HP ProLiant DL360: Full Review with Specs, Price, and More

Key Points

• The ProLiant DL360 is a scalable enterprise server and a significant player in the server industry.
• This is a great option if you need a powerful workhorse to support scalable applications and web software or if you’re building out a data center for a corporation, education center, or research facility.
• This is not a good option (overkill) if you are building a computer to use as a file server or home-based NAS system.

The HP ProLiant DL360 is part of HP’s line of server computers. Designed for critical business applications, the ProLiant DL360 is among the popular servers on the market. It’s up there with the PowerEdge series from Dell and the ThinkServer from IBM.

True, HP is one of the largest and most trusted computer brands in the world. But are their servers any good? If you are shopping for a new server, you may wonder how the ProLiant DL360 stacks up against the competition. In this post, we’ll dive into this server’s history, discuss some of its most notable features, and highlight its pros and cons. Ultimately, you’ll be able to decide whether this server is a good choice..

HP ProLiant DL360: Best Deal Today

The HP ProLiant DL360 has undergone many changes over the years, with each new generation bringing innovations in hardware, processing power, and upgradeability. We’ve taken the guesswork out of your search by compiling the best deals on the latest ProLiant servers here:

• ProLiant DL360 G10 Server (eBay) – $3,459
• ProLiant DL360 G10 (NewEgg) – $ 6,299
• ProLiant DL360 G10 (Amazon) – $5,487

HP ProLiant DL360: Overview

The HP ProLiant DL360 is one of the most popular servers for good reason. With a tremendously powerful default configuration, the ProLiant DL360 is capable of advanced tasks like artificial intelligence, machine learning applications, data processing, and cloud storage.

Initially produced by Compaq in the 1990s, the ProLiant name was taken over by HP starting in 2002. While HP had been producing its own servers for many years before that under the name “NetServer,” the ProLiant brand had a much more substantial market share and reputation. After they merged with Compaq, HP retired its NetServer lineup of servers in favor of the ProLiant.

Release Date and Price

The first ProLiant DL360 servers were initially launched in June of 2000. Now, over twenty years later, we are on the 10th generation of ProLiant servers. The DL360 has grown in popularity and is now one of the best-selling servers. 

This server isn’t cheap, with a starting price of $3,975 for the latest model. That price, however, gives you a powerful server that pays for itself quickly when put to good use.

Different Models

The HP ProLiant DL360 is identified mainly by its generation. For example, the 10th generation model is referred to as the “DL360 G10”, while the 9th generation is referred to as the “DL 360 G9,” and so on.

Some of the closest competitors from HP’s ProLiant series are the DL380 and the DL160. The DL380 is the larger cousin to the DL360 and provides even more horsepower, albeit at a higher cost. The DL160, on the other hand, is the more budget-friendly alternative to the DL360. It’s not quite expandable, but it is a reasonable alternative if you don’t need as much processing power or storage.

Features

A feature-packed server is a nice addition to any data center or cloud storage company. Even if you’re just running a single server for small business or office use, having additional features is always welcome. Luckily, the HP ProLiant DL360 is packed with helpful features to provide a high-performance, scalable, and easy-to-maintain system.

One desirable feature of the ProLiant DL360 is its six-channel memory configuration. A total of 24 RAM slots are available when both sockets are active. However, the official maximum memory depends on your processor configuration. Since the DL360 has two CPU sockets, you can install one processor or two. With just a single processor, your maximum RAM is capped at a respectable 3TB. If you want to go all out and get the dual-processor configuration, you’ll be able to enjoy up to 6TB of RAM.

The ProLiant DL360 is powered by Intel Xeon processors, explicitly designed for demanding server applications. You can run incredibly complex computational tasks with up to 28 cores per CPU. Though these processors are power-hungry, they allow you to install multiple redundant power supplies to feed them. Depending on your overall storage and RAM configuration, you may opt for 500, 800, or 1600-watt hot-plug low-halogen power supplies.

Specifications

HP ProLiant DL360: Review

When setting up a data center or server farm, you want to fit as many powerful servers as possible into a small area. If you’re a chief technical officer or technical lead at a large company, saving space and money are two primary goals. The HP ProLiant DL360 is designed precisely for this situation.

From the start, the ProLiant DL360 has been designed with scalability in mind. By offering a rackmount form factor, the DL360 is ideal for stacking in server cabinets by the dozens or even hundreds. Intended for use in massive data centers, the DL360 is exceptionally compact. Though it measures around 27.83” (707mm) in length, it measures just a few inches in height. All its components are housed along a tray-like platform, then mounted in a cabinet for easy access.

Additionally, most server cabinets fit between 48 and 72 units, allowing you to stack a massive quantity of servers in a small space. With so many servers in a small area, excessive heat can be a valid concern. Luckily, the ProLiant DL360 houses multiple high-speed fans and uses a very efficient thermal design. The fans pull air through the front of the server and across all of the components, expelling warm air out the back.

Similarly to other rackmount servers, the ProLiant DL360 is easy to maintain and upgrade. Most components, including hard drives, cooling fans, and power supplies, are completely hot-swappable. In the event of hardware failure, you can quickly replace the failed component without rebooting the system. 

Microsoft Windows Server is one of the most popular operating systems for ProLiant DL360. If you’re not a fan of Windows, you can choose from a wide range of supported operating systems like Ubuntu, Oracle Linux, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. In addition, HP even makes its operating system specifically for its servers called ClearOS. 

HP ProLiant DL360: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly expandable
• Very compact design
• Efficient cooling system
• Multiple OS compatibility
• Enhanced security features

Cons:

• Very pricey
• Power hungry

HP ProLiant DL360: Is it a buy?

The ProLiant DL360 is a scalable enterprise server and a significant player in the server industry. However, it’s not without drawbacks. With high performance comes excessive noise, heat, and weight. The DL360 is designed to be stored in a server cabinet, so soundproofing was never a factor in its design. The result is an exceptionally noisy computer that is difficult to be around. The rackmount form factor also demands that you have a proper server cabinet for storage. However, if you have the right systems in place to house this server, it comes with a lot of advantages.

Buy it if…

You need a powerful workhorse to support scalable applications and web software. If you’re building out a data center for a corporation, education center, or research facility, the DL360 should be on your radar. With enough processing power on tap to handle anything you throw its way, the DL360 can host many data-intensive web applications.

Don’t buy it if…

If you’re building a computer to use as a file server or home-based NAS system, the ProLiant DL360 is overkill. Any old computer can act as a file server. You would be wasting money on the enterprise-level performance you’ll never need. However, if you are in charge of the IT department at a large organization, the DL360 could be ideal. 

Check out the ProLiant DL360 G10 on Amazon.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Melee, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

Last update on 2023-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API