Top Server Brands

Introduction

When setting up the IT infrastructure for a business, choosing the right server is crucial due to its central role in managing and processing essential business operations. The type of server needed can vary greatly depending on the specific tasks it will handle, such as hosting websites, storing data, managing emails, and running applications. Servers ensure that these tasks are performed efficiently, making the selection of the right server a fundamental decision for enhancing business performance and scalability.

Two of the top server brands are Dell and HPE. Dell’s PowerEdge line and HPE’s ProLiant series are the flagship offerings that compete head-to-head in the server market. Both provide robust performance, reliability, and management capabilities, but there are some key differences and similaraites to consider when choosing between them.

Dell PowerEdge: The Powerhouse of Performance

Dell PowerEdge servers, including the latest generation models like the Dell PowerEdge R760 and Dell PowerEdge R660, are the Ferraris of the server world – sleek, powerful, and built for speed. With their advanced thermal efficiency and robust management tools like Dell EMC OpenManage, these servers are the perfect choice for businesses that need to handle heavy workloads with ease. Whether you’re running complex applications, storing massive amounts of data, or simply need a reliable workhorse, Dell PowerEdge servers deliver.

HPE ProLiant: The Chameleon of Scalability

HPE ProLiant servers are the ultimate adaptors in the server world. The latest generation models, such as the HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 and the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11, offer versatile and scalable designs that can adapt to any business need. Whether you’re a startup looking to scale quickly or an enterprise aiming to future-proof your infrastructure, HPE ProLiant servers provide the flexibility and support you require. With a strong focus on hybrid IT and cloud solutions, HPE is the ideal partner for businesses navigating the complexities of modern IT environments.

Differences Between Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant

Choosing the right server is crucial for businesses aiming to optimize their IT infrastructure. Among the leading options, Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant servers stand out, each bringing unique strengths to the table. This detailed comparison will delve into the key differences between these two server brands, providing insights to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your organizational needs.

Performance

Performance is often the top priority when selecting a server. Dell PowerEdge servers have a strong reputation for completing complex workloads quickly and efficiently. In TPC-H benchmarks measuring analytics processing speed, Dell servers outpaced comparable HPE ProLiant models by up to 20%.

A recent Dell whitepaper also found that the Dell PowerEdge R650xs delivers better overall value and relative performance compared to the HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 Plus. So for the most demanding high-performance computing needs, Dell PowerEdge has the edge.

Memory Installation

The process of installing memory and configuring memory interleaving in Dell and HP servers involves some key differences, particularly regarding their respective approaches to memory configuration and interleaving options.

Dell Servers:

• Dell PowerEdge servers support various memory configurations and operating modes such as Optimizer Mode, Advanced ECC Mode, Mirror Mode, Spare Mode, and Dell Fault Resilient Mode. These can be configured in the BIOS settings​
• Dell emphasizes balanced memory configurations to achieve optimal performance. Balanced configurations minimize the number of interleave sets, ideally having only one interleave set to maximize memory bandwidth​ 
• Interleaving memory in Dell servers involves distributing memory accesses across multiple DIMMs, which helps in spreading out memory accesses and increasing overall memory bandwidth. This is achieved by properly populating memory slots to create a single interleave set, thereby avoiding the performance degradation associated with unbalanced or multiple interleave sets​.

HP Servers:

• HP ProLiant servers offer memory configuration options that can be adjusted via the System Utilities in the BIOS. The memory interleaving option can be enabled or disabled, with higher levels of interleaving typically resulting in better performance. However, reducing interleaving levels can save power​​.
• HP provides flexibility in configuring channel interleaving, which can be crucial when using specific memory types like NVDIMM-N. This involves enabling channel interleaving to match the configured system memory, and it can be customized based on workload profiles​.

In summary, both Dell and HP servers support advanced memory configurations and interleaving to optimize performance, but they have different methods and settings for achieving balanced memory configurations. Dell focuses on balanced configurations to minimize interleave sets, while HP offers customizable interleaving settings to balance performance and power efficiency.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Dell Technologies whitepaper on memory population rules and the HPE documentation on enabling channel interleaving:

Raid Controllers

Dell’s PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) and HP’s SmartArray RAID controllers differ significantly in performance, features, and compatibility.

Performance and Latency

• The Dell PERC 12 RAID controller, using the Broadcom SAS4116W chip, offers lower latencies and higher throughput. Tests show up to 60.2% lower update latency and double the operations per second compared to HP’s SmartArray P440ar controller.
• HP’s SmartArray controllers are reliable and perform well but generally have higher latencies and lower throughput than Dell’s PERC controllers in benchmarks.

Supported RAID Levels and Cache

• Dell PERC controllers support RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, with up to 3,200MHz cache memory speed, handling NVMe, SAS, and SATA devices using Tri-Mode SerDes technology.
• HP SmartArray controllers also support RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. Cache memory and performance vary by model, focusing on robust and reliable performance across workloads.

Integration and Compatibility

• Dell PERC controllers integrate seamlessly with Dell PowerEdge servers, optimized for high-performance and compute-intensive applications through Dell’s OpenManage suite.
• HP SmartArray controllers, part of the HPE ProLiant ecosystem, are designed for flexibility and scalability, working well with HPE’s Intelligent Provisioning and management tools.

Reliability & Uptime

Reliability is another critical factor, as server downtime can be very costly for a business. Both Dell and HPE engineer their servers for maximum availability, but real-world results give Dell the advantage here as well.

In a 2017 survey, HP ProLiant servers averaged about 2.5 times more downtime compared to Dell PowerEdge. Many users also anecdotally report fewer issues and failures with Dell servers over the long term.

So while both are very reliable enterprise-grade options, Dell PowerEdge has demonstrated an advantage in real-world uptime metrics. Extensive reliability testing and quality control measures like chassis-level heat and vibration tracking help Dell identify and prevent more potential failures.

Management Software

Advanced management software is essential for monitoring performance, quickly resolving issues, and efficiently administering updates and configurations across the server fleet. Dell offers the OpenManage suite while HPE has its Insight Manager platform.

Both provide core functionality for handling servers remotely, but the capabilities and user experience differ. HP Insight Manager, now rebranded as HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO), is known for a more intuitive interface and snappier navigation.

Dell OpenManage is robust and gets the job done, but the UI can feel more sluggish and takes some time to learn. So HPE has the edge for admins who want the smoothest, most streamlined management experience.

Purchasing Process

The purchasing processes for Dell and HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) servers differ significantly due to their respective sales models.

Dell: Direct-to-Consumer

Dell primarily sells its servers directly to consumers, offering a streamlined purchasing process via its website or sales representatives. This model provides several advantages:

1. Customization: Customers can customize server configurations to their specific needs using the Dell website.
2. Support and Services: Dell provides extensive support options, including on-site service and remote diagnosis, through its ProDeploy services and OpenManage systems management tools, which simplify deployment and management of servers​ (Dell)​​ (Dell)​.
3. Order Management: Customers can track their orders and manage returns directly through the Dell order support portal​.

HPE: Distributor Network

HPE, on the other hand, primarily sells its servers through a network of authorized distributors and resellers. This model involves:

1. Partner Expertise: HPE partners often provide additional value through expertise, local presence, and tailored services, which can be advantageous for customers needing customized solutions and support.
2. Purchase Process: Customers typically work with a distributor or reseller to select and purchase HPE servers. This can involve consultations to determine the best configuration and options for the customer’s needs.
3. Support and Services: HPE provides comprehensive support through its channel partners, offering various service options and support levels depending on the reseller’s capabilities and the customer’s requirements.

The choice between Dell and HPE often comes down to customer preference for direct engagement versus working through a third-party distributor, as well as specific needs for customization, support, and service levels.

Availability

Wait Time for New Servers

• Dell: Generally has shorter wait times due to their robust logistics and direct sales model, often shipping pre-assembled servers quickly.
• HPE: Delivery times may vary more widely depending on reseller involvement and geographic location, but HPE’s network of partners can sometimes expedite the process for certain customers.

How Soon Do Latest Gen Servers Hit Secondary Market?

• Dell: Dell’s latest generation servers tend to become available on the refurbished market relatively quickly due to their direct-to-consumer model and high volume of sales. However, this can make the newest models harder to find immediately after release.
• HPE: HPE partners often get the latest generation servers sooner due to closer reseller relationships. This can make HPE’s latest models available as refurbished options more quickly than Dell’s.

Total cost of ownership is an important consideration that factors in upfront hardware costs along with ongoing expenses like support, power/cooling, and data center space. Dell commissioned a study showing the PowerEdge R710 with lower 3-year TCO than a comparable HP ProLiant server when all these elements are accounted for.

However, the TCO will depend heavily on an organization’s particular needs and environment. For smaller deployments or test/dev use cases, refurbished HP ProLiant servers may offer the best value. But for large production environments running mission-critical workloads, investing in new PowerEdge servers will likely pay off in performance, reliability and efficiency over the life of the systems.

The Verdict: Which Server Reigns Supreme?

So, which server brand comes out on top? The answer depends on your business needs. Dell PowerEdge servers excel in performance, often outpacing HPE ProLiant models, with benchmarks showing up to 20% better performance and superior overall value. Dell’s memory configurations focus on balanced setups to maximize bandwidth, while HP offers customizable interleaving settings for different workloads. Dell’s PERC RAID controllers generally offer lower latencies and higher throughput compared to HP’s SmartArray controllers. Reliability is another strength of Dell, with fewer reported issues and better uptime. Availability favors Dell for faster shipping of new servers, though HPE might get the latest models to the secondary market sooner. Total cost of ownership varies, with Dell showing a potential lower TCO over three years for certain models, but refurbished HP servers might be more cost-effective for smaller deployments. Ultimately, Dell PowerEdge is ideal for raw power and reliability, while HPE ProLiant offers scalability and adaptability, making the best choice dependent on specific organizational requirements.

Where Dell and HP Overlap: Key Similarities in Server Solutions

When choosing between Dell PowerEdge and HP ProLiant servers, it’s essential to understand not only the differences but also the significant overlaps between these two leading brands. Both Dell and HP have established themselves as industry leaders by offering robust, reliable, and versatile server solutions. Here are the primary areas where their offerings converge:

Processors

Both Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant servers support a wide range of Intel processors, specifically the Intel Xeon Scalable series. This series is categorized into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum processors, each offering different levels of performance and features.

1. Intel Xeon Bronze: Designed for entry-level servers, the Bronze series provides basic performance and reliability at an affordable price. It is suitable for small businesses or less demanding applications that do not require high processing power.
2. Intel Xeon Silver: The Silver series offers better performance and energy efficiency than the Bronze series, making it ideal for standard business applications, virtualization, and light data analytics.
3. Intel Xeon Gold: This series is aimed at more demanding workloads, offering higher performance, increased memory support, and advanced security features. The Gold processors are well-suited for large-scale virtualization, medium to large databases, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
4. Intel Xeon Platinum: The top tier in the Intel Xeon family, the Platinum series provides the highest levels of performance, scalability, and reliability. These processors are designed for critical applications, artificial intelligence (AI), real-time analytics, and intensive computing tasks that require maximum processing power and memory capacity.

By supporting these Intel Xeon processor tiers, both Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant servers ensure they can meet a wide range of business needs, from small-scale operations to large enterprise environments​

Operating Systems

Both server brands support a variety of operating systems, including different versions of Windows Server, various Linux distributions, and VMware for virtualization. This makes them versatile for different IT environments and applications

Dedicated Support Services

Both Dell and HPE provide premium support services to help enterprise customers minimize downtime for their critical hardware:

24/7 Access to Technical Support

Dell ProSupport Plus and HPE Proactive Care both offer around-the-clock priority access to their technical support teams, ensuring customers can quickly get expert assistance when hardware issues arise.

On-Site Support and Fast Parts Replacement

A core feature of both services is the ability to dispatch technicians on-site and deliver replacement parts promptly when needed. Specific response times vary based on the service level agreement.

Proactive Monitoring and Automated Support

Both Dell and HPE leverage advanced monitoring tools (SupportAssist and Remote Support Technology, respectively) to proactively identify potential issues and initiate automated support actions.

Designated Support Managers

For customers with extensive deployments, Dell provides a Service Account Manager (for 500+ ProSupport Plus systems) while HPE offers a remote Technical Account Manager as part of Proactive Care Service.

Online Resources and Collaborative Software Support

ProSupport Plus and Proactive Care grant access to a wealth of self-service resources via online portals, including knowledgebases, documentation, and software updates. Both also offer collaborative support with leading third-party software vendors.

While some specifics differ, Dell ProSupport Plus and HPE Proactive Care provide comparable enterprise-grade support designed to minimize downtime and quickly resolve issues for critical hardware.

Source-Tech Systems: Your Go-To Server Supplier

At Source-Tech Systems, we’re equipped to help you make the right decision for your business. With a comprehensive inventory of both new and refurbished Dell and HP servers, we can customize server solutions that align with your business objectives. Whether you’re upgrading your existing infrastructure or building new capabilities, partnering with us ensures that your IT investments are both powerful and future-proof. So why wait? Choose the right server brand for your business today.