Networking flexibility in HP ProLiant servers with FlexibleLOM technology

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Introduction
Servers with a NIC embedded on the system board are referred to as using LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) architecture.
LOM architecture results in an efficient system design that does not require an add-on option for network functionality.
Servers with LOM architectures offer optimum cost-to-performance solutions—if the NICs embedded on the server’s
system board meet your specific network requirements.
However, the “one size fits all” LOM strategy can create issues. For instance, if the LOM on your server does not match
your network infrastructure exactly, you will either have to settle for something less than you wanted, purchase
additional hardware to make up the difference, or not use all the features that you purchased. Even if the LOM meets
current needs, your network requirements could change in the future, forcing you to abandon system board components
(that will continue to draw power) and add another card.
FlexibleLOM for rack mount servers
FlexibleLOM technology for HP rack mount servers is a variation of LOM architecture that allows the customer to choose
the type of NIC to be resident in the server. Instead of an embedded NIC (Figure 1A), FlexibleLOM for a rack mount server
uses a system board edge connector that accepts a FlexibleLOM adapter (Figure 1B), that integrates seamlessly with the
server’s architecture and form factor.
Figure 1: This illustration shows a comparison of LOM architecture to FlexibleLOM technology in rack mount servers.
FlexibleLOM
4-Port
1 Gb adapter
FlexibleLOM
2-Port
10 Gb SFP+
adapter
FlexibleLOM
2-Port
10 Gb
adapter
CPU 0
FlexibleLOM
adapter
area
A:
System board with LOM B: System board with FlexibleLOM
or
or
CPU 1
CPU 0
CPU 1
Rear panel
of chassis
Rear panel
of chassis
Embedded
4-Port
1 Gb NIC