HPE server model selection
HPE Server Selection Guide #
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) offers a comprehensive range of server products designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses, from small enterprises to large data centers. This guide explores the major HPE server series, their models, and the specific use cases for each, helping you make informed decisions when selecting HPE servers for your organization.
1. Introduction to HPE Server Portfolio #
HPE’s server portfolio includes general-purpose servers, high-performance computing systems, and composable infrastructure solutions, ensuring a fit for every need. Below is a high-level overview of the main server series offered by HPE:
- HPE ProLiant Series: Ideal for general-purpose workloads.
- HPE Apollo Series: Designed for high-performance computing and AI applications.
- HPE Synergy Series: Composable infrastructure that allows for flexible and dynamic resource allocation.
- HPE BladeSystem Series: Modular servers designed for dense environments and efficient power usage.
2. HPE ProLiant Series #
2.1 Overview #
The HPE ProLiant series is one of the most versatile server product lines, offering both rack-mounted and tower servers. These servers are known for their reliability, scalability, and ease of management, making them the first choice for businesses looking to build robust IT infrastructure. The ProLiant family is divided into three main categories:
- ProLiant DL (Density Line): Rack-mounted servers optimized for high-density environments.
- ProLiant ML (Modular Line): Tower servers offering flexibility and expandability.
- ProLiant MicroServer: Compact servers designed for small businesses or remote offices.
2.2 ProLiant DL (Density Line) #
The ProLiant DL series is HPE’s flagship rack-mounted server line, optimized for data centers and enterprise applications requiring high density and scalability.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Storage Options | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 | 2U Rack | 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 8TB DDR5 | Up to 20x EDSFF or NVMe drives | $3,313.67 |
| HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 | 1U Rack | 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 4TB DDR5 | Up to 10x SFF or NVMe drives | $2,643.67 |
| HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen11 | 1U Rack | 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 2TB DDR5 | Up to 4x GPUs or NVMe drives | $3,608.92 |
Key Features: #
- Form Factor: Available in 1U and 2U sizes, designed to maximize performance in a dense environment.
- Scalability: These servers support a wide range of workloads, from virtualization to databases.
- Security: Built-in silicon root of trust for enhanced security.
Use Cases: #
- Data Centers: Ideal for virtualization, containerized applications, and general-purpose workloads.
- Enterprise Applications: Suitable for running business-critical applications like ERP, CRM, and large databases.
2.3 ProLiant ML (Modular Line) #
The ProLiant ML series offers tower servers that are flexible and expandable, making them suitable for small to medium-sized businesses and remote offices.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Storage Options | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE ProLiant ML110 Gen11 | Tower | 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 1.5TB DDR5 | Up to 8x LFF or 16x SFF drives | $2,034.57 |
| HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen11 | Tower | 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 8TB DDR5 | Up to 24x LFF or 48x SFF drives | $3,316.52 |
Key Features: #
- Scalability: These servers can be easily upgraded with additional memory, storage, and networking as business needs grow.
- Flexibility: Ideal for small businesses needing a balance of performance and expandability.
2.4 ProLiant MicroServer #
The HPE ProLiant MicroServer is a compact and affordable server designed for small businesses or remote offices. It offers a simple yet effective solution for basic server tasks, such as file sharing, printing, and small-scale virtualization.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Storage Options | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 | Tower | AMD Opteron X3000 | Up to 32GB DDR4 | Up to 4x LFF drives | $499.99 |
3. HPE Apollo Series #
3.1 Overview #
The HPE Apollo series is designed for high-performance computing (HPC) and big data environments. These systems handle the most demanding workloads, including AI training, scientific simulations, and large-scale data processing. Apollo systems offer dense, scalable solutions that can be customized to fit specific performance and workload requirements.
3.2 Apollo 2000 #
The Apollo 2000 system is a flexible, dense platform designed for HPC and AI workloads. It allows for multi-node configurations within a single chassis, providing high performance while optimizing space and power efficiency.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE Apollo 2000 Gen10 Plus | 2U Rack | 2x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 3TB DDR4 | Multi-node architecture, ideal for HPC and AI workloads |
3.3 Apollo 6000 #
The Apollo 6000 series is tailored for large-scale environments requiring massive computing power. It supports thousands of cores within a compact footprint, making it ideal for organizations dealing with intense computational tasks.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE Apollo 6500 Gen10 | 4U Rack | Up to 8x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 4TB DDR4 | GPU support for AI and deep learning |
4. HPE Synergy Series #
4.1 Overview #
HPE Synergy is a composable infrastructure platform designed for modern data centers, offering modular combinations of compute, storage, and networking in a flexible, scalable system for large enterprises.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Modular Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE Synergy 480 Gen10 | Modular | 2x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 3TB DDR4 | Supports various compute, storage, and network modules |
| HPE Synergy 660 Gen10 | Modular | 4x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 6TB DDR4 | High-performance for mission-critical workloads |
5. HPE BladeSystem Series #
5.1 Overview #
The HPE BladeSystem series is a modular blade server solution designed for space-saving and energy efficiency. These servers are typically used in data centers and large enterprise environments, supporting high-density deployments and centralized management.
| Model | Form Factor | Processor Support | Max Memory | Storage Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE BL460c Gen10 | Blade | 2x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 3TB DDR4 | Up to 2x SFF drives |
| HPE BL660c Gen10 | Blade | 4x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 6TB DDR4 | Up to 4x SFF drives |
6. High-Level Use Cases #
6.1 Small Businesses #
For small businesses, HPE’s ProLiant ML series offers excellent expandability and performance, making it ideal for running essential applications and supporting business growth.
6.2 Enterprise Workloads #
For enterprises, selecting the right server depends heavily on the specific workloads they need to support. HPE’s ProLiant DL and Synergy series are particularly suited to these environments due to their high performance, scalability, and reliability.
