HP ProLiant DL380p Innovative technologies in HP ProLiant Gen8 servers - Page 3

Introduction This technology brief describes several new technologies we have implemented in HP ProLiant Gen8 servers. This generation of servers represents a leap in innovation and they address the complex management challenges that IT administrators are facing today. We increased or optimized the performance of all major subsystems in ProLiant Gen8 servers. Our servers use the latest multi-core Intel Xeon processors based on the Intel Core Microarchitecture Sandy Bridge. Sandy Bridge EP processors provide greater integration and improved bandwidth interfaces (QuickPath Interconnect, memory, and PCI Express), resulting in almost 2x higher overall system performance than Nehalem-EP processors. We are also introducing HP SmartMemory in ProLiant Gen8 servers. SmartMemory is HP Qualified Memory that operates at a 25% faster bus rate than third-party memory at the same voltage. Our SmartMemory also uses 20% less power while achieving the same performance as third-party memory. HP FlexibleNetwork Adapters for ProLiant Gen8 deliver significant value for our customers. Most of our FlexibleNetwork Adapters support the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) standard to improve the accuracy and synchronization of time-sensitive transactions. We also embedded thermal sensors in these adapters to optimize cooling for improved reliability and reduced power consumption. We implemented Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) technology on our new gigabit and 10Gbase-T rack and tower adapters to reduce power usage significantly during periods of low data activity. We offer powerful I/O solutions for demanding storage-centric applications that require performance, capacity, and resilience. HP Smart Array Controllers, HP SmartDrives, HP Host Bust Adapters, and HP I/O accelerators deliver high performance and allow you to grow storage capacity as needed by supporting more drives and RAID levels. Because power costs can account for more than 50% of a data center's OPEX budget, we developed the most efficient power supplies in the industry: HP Common Slot Platinum Plus Power Supplies and Common Slot 48VDC Common Slot Power Supplies. We also enhanced thermal monitoring with Sea of Sensors 3D technology to reduce fan power consumption significantly. ProLiant Gen8 servers integrate server management, power management, and firmware and system software management into a seamless experience across the server lifecycle. The HP iLO Management Engine is a major innovation that makes such lifecycle management possible, and it is standard on all ProLiant Gen8 servers. When you deploy ProLiant Gen8 servers in our new Intelligent Series Racks along with HP Discovery Services-HP Power Discovery Services and HP Location Discovery Services-our innovative technologies work together immediately. Before you power on the servers, HP Power Discovery Services maps the power connections for each server and detects common wiring errors that can cause server failures. Power Discovery Services also provides each server's power consumption data to HP Insight Control power management software. This allows you to monitor and control the power consumption of an entire rack of ProLiant Gen8 servers. HP Location Discovery Services eliminates the tedious tasks of manually entering server locations in HP Systems Insight Manager and HP Insight Control. Processors We use Xeon E5-2600 series processors in 2P ProLiant Gen8 servers and c-Class server blades. These processors use hafnium-based, 32 nm Hi-k metal gate silicon technology and are based on the Intel 3