Technologies for the ProLiant ML570 G3 and ProLiant DL580 G3 Servers Technology Brief

Abstract
With the third-generation of ProLiant 500-series servers —the ProLiant ML570 G3 and the ProLiant
DL580 G3 servers — IT managers have additional choices for servers that can transition easily from
32-bit to 64-bit x86 processing. The architecture for the ProLiant ML570 G3 and the DL580 G3 uses
the Intel® 64-bit Xeon™ processor MP designed to operate in either 32-bit or 64-bit mode,
depending on the application and operating system (OS) utilized. This architecture brings enhanced
performance not only through the 64-bit architecture but also through the use of fast DDR-2 memory,
large memory footprints, and dual front-side buses. To complement this high-performing architecture,
the Intel E8500 chipset adds high-availability memory technologies such as Online Spare, Hot Plug
Mirrored memory, and Hot Plug RAID memory. This generation of servers brings Hot Plug RAID
technology — providing the highest level of availability, at a lower cost than mirroring — into the 4-
way multiprocessing, mid-tier enterprise solution space.
The ProLiant ML570 G3 and the DL580 G3 servers have been completely redesigned to provide
increased serviceability and reliability in their mechanical designs. The chassis designs have minimal
cabling, fool-proof locking mechanisms to avoid mishaps, simple rack rail systems, and are virtually
tool-less.
Introduction
The ProLiant ML570 G3 and the ProLiant DL580 G3 servers bring a new level of high-performance
and high-availability technologies to 4-way, industry-standard servers. Many of these technologies
were previously available only in 8-way x86 servers or servers using other processor architectures.
This brief addresses the following key technologies within the ProLiant ML570 G3 and DL580 G3
platforms:
• The move to 64-bit processor operations
• Faster, higher-performing memory
• High-availability technologies including Advanced Memory Protection technologies and larger
memory footprints
• Updated I/O technologies
• Highly leveraged mechanical designs to ensure serviceability
This brief discusses only certain key technologies of the ProLiant 500-series servers. For complete
specifications of each server, see the HP website at
www.hp.com/go/proliant.
Processor architecture
In 2004, HP introduced the first 4-way ProLiant server to provide 64-bit x86 capabilities —the
ProLiant DL585 using AMD Opteron processors. The ProLiant ML570 G3 and the ProLiant DL580 G3,
announced in March 2005, extend the 64-bit portfolio with their use of the Intel® 64-bit Xeon™
Processor MP with up to 8 MB L3 cache. Its use of Intel Extended Memory 64-bit Technology (EM64T)
enables IT organizations to deploy common platforms for both 32-bit and 64-bit computing, and
move to 64-bit computing gradually as it benefits their businesses.
Defining 64-bit architecture
A 64-bit architecture has a much larger amount of directly addressable (flat) memory space than a
32-bit processor. The use of EM64T allows the OS to access a flat memory address space greater
than 4 GB without enabling Physical Address Extensions (PAE) and incurring the overhead of PAE.
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