[Kevin OBrien]

As StorageReview expands our enterprise test lab, we're finding a greater need for additional latest generation servers; not just from a storage perspective, but from a more global enterprise environment simulation perspective as well. As we test larger arrays and faster interconnects, we need platforms like the HP DL380p to be able to deliver the workload payload required to these arrays and related equipment. Additionally, as PCIe storage matures, the latest application accelerators rely on third-generation PCIe for maximum throughput. Lastly, there's a compatibility element we're adding to enterprise testing, ensuring we can provide results across a variety of compute platforms. To that end HP has sent us their eighth-generation (Gen8) DL380p ProLiant, a mainstream 2U server that we're using in-lab for a variety of testing scenarios.

HP ProLiant DL380p Gen8 Server Review

[geshel]

I wish HP's online configurator was better. Honestly it's a complete mess. They list a dozen different models, some are "configurable" and some aren't. The page that does list the configurable models doesn't give any indication what number of drive trays are included.

I just want to know if this server is available with 25 SFF drives - there's one line on one page that makes me think it is, but I can't seem to find a configuration that actually supports that.

[Kevin OBrien]

It took a bit of work to find, but here is the configuration page for the 25 SFF model:

http://h71016.www7.h...ID=19701&SBLID=

[geshel]

Ah, thanks!

[Mkruer]

I have the 360G8p and the 380G8p I cant comment on the performance but from a lab installation side, the new rail system sucks. Its horribly thought out. The way the new rails are designed you literately need two people to install a 1u system.

This post has been edited by Mkruer: 01 August 2012 - 10:07 AM

[Brian]

The rails work well but you're right, it's very difficult to guide the server in back to front with one person. We always use two just to be sure we don't drop it. That said, those rails are still better than others we have in the lab right now.

[geshel]

The rails they shipped with the DL180 G5? I think it is are actually just little shelves. They install easily but the fact that the server will fall on the floor if you unwittingly pull it out a bit too far. . .and this is an 80-pound server. . .

[Mkruer]

The Best rails for me were the
HP Standard 2U Universal Rail Kit (359254-001) same rails for 3 generations
HP 1U Universal Rail Kit (364691-001) also lasted for 3 generations (actually more because the same inner rails were used back to the G2)

What made them awesome was you could mount them into a rack even if the rails were not extended and they had a auto guide for insertion. It was for all intents an purposes a one person job even for a 2U box, and mounting up an entire rack was very quick. The new rails in comparison are flimsy $#!^ I have seen from IBM, Dell and Sun. The only issue that I had with the old rails were the removal in tight places. I would require you to manually push in the rails, but it you were experienced in using the rails you would bump out the unit below a bit to use it as a rest to remove the unit above. Honestly the only way I could see them improve the older rails were was to add a multi- stage pull out so the rails would not fully telescope if you didn’t need them to.

And this is why the new rails suck! Its a 1u box and now you need two people to correctly mount it. Each person on each side must make sure it snaps into place correctly. I have seen people almost drop the systems because of the new rail design.
https://www.youtube....h?v=-4XUWsrOsKQ

Sorry about derailing this thread! And yes that is a pun

This post has been edited by Mkruer: 02 August 2012 - 02:17 AM

[Brian]

Railing against rails is derailing the thread? No.....I think we can all rally around rail reveling.

[ehorn]

Hey Kevin,

Hopefully these will be suitable hosts to test those high-speed flash arrays with...

A few questions:

What riser configuration did you guys go with?
How many Mellanox FDR HCA's are you planning on cramming into it?
When Mellanox was out, did they bring an FDR switch (or 2) for you guys to play with?



Thanks for any insights into coming configurations.

This post has been edited by ehorn: 02 August 2012 - 10:57 AM