When it comes to enterprise servers, the HPE ProLiant DL385 series has been a staple for businesses requiring robust, reliable, and high-performance computing solutions. This comprehensive analysis delves into the specifics of the Gen10 Plus and Gen11 models to outline their capabilities and identify the advancements made with each new generation.

Processor and Performance #

• Gen10 Plus: Armed with up to the third generation AMD EPYC processors, these servers are designed to handle virtualization and resource-intensive tasks with ease, supporting up to 64 cores per processor.
• Gen11: Showcases the latest fourth generation AMD EPYC processors, offering up to 128 cores and improved performance per watt, essential for data center efficiency and handling demanding workloads.

Memory and Storage #

• Gen10 Plus: Supports up to 8 TB of DDR4 memory with speeds up to 3200 MT/s, and offers flexible storage options including NVMe for high-speed data access.
• Gen11: Expands memory support to up to 6 TB of DDR5 memory, operating at 4800 MT/s, and enhances storage with support for EDSFF drives and PCIe Gen5.

Expansion and I/O #

• Gen10 Plus: Features PCIe Gen4 slots for data transfer and networking, marking a significant upgrade from previous generations.
• Gen11: Advances further with PCIe Gen5, providing higher data transfer rates and network speeds, crucial for AI, ML, and big data applications.

Security Features #

• Gen10 Plus: Includes comprehensive security features such as UEFI Secure Boot, Secure Start support, and an immutable silicon root of trust.
• Gen11: Enhances security with the HPE Silicon Root of Trust and AMD’s Infinity Guard, offering a secure edge-to-cloud security mechanism.

Management and Automation #

• Gen10 Plus: Equipped with HPE iLO Standard for Intelligent Provisioning and HPE OneView Standard for cloud-based management.
• Gen11: Introduces HPE iLO 6, offering advanced remote management and monitoring services, including hardware component authentication and security protocol enhancements.

Power Efficiency #

• Gen10 Plus: Designed with energy efficiency in mind, offering halogen-free power supplies with redundancy and hot-plug capabilities.
• Gen11: Further improves energy efficiency with the new AMD EPYC processors, which provide better performance per watt.

Key Specifications Comparison #

In conclusion, the Gen11 model represents a significant leap forward in performance, memory capacity, storage options, and security features, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to future-proof their infrastructure. The Gen10 Plus, while still a formidable server, offers a more cost-effective solution for organizations with less demanding performance requirements.