HP BladeSystem p-Class rack-centralized (3U) power solutions

Abstract

HP provides two power subsystem alternatives to meet the requirements of various BladeSystem

deployments. These two options are the HP BladeSystem p-Class 3U power enclosure (rack-

centralized) and the HP BladeSystem p-Class 1U power enclosure (enclosure-based). This technology

brief describes the HP BladeSystem p-Class 3U power subsystem and the various possible

configurations using the HP BladeSystem p-Class server blade enclosure and different combinations of

server blades.

This technology brief was written with the assumption that readers are familiar with the components of

the HP BladeSystem p-Class infrastructure. For more information about the infrastructure components,

see the HP website at

www.hp.com/go/bladesystem/.

Acronyms in text

The following acronyms are used in the text of this document.

Table 1. Acronyms

Acronym Acronym expansion

AC Alternating current

DC Direct current

EEPROM Electrically erasable programmable read-

only memory

iLO Integrated Lights-out

NA/JPN North America / Japan

RETMA Radio Electronics Television Manufacturers

Association (rack spacing)

ROM Read-only memory

U Unit of measurement for rackmount

equipment (U is 1.75in. or 4.44cm)

VAC Volts alternating current

VDC Volts direct current

Overview of HP BladeSystem p-Class power infrastructure

HP offers two power subsystem alternatives to accommodate a range of environments. These two

options are the HP BladeSystem p-Class 3U power enclosure (rack-centralized) and the HP

BladeSystem p-Class 1U power enclosure (enclosure-based). Each power enclosure holds up to six

hot-plug power supplies and contains a power management module for monitoring the power

infrastructure. ProLiant BL p-Class bus bars distribute power from the 3U power enclosures to the

server blade enclosures and drastically reduce cabling. All server blades, interconnect options, and

management tools are fully compatible with either power subsystem. The focus of this paper is the BL

p-Class 3U power subsystem. For more information on the HP BladeSystem p-Class 1U (enclosure-

based) power enclosure, please refer to the HP technology brief available at this URL:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00588442/c00588442.pdf