Dell uses a consistent chip-set across servers in the same generation regardless of packaging,[1] allowing for a common set of drivers and system-images.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and value-added resellers also offer solutions based on PowerEdge servers.

Loaded with custom software and with minor cosmetic changes, Dell's servers form the underlying hardware in certain appliances from IronPort,[2] Google,[3]Exinda Networks,[4] and Enterasys.

[17] These cards were equipped with hardware from LSI Corporation or Intel, 256 MBytes of memory (upgradeable on the 5/i to 512 MB), support up to 8x SATA 3.0 Gbit/s drives without the use of expanders.

They had an optional Battery Backup Unit (BBU) to allow more flexible use of the memory during writes, enhancing performance in RAID5 and 6, and operate over the PCI Express interface.