The AbsolutelyWindows HP Proliant MicroServer Gen8 Preview

I am in receipt of the new HP Proliant MicroServer Gen8.

We currently have the 1^st generation Proliant MicroServer at MedikLabs, and we have actually been very successful in implementing that at client’s locations, with most of them running Windows Storage Server, and provisioned as backup devices.

For the Gen8 Proliants, we will try something different.

HP Proliant MicroServer Gen8
At HP Discover 2013, HP EVP Dave Donatelli presented the Proliant MicroServer Gen8 as part of a trio of new Proliant servers.

Calling it “Baby’s 1^st Server” because of the very low entry price of $449, Donatelli then Introduced Jim Ganthier of HP ISS who told us more about the device.

I immediately thought of the MicroServer to place in a new compute role, utilizing it not just for backups. Subsequent to that day, I have identified several uses for the Proliant MicroServer that I am ready to test against.

I requested a unit, and presto, a MicroServer was delivered last week.

NOTE: The HP Proliant MicroServer arrived with the HP Networking PS1810-8G managed Switch, for which I will be delivering on OOBE post next week.

For this review, I intend to actively lead the test scenarios.

Baby’s 1^st Server

As a low-cost entry server, and one that is destined for the small businesses and connected homes of today and tomorrow, the HP Proliant MicroServer is available with a number of factory-colored bezels to fit the mood of the end-user.

Riffing off Dave Donatelli’s “Baby’s 1^st Server” remark, I decided to change the the bezel of the MicroServer Gen8 to fit my baby’s, who just happens to be My Princess.

Her favorite color was not available. However, my buddy Jared came to the rescue, and the Proliant MicroServer has the new duds shown here.

The HP Proliant MicroServer Gen8 OOBE

The MicroServer Gen8 arrived in a snug-fitting, but well-protected shipping box, as is normal, and very ‘green’ with HP nowadays.

As I mentioned above, I wanted to try something new with the Proliant MicroServer Gen8, so I decided to go with HP’s default installation options.

I removed the server from the box, inserted a Windows Server 2012 R2 disk into the optical drive, and off I went.

My first task was configuring the HP SmartArray controller embedded into this review system. I created a RAID1 volume with the included 2TB disks.

Next up, was HP’s server management tool, iLO, in version 4.

As I tweeted on Tuesday night “I could say that there's a faster, easier way to provision a ‪#‎Proliant with Windows Server than using ‪#‎iLO, but I'd be lying.

It is really that easy!

Even with the beta of Windows Server 2012 R2, I only needed to answer a couple of questions, enter in the product key, the administrator password, and sit back.

That was it.

About 25 to 30 minutes later, Windows Server 2012 R2 (beta) was up and running on Proliant MicroServer Gen8 without a fuss.

I applied the Desktop Experience pack, connected to the network, and that was it.

No fuss, no muss.

Conclusions
The HP Proliant MicroServer R2 is a fine piece of kit. Loaded up as it is with iLO4 and other goodies I have come to expect from Proliants such as the ‘Sea of Sensors’, it looks to be in every way capable of running a small branch office, home business, or home.

Our series of tests will help us determine that.

Consequently, there will be a series of blog posts on this Proliant server, and all the other Proliant servers mentioned in my post here.

In the meantime, I will be keeping you abreast of what we are doing with MicroServer Gen8 as part of our Cloud Onramp project, including the numerous other Proliants we have here.

What I have determined in my little test, is that I am going to need briefings on HP iLO, and the HP SmartArray controller.

In fact, as I uncover more components that merit attention, I will request briefings from the PMs responsible for the components in order to bring a fuller picture of the devices to you.

An AbsolutelyWindows Freestyle with Jim Gantier can be seen here.

© 2002 – 2013, John Obeto for Blackground Media Unlimited