The rack-mounted ProLiant DL320 and DL360 servers and the updated ProLiant DL580 are based on technology inherited from Compaq Computer, which merged with HP earlier this year.
The DL580 uses the latest Xeon MP chip and can increase application performance by 26 percent over previous versions of the machine, according to HP. The Xeon MP, formerly code-named Gallatin, is smaller and faster than the previous generation of Xeon MP chips and features more high-speed cache memory. The DL580 also features a memory subsystem that keeps working even if some memory chips fail. The subsystem can be repaired without turning off the computer.
The new servers are designed to take advantage of the latest HP technology to remotely control machines and to enhance memory. HP added that it was responding to customer demand for machines that can do more for less money.
"As budgetary pressures continue to force increased scrutiny of capital expenditures, customers need reliable and efficient solutions that provide tangible returns on their IT investments," said James Mouton, an HP vice president.
Size and cost are increasingly important. In the past, companies have had to rely on a few bulky servers containing many processors to run their computing operations.
HP remains the leading seller of Intel servers, although IBM and Dell Computer are increasing their market share. According to market researcher IDC, HP accounted for 32 percent of the US$4.3 billion in sales of Intel servers during the third quarter, but its share of the market declined by 7 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. IBM controlled 17 percent of sales, an increase of 22 percent over the comparable quarter last year. And Dell claimed 21 percent, an eight percent jump.
