HPE Gen10/Gen11 compatibility with FreeBSD

[mschelle]

Dear all,

ihac who is using FreeBSD since years. Now he needs to buy a new server and the workload profile would just fit right on the DL345 Gen11/Gen10 Plus.

Does anyone of you have RL experience in using FreeBSD on ProLiant servers? Is it possible or just a nightmare? Should the customer just switch to sth else (like Ubuntu)?

TIA,

Matthias

[Vinky_99]

@mschelle 

Good day!

I do not have much info, but I can provide you with some general information.

HPE has a long-standing tradition of supporting FreeBSD on their server platforms, and many users have successfully deployed FreeBSD on ProLiant servers.

HPE provides official support for FreeBSD on certain ProLiant server models, including compatibility matrices and drivers specifically tailored for FreeBSD. It's important to check the official HPE documentation, and website, or contact HPE support directly to verify the specific compatibility of FreeBSD with the DL345 Gen11/Gen10 Plus servers.

Before making a decision to switch to another operating system like Ubuntu, it's worth considering the following factors:

>> Ensure that your specific workload requirements are well-supported and optimized on the alternative operating system you're considering.

>> If the IHAC has been using FreeBSD for years and is familiar with its administration, switching to a different operating system might involve a learning curve and potentially additional effort.

>> Confirm that the alternative operating system supports all the hardware features of the DL345 Gen11/Gen10 Plus servers, including RAID controllers, network adapters, and other specialized components.

>> Consider the availability of software packages, community support, and resources for troubleshooting and maintenance on the alternative operating system.

Ultimately, the decision to switch operating systems should be based on a thorough evaluation of these factors and the specific needs and preferences of the IHAC and their organization.

[mschelle]

Dear @Vinky_99 

Thank you very much for your answer.

I really did not know about any official support of FreeBSD since all we could find was the official support of Red Hat or SUSE Linux. Neither could we find any official support for FreeBSD in the "service pack for ProLiant".

HPE Japan website only refers to a possible boot up of Free BSD regarding Micro Server Gen8 and Gen 10, DL325 et al.

There is no official HPE compatibility list mentioning FreeBSD. Red Hat, SUSE, centOS, Ubuntu: yay. FreeBSD: nay

This is why we are just a little bit confused.

Thanks again and best regards.

[Vinky_99 · Accepted solution]

@mschelle 

I apologize for any confusion caused. It appears that the information regarding official FreeBSD support on HPE ProLiant servers might not be as readily available or well-documented as it is for other operating systems like Red Hat, SUSE, CentOS, or Ubuntu. While HPE has historically supported FreeBSD on their server platforms, the level of official documentation and compatibility lists may vary.

In cases where official documentation is not available or clear, it's advisable to consider alternative sources of information and community experiences. The FreeBSD community is active and vibrant, and there are likely users who have successfully deployed FreeBSD on HPE ProLiant Gen10/Gen11 servers.

You can explore FreeBSD user forums, mailing lists, or community websites to find specific experiences and recommendations from users who have used FreeBSD on similar HPE server models. Their insights can provide valuable information about any potential challenges or workarounds.

Additionally, contacting HPE support directly can help clarify the level of support and compatibility for FreeBSD on the DL345 Gen11/Gen10 Plus servers. HPE support should be able to provide specific guidance and address any concerns or questions regarding FreeBSD compatibility.

[TVVJ]

Hello,

You may refer to section "Standard Features > Operating Systems and Virtualization Software Support for ProLiant Servers" on page 10 of the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 server's QuickSpecs, and page 9 of the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen10 Plus server's QuickSpecs for a list of supported Operating Systems.

This indicates that firmware and drivers have been developed for them specifically, with the exclusion of others.

Regards,

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @mschelle,

Let us know if your concern has been addressed.

If you have no further query and you are satisfied with the answer then kindly mark the topic as Solved so that it is helpful for all community members.