Best Practices When Deploying Linux on the HP ProLiant DL980 (updated December 2012)

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Table 2: HP ProLiant DL980 selected Linux OS support matrix
Operating system
Max CPUs
HP-supported/ OS limit
Max Memory (RAM)
HP-supported/OS limit
Notes
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.5 (or later)
x86-64
160 / 255
1 / 1 TB
No x2APIC support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.X (6.0 or
later) x86-64
160 / 4096
4 / 64 TB
44 bit physical address
space
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10
Service Pack 4 (SP4 or later) x86-64
160 / 32*
1 / 1 TB
No x2APIC support
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11
Service Pack 1 (SP1 or later) x86-64
160 / 4096
4 / 16 TB
44 bit physical address
space
* SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 sp4 is certified on DL980 with 160 CPUs
This matrix shows that Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.X or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1 or higher is
necessary to make full use of the DL980’s maximum processors and memory. For more information, refer to the
following documentation:
 redhat.com/rhel/compare
 suse.com/products/server/technical-information/
 novell.com/products/server10/techspecs.html (for supported limits)
Additional recommended software components when
running Linux on the HP ProLiant DL980
Traditionally, HP has delivered operating system-specific bundles of drivers, utilities, and management agents
optimized for HP ProLiant servers via periodic releases of the HP ProLiant Support Pack (PSP). PSPs are bundled as part
of the HP Smart Start CD delivered with new ProLiant servers. In addition, latest versions for particular OS/server
combinations are downloadable from the HP Support Center (hp.com/go/hpsc).
Starting in mid-2012, the delivery of these extra software components is part of the new HP Service Pack for ProLiant
(SPP). Consequently, PSP 9.10 is the last version for the legacy PSP releases. The new HP SPP bundling offers a
comprehensive systems software and firmware solution delivered as a single ISO for updating the HP ProLiant rack
mount and BladeSystem servers.
Note
Going forward, HP recommends transitioning to the HP SPP for system update
components located on the HP ProLiant DL980 Support web page
(hp.com/support/dl980g7) and on the HP SPP download page
(hp.com/go/spp/download).
HP SPP — 2012 and forward
HP SPP is a comprehensive systems software and firmware solution delivered as a single ISO. This solution uses HP
Smart Update Manager (HP SUM) as the deployment tool and is tested on all supported HP ProLiant servers including the
new HP ProLiant Gen8 servers.
An HP SPP release is delivered as a family of deliverables with a full ISO and six subset ISOs differentiated by operating
system and HP ProLiant server type. Each subset version of the full ISO includes the software and firmware smart
components required for its specific audience and allows for a customized solution and faster download. The ISOs
available are as follows, with the subset ISOs applicable to the DL980 highlighted in bold type:
 HP SPP
 BladeSystem Red Hat Enterprise Linux Pack