LH3 , what is great, not so great about it?

[jack schluckbier]

we have just taken over responsibility for a HP NetServer LH3. What can anyone say that is good or bad about it. I have no experience with this server. Anyone's response would be greatly appreciated.

[Terri Harris]

The Netserver LH3 has been a real workhorse for HP - one of our most popular and enduring Netserver models. I expect you will get plenty of input from non-HP folks, so I will provide some relevant links for LH3 information.

Home page for the LH3:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Home.jsp?locale=en_US&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=50448

Recommendations for this page: Under SELF-SUPPORT:

Specifications
Manuals
Compatibility

Note: The integrated dual-channel NetRAID is most equivalent to the NetRAID-3Si controller.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

[David Holbrook]

I suspect you also did not get any documentation or CD's with the servers (standard practice it seems, they are always lost!). If so, I would recommend downloading the "HP NetServer LH 3/LH 3r Quick Service Reference guide" and the "HP NetServer Product Line Service Reference Guide, Volume 2 Mid Range." These are excellant resources, and you can search on the HP site (these are discontinued items, but available) for the "NetServer LH3" to find these and other documents on the LH3 series. The servers are real workhorses, and very solid. If you have to rebuild them, you will need to download all the SCSI drivers, etc from HP for the OS you are using. You did not say what OS you are running, but I run NT 4 SP6 on all mine and they run months at a time before I need to take them down for anything. The Service Ref Guide has all the diagrams and part numbers you need to identify replacement parts, if needed. Good Luck,

David

[Gordon Black_2]

I have used and managed LH3 Netservers for years and found them very reliable. So far I have never had a power supply fail back like the fact that I can install 4 supplies in the server for failure protection. They will only accept 1G of memory so that maybe considered a downside but it would really depend on your application. I use the as file and print servers and 1G memory works just fine. I have never liked the hinged cover found on the LH3r or rack mount versions as it is weak and awkward especially if you do tape back up every day. I ordered new bezels which fit the free standing NetServer or LH3 models and replaced all of my LH3r bezels. These bezels look better too. These servers tend to be very heavy so moving them or racking them requires lots of help. It is very easy to get inside one to install memory, I/O cards, etc. I did try running one once as a workstation with mixed results as never could get a sound card to install correctly. Didn't try very hard as needed more as a server anyway. HP took cooling of components very seriously on these models which maybe why I have had so few problems such as reliable drives, power supplies, etc. Only problems that I recall was once I bought a couple remanufactured units and needed HP to come out, under warranty, and replace a drive cage on one and a system board on the other. After that they worked flawlessly. All of the new units never had any sort of problems with the exception of tape drive failures but that is normal and should be expected of any tape drive in any server. I have since found a few on eBay and bought them for use as my home servers because I liked them so much. Again the downside here is weight will make shipping cost high but I bid low enough that I could cover the shipping and still be ok with total cost. They are starting to get a bit long in the tooth by now so if you need really fast performance for things such as a application server you might do better, but if you want a great, reliable file server these things are fine.