HP ProLiant ML350 G6 review

Our test system came with a single 750W supply that can be partnered by a second for hot-plug power redundancy. The server has HP's common power slot bays that reduce costs since all new ProLiant servers use the same modules. Furthermore, HP offers 460W, 750W and 1,200W options so you can tailor power draw to demand.

Power consumption won't be a worry anyway as our inline power meter recorded a draw of only 8W in standby and 97W with Windows Server 2003 R2 running in idle. With SiSoft Sandra thrashing all eight logical cores this peaked at only 161W.

For remote server management you have HP's embedded iLO2 (integrated lights out) controller, which provides a dedicated network management port at the rear. It offers a tidy web interface from where you can view the status of critical components, reset the server and power it off and on.

Add the upgrade pack and power management takes the form of the iLO2 Power Meter providing graphs and tables for consumption in Watts or Btu/hr. HP's Power Cap is used to put limits on consumption, while the Power Regulator can be used to control consumption by throttling back processors during periods of low demand.

HP's Systems Management homepage offers local and remote browser access to the server and provides a status report on all server components plus colour-coded alerts. If you want more then go for HP's Insight Control Suite, which can access any system running an Insight agent where it provides reports on system operations, asset management, options to remotely upgrade firmware and the ability to set alerting thresholds on critical components.

HP's latest ML350 G6 looks particularly good value and really is a monster for expansion potential. It also comes with the best remote management tools on the market, is extremely quiet and power efficient, and offers high levels of redundancy.

Author: Dave Mitchell