It's in the name: ProLiant is ReLiable
November 25, 2019
It's in the name: ProLiant is ReLiable
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with HPE ProLiant DL
Our server infrastructure is based on ProLiant hardware. We use a mix of blade and rack servers and currently have a wide range of hardware including some older stuff that isn't in frontline/production, but is still reliable enough to use for other purposes. Most of our usage is for VMware ESXi, but we also have a few domain controllers, one backup server, and a few file servers attached to MSA shelves in service as well.
Pros
- Remote management is excellent. The newest iLO software is really good and has more than enough options to satisfy most datacenter needs.
- Uptime! These machines just keep trucking and don't need much care and feeding, even with mechanical drives where they're used.
- Centralized management is a breeze.
- Provisioning has been good for some time and has gotten even better recently.
- Security is good and very rarely are the units in need of an urgent security update.
Cons
- iLO Advanced - I feel like this is just a money grab. Give me the remote features, at least the remote console, with the purchase. I'd be OK with paying for the advanced license for more centralized functionality, but straight remote sessions? That should just be there.
- Software entitlements and online interaction are a little wanting. This isn't the hardware per se, but enterprise products are often heavily tied to online services and tools and that could be a lot better.
- In a 3-4 year span, we've had maximum uptime and zero or near-zero interruption to services and platforms.
- In cases where we've engaged HPE support, they've been exceptional. I think we had one incident where a tech did not appear as promised (within the contract window) and when this was pointed out HPE made it right and had someone onsite ASAP.
- Lowered cost of operation - we basically buy these and let them depreciate out. Properly spec'd, there's very little need to open them up for any reason.
I came from a Dell shop to an HPE shop. The PowerEdge series are good systems but I was never a fan of the iDRAC remote management component. I realize that this is subjective, but I also feel like firmware updates were more painful with Dell's servers. UEFI has leveled this somewhat, but I think HPE hardware is easier to deploy and manage. This is even more true once a unit is placed in production service.
Do you think HPE ProLiant DL delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with HPE ProLiant DL's feature set?
Yes
Did HPE ProLiant DL live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of HPE ProLiant DL go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy HPE ProLiant DL again?
Yes
Using HPE ProLiant DL
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- iLO Remote Management is great! It's my favorite feature by far.
- Installation and mounting are excellent and the product feels built to last. Racking and installation is simple with these units and zero tools are required in most cases.
- Hardware maintenance and replacements are easy because the server is designed with this in mind. The worst problem I face most days is not having enough cable length, forcing me to carefully unplug everything on the rare occasion a box needs to be cracked open.
- The basic iLO license has morphed into a money grab. You can watch a system boot, then it boots you once it enters the loaded OS. That seems ridiculous.
- Storage controller cache battery is hard to get to on some models.
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