If you are running Dell 14th, 15th, or 16th Generation PowerEdge servers including models like the R640, R650, R740, R750, R760, and more, then you are dealing with iDRAC9 Enterprise, iDRAC9 X5, or iDRAC9 X6 licensing. And in 2025, Dell made those licenses painfully expensive.
For years, upgrading to iDRAC9 Enterprise was straightforward and cost a few hundred dollars at most. Now:
· iDRAC9 Enterprise (14th–16th Gen)
o POS licenses: around $831
o APOS licenses: around $1,039
· iDRAC9 X5 Enterprise (15th Gen) and iDRAC9 X6 Enterprise (16th Gen) now follow the same pricing model, with APOS licenses regularly exceeding $1,000 per server.
What changed?
· Service tag lock-in: Licenses are locked to one specific server and cannot be reused across models.
· After-purchase premium: Dell heavily penalizes customers who wait to add Enterprise later.
· Generational squeeze: These higher prices hit all 14th–16th Generation servers, effectively making it less appealing to extend their lifecycle.
This pricing shift feels less like a market adjustment and more like forced obsolescence, pushing customers to abandon older servers and buy new hardware.
SaveMyServer Workarounds
· Refurbished servers with iDRAC9 Enterprise, X5, or X6 included: Many of our refurbished servers already ship with Enterprise enabled, often costing less than Dell’s standalone license.
· Discounted iDRAC9, iDRAC9 X5, and iDRAC9 X6 licenses: We buy licenses directly from Dell at lower cost, passing the savings on to you. Still, we will be upfront: the days of sub-$100 licenses are gone, and even with discounts you may feel sticker shock.
· Flexible upgrade paths: Need to add remote management to just a few servers? Expanding your rack with new systems? We will help you compare hardware versus licensing costs so you can make the most practical decision for your environment.
The Bottom Line
Dell’s iDRAC Enterprise pricing has gone from a manageable line item to a major budget shock. The $200 upgrade you used to count on is now a $1,000 penalty if you wait until after purchase. Older servers are being squeezed hardest, and the pressure to move to new hardware is stronger than ever.
But you still have options.
At SaveMyServer.com, we are here to help you extend the life of your infrastructure, avoid unnecessary costs, and keep your servers running with the features you need without giving in to Dell’s new pricing trap.
Have questions? Reach out to us in chat or send us an email. We are happy to work with you on iDRAC solutions that make sense for your servers and your budget.
