Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1.1 vs. HP SmartStart
Contents
1. General dimension information Height inches 3 50 3 39 Width inches 17 50 17 53 Depth inches 27 00 25 81 U size in server rack U 2 2 Power supplies Total number Wattage of each W Cooling fans Total number 5 6 Dimensions h x w of each 2 50 x 2 50 2 38 x 2 50 Voltage V 12 12 Amps A 1 60 2 45 General processor setup Number of processor packages Number of cores per processor package Number of hardware threads per core CPU Vendor Intel Intel Name Xeon E5540 Xeon E5540 Stepping DO DO Socket type LGA1366 LGA1366 Core frequency GHz 2 53 2 53 L1 cache 4 x 32 KB 32 KB 4 x 32 KB 32 KB L2 cache 4 x 256 KB 4 x 256 KB L3 cache MB 8 8 Platform Vendor and model number Dell PowerEdge R710 HP ProLiant DL380 G6 Motherboard model number 0M233H PADABOG9VXC1CQ Motherboard revision number 13 0G BIOS name and version Dell 1 1 4 05 08 2009 HP BIOS P62 06 20 2009 BIOS settings Memory Operating Mode set to Optimizer Mode Advanced Memory Protection set to Advanced ECC Support Memory modules Total RAM in system GB 12 12 Vendor and model number Samsung M393B5673DZ1 Samsung M393B5673DZ1 Type PC3 10600R DDR3 PC3 10600R2. Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 Appendix B Detailed test information This appendix provides detailed information about how we conducted the tests As we discuss in the Executive summary section of this report the process of replacing a mislaid or out of date SmartStart CD would add the following three steps to configuring the HP DL380 G6 However in a case where you are installing on multiple servers you would only incur the cost of creating the CD once 1 Browse to the SmartStart download page 2 Download SmartStart 8 25 x64 3 Burn SmartStart to a CD Figure 8 details the steps we used to deploy Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 Dell PowerEdge R710 33 steps requiring 4 reboots HP DL380 G6 35 steps requiring 5 reboots Before starting this case delete any pre existing RAID Before starting this case delete any pre existing RAID configurations that may exist configurations that may exist Start of timed test Start the timer Start of timed test Start the timer 1 Turn on the server 1 Turn on the server and insert the SmartStart 2 Push F10 when the BIOS screen prompts you to CD do so The server will boot into the Dell USC Push F9 when the BIOS prompts you to enter GUI RBSU See note 2 below Select Hardware Configuration Atthe ROM Based Setup Utility screen select Select Advanced Configuration System Option
3. COM1 IRQ4 10 3F8H 3FFH Press ESC to reboot the server and boot to SmartStart CD 8 25 x64 Click through the menus to server deployment Launch the Array Configuration Utility ACU and configure the array Continue through setup selecting Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition as the OS option setup Insert the Windows Server 2008 x64 SP2 DVD Allow Windows install to complete answering any prompts Stop the timer at the prompt to change the password Total time Figure 5 Time for normal deployment Times are in minutes seconds Shorter times are better Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 3 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 First time deployment The first time deployment case is identical to the normal deployment case in all regards except the creation of a new SmartStart CD Figure 6 shows the times for each step in the first time deployment Dell USC OS driver pack version 6 1 1 3 on Dell HP SmartStart 8 25 x64 on HP ProLiant DL380 G6 PowerEdge R71 Locate and browse to SmartStart 8 25 download fe Download SmartStart 6 25 Burn the SmartStart 8 25 download to a CD Use the menus to set the first NIC Boot Using the menus set the NIC1 boot option to F rotacolta PAE and Ihe eta Network Boot and the BIOS Serial amp EMS option N N N 1 0 ete f p Communication option to On with Console i DN A redirect
4. a wide array of technology subjects They created and led the Ziff Davis Benchmark Operation which developed such industry standard benchmarks as Ziff Davis Media s Winstone and WebBench They founded and led eTesting Labs and after the acquisition of that company by Lionbridge Technologies were the head and CTO of VeriTest B Principled Technologies Inc maal 1007 Slater Rd Suite 250 Principled Durham NC 27703 il Technologies www principledtechnologies com info principledtechnologies com Principled Technologies is a registered trademark of Principled Technologies Inc All other product names are the trademarks of their respective owners Disclaimer of Warranties Limitation of Liability PRINCIPLED TECHNOLOGIES INC HAS MADE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY AND VALIDITY OF ITS TESTING HOWEVER PRINCIPLED TECHNOLOGIES INC SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED RELATING TO THE TEST RESULTS AND ANALYSIS THEIR ACCURACY COMPLETENESS OR QUALITY INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE ALL PERSONS OR ENTITIES RELYING ON THE RESULTS OF ANY TESTING DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND AGREE THAT PRINCIPLED TECHNOLOGIES INC ITS EMPLOYEES AND ITS SUBCONTRACTORS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FROM ANY CLAIM OF LOSS OR DAMAGE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY ALLEGED ERROR OR DEFECT IN ANY TESTING PROCEDURE OR RESULT Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell U
5. accept the default Language Time and currency format and Keyboard or input Method Click Next At the next Install Windows screen click Install now At the next Install Windows screen select Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Full Installation Click Next Accept the license agreement and click Next Select Custom Advanced by clicking on it You should see only one partition available for installing Windows Server 2008 Accept that as the default and click Next End of timed test At the notice to change the password stop the timer Accept the default of RAID 5 and click Next Click Finish when you see the Configuration Wizard Complete message It will save the configuration automatically Click Exit ACU At the Server Deployment Hardware Configuration screen click Continue At the Server Deployment Operating System Selection screen expand the list for Windows Server 2008 and choose Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Click Continue At the Server Deployment Operating System Media Source screen accept the defaults and click Continue At the Server Deployment Disk Partitioning Options screen accept the defaults and click Continue At the Server Deployment Operating System Configuration Information screen enter the Organization name and the license key and click Continue At the Server Deployment WBEM SNMP Configuration screen select No fo
6. 17 Ignore the warning about there being no At the RAID Configuration screen Step 2 of 5 bootable drive Click Deploy Server accept the default of PERC 6 i Integrated Click 18 Click Launch ACU and ADU Next 19 Using the dropdown list in the upper left At the RAID Configuration screen Step 3 of 5 corner select Smart Array P410i in accept the default of Express Wizard Click Embedded Slot Next 20 Click the Wizards tab and click Express At the RAID Configuration screen Step 4 of 5 Configuration in the right hand pane select the RAID level of RAID 5 Accept all other 21 Click Begin Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 7 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 defaults Click Next At the RAID Configuration screen Step 1 of 5 click Finish At the Do you wish to apply these modifications now message box click Yes At the RAID configuration successful screen click OK and wait while the Dell USC populates the OS list At the Operating System Deployment screen Step 1 of 3 select Windows Server 2008 x64 Click Next and wait while the Dell USC populates the drivers for the OS At the Operating System Deployment screen Step 2 of 3 insert the Windows Server 2008 x64 with SP2 DVD and click Next At the Operating System Deployment screen Step 3 of 3 click Finish After the system reboots at the Install Windows screen
7. DDR3 Speed MHz Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 1 333 1 333 Servers Dell PowerEdge R710 HP ProLiant DL380 G6 Speed in the system currently running MHz 1 066 1 066 Timing latency tCL tRCD iIRP tRASmin 7 7 7 37 5 7 7 7 37 5 Size GB 12 12 Number of RAM modules 6x2 GB 6x2 GB Chip organization Double sided Double sided Hard disk Vendor and model number Fujitsu MBB2147RC Fujitsu MBB2147RC Number of disks in system 5 5 Size GB 146 146 Buffer size MB 16 16 RPM 10 000 10 000 Type SAS SAS Operating system Name Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 without Hyper V Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 without Hyper V Build number 6001 6001 File system NTFS NTFS Language English English Network card subsystem Vendor and model number Broadcom NetXtreme II 5709C Dual Port Ethernet Broadcom NetXtreme II 5709C Dual Port Ethernet Type Optical drive Integrated Integrated Vendor and model number TSSTcorp TS L333A DVD ROM LG GDR D20N DVD ROM USB ports Number Type Figure 7 Detailed system configuration information for the two test servers Principled Technologies
8. TEST REPORT AUGUST 2009 5 Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 Executive summary KEY FINDINGS Dell Inc Dell commissioned Principled Technologies PT The Dell USC was 34 6 percent faster than to compare the operating system deployment times when HP SmartStart at deploying Windows using the following two system management applications Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 See Figure 1 e Dell Unified Server Configurator Dell USC version 1 1 enabled by the Lifecycle Controller running on the Dell PowerEdge R710 server e HP SmartStart SmartStart version 8 25 x64 running on the HP ProLiant DL380 G6 server The Dell USC was 56 2 percent faster than HP SmartStart at deploying Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 in a first time deployment where in the HP case the user had to first download and create a SmartStart CD See Figure 2 We tested these system management applications which provide ease of use for end users as they perform various The Dell USC was able to perform all our server tasks on similarly configured servers tasks without any other utilities HP SmartStart required two additional utilities We tested the Dell USC version 1 1 with operating system to perform the same tasks See Figure 3 driver pack 6 1 1 3 a pre release version Dell plans to release in the third quarter of 2009 and the HP SmartStart system mana
9. ance stores a copy of the old BIOS or firmware before applying a new version You can accomplish a rollback later using only the Dell USC HP requires you to have a copy of the old BIOS ROMPagq to complete such a rollback If a copy of the ROMPagq is not available you must find and download a copy This extra time can be significant in large production environments where every minute of downtime results in considerable costs to the business The Dell USC also has a single automated download location coded into the utility on each machine This simplifies future server upgrades including BIOS updates and firmware as well as Dell USC platform updates The Dell USC also requires no inserting of CDs or USB keys for the deployment this media independence and automated functionality of the Dell USC help to avoid version skew time delays and other problems associated with CD based media Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 2 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 Test results In this section we give detailed steps and times required for the deployments Normal deployment On the Dell PowerEdge R710 we used the Dell USC version 1 1 for all tasks in this section of the report On the HP ProLiant DL380 G6 we used SmartStart8 25 x64 and the ROM Based Setup Utility RBSU All times in this section are in minutes seconds For the Dell PowerEdge R710 we used the Dell USC to in
10. gement application version 8 25 x64 We determined the time these applications took to perform the following tasks The Dell USC required 33 steps to deploy Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 while HP SmartStart required 35 steps for a normal deployment and 38 steps for a first time deployment when the user had to first download and create a SmartStart CD e Setting the NIC boot options for NIC 1 See Figure 4 e Setting the serial communication options e Deploying Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition The Dell USC s unified interface also x64 SP2 provides several benefits that are less easily measured Among these are The Dell Unified Server Configurator provides a single simplified upgrade and rollback paths interface for firmware and other updates hardware which do not depend on keeping track of configuration RAID management native deployment of external media supported operating systems and system diagnostics Because the Dell USC is on an embedded chip no compact discs CDs are necessary We used SmartStart 8 25 x64 for installing the operating system on the HP server Unlike the Dell USC SmartStart is a CD based utility However we could not execute all management tasks using SmartStart To set the NIC 1 boot option and Serial Communication we had to boot to the ROM Based Setup Utility RBSU We compare the summary deployment times when we used the Dell Unified Server Configurator to those when we used SmartStart a
11. ion via COM1 to COM1 IRQ4 10 3F8H 3FFH N Press ESC to reboot the server and boot to j SmartStart CD 8 25 x64 Click through the menus to server deployment SAIPA oer Oo Trami NE meni opion and i Launch the Array Configuration Utility ACU and follow the array configuration configure the array PAE dee e a Continue through setup selecting Microsoft 0 p 9 Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition as the OS option setup Insert the Windows Server 2008 x64 SP2 DVD system Insert the Windows Server 2008 x64 SP2 DVD Allow Windows install to complete Allow Windows install to complete answering answering any prompts any prompts Stop the timer at the prompt to change the Stop the timer at the prompt to change the password password 28 14 Total time Total time Figure 6 Time for normal deployment Times are in minutes seconds Shorter times are better NA J ooo eaae s Power on the server and boot to Dell USC Power on the server and boot to SmartStart CD 49 by pressing F10 8 25 x64 A 58 24 21 Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 4 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 Appendix A Test system configuration information This appendix provides detailed configuration information about each of the test server systems which we list in alphabetical order in Figure 7 Servers Dell PowerEdge R710 HP ProLiant DL380 G6
12. ity of a misplaced CD If an update is required the USC updates directly via FTP As Figure 2 shows the deployment time using SmartStart increased from 43 12 to 64 28 an increase of 21 16 Be aware however that download times can vary considerably Figure 2 Time for first time deployment Times are in minutes seconds Shorter times are better Note First time deployment assumes an up to date copy of SmartStart is not available Figure 3 shows the number of utilities we had to use to accomplish our tasks The Dell USC using OS driver pack 6 1 1 3 on the Dell PowerEdge R710 was the only utility we needed to use SmartStart 8 25 x64 on the HP ProLiant DL380 G6 requires the RBSU and Array Configuration Utility ACU to perform the same tasks RBSU Dell USC version 1 1 integrated SmartStart 8 25 x64 CD ACU invoked from inside SmartStart 8 25 x64 Figure 3 Number of utilities required by each server Figure 4 shows the number of steps required to execute both the normal deployment and the first time deployment test cases Normal Deployment First time Deployment Figure 4 The number of steps required on each server for the deployment There are also less measurable benefits of the Dell USC over the HP management utilities The Dell USC provides a single easy to use interface for server management tasks while HP employs multiple tools The Dell USC also provides a more repeatable upgrade downgrade path The Dell USC for inst
13. ld add several minutes to the install time We did not analyze this case Principled Technologies Inc Time comparison for OS deployment Dell Unified Server Configurator version 1 1 8 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64 About Principled Technologies We provide industry leading technology assessment and fact based marketing services We bring to every assignment extensive experience with and expertise in all aspects of technology testing and analysis from researching new technologies to developing new methodologies to testing with existing and new tools When the assessment is complete we know how to present the results to a broad range of target audiences We provide our clients with the materials they need from market focused data to use in their own collateral to custom sales aids such as test reports performance assessments and white papers Every document reflects the results of our trusted independent analysis We provide customized services that focus on our clients individual requirements Whether the technology involves hardware software Web sites or services we offer the experience expertise and tools to help you assess how it will fare against its competition its performance whether it s ready to go to market and its quality and reliability Our founders Mark L Van Name and Bill Catchings have worked together in technology assessment for over 20 years As journalists they published over a thousand articles on
14. nd BIOS based utilities See the Test results section for complete results and a description of the comparison For complete test system configuration information see Appendix A for more detailed test information see Appendix B Figure 1 shows the times required to deploy Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 The Dell USC using OS driver pack 6 1 1 3 on the Dell PowerEdge R710 took 28 minutes and 14 seconds to complete the deployment This is 34 6 percent faster than SmartStart 8 25 x64 on the HP ProLiant DL380 G6 which took 43 minutes and 12 seconds to perform the same tasks Normal deployment System management Dell USC OS driver pack version HP SmartStart 8 25 x64 on 6 1 1 3 on Dell PowerEdge R710 HP ProLiant DL380 G6 application and server Total time required 28 14 43 12 Figure 1 Time for normal deployment Times are in minutes seconds Shorter times are better We also considered the case of a user who does not have the latest version of SmartStart available due to misplacing the CD or due to an outdated CD We found that the time to locate download and burn a SmartStart 8 25 x64 CD would add a one time cost of over 21 minutes to the time required for our deployment test and would add three additional steps to the procedure We call this case the first time deployment This issue would never arise for the Dell PowerEdge R710 because Dell integrates the USC in the server There is no CD required hence no possibil
15. nified Server Configurator version 1 1 9 vs HP SmartStart version 8 25 x64
16. r both and click Continue At the Server Deployment ProLiant Support Pack screen accept the default of Express and click Continue At the Server Deployment Ready to Install screen click Continue and wait while SmartStart prepares the disks When SmartStart prompts you remove the SmartStart CD and insert the Windows DVD for Windows Server 2008 x64 with SP2 Click Continue 34 At the Server Deployment Browse Media screen click Browse and select DVD Click Continue 35 Accept the license agreement and click Next End of timed test At the notice to change the password stop the timer Figure 8 Number of steps required by each server to deploy Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 Note 1 As per the Dell USC User s Manual Depending on the configuration setting changes you may receive a message indicating One or more of the settings requires a reboot to be saved and activated Do you want to reboot now It is acceptable to select No and continue to make additional configuration changes or perform other tasks such as OS Deployment All changes will be activated during the following system boot We assume the user is familiar enough with server setup tasks to know this reboot is not necessary Note 2 For our analysis we assume the user is perceptive enough to not boot into SmartStart to get into the RBSU The user could however boot into SmartStart first and then invoke the RBSU This wou
17. s At the Advanced Configuration screen select Select Embedded NICs the first NIC card in the list Select NIC1 Boot Options At the Main Page screen select MBA Press Enter to clear the warning Configuration Menu Select Network Boot and press Enter Select PXE as the Boot Protocol and click Press ESC twice to return to the main menu Back Select BIOS Serial Console amp EMS and At the Main Page screen click Finish press Enter When you see the message box asking you to Select BIOS Serial Console Port and press confirm your changes click Yes Enter Select System BIOS Settings Select COM1 IRQ4 IO 3F8H 3FFH and Select Serial Communication press Enter Under the Serial Communication choose On Press ESC to return to the main menu with Console Redirection via COM1 and click Press ESC to exit and upon confirmation Back press F10 to complete the process Click Finish At the pop up message to confirm Press ESC to stop the system from creating changes click Yes the RAID It will boot into SmartStart from the When you see the message box asking you to CD reboot click No See note 1 below At the Select the language to use during the Click Back Smart Start Process screen accept the Select OS Deploy on the left default of English and click Continue Select OS deploy 16 Accept the license agreement by clicking At the RAID Configuration screen Step 1 of 5 Agree click Next
18. stall Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64SP2 Before starting the test we deleted any preexisting RAID configurations For the HP ProLiant DL380 G6 we used SmartStart to install Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 SP2 Before starting the test we deleted any preexisting RAID configurations We pressed the Escape key during the boot to prevent the creation of a default RAID At the end of the install both servers boot into the operating system We stopped the timers at the Windows prompt to change the password Figure 5 shows the times for each step in the normal deployment Dell USC OS driver pack version 6 1 1 3 on Dell PowerEdge R71 Power on the server and boot to Dell USC by pressing F10 Use the menus to set the first NIC Boot Protocol to PXE and the Serial N 49 134 58 Communication option to On with Console redirection via COM1 Select Deploy OS from the menu option and 0 32 p follow the array configuration Complete the remaining steps selecting Windows Server 2008 x64 as the operating 0 system Insert the Windows Server 2008 x64 SP2 DVD Allow Windows install to complete answering any prompts Stop the timer at the prompt to change the password 28 14 Total time 24 21 HP SmartStart 8 25 x64 on HP ProLiant DL380 G6 Power on the server and boot to SmartStart CD 8 25 x64 Using the menus set the NIC1 boot option to Network Boot and the BIOS Serial amp EMS option to
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