HP ProLiant

HP ProLiant. The HP ProLiant is a brand of server computers produced by Hewlett-Packard and, following the 2015 corporate split, its successor Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Introduced in the early 1990s, the line encompasses a wide range of form factors, including rackmount, tower server, and blade server configurations, designed for enterprise and data center environments. It is one of the best-selling server families in the world, known for its reliability, integrated management features, and broad ecosystem support.

Overview

The ProLiant series serves as a cornerstone of modern data center infrastructure, supporting critical applications from databases and web hosting to virtualization and private cloud deployments. These systems are engineered for high availability and scalability, often incorporating technologies like hot-swappable components and redundant power supplies. The brand's longevity and market penetration have made it a familiar presence in IT departments globally, from small businesses to large-scale Fortune 500 enterprises and hyperscale computing providers.

Hardware and models

ProLiant servers are categorized into distinct series, each targeting specific workloads and market segments. The ML series comprises tower models ideal for office environments, while the DL series offers dense rackmount servers for data centers. The BL series forms the core of the HP BladeSystem architecture, integrating compute, storage, and networking into a consolidated chassis. Historically, models have utilized Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron processors, with current generations featuring the latest Intel Xeon Scalable processors and AMD EPYC chips. Key innovations include the Smart Array controller for storage, iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) for remote management, and flexible LOM (LAN on Motherboard) options supporting high-speed networking standards like Ethernet and Fibre Channel.

Management and software

A defining characteristic is the integrated iLO management processor, which provides out-of-band control for administration, monitoring, and troubleshooting regardless of the host operating system state. This is complemented by the HPE OneView unified management platform, which automates infrastructure provisioning and configuration across servers, storage, and networking. ProLiant systems come with intelligent provisioning tools and support a wide array of software, including Microsoft Windows Server, various Linux distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and hypervisors such as VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V. The HPE Insight Management suite further aids in lifecycle management and health monitoring.

History and development

The ProLiant brand originated with the 1993 introduction of the ProLiant 1000, a system developed from technology acquired from NetFRAME Systems Inc.. This established HP as a serious competitor in the burgeoning Intel-based server market against rivals like IBM and Compaq. A significant milestone was the 1997 launch of the ProLiant 6500, one of the first servers to feature an Intel Pentium Pro processor. The acquisition of Compaq in 2002 greatly expanded the line, integrating Compaq's popular ProLiant-branded server technology and the Proliant name itself. Subsequent evolution has closely tracked advancements in microprocessor technology from Intel and AMD, while consistently enhancing management capabilities and energy efficiency.

Market impact and competition

For decades, ProLiant has been a market leader in the global x86 server segment, frequently vying for the top revenue or shipment position with competitors like Dell PowerEdge and IBM System x (later sold to Lenovo). Its success helped solidify the dominance of industry-standard servers over proprietary RISC-based systems from companies such as Sun Microsystems and IBM. The brand's deep integration with software partners like Microsoft, VMware, and SAP has made it a default platform for many enterprise applications. In the modern era, it faces competition from Cisco UCS, Supermicro, and the rise of ODM direct sales to large cloud computing firms like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform.

Category:Server hardware Category:Hewlett-Packard Category:Hewlett Packard Enterprise