News release

World’s First Two-in-one Server Blade Joins HP Portfolio for Powering “Scale-out” Computing Environments

	Related Links
	»	ProLiant
	»	View the press kit

HP today announced the world’s first two-in-one server blade, which offers customers with scale-out environments improved data center performance, reduced floor space and lower power usage.

Businesses with cloud computing, Web 2.0 and high-performance computing (HPC) deployments have data centers with hundreds to thousands of servers, multi-petabyte⁽¹⁾ levels of storage capacity and massive performance needs. These “scale-out” environments require increased performance, lower energy consumption, improved cooling techniques and a need to maximize existing data center floor space.

To address these needs, the HP ProLiant BL2x220c G5 combines two independent servers in a single blade, enabling customers to double compute power and significantly reduce data center space requirements. It delivers 60 percent better performance per watt than similar configurations on the market⁽²⁾ and minimizes cooling and power costs.

HP has created a dedicated set of resources, expertise and development efforts called the “Scalable Computing and Infrastructure” business unit to build solutions designed for scale-out customers. The BL2x220c joins the recently announced HP StorageWorks 9100 Extreme Data Storage System (ExDS9100) in addressing the scale-out market. The ExDS91000 is a highly scalable storage system designed to simplify the management of multiple petabytes of data at an affordable cost, making it ideal for online and digital media businesses.

“HP continues to be the best at helping customers of all sizes manage and transform their technology environments to deliver better business outcomes,” said Ann Livermore, executive vice president, Technology Solutions Group, HP. “Customers in Web 2.0, HPC and emerging cloud deployments across many business segments are looking for the competitive advantages that scale-out computing can provide. Through innovations in server density, power efficiency, storage management and data center services, we are committed to being the company that powers scale-out infrastructures.”

HP offers scale-out customers the domain expertise that results from designing and retrofitting more than 30 million square feet of data center floor space and powering 166 of the top 500 supercomputer installations. The new BL2x220c extends HP’s proven portfolio of hardware, software and services for the scale-out market.

“Home to the world’s leading Internet sites for social networking, games, sports photos and more, Fox Interactive Media helps millions of people around the globe stay informed and connected through online media accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Ian Hurlock-Jones, chief information officer, Fox Interactive Media. “Each month, billions of pages are viewed, hundreds of millions of photos and videos are uploaded and watched and those numbers just keep growing, constantly pushing the boundaries of our infrastructure. For us to meet these growing demands we need high-performance platforms that minimize energy consumption and have high density and capacity. HP’s computing team understands our unique requirements and offers us end-to-end cloud computing and storage solutions that allow us to more easily scale as we grow.” 

The BL2x220c is the industry’s first server blade to offer more than three times the density of traditional 1U rack-mount servers. Its innovative design specifically addresses the exponential data growth facing companies with cloud computing, Web 2.0 and HPC deployments. Additionally, the new server blade uses HP’s award-winning management and configuration tools, which help drive down costs and mitigate risk.

“The IT industry is at an inflection point with companies demanding more efficient, highly-utilized scale-out technologies that can improve the economic model for their data centers,” said Michelle Bailey, research vice president, Datacenter Trends program, IDC. “The growth in digital information is changing the course of the data center, forcing organizations to quickly scale their infrastructures to keep pace with user demands. To meet this challenge, customers are taking a far more holistic approach to data center management – rethinking everything from hardware, services and management software to physical facilities including power and cooling requirements. This fundamental shift represents a huge opportunity for technology companies, like HP, to offer a set of solutions that manage the data center as a whole.”

More information is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/hpmassivescaleoutcomputing.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

⁽¹⁾ 1 petabyte equals 1000 terabytes or 1,000⁵ bytes.

⁽²⁾ Based on internal testing the BL2x220c achieves 1582.73 bops/watt compared to 958.86 bops/watt on a cluster of Dell PowerEdge M600 servers.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.