HP launches next-gen Proliant servers

HP is launching its new generation of servers today along with extra management tools in its bid to be the leaders in the new Nehalem age of products.

The Proliant G6 server line will incorporate 11 new tower, rack and blade platforms which HP said are customer led with a focus on "energy efficiency, virtualisation and automation".

Christine Reischl, senior vice president and general manager for Industry Standard Servers (ISS) at HP, said: "IT budgets are shrinking whilst user demand continues to grow. Our new platforms change rules, break rules and create new economic rules in this difficult financial environment."

One of the energy efficient measures the servers will incorporate is the "HP Sea of Sensors". The 32 thermal sensors are placed throughout the equipment and then sense which parts need cooling, optimising the right use of fans and removing unnecessary flat cooling of all parts. As well as saving power and in turn reducing cost, it also reduces noise letting a server be placed in an office environment.

Another measure is the choice of four different power supplies. Rather than having a large capability power supply and only using a small amount, HP is offering four strengths of supply making the process of powering equipment more efficient.

Also available is dynamic power capping that puts a pre-set cap on the power equipment can use, preventing the risk of power surges and the ability to double server capacity.

David Matthews, ISS Business Unit manager for HP, said: "Three years ago, the focus was all about performance. Now it is about green, efficient savings and we believe you can save 50 per cent in power and 25 per cent in admin costs by using our new line."

The company is offering three new service options, as well.

'Proactive Select' is a credit card option of services, where the customer can buy credits for services such as health check, but are no longer locked into a package and can swap and change services.

'Inside Remote Control' is a "watchdog" type service that comes free with purchase and offers automated notifications if something in the system goes wrong.

Finally there is a 'Migration' package that sucks up the image from previous servers and translates it to a new one - useful if your business has several branches.

The products will be ready to ship from April.

Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.