AC023623 Dell VXRail 200 Series 128GB Optane DRAM 3200MT/S Memory Module

Understanding of the Dell 128GB Memory Module

Revolutionizing Server Memory Architecture

The Dell AC023623 represents a groundbreaking approach to server memory architecture, blending the performance characteristics of traditional DRAM with the persistence capabilities of storage. This 128GB Optane Persistent Memory Module operates as a hybrid solution that fundamentally changes how data is managed and accessed within VxRail hyper-converged infrastructure systems. Unlike conventional volatile memory that loses data when power is disconnected, persistent memory maintains data integrity through power cycles while delivering near-DRAM performance levels.

Bridging Memory and Storage Performance

Traditional server architectures have historically suffered from significant performance gaps between fast, volatile DRAM and slower, persistent storage devices. The Dell AC023623 128GB module effectively bridges this gap by providing a memory tier that offers both high-speed performance and data persistence. This technology enables VxRail systems to maintain critical data in a persistent state while delivering the low-latency access times typically associated with conventional RAM modules.

3D XPoint Media Architecture

At the core of the AC023623 module lies Intel's innovative 3D XPoint memory media, which represents a fundamental departure from both NAND flash and DRAM cell structures. This revolutionary architecture enables byte-addressable memory access while providing non-volatile data retention. The 3D cross-point array structure allows individual memory cells to be accessed without requiring block-level operations, resulting in significantly improved random access performance compared to traditional NAND-based SSDs.

Comprehensive Key Specifications

Physical and Electrical Characteristics

The Dell AC023623 module conforms to the standard 288-pin DDR4 DIMM form factor, measuring approximately 133.35mm in length and 31.25mm in height. This physical compatibility ensures straightforward integration into existing VxRail server memory architectures without requiring specialized slots or connectors. The module operates at a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts, consistent with standard DDR4 specifications, while delivering optimized power efficiency for persistent memory operations.

Memory Capacity

This specific module configuration provides 128GB of persistent memory capacity as a single-die package (1x128GB). The memory organization supports both App Direct and Memory Mode operational configurations, allowing system administrators to optimize the module's behavior based on specific workload requirements. The 128GB capacity point represents an optimal balance between cost-effectiveness and performance for most enterprise workload scenarios within VxRail environments.

Performance Timing Parameters

The AC023623 operates at a data rate of 3200 megatransfers per second (MT/s) with CAS Latency timing of CL22. These timing parameters ensure optimal data throughput while maintaining compatibility with the DDR4 memory controllers employed in VxRail systems. The module's performance characteristics enable sustained data transfer rates that significantly exceed traditional storage devices while providing the persistence guarantees required for mission-critical applications.

VxRail System Integration Capabilities

Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Optimization

The Dell AC023623 module is specifically engineered and validated for seamless integration within VxRail hyper-converged infrastructure systems. This validation ensures complete compatibility with VxRail's automated lifecycle management, including firmware updates, health monitoring, and performance optimization. The module's presence is automatically detected by VxRail Manager, which configures appropriate memory modes and persistence settings based on the overall system configuration and workload profiles.

VMware vSphere Integration

As VxRail systems are built on VMware vSphere virtualization technology, the persistent memory modules are fully supported through vSphere's native persistent memory management capabilities. This integration allows virtual machines to directly access persistent memory resources either as fast storage volumes or as extended memory spaces. vSphere's memory management algorithms have been optimized to recognize and properly utilize the unique characteristics of Optane persistent memory within virtualized environments.

vSAN Persistent Memory Tiering

Within VxRail systems utilizing vSAN storage, the AC023623 modules can be configured to serve as an ultra-performance storage tier for write-intensive workloads. This configuration significantly improves write performance by reducing latency and increasing IOPS compared to traditional all-flash vSAN configurations. The persistent nature of the memory ensures data integrity even during unexpected power loss scenarios, maintaining vSAN's enterprise-grade reliability guarantees.

Memory Mode Operation

Memory Mode configuration presents the persistent memory to the operating system as conventional volatile system memory, while utilizing a smaller amount of DRAM as a direct-mapped cache for the persistent memory. This configuration simplifies application deployment since no code modifications are required, while still providing expanded memory capacity at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to traditional DRAM. The AC023623 module's 128GB capacity, when configured in Memory Mode, effectively expands the system's usable memory footprint while maintaining performance characteristics suitable for most enterprise workloads.

Performance Metrics

Latency and Throughput Metrics

The Dell AC023623 persistent memory module delivers significantly improved latency characteristics compared to traditional storage solutions, with typical read latencies measuring under 300 nanoseconds and write latencies under 500 nanoseconds. These performance figures represent approximately a 1000x improvement over high-performance NVMe SSDs for random access patterns. The module sustains throughput rates exceeding 7GB/s for sequential read operations and 4GB/s for sequential write operations, making it suitable for the most demanding enterprise workloads.

Endurance and Data Retention

Built on 3D XPoint technology, the AC023623 offers exceptional endurance characteristics compared to NAND-based storage devices. The module supports unlimited read cycles and write endurance rated at up to 365 full drive writes per day throughout its operational lifespan. Data retention is guaranteed for multiple years at elevated temperatures, ensuring data integrity even during extended power-off periods. These endurance characteristics make the module suitable for write-intensive applications that would rapidly degrade conventional SSDs.

Comparative Performance Analysis

When compared to traditional DRAM, the AC023623 provides slightly higher access latency but offers the critical advantage of data persistence at a significantly lower cost per gigabyte. Compared to NVMe SSDs, the persistent memory module delivers order-of-magnitude improvements in latency and random I/O performance while maintaining similar persistence guarantees. This performance positioning makes persistent memory an ideal solution for workloads that exceed available DRAM capacity but require performance beyond what conventional storage can provide.

VxRail Generation Compatibility

The Dell AC023623 128GB persistent memory module is specifically validated for use with VxRail 200 Series systems and later generations. Compatibility extends across the VxRail E, P, V, and S series models, provided they incorporate the required Intel Xeon Scalable processors with persistent memory support. Each VxRail system generation requires specific firmware levels to properly recognize and configure the persistent memory modules, with these requirements automatically enforced through VxRail's integrated lifecycle management.

Enterprise Use Cases and Applications

In-Memory Database Acceleration

The Dell AC023623 persistent memory module delivers transformative performance for in-memory database platforms including SAP HANA, Oracle Database In-Memory, and Microsoft SQL Server In-Memory OLTP. These applications benefit from the expanded memory capacity enabled by persistent memory, allowing larger datasets to remain memory-resident while maintaining persistence guarantees. The technology significantly reduces recovery times after system restarts since database contents remain available in persistent memory rather than requiring reloading from storage subsystems.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Enhancement

VxRail systems configured with AC023623 modules demonstrate substantial improvements in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) performance, particularly for persistent desktop deployments and graphics-intensive applications. The persistent memory acts as an ultra-fast swap area for memory-overcommitted hypervisors, reducing the performance impact of memory contention during peak usage periods. User login storms and boot operations benefit from the low-latency characteristics of persistent memory, improving overall user experience and productivity.

Big Data and Analytics Workloads

Big data platforms including Apache Spark, Hadoop, and distributed analytics engines achieve significant performance improvements when leveraging persistent memory technology. The AC023623 modules enable larger in-memory data processing, reducing disk I/O during complex analytical operations. Intermediate processing results can be maintained in persistent memory, providing both performance benefits and resilience against node failures in distributed computing environments. This capability is particularly valuable for real-time analytics applications requiring rapid processing of streaming data.

Error Correction and Data Integrity

The Dell AC023623 incorporates advanced error correction capabilities extending beyond standard DDR4 ECC protection. The module implements both single-device data correction and adaptive double-device data correction mechanisms, providing resilience against multi-bit errors that could otherwise cause data corruption. These enhanced ECC capabilities are particularly important for persistent memory applications, where data integrity directly impacts application consistency and recovery capabilities.

Hot-Plug Capabilities

VxRail systems supporting the AC023623 module implement hot-plug capabilities for persistent memory, allowing replacement or addition of modules without requiring full system shutdown. This capability significantly enhances system availability by enabling maintenance operations during production hours. The hot-plug implementation includes appropriate isolation mechanisms and surprise removal protection, ensuring system stability even during unexpected module disconnections.