I am a technical manager and have technicians who go out to schools and look at their network. We have two servers that are linked to a SAN and run virtual servers to form a cluster. This is done so that the servers will always stay on even if one of them goes off.
Technical Manager at Hi-Impact Consultancy
Reliable and affordable servers with many add-on components available
Pros and Cons
- "In regards to the components that you can put into the servers, I feel that HP provides a wider variety of parts in comparison to Dell. For example, there is the ILO which is a network cable that goes into the server and reports back with an abundance of information about the server, even when it is off."
- "On the software side, I would like for the management of the server overall (including reviewing its health) to be a bit easier. Right now, we have something that sits on the server to make sure all hardware drivers and other thing are up to date. This is a pain to set up."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
In regards to the components that you can put into the servers, I feel that HP provides a wider variety of parts in comparison to Dell. For example, there is the ILO which is a network cable that goes into the server and reports back with an abundance of information about the server, even when it is off.
What needs improvement?
I do not believe that improvements need to be made on the hardware side.
On the software side, I would like for the management of the server overall (including reviewing its health) to be a bit easier. Right now, we have something that sits on the server to make sure all hardware drivers and other thing are up to date. This is a pain to set up.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for a couple of years.
Buyer's Guide
HPE ProLiant DL Servers
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about HPE ProLiant DL Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I like the stability. There are rarely any issues with the servers.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable solution and I am able to put as much RAM in as I want.
How are customer service and support?
We have not needed to contact support as most issues are able to be resolved by our in-house team and have yet to be severe enough to need to contact support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not complex and took about half a day for one technician to set up. We have one technician who looks after the servers, but there is not much that needs to be done to them in regards to maintenance. Over holiday breaks we perform maintenance checks to ensure that everything is working properly.
What about the implementation team?
We bought the server and desired bits and then had an in-house hardware technician come and put in the bits and install the service software on it through the ILO.
What was our ROI?
We are able to get a few years out of the servers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I like the price of this product and the add-on components. It is cheaper than Dell and is a one-time hardware purchase with minimal ongoing costs.
What other advice do I have?
It is important to note that on some of the servers, you can only insert 2.5 inch drives, so, maximizing the SSDs may be a bit expensive.
Other than that, I would advise working with HP because they have reliable products that rarely have any issues and, when there are issues, they are easily resolvable by us. In the rare event that we cannot fix it, we are able to make returns at no additional costs.
Overall, I would rate the DL Servers a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT manager at Koleksiyon
A stable and scalable storage solution that provides a very good return on investment
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is stable."
- "The product must provide time travel features."
What is our primary use case?
The solution is used for storage.
What is most valuable?
The solution is stable. I have not had any problems with it.
What needs improvement?
The product must provide time travel features. Oracle Flashback Database provides such features. If there’s an error, we can travel back in time and revert it. If someone imports a wrong request, we can ask the system to go back in time so that the system has no problem. Backup and recovery are the most important features.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the tool’s stability a nine out of ten. We had a problem three years ago. We fixed it. It’s normal for such issues to occur.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The tool’s scalability is adequate for our company. We have 150 users in our organization. It is not extensively used. We do not have plans to increase the usage. We might migrate to the cloud in the future.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used IBM. It was very expensive and was not scalable.
How was the initial setup?
The solution is deployed on-premises. Our organization bought and installed the solution, and we use it.
What was our ROI?
The return on investment is quite good.
What other advice do I have?
I have little knowledge about hardware. I recommend the solution to others. Overall, I rate the tool a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
HPE ProLiant DL Servers
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about HPE ProLiant DL Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Software Engineer at Es'hailSat
It has a fast IO, which we need for the database supporting our monitoring tools
Pros and Cons
- "Our monitoring tool has a database, so we need a server with a fast IO."
- "In Qatar, HPE doesn't have as much support as Dell. I would recommend Dell if given the option because it has a solid local presence."
What is our primary use case?
The ProLiant server is where we install our monitoring tools. We are only utilizing about half of its total capacity. We need to install more memory and other hardware to maximize our usage. We're close to the minimum. We have around 20 users for this project across two departments.
What is most valuable?
Our monitoring tool has a database, so we need a server with a fast IO.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using ProLiant servers for three years
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The server hasn't failed in three years. Typically, it takes about five years before the power supply or hardware fails.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We configure the server as a standalone. It's not clustered to scale out. We are only just scaling up by installing additional RAM and other hardware as necessary.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
At my old company, we used HPE's Blade server.
How was the initial setup?
It's straightforward but requires a little more configuration than Dell because this HPE has an ILO where you can run an independent operating system. A system integrator deployed the server, which took less than a day. Our deployment and maintenance team consists of four engineers and one manager. We followed the installation guide and the standard steps for installing a Windows operating system.
Configuring the ILO operating system added some additional steps that weren't required with Dell. It's running Windows 7 ILO, a step higher than Dell's operating system.
What was our ROI?
I believe we have seen a return. However, the software accounts for the large cost, so ROI is difficult to calculate from a hardware perspective.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
HPE ProLiant servers are priced about the same as Dell's, maybe a little more.
What other advice do I have?
I rate HPE ProLiant servers nine out of 10. I would recommend them if you live in an area where HPE has a strong support presence. In Qatar, HPE doesn't have as much support as Dell. I would recommend Dell if given the option because it has a solid local presence.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
SCADA & Telemetry Engineer team manager (Industrial supervision) at Air Liquide
It provides redundancy, flexibility, and compatibility with operating systems.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are redundancy, flexibility, and compatibility with operating systems.
How has it helped my organization?
The cost and the user experience are two of the main benefits.
What needs improvement?
In the next release, I would like to see more redundancy of the CPU. That would be great.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. We have had it for more than ten years, for several generations of the product. It's a very stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The first version was not so scalable. Today’s versions are very scalable. We are very, very happy with this new version.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have a maintenance contract for support from the HPE team around the world. We don't use it so much because the solution is very stable. When we do use it, the quality depends on the country. For example, in France, it works very well. However, when we try it in China, it can be a little bit tricky.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used another solution from another company. However, the cost vs. benefit was not so good. For that reason, we switched to HPE services.
How was the initial setup?
I was involved with the setup. It was very easy to apply.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
What other advice do I have?
When selecting a vendor, it's good to have a real relationship in order to get a reliable, ascertainable, and a flexible solution. With this solution, you can close your eyes and you can use it because it's a very stable and personable tool. There is a real relationship between HPE and the customer, and they support you during all the steps you take.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Core Funder at O4AI
It's a cost-effective solution that's easy to configure
Pros and Cons
- "HPE service in Taiwan is quick and professional, and ProLiant is cost-effective compared to Dell. Dell is good for one or two servers, but HPE is cheaper than Dell for a large deployment. Cost is the most important thing in the market."
- "ProLiant servers could be more scalable. For example, some models can only contain four hard drives, but many of our customers expect six. If they were to add another extendable hard drive slot, it would be easier to sell the servers to our customers."
What is our primary use case?
We use ProLiant servers for Enterprise Asset Management services.
What is most valuable?
HPE service in Taiwan is quick and professional, and ProLiant is cost-effective compared to Dell. Dell is good for one or two servers, but HPE is cheaper than Dell for a large deployment. Cost is the most important thing in the market.
What needs improvement?
ProLiant servers could be more scalable. For example, some models can only contain four hard drives, but many of our customers expect six. If they were to add another extendable hard drive slot, it would be easier to sell the servers to our customers.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used ProLiant servers for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate HPE ProLiant servers nine out of 10 for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate HPE ProLiant eight out of 10 for scalability.
How are customer service and support?
I rate HPE support nine out of 10. I'm happy with them. They are knowledgeable and professional.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use Dell, but we mostly choose HPE servers because of price and stability. I'm currently only selling one Dell server model. It's hard for me to compare the two because I'm not as familiar with Dell.
I sell HPE most of the time, so I'm more comfortable with HPE's stability. I'm not as familiar with Dell's model in the same price range. I tend to sell HPE unless the customer prefers Dell for some reason. I can't make a fair comparison.
How was the initial setup?
I rate ProLiant servers nine out of 10 for ease of setup. The installation is straightforward. Most clients only need to give me a server name and IP address. After that, you need to configure virtualization if the customer wants that. They need to do the configuration training.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
HPE is more popular with my clients because of the price. They will generally go with HPE unless another brand in the market can offer the same specs cheaper with the same stability and service quality. Our customers are generally happy with HPE's price.
What other advice do I have?
I rate HPE ProLiant DL servers nine out of 10. I'm satisfied with the product.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator / Reseller
IT Manager at a construction company with 10,001+ employees
Strong, easy to manage and monitor, and have very few failures
Pros and Cons
- "This is all I've ever used. These servers are strong, and they have very few failures on them. They are also easy to manage and monitor."
- "They are pretty solid servers, but, just like all servers, they become obsolete after some time. They can maybe provide a console to monitor the health of the servers. There should be some kind of console to which you can log in to remotely check on the health of a server, even when the server is off. The servers that we have are only scalable to some extent. They have got a limited amount of hard drive that you can insert. Their scalability should be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We have installed VMware on DL Server, and the operating system sits on this DL Server host.
What is most valuable?
This is all I've ever used. These servers are strong, and they have very few failures on them. They are also easy to manage and monitor.
What needs improvement?
They are pretty solid servers, but, just like all servers, they become obsolete after some time.
They can maybe provide a console to monitor the health of the servers. There should be some kind of console to which you can log in to remotely check on the health of a server, even when the server is off.
The servers that we have are only scalable to some extent. They have got a limited amount of hard drive that you can insert. Their scalability should be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for more than ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
They are pretty stable servers. The hardware failures are very minor. We do have one or two hardware failures but very far spaced. The major failures are mostly operating system failures, but on the hardware, they have been working pretty well.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
They are scalable to some extent. For instance, you can only put a specific amount of hard drive on the base. You can insert the hard drives of a limited size, which makes them not very scalable. This could be dependent on the servers that you have. There are probably models that are more scalable than what we have.
We have about 200 people on the site, and they use it on a daily basis.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have not contacted them. We didn't have any major issues to escalate. The few issues that we had were easily resolvable. You can also use online support to check. There are quite a number of people using these servers. You can share problems and get some advice from someone who has faced the same problem before.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We will be switching to a combination of Cisco and Dell EMC. For computation, it will be Cisco, and for storage, it will be Dell EMC. The main reason for this switch is group policy. The group has decided that we move from HP and use Cisco with EMC Storage.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is a simple process. The old ones used to have a CD that would guide you through the process. Newer ones should also have a system where you go step-by-step and install your operating system and configure it.
What about the implementation team?
I deployed it myself. I got servers from a company and then installed and configured them. All servers were not deployed at once. I deployed just one server at a time. Typically, deploying a server, including the operating system and everything else, takes less than two hours. I also do the maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Proliant DL Servers have a reasonable cost. They are not as expensive as the Cisco servers. Everything is included when you purchase a server. You just have to install and configure it.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend these servers. I would rate HPE ProLiant DL Servers a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr IT Analyst at Bayer Pharmaceuticals
Scalability, rapidness, and computing are valuable features.
What is most valuable?
The scalability, rapidness, and computing are actually very good. It's a Gen9 server that we've been working with, so it is pretty good.
How has it helped my organization?
The benefit is that they're pretty reliable. Reliability is pretty much what we need.
What needs improvement?
There is need to improve the iLO support. There's a management part of the server that they've improved and that was a big deal.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is very stable and the support is very good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is very good. We were able to move from the servers and upgrade them very easily. It has worked very nicely and is serving generation to generation over the years, so it is pretty good.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support was very good. We have a pretty decent relationship; we have a four-hour onsite repair.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We've tried other products and have had some issues in the past. However, HPE has been the most reliable solution.
How was the initial setup?
We have different locations; in my location, I was involved in the setup. It was pretty straightforward.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We have used IBM and Compaq back in the day.
For us, an important factor while selecting a vendor is that the actual company backing the product. We know that we're a company that has been around a long time in the industry.
What other advice do I have?
You would be foolish not to be looking into HPE. A lot of their products seem very interesting and they are very useful in our field.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
System Administrator at a financial services firm with 51-200 employees
Has good product roadmap but responsiveness needs improvement
Pros and Cons
- "The solution's deployment was easy."
- "There are concerns about the HPE team in the Southeast Asia region, suggesting a need for improvements in terms of responsiveness. There have been instances where the response time was slow, causing challenges during urgent situations. Its stability also needs to improve."
What needs improvement?
There are concerns about the HPE team in the Southeast Asia region, suggesting a need for improvements in terms of responsiveness. There have been instances where the response time was slow, causing challenges during urgent situations. Its stability also needs to improve.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the product for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't received any complaints about the tool's stability. It works properly in a five-year lifetime.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the solution's scalability an eight out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
The product's competitor is Dell.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's deployment was easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution's pricing is high. It needs to be more flexible. The flexibility would be beneficial for our clients, especially in a competitive market. Adding additional features and addressing complex requirements on top of the price can be challenging for us as a reseller.
What other advice do I have?
In project tenders, system requirements are specified, including the number of cores, storage, and personnel needed. The information is shared with the HPE team to prepare a BQ specifying the server model to be used. The tool is a good physical server.
The choice of server category or type is not specific and varies case by case. Customers may initially purchase higher servers than their immediate requirements, anticipating future use cases. It's a complex decision and depends on individual circumstances.
The product's roadmap seems to be good. Its deployments are mostly on-prem due to government regulations.
The product is purchased specifically for security solutions, not for the entire data center stack. It is recommended for medium to enterprise-level customers.
I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
Buyer's Guide
Download our free HPE ProLiant DL Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2024
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