DL-380 G8 - 10GB Networking

[GetItRight]

I want to lab test using some DL-380 G8 Servers with 10gb nic cards. I'm hoping to lab test these, then

put one or two in a colocation center and see how much better they perform, before investing in the latest and greatest.

1. What 10gb NIC cards can I use in my DL-380 G8? I will buy used as I play with this setup

2. I have several Procurve 2510g with sfp ports,, and older 3500yl switches..

What SPF/SFP+ modules will work with these switches?

The OS I have is Server 2012. Problems??

Very many thanks for any feedback, or suggest newer generation devices I can afford (haha),

with the goal to be fast as possible with my equipment options.

Bret

[shiva_jr · Accepted solution]

Hi GetItRight,

1) DL 380 Gen8 has models such as DL380p and DL380e. Which model are you using ?

Anyway, commonly used 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapters in DL380 are :

    HP Ethernet 10Gb 2-port NC560SFP+ Adapter     665249-B21

    HP NC552SFP 10Gb 2-port Ethernet Server Adapter     614203-B21

    HP Ethernet 10Gb 2-port 530FLR-SFP+ Adapter    647581-B21

SFP+ (Transceiver):

    HP X132 10G SFP+ LC SR Transceiver J9150A

For the DL380p Gen8, use the SFPs and Network adapters listed in this link -

https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/c04123238?jumpid=in_lit-psnow-red  Page No.26

For the DL380e Gen8, use the SFPs and Network adapters listed in this link -

https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/c04128166?jumpid=in_lit-psnow-red  Page No. 40

2) Only SFP (not sfp+) trancievers will support the 2510 switch series which will support 1G speed.

   https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/c04111642?jumpid=in_lit-psnow-red  Refer Page No. 6

   As per the following document, 3500 yl Switch Series will support the 10G speed. But switch must to upgraded with latest firmware.

   https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c01814544#N10091

Regards,

Shiva

Please mark as 'Accepted solution' if my post worked.
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.

[GetItRight]

Thank you very much for your time and comments.

I will make the most of this.

Regards,

Bret

[GetItRight]

Well, I purchased a couple 10GB nic cards, but while doing more research. Discovered the 3500yl only supports 10GB

via a rear mounted module. This is fine, but not the route I want to take.

The other snag with alot of 10GB vendors is licensing for port/speed usage. Licensing is a show stopper.

In this case I will explore alternate vendors.

That being said, all my switches (30) are older HP Procurve switches that RARELY have issues.. But with 10GB switches, I will have to explore the options further as SFP+ has vendor specific snags and licensing costs are obscure.

Best,

Bret

[GetItRight]

I was able to get my 10gb lab test working as follows.

Servers: Used 2 DL380P G8

OS: Windows 2012 R2

Nic Cards: Used two HP PN: 647579-001 dual SFP+ nic cards. ($15 each on Ebay)

Transceivers: Used 2 ASF-10-T 10Gtek RJ-45 tranceivers ($55.00 each on Ebay)

Switch: Used one TP-Link TL-SX105 10gb RJ45 switch ($269.00 Amazon)

10gb : Copied a 2.5 gb file in 4 seconds (server to server)

1gb :  Copied same file using 1gb nic cards, (server to server) 20 seconds

I understand these servers and cards are relatively old, so I expect newer servers and cards would perform

even better.

I'm a HP switch user period, but wanted to see some data with 10gb and keep costs minimum.

Hopefully will find some digestable HP hardware to put in place going forward.

Thanks to the suggestions and the cummunity for assistance.

Bret