P86811-005 HPE Proliant MicroServer Gen11 6315P 2.8GHz PS NA Server

Product Overview of P86811-005 HPE Proliant Gen11 Server

The HPE P86811-005 ProLiant MicroServer Gen11 is a compact yet powerful ultra-micro server designed for small businesses, remote offices, and edge computing environments. Powered by the Intel® Xeon® 6315P processor, this Smart Choice model delivers reliable performance, enterprise-grade security, and flexible expandability in a space-saving form factor.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
• Manufacturer Part Number: P86811-005
• Product Type: Ultra Micro Server
• Server Scalability: 1-way (single processor)
• Hot-Swap Drive Bays: 4
• Product Line: HPE ProLiant MicroServer Gen11

Processor & Chipset Details

CPU Specifications

• Processor: Intel® Xeon® 6315P
• Base Frequency: 2.8 GHz
• Maximum Turbo Speed: Up to 5.2 GHz
• Cores: 4-Core
• Threads: Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
• Thermal Design Power (TDP): 55W
• CPU Socket: FCLGA1700
• Upgrade Support: CPU upgradable (max 1 processor)

Chipset & Performance Features

• Chipset: Intel C262
• Turbo Technologies: Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
• System Memory Speed Support: Up to 4800 MT/s

Cache Memory

• Cache Type: L3 Cache
• Installed Cache: 12 MB
• Cache Per Processor: 12 MB

Memory (RAM) Configuration

Installed & Maximum Memory

• Installed Memory: 16 GB (1 × 16 GB)
• Maximum Supported Memory: 128 GB
• Memory Slots: 4 DIMM slots (3 available)

Memory Technology

• Type: HPE DDR5 Standard Memory (UDIMM)
• Technology: DDR5 SDRAM with Advanced ECC
• Effective Speed: 3600 MHz
• Rated Speed: 4800 MHz
• Form Factor: 288-pin DIMM

Internal Storage Options

• Installed HDD/SSD: None (storage ready)
• Drive Bays: 4 × 3.5-inch LFF internal bays
• Optical Drive: Not included

Storage Controller & RAID Support

• Controller Type: SATA
• Interface Speed: SATA 6 Gb/s
• Controller Name: Intel VROC SATA Software RAID
• RAID Levels: RAID 0, 1, 5, 10

Graphics & Display

• Video Memory: 16 MB
• Display Outputs: VGA, DisplayPort

Networking & Remote Management

Network Connectivity

• Ethernet Ports: 4 × Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Controller: Broadcom BCM5719
• Data Link Protocols: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

Remote Administration Features

• Management Controller: HPE Integrated Lights-Out 6 (iLO 6)
• Remote Protocols: SNMP v3, IPMI 2.0, SMASH CLP
• Additional Features: Wake-on-LAN (WOL), PXE Boot Support

Expansion Slots & Connectivity

PCIe Expansion

• 1 × PCIe 5.0 x16 (Low-profile)
• 1 × PCIe 4.0 x8 Low-profile (x4 mode)

External & Internal Interfaces

• 1 × VGA
• 1 × DisplayPort 1.1a
• 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (rear)
• 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (front)
• 4 × RJ-45 Gigabit LAN ports

Security & Compliance

• Physical Security: Kensington security lock slot
• Standards Compliance: ACPI, FCC Class B, CISPR 22, EN55024, WEEE, ICES-003, GB 9254, CNS 13438

Power Supply

• Power Supply Type: Internal PSU
• Output Power: 180 Watts
• Input Voltage: AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz

Operating System & Software Support

• OS Certified: Microsoft Windows Server, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle Solaris
• Included Software: HPE Intelligent Provisioning, HPE iLO Management Tools

Sustainability & Energy Efficiency

• Energy Star Certified: Yes
• Energy Star Version: 4.0

Dimensions & Weight

• Height: 15.4 inches
• Width: 26.1 inches
• Depth: 24.9 inches
• Weight: 18.78 lbs

Core Architectural Advancements of the Gen11 Platform

The leap to the Gen11 platform marks a significant upgrade from its predecessors. At its heart lies a modernized architecture that prioritizes balanced performance, security, and resiliency.

The AMD EPYC™ 8004 Series Embedded Advantage

The inclusion of the AMD EPYC™ 6315P processor is a game-changer for the MicroServer category. This isn't a repurposed desktop or mobile CPU; it's a genuine server-grade, embedded system-on-a-chip (SoC) from AMD's "Siena" platform, built on the efficient Zen 4c core architecture.

Performance and Efficiency Characteristics

The 6315P is a 32-core/32-thread processor with a base clock of 2.8GHz. While core count is high, the Zen 4c design emphasizes density and power efficiency, making it exceptionally capable for parallelizable, multi-threaded workloads common in virtualized environments, containerized applications, and network services. Its 180W maximum thermal design power (TDP) allows it to operate effectively within the thermal constraints of the MicroServer's 1x180W power supply, delivering substantial computational muscle without excessive heat or energy consumption.

Integrated Security and Memory Support

This processor brings enterprise-level security features to the compact segment, including AMD Memory Guard for transparent SME (Secure Memory Encryption) and support for SEV-SNP (Secure Encrypted Virtualization with Secure Nested Paging) for advanced VM isolation. It supports both DDR5 memory, offering higher speeds and better power efficiency than previous DDR4 generations, and PCIe 5.0, providing double the bandwidth per lane compared to PCIe 4.0 for future-ready expansion.

Chassis and Form Factor Design Philosophy

The MicroServer Gen11 retains the iconic, tool-less, compact tower design but with thoughtful internal refinements. The 4 Large Form Factor (LFF) drive bays are a standout feature, supporting high-capacity 3.5-inch SATA or SAS hard drives. This is crucial for use cases where maximizing terabytes per cubic foot is paramount, such as for Network Attached Storage (NAS) duties or backup repositories. The Non-Hot Plug (NHP) designation indicates that these bays are not designed for drive swapping while the system is powered on—a conscious trade-off that contributes to the platform's cost-effectiveness and simplicity for smaller environments where planned maintenance is the norm.

Detailed Configuration: HPE P86811-005

Understanding the specific bill of materials for this model is key to evaluating its fit for your environment. This configuration is a balanced starting point designed for real-world deployment.

Processing Foundation: AMD EPYC 6315P

As detailed, the 32-core 6315P provides a formidable foundation. Its 2.8GHz base clock ensures strong single-threaded performance for latency-sensitive tasks, while its high core count prepares the system for workload consolidation. This single-socket design simplifies licensing for many software applications and operating systems compared to dual-socket servers.

Memory Configuration: 1x 16GB DDR5

The inclusion of a single 16GB DDR5 memory module is a pragmatic baseline. DDR5's improved data transfer rates will benefit memory-intensive applications. This single-module, single-channel configuration highlights a key expansion path: the motherboard supports additional memory modules. Upgrading to two or more modules will activate multi-channel memory architecture, significantly boosting memory bandwidth—a critical upgrade for workloads like databases, virtualization, or file serving under high user concurrency.

Storage Scalability: The 4 LFF Bay Advantage

The four 3.5-inch bays are the centerpiece of the server's storage strategy. They allow for massive raw storage capacity—potentially over 80TB using current high-capacity HDDs. Users can configure these drives in various RAID levels (via a separately available HPE Smart Array controller or software RAID) to balance performance, capacity, and redundancy. This makes the server an ideal candidate for roles such as:

File and Print Server: Centralized storage for company documents with RAID protection.
Backup Target: A destination for backup jobs from other servers and workstations, leveraging high-capacity, cost-effective HDDs.
Media Server: Storing large video, audio, or image libraries.

Power and Thermal Design: 180W Power Supply

The integrated 180W 80 PLUS Platinum-level power supply is meticulously matched to the platform's components. Its high efficiency (94%+ under typical loads) minimizes energy waste and reduces heat output, contributing to lower operational costs and quieter acoustics. This single PSU design aligns with the NHP philosophy; for environments requiring power redundancy, careful consideration of UPS backup is recommended.

Primary Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The HPE ProLiant MicroServer Gen11 6315P is not a niche product; it is a versatile platform tailored for several critical IT roles.

Ideal Small Business Essential Server

For businesses with 10-50 employees, this server can act as the backbone of IT operations. It can consolidate multiple roles into one physical box, a practice known as "server multi-tasking." With adequate memory upgrades, it could simultaneously run:

A Domain Controller for user authentication.A file server on its abundant LFF storage.
A lightweight accounting or CRM database.
Hosted email services or a web server for the company intranet.

It's quiet operation and compact size allow it to be deployed in an office closet or small server cabinet without disruptive noise.

Dedicated Storage and Backup Appliance

Leveraging the 4 LFF bays, this MicroServer excels as a dedicated storage node. It can be configured as:

NAS Server: Using an OS like TrueNAS Core or a Linux distribution, it becomes a high-performance, high-capacity network share.
Veeam Backup & Replication Repository: Providing a hardened, Linux-based backup target for enterprise backup software.
Cloud Storage Gateway: Acting as a local cache for cloud storage services, improving performance for frequently accessed files.

Edge Computing and IoT Gateway

At the edge—in retail stores, remote branches, or factory floors—this server's ruggedness, small size, and manageability shine. It can process and filter IoT sensor data locally before sending only relevant insights to the cloud (reducing bandwidth costs), host local applications for point-of-sale or inventory management or even run real-time analytics. The AMD platform's security features help protect data at the vulnerable edge.

Virtualization and Development/Test Host

With its 32 cores and capacity for substantial RAM expansion, the MicroServer Gen11 is a capable host for hypervisors like VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi), Microsoft Hyper-V, or Proxmox VE. It can run a dozen or more lightweight virtual machines for development, testing, or production workloads. This allows SMBs or departments to segment services securely and improve resource utilization.

Management and Ecosystem Integration

HPE doesn't just sell hardware; it delivers an integrated, manageable ecosystem. The MicroServer Gen11 is a full citizen in the HPE portfolio.

HPE iLO 6: The Heart of Secure Remote Management

Every Gen11 server includes the integrated Lights-Out 6 (iLO 6) management processor. This is the same technology found in HPE's largest rack-mount servers, providing feature parity in a compact form factor.

Key iLO 6 Capabilities

Remote Console: Full keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) control over the network, as if you were sitting in front of the server.
Virtual Media: Mount ISO images from your local workstation as if they were physical DVDs or USB drives in the server, enabling easy OS installation.
Health Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of temperatures, fan speeds, voltage, and hardware health.
Silicon Root of Trust & Firmware Resilience: Cryptographically verifies that critical firmware has not been tampered with, ensuring a trusted boot process.

HPE GreenLake Compatibility

The MicroServer Gen11 can be procured and managed as part of the HPE GreenLake platform. This offers a cloud-like, pay-as-you-go consumption model for on-premises infrastructure, simplifying budgeting and allowing businesses to align IT costs directly with usage.

Configuration Guidance and Upgrade Pathways

The HPE P86811-005 is an excellent foundation. Strategic upgrades can tailor it precisely to its intended workload.

Recommended Memory Expansion

The single 16GB module is the most immediate upgrade candidate. Adding a second identical 16GB module to enable dual-channel mode is a high-value upgrade for almost any workload. For virtualization or database roles, populating all available DIMM slots with higher-capacity modules (e.g., 32GB or 64GB per DIMM) can bring total system memory to 256GB or more, transforming its multi-tasking capability.

Storage Controller and Drive Selection

To unlock hardware RAID capabilities (RAID 1, 5, 10, etc.) for data protection and performance, adding an HPE Smart Array E208i-p SR Gen11 controller (or similar) is recommended. For drive selection, consider a tiered approach: using two SSDs in RAID 1 for the operating system and applications, and two high-capacity HDDs in RAID 1 for data storage. Alternatively, all four bays can be populated with high-performance, high-capacity SAS or SATA HDDs for a large, redundant storage pool.

Networking and PCIe Expansion

The server includes standard Gigabit or 1Gb/10Gb network interfaces depending on the exact model. For bandwidth-intensive storage (iSCSI, NFS) or virtualization traffic, adding a dedicated 10Gb or 25Gb Ethernet network adapter via the available PCIe 5.0 slot can eliminate network bottlenecks. This slot can also host specialized cards for GPU acceleration (for light AI inference or media transcoding) or additional storage controllers.