, including the CPU, memory slots, and expansion cards.PerformanceAnalysis of the system's performance capabilities and network processing efficiency.Power Consumption & NoiseDiscussion of the power requirements and acoustic profile of the VEP4600.Key Lessons LearnedSummary of the value proposition and considerations for purchasing the VEP4600.

Worth noting

  • The video is sponsored by Micro Center, which provided the hardware and components used in the demonstration.
  • The Intel Xeon D-2187NT processor is an older generation and is susceptible to Spectre and Meltdown security vulnerabilities.
  • The processor reached its end of servicing updates in December 2023.

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