General |
| Q1. |
How is the new ProLiant BL30p different from the ProLiant BL20p blade series? |
| A1. |
The main differences between the BL30p series and BL20p series are density and internal storage. The BL30p server blade is twice as dense (16 blades per 6U blade enclosure) while the BL20p features Universal hot-plug SCSI hard drives. |
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| Q2. |
How many BL30p blades I can deploy in a standard rack? |
| A2. |
Up to 96 BL30p server blades can be installed in a standard 42U rack in a fully redundant power configuration using the 1U Power Enclosure. Using the 3U Power Enclosure up to 80 BL30p server blades can be installed in a standard 42U rack in a fully redundant power configuration. See the QuickSpecs and the Overview and Planning Whitepaper for details on blade system power configurations. |
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| Q3. |
Can I mix BL30p server blades in the same enclosure with other p-Class blades? |
| A3. |
Yes. All BL p-Class server blades, including the BL20p series, BL40p series and the new BL30p series share the same network interconnect options, share the rack-centralized power system and can be installed in the same blade enclosure in many different combinations. To support the new BL30p double-dense blade, the server blade enclosure must have the enhanced backplane components. See the ProLiant BL p-Class Server Blade Enclosure and the ProLiant BL p-Class Overview and Planning Whitepaper for detail on the server blade enclosure with enhanced backplane components. |
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| Q4. |
How is the new ProLiant BL30p server blade installed in a server blade enclosure? |
| A4. |
The new ProLiant BL30p server blade is installed in a blade enclosure by the use of the HP BladeSystem p-Class Blade Sleeve (shared with the BL35p.) Each sleeve holds two (2) BL30p server blades and installs in a single bay in the enclosure. Up to eight (8) sleeves can be installed in the enclosure and each sleeve holds two blades for a total of sixteen (16) ProLiant BL30p blades per 6U enclosure. It is possible to mix BL35p and BL30p server blades within the same p-class blade sleeve as both server blades utilize the same dual-port fibre channel adapter option kit (HP P/N: 354054-B21.) |
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| Q5. |
What infrastructure components need to change to support the new ProLiant BL30p? |
| A5. |
The new ProLiant BL30p uses all of the existing BL p-Class infrastructure components (interconnects, power enclosures, power distribution and the diagnostic station), but requires the new server blade enclosure with enhanced backplane components. An installed server blade enclosure can be upgraded with the new backplane components (server blade enclosure upgrade kit option). Alternatively, a server blade enclosure with the enhanced backplanes already installed can be ordered direct from the factory. |
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| Q6. |
What is different about the new server blade enclosure with enhanced backplane components? |
| A6. |
The new server blade enclosure with enhanced backplane components has two key differences. First, it provides support for all current and future BL p-Class server blades, including the new BL30p. Second, the server blade iLO network connections are accessed via a single, physical port on the rear of the enclosure rather than on the interconnects. This greatly simplifies cabling and provides network cable reduction to patch panel as well as interconnect switch users. Note that the blade iLOs continue to maintain independent IP addresses. |
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| Q7. |
Do I need to buy a new server blade enclosure to support the new BL30p server blades? |
| A7. |
No. An upgrade kit option is available that includes the enhanced backplane components needed to upgrade an installed server blade enclosure to a new one that supports all blades, including the new BL30p. The upgrade kit option also contains a new server blade management module with the single, physical iLO port for remote management cable consolidation. |
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Software |
| Q1. |
Which operating systems does the new BL30p support? |
| A1. |
All ProLiant BL server blades, including the BL30p, support Windows and Linux operating systems. For an up-to-date listing of supported operating systems and versions, please visit our OS Support Matrix. |
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Deployment and Management |
| Q1. |
Can I use the Local I/O cable with the BL30p server blade? |
| A1. |
Yes. The Local I/O cable is included with each blade enclosure with enhanced backplane components and is also included with the most recent BL20p G2 server blades. The BL30p has the Local I/O cable icon on the bezel to indicate where the I/O cable is installed. When installed the Local I/O cable provides external connectors for iLO, USB, serial and video. |
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| Q2. |
How do the ProLiant server deployment tools work? |
| A2. |
The optimal way to deploy server blade software is via the Insight Rapid Deployment software (RDP) solution. RDP is a central console-based deployment tool that makes it easy to rapidly configure many servers and server blades via images and/or scripted installs. RDP also includes traditional DOS-based scripting tools that are currently part of the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit, giving ProLiant customers more flexibility. |
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| Q3. |
Is there a deployment white paper and a data center preparation guide? |
| A3. |
Yes, the ProLiant BL p-Class Overview and Planning whitepaper that provides an overview of the ProLiant BL p-Class server blades, network interconnect options, power sub-system, Fibre Channel SAN connectivity options, and management tools, as well as provides guidance for site planning.Also refer to the HP ProLiant BL System Common Procedures Guide and HP ProLiant BL System Best Practices Guide. |
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| Q4. |
What HP tools can be used to manage the ProLiant BL30p server blades? |
| A4. |
The ProLiant BL line was designed to use all the same management tools as traditional ProLiant servers. The ProLiant BL line is optimized for use with the Insight software Foundation and Value Packs (including Insight Rapid Deployment software and HP Systems Insight Manager) and HP OpenView. The rack visualization feature in HP SIM for the ProLiant BL30p server blades will be available with a subsequent version and is not available with Insight Manager 7. |
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| Q5. |
How can ProLiant BL p-Class servers be managed remotely? |
| A5. |
Each BL p-Class server blade has Integrated Lights Out (iLO) with Advanced Pack features. Each server blade iLO has a dedicated 10/100 NIC for remote access. |
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| Q6. |
How are the interconnect switches managed? |
| A6. |
A browser-based interface and scriptable command line interface (CLI) are provided to configure, manage, and monitor the interconnect switch on a per port basis. Any combination switch ports can be disabled, enabled, and configured and monitored as required. Out-of-band and in-band access is supported locally and remotely from anywhere on the network. Additional management features include:
- Fault detection and monitoring of switch functionality with through Insight Manager 7, System Insight Manager, HP OpenView, and other SNMP managers
- Access the browser-based interface through the provided local Ethernet ports or via any uplink port
- Access the CLI through the provided serial console port or via a Telnet session over the network
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