P02873-B21 HPE DL560 Gen10 6230 128GB-R P408i-a 8SFF Rack-mountable Server

HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 Server

The HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 (P/N: P02873-B21) represents a pinnacle of HPE's compute engineering, designed for the most demanding virtualized, database, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. As a 4-socket (4P) platform in a compact 2U rack form factor, it delivers exceptional core density and memory bandwidth, making it an ideal cornerstone for data center consolidation and performance-critical applications. This specific configuration—featuring Intel® Xeon® Scalable 6230 processors, 128GB of memory, and advanced storage controllers—is engineered for IT organizations requiring a balance of formidable raw power, enterprise reliability, and future-ready scalability within standard rack constraints.

Positioned within the broader category of HPE's industry-leading ProLiant server family, the DL560 Gen10 addresses a critical niche. It bridges the gap between the more common 2-socket workhorses and the expansive, specialized 4-socket and 8-socket towers. For businesses whose workloads are outgrowing dual-processor systems but who wish to avoid the cost and footprint of larger platforms, the DL560 Gen10 offers a compelling, right-sized solution. Its architecture is meticulously crafted to mitigate the thermal and power challenges inherent in packing four high-performance processors into a 2U chassis, leveraging HPE's innovative thermal design and intelligent power management.

Detailed Technical Specifications & Configuration

The P02873-B21 configuration is a carefully curated system built for robust enterprise deployment. Understanding its components is key to evaluating its fit for specific data center needs.

Processor & Computational Architecture

At the heart of this system are two Intel® Xeon® Gold 6230 processors (installed in a 4-socket capable system, leaving two sockets open for future expansion). This 2nd Generation (Cascade Lake) Scalable Processor features 20 cores and 40 threads per CPU, operating at a base frequency of 2.10GHz (with a max turbo frequency of 3.90GHz). With two CPUs installed, this configuration provides a total of 40 cores and 80 processing threads, offering massive parallel processing capabilities for multi-threaded applications like virtualization (VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V), large databases (Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle), and technical computing.

Memory Subsystem & Bandwidth

The system is configured with 128GB of DDR4 RAM, distributed across multiple memory channels to maximize bandwidth. The DL560 Gen10's memory architecture is a key differentiator; its four-processor design supports up to 48 DIMM slots (12 per CPU) using Load Reduced DIMMs (LRDIMMs). This allows for a staggering maximum memory capacity of 6TB, far beyond what any 2-socket server can offer. The installed 128GB provides a solid foundation for memory-intensive workloads, with vast headroom for expansion as application demands grow. The use of 2666MT/s memory ensures high-speed data access for the CPUs.

Storage Controller & Backplane: HPE P408i-a

Storage flexibility and performance are governed by the embedded HPE Smart Array P408i-a Controller. This is a critical component for any enterprise server, providing hardware RAID protection for data integrity and availability. The P408i-a offers 2GB of Flash-backed write cache (FBWC), ensuring data in cache is safe in the event of a power loss. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, allowing optimization for performance, capacity, or fault tolerance. This controller is connected to the server's 8-Small Form Factor (8SFF) SAS/SATA backplane, which defines the direct-attach storage potential of the chassis.

Chassis, Power & Cooling: 2U Rack Design with RPS

The server is built into a 2U rack-mountable chassis, optimizing rack space density. It is equipped with two 1600W Platinum efficiency Hot Plug Power Supplies configured in a Redundant Power Supply (RPS) setup. This 1+1 redundancy ensures that if one power supply fails, the other immediately takes the full load without interrupting server operation—a non-negotiable feature for mission-critical applications. The 1600W capacity provides ample headroom for full population of CPUs, memory, and add-on cards, while Platinum efficiency reduces operational costs and heat output. HPE's advanced cooling system with multiple variable-speed fans maintains optimal thermal conditions for the high-density components.

Target Workloads & Enterprise Use Cases

The HPE DL560 Gen10 4P platform is not a general-purpose server; it is a specialist engineered for specific, demanding computing scenarios.

High-Density Virtualization & Private Cloud

This is arguably the premier use case. With 40 cores/80 threads and expansive memory scalability, the DL560 Gen10 can host a very large number of virtual machines (VMs). It enables significant consolidation of older physical servers or 2-socket virtual hosts, reducing data center footprint, power consumption, and management overhead. Its high memory capacity is crucial for VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) deployments or large-scale application virtualization.

In-Memory Databases

Applications like SAP HANA, Microsoft SQL Server with In-Memory OLTP, or large-scale Redis caching clusters require vast, fast memory. The DL560's capacity for up to 6TB of LRDIMM memory makes it a formidable platform for real-time analytics and transactional databases where latency is critical. The multi-socket architecture provides superior memory bandwidth compared to dual-processor systems, accelerating data processing.

Mission-Critical Applications & Tier-1 Infrastructure

For ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite), large-scale collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Exchange), and core business applications, the combination of compute power, high availability features (like redundant power and RAID), and HPE's integrated management makes the DL560 Gen10 a reliable workhorse. It provides the headroom for concurrent user growth and data expansion.

Key Features, Benefits & Differentiators

Beyond raw specifications, the value of the HPE DL560 Gen10 is encapsulated in its integrated features and architectural advantages.

HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO 5) Advanced Management

Every Gen10 server includes the industry-leading HPE iLO 5 management processor. This provides secure, remote administration regardless of the server's power or OS state. Features include remote console, virtual media, performance telemetry, and automated health monitoring. iLO 5 is a cornerstone of HPE's security-focused Silicon Root of Trust, ensuring firmware integrity from boot.

Security by Design with HPE Silicon Root of Trust

HPE Gen10 servers introduced a hardware-enforced security foundation. The Silicon Root of Trust cryptographically validates firmware (iLO, BIOS) at boot, preventing the execution of maliciously altered or rolled-back code. This, combined with TPM 2.0 support and secure recovery, addresses growing concerns around firmware-level attacks.

Flexible Storage & I/O Expansion

The 8SFF (2.5-inch) drive bay configuration supports a mix of SAS, SATA, or NVMe drives (the latter potentially requiring a different backplane/controller). This allows for tiered storage strategies—fast NVMe for cache or logs, SAS for primary data, and SATA for capacity. Multiple PCIe 3.0 expansion slots provide pathways for adding network cards (10/25/100GbE), GPU accelerators, or additional storage controllers, tailoring the server to specialized workloads.

Configuration Considerations & Upgrade Paths

The P02873-B21 configuration is an excellent starting point, but its true strength lies in its expandability.

Processor & Memory Expansion Potential

This system has two empty CPU sockets. Organizations can upgrade by adding two additional Intel Xeon Scalable processors (of the same or compatible family), instantly doubling the core count and memory channels. The 128GB of installed RAM is just the beginning. Administrators can populate the remaining DIMM slots with higher-capacity LRDIMMs to reach several terabytes of memory, a straightforward upgrade path that massively extends the server's useful life and capability.

Storage Scalability Options

With only 8 internal drive bays, high-capacity storage needs may require external expansion. The HPE DL560 Gen10 is fully compatible with HPE's portfolio of D-series Storage Shelves (like the D3000, D3600, D8000) via Smart Array controllers or HPE Host Bus Adapters (HBAs), allowing for the addition of dozens more drives. Alternatively, for all-flash performance, the bays can be populated with SAS or NVMe SSDs.

Networking & GPU Acceleration

The available PCIe slots can be used to install high-speed networking adapters for low-latency cluster interconnects or high-bandwidth uplinks. They also support a range of GPU cards, enabling the server to venture into AI/ML inference, GPU-accelerated computing, or enhanced virtual desktop (VDI) graphics performance.

Software & OS Compatibility

The HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 is certified and supported for a wide range of operating systems and hypervisors, ensuring integration into existing enterprise IT environments.

Supported Operating Systems & Hypervisors: Microsoft Windows Server 2019/2022, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, VMware vSphere (ESXi), Citrix Hypervisor, and others. HPE provides custom drivers and firmware bundles (via Service Pack for ProLiant - SPP) for seamless compatibility and optimized performance.

HPE Support & Warranty: Typically sourced with a base warranty, this server is eligible for HPE's comprehensive support services, including proactive care, hardware support, and consulting. Integration with HPE GreenLake offers a flexible consumption model, allowing organizations to deploy this infrastructure as-a-service.

Management Software Suite: Beyond iLO, the server can be managed by HPE OneView for infrastructure lifecycle management, streamlining deployment, templating, and monitoring across heterogeneous environments.