HP servers

[Razor]

Can anybody help me

I have 5 HP/COmpaq Servers

Compaq Proliant DL360 G1
Compaq Proliant DL360 G2
Compaq Proliant ML370 G1
Compaq Proliant ML370 G2
Compaq Proliant 5500 (G1)

I was wondering if there was a white paper or comparison chart that can tell me

BIOS Versions
Hardware Spec
RILO Cards
Firmware

etc all of the above servers. Also, if you have any idea about any of the above servers that would help

Thanks

[tripper91]

hi razor

i own an ml370 g2. Bios - latest version Ultra 3 from 2004. Processor - dual p3 1.2 GHz, runs server 2003 very smoothly, very loud tho and damm heavy. Ocassionally i get some bad errors but they are "partly" my fault

[David Paris_1]

Do you already have the servers power on?

If so you can run the smart start and save the informations on disk.
But if you have the agents install you can see all the information on Systems Management Page and make all the comparison taht you need

[David Paris_1]

Do you already have the servers power on?

If so you can run the smart start and save the informations on disk.
But if you have the agents install you can see all the information on Systems Management Page and make all the comparison that you need.

Kind Regards.

[Razor]

Unfortunately,
I havent got them powered on.

They are de-commissioned and to be thrown out. But I need to draw up a spec sheet.
which can be used as a comparison.

[David Paris_1]

Well razor,

then you have to power on because i believe that on the lifecycle of the server, you make some hardware and firmware upgrades.

And that don´t came on machine specifications.

I´m sorry but nothing occurs to me to help you on that matter, except what i already told you.

[Razor]

Well. All I was interested in was..How these 5 servers are different than each other.

I know they are G1 and G2's but I am interested on how they are different on Spec's and capabilities and what you cant do in one generation that you can do on the other. Whats Maximum RAM...and Whats Max CPU ?

Powering is not possible as they have been stripped of some essential parts...ie. Hard drives and RILO cards & DIMM's

[Louis Henninger_1 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Probably the best place to start is the "Quick Specs" web page:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/Division/90013.html

On the left side, scroll down to Retired, then drill down to the appropiate HP (Compaq) server model.

Good Luck,

Louis

[Razor]

Thanks Louis Henninger.

Your response has been very helpful.

Does anybody know where I can find out more about the parts in these servers..

My company has mainly HP based servers and I have been asked to learn about the old decommissioned servers to understand how they differ from new ones as part of my hardware training. I come from desktop envirnment and I am trying my best by pulling parts out of these decommissioned server's and looking up Part numbers.
all I am interested in is what they are and what purpose they server..

ie. why does part 171387-001 Have battery? (HP 128MB Battery Backed Write Cache Enabler for ProLiant with Smart Array 641, 642 )

http://www.govconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=5353921

I want to know is there a website that I can use to find out about information on the parts used in these servers?

I also Have a ML370 G3 to the list now. We have so many of these servers and they all will be going to disposed so have limited time to pull them apart and learn.

I tried to power up one of the servers and it didnt..As they quite bulky I wanna leave them as they are just learn about the stuff in them..

Please help

Thanks
Razor.

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hi,

a good reference is the "Maintenance and Service Guide" for each server.
From the HP Home page (or the top of this page), select "Support & Drivers", then type in the name of the server (e.g. Proliant ML370). Then select the model you have.
Then, under "Resources for HP ProLiant ML370 Server series", select Manuals, and look in the list for the Maintenance and Service Guide. This has a complete listing of all parts, as well as "exploded" views, showing what each part is.
Here's the example for the ML370
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual〈=en&cc=us&docIndexId=179911&taskId=101&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=254940

Regards,
Stephen

[Razor]

Thanks Stephen.

I had looked at the same site you mentioned before posting here...

I was hoping there was some one stop website for all server related hardware questions.

An encyclopedia more like. Wish Wiki could answer all my questions. But I am sure there is something out there...

whatis.com is good too but its more resource related.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

If you want to find out descriptions of parts, then your best bet is probably the maintenance and service guides as mentioned previously, or possibly even Partsurfer.

http://partsurfer.hp.com

To answer your question:
> why does part 171387-001 Have battery? (HP 128MB Battery Backed
> Write Cache Enabler for ProLiant with Smart Array 641, 642 )

The Battery Backed Write Cache (BBWC) enables the memory cache on the SmartArray controller to be stored in the event of a power failure. This prevents data loss, as any cached data can be written back to disk when power is restored. Without it, you're limited to read cache which lowers performance.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[Razor]

Thanks Rob Leadbeater for the partsurfer link

I also found out more info on BBWC
http://www.govconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=5353921

it details how long the battery backed write cache will retain the information for...72 hours.. IMHO, not enough for a long bank holiday weekend. But then again...since when do all IT staff disappear at the same time.

Cheers for info though.

I just wondered another thing...
Whats UID button used for? I have noticed its in the front and back...

is it to leave the light on rather than sticking a post it note to indentify it needs patches or attention?

[Rob Leadbeater]

Pretty much yes...

When working in a busy rack, you can press the UID button on the front of the server, which also lights the button on the back of the server, so you know which machine you're working on.

The light can also be turned on remotely which is useful for guiding someone to the right server in the computer room.

Cheers,

Rob