HP MicroServer Gen8: Difference between revisions

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There is a lot of evidence that HP purposely "de-tuned" this device to match its small stature so it didn't make the larger servers HP sells look bad. Very disappointing they let the bean counters make decisions on this device.

Now having said all of those things about HP, I'll say something nice that continues to support my theory of HP hobbling their microservers. The Gen8 version of the server has the iLO feature (Lights Out). This is equivalent to a Dell DRAC (Dell Remote Access Controller) and provides full remote access to the server, including a remote GUI console. For those not familiar with the feature, it's like having VNC control from when the server is first booted, giving one the ability to fully control the computer before windows has booted. It also includes the ability to remotely power cycle the hardware and do some BIOS configuration via a Web GUI. Sadly they took that feature away in the Gen9 version of the microserver, which seems par for the course in terms of HP purposely hobbling this series of servers.

==Internal Secure Digital Card Micro-card==

I read so many different blogs, etc. that mentioned installing some version of Linux on the internal secure digital micro-card. After installing Windows and inserting a 100 MB/S (actual speed I tested on other computers did approach this velocity) Micro SD card I tested its speed. Guess what? The transfer speed clearly indicates the card reader is "wired in" as a USB 2.0 device. That's fine and completely understandable given HP's strategy of hobbling this fine computer ~~(There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the server and the controller has the capability to support 6 ports if HP so chose (I checked))~~.

I read so many different blogs, etc. that mentioned installing some version of Linux on the internal secure digital micro-card. After installing Windows and inserting a 100 MB/S (actual speed I tested on other computers did approach this velocity) Micro SD card I tested its speed. Guess what? The transfer speed clearly indicates the card reader is "wired in" as a USB 2.0 device. That's fine and completely understandable given HP's strategy of hobbling this fine computer.

Anyway, my question is why in the world would anyone choose to install an OS on a USB flash drive? If one was dead set on doing this, why not use a USB 3 flash drive plugged into the back? The speed difference is phenomenal.

Anyway, my question is why in the world would anyone choose to install an OS on a USB flash drive? If one was dead set on doing this, why not use a USB 3 flash drive plugged into the back? The speed difference is phenomenal. There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the server and the controller has the capability to support 6 ports if HP so chose (I checked)

Oh, and as a special note, as mentioned by several people, this server will not recognize a new SD card plugged in when the power is on. Power must be off when the SD Card is inserted. It doesn't seem to harm the hardware, but it won't recognize it like a device plugged into a regular USB port. Oh, well.

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Another surprise installing Windows Server 2019 was that HP didn't provide or Microsoft didn't include drivers for the B120i RAID Controller. I'm thinking this is on HP, because Microsoft continues to include drivers for Adaptec RAID Controllers that plug into ISA slots. So be prepared to find the "[[wikipedia:F6_disk|F6]]" driver (if you've been around as long as me, you know what I'm referring to) on HP's site.

== Special Note to Installers from the Past ==

==Special Note to Installers from the Past==

Again, remember, I'm writing this long after this server was introduced, so I'm not trying to disparage anyone that has written on this subject in the past. Having said that, here are some tips and information to ignore from other web sites.

* It is absolutely possible to install an OS (Windows or Linux, etc.) on an SSD or 2.5" HDD (no room for a 3.5" HDD) connected to the SATA port intended for an internal CD/DVD drive. An SSD fits nice and snug right behind the plastic plate for the CD/DVD.

*It is absolutely possible to install an OS (Windows or Linux, etc.) on an SSD or 2.5" HDD (no room for a 3.5" HDD) connected to the SATA port intended for an internal CD/DVD drive. An SSD fits nice and snug right behind the plastic plate for the CD/DVD.

* Do NOT install an OS on a Micro SD card in the internal slot because it will run at USB 2.0 speed.

*Do NOT install an OS on a Micro SD card in the internal slot because it will run at USB 2.0 speed.

* If you enable RAID mode on the B120i controller you need the bootable ISO version of Smart Storage Administrator from HP.

*If you enable RAID mode on the B120i controller you need the bootable ISO version of Smart Storage Administrator from HP. I could not get a version of this to boot from a USB device using the most recent version of [https://rufus.ie/ Rufus] or another non-HP utility to create a bootable USB flash drive from an ISO. It turns out the HP USB Key Creator Utility will work. It also works when the ISO image is burned to a physical DVD (it's just over the maximum CD size).

* If you want a 5th disk drive and a CD / DVD drive, it is possible. There's room for the SSD behind a CD / DVD drive. Hook the SSD into the extra internal SSD port and buy a SATA to USB connector and connect the CD / DVD device into the internal USB port.

*If you want a 5th disk drive and a CD / DVD drive, it is possible. There's room for the SSD behind a CD / DVD drive. Hook the SSD into the extra internal SSD port and buy a SATA to USB connector and connect the CD / DVD device into the internal USB port.

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 There is a lot of evidence that HP purposely "de-tuned" this device to match its small stature so it didn't make the larger servers HP sells look bad.  Very disappointing they let the bean counters make decisions on this device.
+Now having said all of those things about HP, I'll say something nice that continues to support my theory of HP hobbling their microservers.  The Gen8 version of the server has the iLO feature (Lights Out).  This is equivalent to a Dell DRAC (Dell Remote Access Controller) and provides full remote access to the server, including a remote GUI console.  For those not familiar with the feature, it's like having VNC control from when the server is first booted, giving one the ability to fully control the computer before windows has booted.  It also includes the ability to remotely power cycle the hardware and do some BIOS configuration via a Web GUI.  Sadly they took that feature away in the Gen9 version of the microserver, which seems par for the course in terms of HP purposely hobbling this series of servers.
 ==Internal Secure Digital Card Micro-card==
-I read so many different blogs, etc. that mentioned installing some version of Linux on the internal secure digital micro-card.  After installing Windows and inserting a 100 MB/S (actual speed I tested on other computers did approach this velocity) Micro SD card I tested its speed.  Guess what?  The transfer speed clearly indicates the card reader is "wired in" as a USB 2.0 device.  That's fine and completely understandable given HP's strategy of hobbling this fine computer (There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the server and the controller has the capability to support 6 ports if HP so chose (I checked)).
+I read so many different blogs, etc. that mentioned installing some version of Linux on the internal secure digital micro-card.  After installing Windows and inserting a 100 MB/S (actual speed I tested on other computers did approach this velocity) Micro SD card I tested its speed.  Guess what?  The transfer speed clearly indicates the card reader is "wired in" as a USB 2.0 device.  That's fine and completely understandable given HP's strategy of hobbling this fine computer.
-Anyway, my question is why in the world would anyone choose to install an OS on a USB flash drive?  If one was dead set on doing this, why not use a USB 3 flash drive plugged into the back?  The speed difference is phenomenal.
+Anyway, my question is why in the world would anyone choose to install an OS on a USB flash drive?  If one was dead set on doing this, why not use a USB 3 flash drive plugged into the back?  The speed difference is phenomenal.  There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the server and the controller has the capability to support 6 ports if HP so chose (I checked)
 Oh, and as a special note, as mentioned by several people, this server will not recognize a new SD card plugged in when the power is on.  Power must be off when the SD Card is inserted.  It doesn't seem to harm the hardware, but it won't recognize it like a device plugged into a regular USB port.  Oh, well.
@@ Line 22: / Line 24: @@
 Another surprise installing Windows Server 2019 was that HP didn't provide or Microsoft didn't include drivers for the B120i RAID Controller.  I'm thinking this is on HP, because Microsoft continues to include drivers for Adaptec RAID Controllers that plug into ISA slots.  So be prepared to find the "[[wikipedia:F6_disk|F6]]" driver (if you've been around as long as me, you know what I'm referring to) on HP's site.
-== Special Note to Installers from the Past ==
+==Special Note to Installers from the Past==
 Again, remember, I'm writing this long after this server was introduced, so I'm not trying to disparage anyone that has written on this subject in the past.  Having said that, here are some tips and information to ignore from other web sites.
-* It is absolutely possible to install an OS (Windows or Linux, etc.) on an SSD or 2.5" HDD (no room for a 3.5" HDD) connected to the SATA port intended for an internal CD/DVD drive.  An SSD fits nice and snug right behind the plastic plate for the CD/DVD.
+*It is absolutely possible to install an OS (Windows or Linux, etc.) on an SSD or 2.5" HDD (no room for a 3.5" HDD) connected to the SATA port intended for an internal CD/DVD drive.  An SSD fits nice and snug right behind the plastic plate for the CD/DVD.
-* Do NOT install an OS on a Micro SD card in the internal slot because it will run at USB 2.0 speed.
+*Do NOT install an OS on a Micro SD card in the internal slot because it will run at USB 2.0 speed.
-* If you enable RAID mode on the B120i controller you need the bootable ISO version of Smart Storage Administrator from HP.
+*If you enable RAID mode on the B120i controller you need the bootable ISO version of Smart Storage Administrator from HP.  I could not get a version of this to boot from a USB device using the most recent version of [https://rufus.ie/ Rufus] or another non-HP utility to create a bootable USB flash drive from an ISO.  It turns out the HP USB Key Creator Utility will work.  It also works when the ISO image is burned to a physical DVD (it's just over the maximum CD size).
-* If you want a 5th disk drive and a CD / DVD drive, it is possible.  There's room for the SSD behind a CD / DVD drive.  Hook the SSD into the extra internal SSD port and buy a SATA to USB connector and connect the CD / DVD device into the internal USB port.
+*If you want a 5th disk drive and a CD / DVD drive, it is possible.  There's room for the SSD behind a CD / DVD drive.  Hook the SSD into the extra internal SSD port and buy a SATA to USB connector and connect the CD / DVD device into the internal USB port.