hp proliant dl360p Gen8 - which 10Gb card to buy?

[javapowered]

I'm using HP DL360p Gen8 for HFT trading (part number 646902-421)

I care about latency, I want to by-pass network stack (UDP at least, probably TCP too).

So I have to upgrade network card.

I want to buy three things:

- a network card (Mellanox or Solarflare)

- two transivers to connect to 1 Gb Ethernet network.

- RHEL self support (as cheap as possible)

What exact part numbers should I buy to be sure they are compatible with my server?

[SandyK]

@javapowered 

Thank you for your post. Below I have listed the networking cards, transceivers, and RHEL self support that are compatible with your HP ProLiant DL360p Gen8.

Refer to page 8 of this Data Sheet for Mellanox network cards for ProLiant DL Gen8 servers. Here are the part numbers you're looking for:

649281-B21

649282-B21

649283-B21

Also refer to this list of HP branded Solarflare Adapters. Here are the part numbers you're looking for:

718939-B21

718935-B21

718904-B21

717491-B21

728987-B21

728992-B21

Here is the full list of Networking Adapters that are compatible with the HP Proliant Gen8. Select Category > Networking Adapters.

Here is the transceiver that will connect to 1 Gb Ethernet network. The part number is MFG#AW537A 

The RHEL self support Quick Specs will show you the options that are compatible with your server. Go to page 2 for a list of part numbers. The RHEL Product selector should help you in finding the most appropriate option. Then you can chose a model from the RHEL self support options page. 

Let me know if this gets you what you're looking for. I'd be happy to connect offline if you need more help in making your decisions or purchasing any of these products. 

[javapowered]

Thanks, SandyK!

I would like to go with 718904-B21

But how did you know that http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product/sku/10213506/mfg_partno/AW537A is compatible with 718904-B21 ?

Why not using, for example, http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product/sku/3872903 ?

According to spec 718904-B21 doesn't support 1 GB Ethernet connection at all, there are no compatible transiviers. As I understand it likely will work, but this is not guaranteed by HP at all. So probably I better to buy SFN6122F, because at least it officially supports 1000BASE-T

Or probably it's possible to find HP-Mellanox card which officially should work with 1000BASE-T and have compatible transivier?

If HP DL360p Gen8 supports http://www.solarflare.com/Content/userfiles/documents/Solarflare_Onload_SFN6122F_10GbE_Adapter_Brief.pdf network card, Solarflare guy told me that this is EXACTLY the same to 718904-B21 (except for branding and warranty etc.)

RHEL - I don't want to buy support at all, but HP Linux is sold with at least 1 year of support. Should I just buy "self-support" 349$ RHEL on http://www.redhat.com/ and then just install http://h17007.www1.hp.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/products/service_pack/spp/index.aspx#tab=TAB4

[SandyK]

Hi javapowered,

Great questions - I am syncing up with our product team to get you more detailed answers. Please sit tight and I'll be back shortly with more information. I'm also going to send over a private message so I can get you in touch with someone who has specific expertise in this area. It is best if you talk to someone directly.