Hurrah! HP has released their next generation of the HP Microserver, properly labeled as: HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8.
First, a quick look back …
HP MediaSmart Server / Data Vault Server
Nearly five years ago, HP released their HP MediaSmart Server for running Microsoft’s Windows Home Server solution. Although it was designed as a “home” solution, many of us immediately saw this as a great backup solution for small businesses.
Sure enough, a year later, HP repackaged the MediaSmart Server, and sold it as the HP StorageWorks Data Vault Server. Nearly everyone of my customers has a MediaSmart/Data Vault server strictly for doing workstation backups.
All at a cost of less than $500!
HP MicroServer
Two and a half years ago, I purchased my first HP ProLiant MicroServer. I have one in my lab that I use for demos. It is currently running Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, 2012 Essentials and Windows 8. At every I.T. seminar or conference I have spoken at in the past two years, you get everyone’s attention when showing off the HP MicroServer.
I have the HP MicroServer installed at customer sites being used as a backup server (WHS 2011), as a member server running Windows Foundation/SharePoint, and as a development system for LOB web applications.
And now, presenting …
HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen 8
Last month HP released the next generation of the MicroServer – HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen 8. And it’s a beauty!
The improvements over the prior MicroServer includes: supports up to 16GB memory, up to 12TB (terabytes) of non-hot plug STA drives, HP iLO4 integrated with the gigabit NIC switch, add-on Raid 5, and easier internal access when adding memory.
It comes in two models: Intel Celeron G1610T (2 core, 2.3GHz, $449) or Intel Pentium G2020T (2 core, 2.5 Ghz, $529). Both models come standard with 2GB memory.
But don’t take my word for it. Read what my good friend and MVP partner, Robert Pearman has to say about the new Gen8 MicroServer!
Let me know what you think of it!