NetServer E 800 compatibility with Windows Server 2003

[Pierfrancesco de Martis]

I am requested to install Windows Server 2003 on a dual processor NetServer E 800 (that meets and exceeds system requirements). It is configured with two SCSI disks connected to its Symbios Logic 896 22910 PCI SCSI adapter, one NetServer 10/100TX PCI LAN adapter, and an ATI Rage XL PCI display adapter. Is it possible and advisable? Are all the needed Win2k3 drivers available? TIA

[Sean T. Craig · Accepted solution]

Hi TIA,

HP hasn't certified this server to run Windows Server 2003, but that doesn't mean it won't work. HP is not writing any new drivers for the Netservers so it is recommended you use the native O/S drivers for the SCSI controller.

The NIC driver should be downloaded from the Intel website. Do a search in the download section for Pro 100 and from the list of results, choose "Pro 100+ Management Adapter".

HP does recommend that if you are going to run Server 2003, make sure the System BIOS is up to date. You can download 4.06.18 PQ from here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/CoreRedirect.jsp?targetPage=ftp%3A%2F%2Fftp.hp.com%2Fpub%2Fsoftlib%2Fsoftware1%2Fns2091%2Fns-10135-1%2Fe800_bios18_en.exe

Let us know how it goes,

Sean T. Craig Sr. C.E.T., M.C.P.

[Pierfrancesco de Martis]

Thank you very much for your quick and comprehensive reply. If the final decision is that the upgrade has to be performed, I'll post the results.

[Kishor Patel]

Was the upgrade performed?

[Pierfrancesco de Martis]

Not yet, but it should take place within the end of November.