What type Proliant server for upgrade?

[Mott Given]

I'm doing a capacity sizing for an upgrade of a few Windows servers, to size replacement machines for servers more than 3 years old. Of the Proliant BL, DL, and ML servers, which would have the most current technology (or is a newer line of Proliant servers just around the corner)? What are the criteria for deciding whether to get a BL, DL, or ML server for the upgrade?

Mott Given

[Martin Breidenbach · Accepted solution]

Short version:

BL = Blade

... if you neet LOTS of servers that don't need much storage

DL = Density

compact rack-mountable servers that don't need much rack space

ML = Maximum

tower or rack mountable servers with maximum internal storage

Then there are the 1xx/3xx/5xx/7xx series.

3xx = workgroup / max 2 cpus
5xx = bigger / max 4 cpus
7xx = even bigger / max 8 cpus
More info here:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/platforms/index-dl-ml.html