HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 2U Rack Server

The HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 2U Rack Server is engineered to power modern data centers with exceptional reliability, scalable performance, and flexible storage options. Built to handle a wide range of workloads—from virtualization and databases to analytics and AI-enabled tasks—this 2U powerhouse delivers enterprise-grade capability in a compact, rack-mountable form factor. With a focus on efficiency, security, and easy manageability, the DL380 Gen11 is designed to adapt as your business grows and your IT demands evolve. It represents Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s latest generation of ProLiant servers, delivering improved compute density, memory bandwidth, and storage flexibility to keep your workloads responsive and your operations running smoothly.

• 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable architecture: The server is powered by a single Intel Xeon Gold 6430 processor clocked at 2.10 GHz, offering strong core performance and efficiency for core enterprise workloads. This generation brings improved AI acceleration, better virtualization performance, and higher overall throughput to support dense virtualized environments and data-intensive applications.
• 32 GB DDR5 RDIMM memory: Efficient, high-bandwidth memory in DDR5 RDIMM form provides solid memory capacity and fast data access for demanding workloads. The Gen11 platform is designed to support future memory expansion, enabling you to scale as workload requirements grow while maintaining reliability and stability.
• Intel Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC) SATA storage controller: Storage management is streamlined with VROC, which helps you configure flexible, scalable SATA storage configurations directly through the CPU, reducing latency and enabling more efficient RAID management for reliable, high‑availability storage.
• 8 Small Form Factor (SFF) drive bays: This DL380 Gen11 model ships with eight SFF bays, providing versatile storage options that can be expanded or reconfigured to match changing data requirements without compromising performance or density.
• 1,000W Platinum hot-plug power supply (Low Halogen): A high-efficiency, hot-plug 1000W Platinum power supply ensures reliable power delivery with energy efficiency, while the low halogen design contributes to safer, greener data center operations. The hot-plug capability simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime during upgrades or replacements.

Technical Details of HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 2U Rack Server

• Processor: 1 x Intel Xeon Gold 6430 @ 2.10 GHz
• Memory: 32 GB DDR5 RDIMM
• Storage Controller: Intel Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC) SATA
• Drive Bays: 8 x SFF bays
• Power Supply: 1 x HPE 1000W Flex Slot Platinum Hot Plug, Low Halogen
• Form Factor: 2U rack server
• Generation: 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable
• Included Features: Hot‑plug power supply, scalable storage options, enterprise-grade reliability
• Security and Reliability: Industry-leading ProLiant features designed for data center resilience and uptime

How to install HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 2U Rack Server

Preparing for installation begins with confirming your rack environment meets airflow and cooling requirements and that you have the appropriate mounting rails and cables. Ensure the rack has adequate clearance for the 2U height and that power and network cabling can be routed neatly to minimize stress on connectors. Inspect the server and components for any transit damage and confirm that the 1000W Platinum power supply is securely installed.

Step 1: Mount the server into the rack using the supplied rails. Align the chassis, slide it into position, and secure it with the mounting screws. Take care to avoid pinching cables and ensure there is sufficient clearance around the rear for exhaust and cable management. This step establishes a stable foundation for subsequent hardware connections and growth.

Step 2: Connect the required power and essential network cables. Attach the power cords to a suitable power distribution unit or outlet, ensuring proper grounding and cable management. Connect network interfaces as needed for initial management and remote access. A clean and organized cabling layout improves airflow and simplifies future maintenance tasks.

Step 3: Power on and access the BIOS/UEFI. During boot, verify that the CPU is recognized, memory is detected at the correct capacity, and the 8 SFF drive bays are enumerated. Configure basic BIOS settings such as boot order, virtualization features, and memory performance profiles. If you plan to use Intel VROC SATA storage, enable or configure the storage controller in BIOS according to your deployment requirements, and verify drive visibility and health status.

Step 4: Plan your storage and RAID configuration. With Intel VROC SATA support, you can configure SATA disks for your storage pool and define a RAID level that aligns with your fault tolerance and performance needs. Ensure that the firmware on all storage devices is up to date and that any licenses required for VROC are in place before proceeding with OS installation.

Step 5: Install the operating system and drivers. Launch your preferred deployment method and install the OS, followed by essential drivers and system firmware updates. After installation, verify system health, monitor CPU temperatures, and confirm that memory and storage operate within expected parameters. Establish baseline performance metrics to compare against as workloads evolve over time.

Additional tips: Maintain a consistent firmware update cycle for the ProLiant Gen11 platform to preserve security and stability. Use appropriate monitoring tools to track hardware health, thermal performance, and power usage, and ensure your deployment includes routine backups and disaster recovery planning to protect critical workloads.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What processor does this server include?
• A: It includes one Intel Xeon Gold 6430 processor running at 2.10 GHz, delivering solid performance for core enterprise workloads and scalable compute when paired with memory and storage resources.
• Q: How much memory is installed in this configuration?
• A: The configuration shown is 32 GB of DDR5 RDIMM memory, providing good bandwidth for typical virtualization and data processing tasks. Memory capacity can be expanded to meet future needs as workloads grow.
• Q: How many drive bays are available and what storage controller is used?
• A: The server features eight 8 SFF drive bays and uses the Intel Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC) SATA storage controller for flexible, software-defined storage management.
• Q: What power supply comes with the DL380 Gen11?
• A: It ships with a 1000W Platinum hot-plug power supply, offering high efficiency and reliable power delivery with a low halogen design for safer data center operations.
• Q: Is this server suitable for virtualization and data-intensive workloads?
• A: Yes. With a 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable architecture, DDR5 memory, and flexible VROC-based storage, the DL380 Gen11 is well-suited for virtualization, databases, analytics, and other demanding workloads, while maintaining manageability and reliability in enterprise environments.