All,
I figured I'd start here given my goal is to turn a T7500 into a remoteapp server running 2012 with RemoteFX enabled, and when it comes to servers, this is the place to go.
Here's my issue; before I go out and build a frankenT7500 for my 'lab' (shoestring budget), I would really like to know if it'll actually do what I want after all is said and done. My goal is to install server 2012 on the W/S as a Hyper-V host with RemoteFX enabled so I can provide a 'rich end user experience' over the WAN.
Here's what I need to do it;
1. A DirectX 11.1 capable graphics card - Check (I have a Quadro 4000)
2. A CPU with execute disable bit (XD bit) and Intel-VT - Check - Most 55xx & 56xx Xeons have it according to ark.intel.com (more on that in a second)
3. A 'server' with "enable extended page tables" as an option in the bios (Question #1 - does the T7500 have this option in the bios? could someone please jump into their BIOS and actually confirm?)
4. A CPU with SLAT (aka Extended Page Tables, aka Intel VT-x with EPT aka Second Level Address Translation) - (Question #2 - Can someone who has a T7500 with a 55xx or 56xx CPU please run coreinfo to confirm and post the results so I for sure pick the right CPU)
Before anyone points to ark.intel.com w.r.t. the CPUs and says intel says it's not in there, note that intel introduced EPT in its Nehalem arcitecture, of which the 45nm 55xx series Xeons belong.
Also, here's the back story; about three months ago before I decided I absolutely had to try RemoteFX, I confirmed both my current rigs' CPUs supported EPT [precision 690 w/ dual 5160s & PE2900 III w/ dual L5420s]. I'll emphasize that when I checked ark.intel.com it stated they BOTH supported it, so I bucked up and got a quadro 4000. Guess what, a couple months and a lot of frustration later I checked again and guess what, intel changed its site to show it is not supported. Read the disclaimers third from the bottom of the page on the L5408; it's there for a reason. Before you get there, notice that as of today, It STILL shows the L5408 as supporting EPT. Incidentally, it also states that the x5560 does not support it, but here's a benchmark by VMWare that shows otherwise.
In short, I am really looking for someone who has a T7500 to check under the hood and confirm whether it'll run server 2012 and allow me to use RemoteFX. Even better, I'd love it if someone else managed to do this on a T7500 b/c that'd be GREAT to know.
Here's a post on technet that goes into me trying to determine performance with server 2012's software GPU, and it's not looking good.