HP launches four systems for SMEs
HP has announced four ProLiant server systems aimed at the small to mid-range market that have a range of options, including a "lights out" capability.
The first of these systems, the HP ProLiant DL180 G5, is a compact 2u, two-processor server with Intel quad-core, and three PCI-E slots with optional redundant power supplies. It can carry up to 12 large form factor hot plug drives and has 9TB of storage.
The HP ProLiant DL185 G5 has the same compact format, and is intended for mail and messaging, video capture, online gaming and high-performance computing. It has up to 14 large form factor hot plug drives, 10.5TB of storage, dual network interface cards (NICs), three PCI-Express slots and optional redundant power supplies.
And the HP ProLiant DL165 G5 has the capacity to accomodate four 3.5-inch hard disk drives for larger applications.
Smaller than the DL165 G5, the ProLiant DL160 G5 is available now, as is the DL185 G5.
Both the DL165 G5 and the DL160 G5 are intended for small to medium-sized businesses that require high-performance computing environments but have little space, said HP, and come in 1u format.
The DL185 G5 starts at £1,025, and the HP ProLiant DL160 G5 at £699. Pricing for the DL165 and the DL180 will be announced when they become available, which is expected to be by the end of the first quarter.
Along with the new systems, HP announced products that will "address continuity, security and efficiency", the company said. HP Midmarket Business Solutions are intended to "cut the time and effort needed" to create or upgrade critical business applications on the servers. These will be available with product "blueprints" and tools for small to medium-sized businesses.
HP has collaborated with Microsoft and Citrix to create HP Midmarket Business Solutions for ProLiant entry-level servers. These include embedded Sata Raid and Lights-Out additions to ProLiant servers through use of the Citrix Access Essentials, tools for Microsoft Exchange Server and ProLiant Partner Kits.
Meanwhile, HP is adding several new features to its line of HP Lights-Out 100 management processors. These features include virtual DVD-ROM support, which allows businesses to access DVD-ROMs remotely, and virtual USB 2.0 media support, which allows remote data transfer.
Lights-Out 100i Advanced Pack, Lights-Out 100i Select Pack and Lights-Out 100c Remote Management Card allow companies to access and secure remote control for the ProLiant 100 series servers.
The Lights-Out 100i Advanced Pack is priced at £119 per licence; the Lights-Out 100i Select Pack at £59 per licence; and the Lights-Out 100c Remote Management Card at £119. The Lights-Out systems are intended to complement the HP blade systems for SMEs intoduced last year.