P44725-B21 HPE Proliant ML30 Gen10 Plus Smart Array 8-Bays SFF 4u Tower Server

Comprehensive Product Overview

The HPE P44725-B21 ML30 Gen10 Plus is built upon the Intel C256 chipset, supporting the latest Intel Xeon E-2300 series processors. This architecture delivers PCIe 4.0 support, increased core counts, and enhanced integrated graphics capabilities. The platform is designed with HPE's deep security heritage, featuring silicon-rooted trust with iLO 5, ensuring firmware integrity from power-on.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: P44725-B21
• Product Type: ProLiant ML30 Gen10 4u Tower Server

Technical Information

• Type: Intel Xeon
• Supported Quantity: Up to 1
• Upgrade Option: Fully upgradable
• L3 Cache: Not included
• Per Processor Cache: 0 MB

System RAM

• Installed: 0 GB
• Maximum Capacity: 128 GB
• Technology: DDR5 SDRAM with Advanced ECC
• Speed: 3200 MHz
• Slots: 4 DIMM slots (all empty)
• Features: Registered, HPE SmartMemory

Internal Devices

• HDD/SSD: None pre-installed
• Optical Drive: Not available

Storage Controller

• Type: RAID controller
• Interface: SATA 6Gb/s
• Channels: 6
• Supported RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 10

Controller

• Video Memory: 16 MB
• Interfaces: VGA, DisplayPort

Networking Features

Ethernet

• Ports: Dual Gigabit Ethernet
• Controller: Broadcom BCM5720
• Protocols: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

Remote Management

• Protocols: SNMP 3, IPMI 2.0, SMASH CLP
• Controller: Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5)
• Features: Wake-on-LAN, PXE boot support

Expansion & Connectivity

Drive Bays

• Hot-Swap Bays: 8 x 2.5" SFF (all free)

Expansion Slots

• 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (full-length, full-height)
• 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode, full-length, full-height)
• 2 x PCIe 3.0 x8 (x4 mode, half-length, full-height)
• 1 x M.2 slot (PCIe x2 & SATA mode)

Interfaces

• 1 x VGA
• 2 x LAN (Gigabit Ethernet, including HPE iLO)
• 6 x USB 3.0 (front, rear, internal)
• 1 x USB 2.0 (front)

Security & Compliance

Protection

• Lock Options: Security slot, padlock loop
• Slot Type: Kensington

Standards

• EMC, TLS v1.2, ASHRAE Class A3/A4
• WEEE 2002/95/EC, UEFI, ACPI 6.3

Power Supply

Specifications

• Type: Hot-plug PSU
• Redundancy: Supported (1+1 scheme)
• Installed: None
• Max Supported: 2 units
• Voltage: AC 100–120/200–240 V (50/60 Hz)
• Certification: 80 Plus Platinum

Operating Conditions

• Temperature: 50°F – 95°F
• Humidity: 8–90% RH (non-condensing)

Physical Dimensions

• Width: 6.9 in
• Depth: 18.7 in
• Height: 14.5 in

Understanding of HPE ProLiant ML30 4u Tower Server

The HPE P44725-B21 ProLiant ML30 Gen10 Plus is not a standard, off-the-shelf server. This "No CPU, No RAM, No PSU" base configuration provides a powerful and adaptable 4U tower chassis, inviting you to build a system tailored exactly to your workload's performance, storage, and budget requirements. Starting with this robust foundation, you select the processors, memory, power supplies, and storage controllers to create an optimal solution for roles such as a dedicated application server, a file and print server, a small business host, or a secure backup repository.

Core Architecture and Form Factor

At its heart, the ML30 Gen10 Plus CTO is built on HPE's trusted Gen10 Plus architecture, offering a balance of modern performance and essential security features within an accessible tower form factor.

The 4U Tower Chassis Advantage

The 4U (7-inch) tower design is a cornerstone of this server's value proposition. It provides exceptional internal space for expansion, superior airflow for cooling, and quieter operation compared to denser rack servers. This makes it an ideal choice for offices, remote sites, or any environment where a dedicated server room or loud cooling is not feasible.

Chassis Specifications: 8SFF Configuration

The specific P44725-B21 model comes in an 8SFF (Small Form Factor) chassis configuration. This means it supports up to eight (8) 2.5-inch hard drives or solid-state drives. The 2.5-inch format is optimal for high-performance SAS and SATA SSDs, enabling configurations that prioritize I/O speed and storage density over raw capacity per drive. This chassis is engineered for easy tool-less access to internal components, simplifying maintenance and upgrades.

Processing Platform

As a "No CPU" CTO model, this server's processing power is entirely in your hands. It supports a range of Intel processor options, allowing you to match core count, clock speed, and feature sets to your application demands.

Supported Processor

The ProLiant ML30 Gen10 Plus platform is designed for Intel Xeon E-2300 series processors. This family offers a significant generational leap in performance over previous E-2100 series CPUs, featuring up to 8 cores, higher turbo frequencies, and support for faster memory.

Selecting the Right CPU

Your choice can range from a quad-core Intel Xeon E-2314 for lightweight, single-threaded tasks to an 8-core Intel Xeon E-2378G for demanding multi-threaded applications like virtualization or database hosting. You must also select a compatible HPE heatsink/fan unit for your chosen processor to ensure proper thermal management.

Memory Subsystem: Building for Performance and Capacity

Starting with "No RAM" means you can populate the memory channels precisely for your needs, from a modest start to a fully loaded configuration.

Memory Architecture Details

The server motherboard features four (4) DDR4 UDIMM (Unbuffered DIMM) memory slots. It supports industry-standard 288-pin DDR4 memory modules, with speeds up to 3200 MT/s depending on the installed processor. The use of UDIMMs keeps costs manageable for entry and mid-range configurations.

Maximum Memory Capacity

The maximum supported RAM capacity is 128GB, using four 32GB DDR4 modules. For optimal performance, memory should be installed in a balanced multi-channel configuration as per the system guidelines (typically in pairs). 

Storage Flexibility and RAID Capabilities

The ML30 Gen10 Plus CTO offers a layered approach to storage control, giving you both embedded baseline functionality and the option for advanced HPE Smart Array controllers.

Embedded Intel VROC SATA

The system includes an embedded storage solution: Intel VROC (Virtual RAID on CPU) for SATA. This is a hardware-assisted software RAID solution that utilizes the CPU and system resources to provide RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 functionality for SATA drives. It offers a cost-effective way to add data redundancy or performance striping without the need for a dedicated hardware RAID card, though it does utilize some host CPU cycles.

Choice of HPE Smart Array Controller

For superior performance, advanced features, and full hardware RAID independence, you can install an optional HPE Smart Array controller. This is a critical choice that defines your storage system's capabilities.

Smart Array Controller Options

Choices range from the entry-level HPE Smart Array E208i-a (embedded software RAID) to the mainstream S100i, and up to the more powerful hardware RAID cards like the Smart Array P408i-a. These controllers offer features like dedicated RAID processors, battery-backed or flash-backed write cache (FBWC) for data protection during power loss, and support for both SATA and SAS drives. Selecting a controller like the P408i-a enables advanced RAID levels (like 6 or 60), dramatically improves write performance with cache, and provides greater reliability for critical data.

Networking and Connectivity

The server comes with a robust set of integrated connectivity options to ensure seamless integration into your network environment.

Embedded 1Gb 2-Port Ethernet Adapter

Standard networking is provided by an embedded HPE Ethernet 1Gb 2-port 361i Adapter. This NIC features two RJ-45 ports supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds. The ports support teaming (link aggregation) for increased bandwidth and failover redundancy. This is sufficient for general server traffic, management, and backup operations in most small to medium business settings.

Expansion for Enhanced Networking

For environments requiring faster connectivity, such as 10Gb Ethernet for NAS access or virtualization, the server's available PCIe expansion slots can accommodate additional network interface cards (NICs). You can add dedicated 10GbE or even 25GbE adapters from HPE's extensive networking portfolio.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Being a "No PSU" model, you must select one or two power supplies based on your redundancy requirements and the power draw of your final configuration.

PSU Options and Redundancy

The ML30 Gen10 Plus supports a variety of HPE common slot platinum-efficient power supply units. Typical options include 500W or 800W PSUs. For maximum system uptime, you can configure the server with two identical PSUs and connect them to separate power circuits. This enables N+1 power redundancy, where if one PSU fails or loses power, the other immediately takes over the entire system load without interruption.

Expansion and Internal Connectivity

The server is designed with growth in mind, offering multiple pathways for adding capabilities.

PCIe Expansion Slots

The motherboard provides several PCI Express 3.0 slots for adding functionality. The exact number and configuration (x16, x8, x4) allow for the installation of additional network cards, specialized storage HBAs, graphics processing units (GPUs) for acceleration, or other industry-standard PCIe adapters.

Internal Ports and Headers

Beyond the PCIe slots, the system includes standard internal headers for USB, serial, and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) modules. The inclusion of TPM support is vital for enabling hardware-based security features like drive encryption and secure boot, which are part of HPE's comprehensive silicon root of trust security suite on the Gen10 Plus platform.

Management and Security

HPE integrates sophisticated management tools even into its entry-level tower servers, and the ML30 Gen10 Plus is no exception.

HPE iLO 5 Standard

The server includes the integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) management processor as a standard feature. iLO 5 provides remote, out-of-band management capabilities. From a web browser or the HPE iLO mobile app, an administrator can power the server on/off, monitor health (temperature, voltage, fan status), access virtual consoles (like KVM), mount virtual media (ISO images) for OS installation, and review detailed system logs—all without being physically present at the server.

Security Features of the Gen10 Plus Platform

The Gen10 Plus architecture embeds security at the silicon level. This includes the aforementioned Silicon Root of Trust, which ensures the server firmware has not been tampered with from the moment of boot. Combined with optional TPM 2.0 and support for secure boot, it provides a hardened foundation against low-level attacks, making this CTO-built server not only customizable but also secure by design.