The Dell PowerEdge XR9700 is the first outdoor x86 server to support cloud RAN and AI workloads in extreme environments, featuring a fully sealed enclosure and liquid cooling.
The Mobile World Congress may not start until next week, but Dell can’t wait to make its announcements on the sidelines of the trade fair today. Dell is launching a new server within the PowerEdge range, specifically developed for installation in outdoor environments. The Dell PowerEdge XR9700 is designed to bring high-performance computing to locations where traditional data center infrastructure cannot be deployed.
With the introduction of the PowerEdge XR9700, telecom operators and other organizations can place workloads in hard-to-reach places, such as light poles, rooftops, and facades. This opens up new possibilities for network expansion and running AI applications at the edge, without the need for large, complex infrastructure.
Through wind and rain
The XR9700 is developed for mounting in locations with extreme weather conditions. The enclosure, with an IP66 rating and GR-3108 Class 4 certification, guarantees that the server continues to function reliably at temperatures ranging from –40 °C to 46 °C, including exposure to sun and moisture. Thanks to the closed-loop liquid cooling and thermal architecture, the server stays cool even in very hot conditions.
The compact size of just 15 liters makes it possible to install the server in places where space and power are limited. The compact design, fully sealed and weatherproof, allows workloads to be run in places where previously only traditional radio or telecom solutions could be deployed.
RAN at the edge
The platform supports open compute for flexibility. It combines Cloud RAN and Open RAN operation with AI and edge applications, depending on the operator’s network architecture. The server supports up to fifteen 5G sectors per system via the Intel Xeon 6 SoC with integrated vRAN Boost and AMX technology.
Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) provides full visibility and control, including zero-touch provisioning. Compatibility with existing Dell software stacks and certification for Cloud RAN software already tested on other PowerEdge models accelerates deployment and reduces complexity for operators. “With the Dell PowerEdge XR9700, we are bringing Cloud RAN, Open RAN, and edge AI to locations where it was previously impossible,” says Andrew Vaz, VP at Dell.
The Dell PowerEdge XR9700 will be available worldwide in the second half of 2026.