642106-001 HPE Proliant DL380p G8 2x Intel Xeon E5-2650 2.0GHz 32GB DDR3 8 Core Rack Server

Product Overview of HPE 642106-001 8 Core Rack Server

The HPE ProLiant DL380p Generation 8, identified by part number 642106-001, represents a definitive milestone in HPE's server lineage. This 2U rack-mountable workhorse was engineered to deliver exceptional performance, robust reliability, and unmatched manageability for critical data center workloads. 

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: 642106-001
• Product Type: ProLiant DL380p Gen8 2U Rack Server

Technical Information

• Model: Intel Xeon E5-2650
• Speed: 2.0 GHz
• Cores: 8 (Octa-core)
• Cache: 20 MB per processor
• Installed Units: 2
• Supported Units: 2
• Hyper-Threading Enabled
• QuickPath Interconnect: 8 GT/s
• Architecture: 64-bit
• Chipset: Intel C600

Memory

• Installed RAM: 32 GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Maximum Capacity: 768 GB
• Standard: DDR3-1600 / PC3-12800
• Slots Available: 24 DIMM
• Configuration: 4 × 8 GB Registered Modules
• Card Reader: Secure Digital (SD) Supported

Storage

Drive Bays

• Standard: 8 × SFF SAS/SATA Bays
• Optional Expansion: Up to 16 × SFF SAS/SATA Bays
• Optical Drive: DVD Writer

Controllers

• Controller: Smart Array P420i
• Interface: SATA-300 / SAS 2.0
• RAID Support: 0, 1, 5, 10, 50
• Buffer Size: 2 GB
• Form Factor: PCI Express 3.0 ×8

Integrated Controller

• Model: Matrox G200
• Type: Onboard Graphics

Connectivity Features

• Integrated Network Adapter
• Ethernet Ports: 4 × 10 Gigabit
• Controller: HP 331FLR
• Protocols: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
• Remote Management: Integrated Lights-Out 4
• Features: Wake-on-LAN, PXE Boot
• Standards: IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.1q, 802.3ab, 802.1p, 802.3ad (LACP)

Expansion & Interfaces

Expansion Bays

• 1 × Slimline 5.25in Front Bay
• 8 × Hot-Swap 2.5in SFF Bays

Expansion Slots

• 24 × DIMM Slots (20 Free)
• 2 × CPU Sockets
• 2 × PCIe 3.0 ×16 (Full-Length, Full-Height)
• 3 × PCIe 3.0 ×8

Interfaces

• 1 × Serial RS-232 (DB-9)
• 2 × VGA (Front & Rear)
• 4 × RJ-45 Ethernet Ports
• 1 × Management Port

Power

Supply & Redundancy

• Hot-Plug Power Supply
• Redundancy Scheme: 1+1
• Installed Units: 2
• Supported Units: 2
• Voltage: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
• Output: 750 W

Compatibility

• Oracle Solaris
• Microsoft Windows Server
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)

Included Accessories

• High Voltage Power Cord
• Cable Management Arm
• HP Ball Bearing Rail Kit

Physical Measurements

• Width: 17.6 in
• Depth: 27.5 in
• Height: 3.4 in

Understanding of HPE 642106-001 ProLiant DL380p Rack Server

The HPE 642106-001 ProLiant DL380p Gen8 stands as a quintessential workhorse in the lineage of enterprise rack servers. Representing the pinnacle of the Generation 8 series from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, this 2U form factor server was engineered for performance, reliability, and manageability. The specific configuration with dual Intel Xeon E5-2650 processors, 32GB of DDR3 memory, and integrated networking exemplifies a balanced and powerful setup ideal for a wide array of business-critical applications. This category encompasses servers designed for virtualization, database hosting, mail and collaboration servers, and mid-tier ERP/CRM deployments. Its enduring popularity in the secondary market is a testament to its robust design and continued relevance in handling demanding workloads.

Core Architectural Overview

The 642106-001 DL380p Gen8 is built upon HPE's "Proactive" architecture, which introduced significant advancements in intelligence, automation, and performance over previous generations. It moves beyond reactive management to systems that can anticipate and prevent issues. This architecture integrates server intelligence directly into the hardware through the iLO 4 management engine and smart array controllers, creating a cohesive and self-aware platform.

Intelligent System Design

Every component in the DL380p Gen8 is designed for maximum efficiency and uptime. From the advanced error-correcting memory to the hot-plug, redundant power and cooling systems, the server is built for 24/7 operation in data center environments. The chassis layout optimizes airflow for cooling high-performance components while maintaining serviceability, with tool-less access to most internal parts.

Chassis and Form Factor

The server utilizes a standard 2U (3.5-inch) rack-mountable chassis. This height provides an optimal balance between compute density and expansion capability. It allows for substantial internal storage and PCIe expansion while still fitting a significant number of servers in a single rack. The front panel is dominated by drive bays, with status LEDs and essential controls, while the rear provides access to power supplies, network interfaces, and expansion slots.

Processing Power: Dual Intel Xeon E5-2650 v2

At the heart of this configuration are two Intel Xeon E5-2650 processors. This CPU model is part of the Ivy Bridge-EP family, a significant step forward in performance and efficiency for enterprise workloads.

CPU Specifications and Capabilities

Each E5-2650 is an 8-core processor with a base clock speed of 2.0 GHz. With Hyper-Threading technology enabled, each core can handle two instruction threads simultaneously, presenting the operating system with 16 logical processors per socket. With two physical CPUs, the system offers a total of 16 cores and 32 threads. This massive parallel processing capability is ideal for multi-threaded applications like virtualization, where running numerous virtual machines requires abundant concurrent execution resources.

Cache and Power Profile

The processors feature a 20MB shared Level 3 cache, which helps reduce latency for frequently accessed data. They operate at a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 95 watts, balancing performance with energy consumption. The inclusion of technologies like Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 allows the cores to dynamically increase clock speed beyond the base frequency when thermal and electrical conditions permit, providing bursts of speed for demanding tasks.

Platform Compatibility

These CPUs utilize the LGA 2011 socket (Socket R) on the HPE C602 chipset motherboard. The platform supports a multi-processor configuration with QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) links, ensuring high-speed communication between the two CPUs and the chipset, crucial for maintaining performance in a dual-socket setup.

Memory Subsystem: 32GB DDR3 SmartMemory

The memory configuration of 32GB DDR3 SDRAM provides substantial capacity for running multiple applications and virtual machines. The DL380p Gen8's memory architecture is designed for speed, reliability, and fault tolerance.

DDR3 Technology and Performance

The server utilizes PC3-12800R (Registered DDR3-1600) memory modules. The "R" denotes Registered (or Buffered) DIMMs, which include a register on the module to reduce electrical load on the memory controller, allowing for higher capacities and more stable operation with fully populated memory channels. The 1600 MHz data rate offers high throughput for memory-intensive applications.

Memory Architecture and Fault Tolerance

The system board features 24 DIMM slots, arranged across both CPUs to optimize bandwidth. This specific 32GB configuration likely utilizes either four 8GB DIMMs or eight 4GB DIMMs. HPE's SmartMemory includes advanced features like online spare memory, where a designated DIMM can be activated to replace a failing module without downtime, and mirroring, which duplicates data across two sets of memory for ultimate reliability (similar to RAID 1 for memory).

Expansion Potential

With 24 slots available, the memory is highly expandable. The platform officially supports up to 1.5TB of DDR3 memory using 64GB LRDIMMs, though practical configurations often range from 128GB to 768GB. This immense headroom allows the server to grow alongside business needs, particularly for in-memory databases or dense virtualization hosts.

Networking: Integrated 1GbE 4-Port 331FLR Adapter

Network connectivity is critical for any server. This configuration includes the HPE Ethernet 1Gb 4-port 331FLR FlexibleLOM adapter, providing versatile and high-density network interfaces directly from the system board.

FlexibleLOM Technology

The FlexibleLOM (FLR) form factor is a proprietary HPE design that offers more flexibility than traditional embedded NICs or standard PCIe add-on cards. The FLR module plugs into a dedicated slot on the motherboard, saving a PCIe slot for other expansion cards while still allowing the network interface to be upgraded or changed if requirements evolve.

Port Configuration and Features

The 331FLR adapter provides four independent copper Gigabit Ethernet ports. These ports support teaming (link aggregation) for increased bandwidth and redundancy, VLAN tagging for network segmentation, and are fully compatible with advanced virtualization features like VMware vSphere's vMotion and Microsoft Hyper-V's Live Migration. The inclusion of four ports allows for sophisticated network designs, such as separating management, production, storage, and backup traffic onto dedicated physical links.

Network Management and Offloading

The adapter includes TCP/IP offload engines to reduce CPU overhead for network processing. It is fully supported by HPE's Intelligent Provisioning and integrated management tools, allowing for consistent driver and firmware updates. For environments requiring 10 Gigabit connectivity, the FLR slot can be populated with various 10GbE or even converged network adapters (CNAs) that support both Ethernet and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE).

Storage, Expansion, and Internal Systems

While the core listing specifies CPU, memory, and networking, the DL380p Gen8 platform offers extensive storage and expansion capabilities that define its category as a highly flexible enterprise server.

Storage Controller and Drive Bays

The server typically comes standard with an HPE Smart Array P420i controller. This is a RAID controller with 1GB of FBWC (Flash-Backed Write Cache), which is battery or flash-backed to protect data in cache during a power loss. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 6, providing performance and redundancy for attached drives. The DL380p Gen8 supports multiple drive configurations: the SFF (Small Form Factor) model houses up to 25 x 2.5-inch hot-plug drives, while the LFF (Large Form Factor) model supports up to 12 x 3.5-inch hot-plug drives.

PCIe Expansion Slots

The server features up to 7 PCIe 3.0 expansion slots (specific number can vary by riser configuration). PCIe 3.0 offers double the per-lane bandwidth of the previous generation, benefiting high-performance add-in cards such as additional network adapters, host bus adapters (HBAs) for SAN connectivity, GPU cards, or specialized computing accelerators.

Power and Cooling Systems

The DL380p Gen8 is renowned for its efficient and redundant power system. It supports either two or four hot-plug power supply units (PSUs), typically in the 460W, 750W, or 1200W range. These are Platinum-rated for high energy efficiency. The cooling system is comprised of multiple hot-plug fans arranged in a redundant bank. The fans are dynamically speed-controlled by iLO 4 based on system temperature, reducing power consumption and acoustics during low load.

Security: iLO 4 Advanced

A defining feature of the Gen8 series is the Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) management processor, which sets the standard for remote server management.

Remote Administration Capabilities

iLO 4 provides complete remote control over the server, independent of the operating system state. Administrators can power the server on/off, mount virtual media (ISO images) over the network, and access a remote console (keyboard, video, mouse) as if they were physically in front of it. 

Security Features

Security is integrated into the hardware. iLO 4 supports role-based access control, secure shell (SSH), and SSL/TLS encryption for all remote sessions. It also integrates with Active Directory for centralized authentication. Additional security features include secure boot, which helps prevent unauthorized operating systems or malware from loading during the boot process, and silicon root of trust.

Use Cases and Application Suitability

The specific configuration of the HPE DL380p Gen8 with dual E5-2650s and 32GB RAM positions it perfectly for several key enterprise workloads.

Virtualization Host Platform

This is one of the most common applications. The 16 cores/32 threads provide ample vCPUs for virtual machines. With 32GB of RAM, it can host a substantial number of VMs for a small-to-medium business or act as a node in a larger cluster for a medium enterprise. Compatibility with VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix Hypervisor is excellent, and features like iLO 4 integrate well with these hypervisors' management suites.

Database and Application Server

For mid-tier database servers like Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, or PostgreSQL, the balanced configuration offers strong performance. The CPU power handles queries efficiently, and the 32GB of RAM can be configured as database buffer cache to speed up operations. The reliable RAID storage and redundant components ensure high availability for business applications.