Hewlett-Packard Co has added two more configurations to its NetServer Windows NT server line based on the Intel Corp Pentium II processor. The LC II is a workgroup (file and print) server for small to medium-sized businesses with between roughly 10 and 75 users, while the LH II is a departmental server for mission-critical applications supporting between 50 and 200 users. HP says its main advantages over competitors such as Compaq Computer Corp and Dell Computer Corp is a simpler product range and better remote support capabilities for IT staff. Both models include the recently-announced TopTools for Servers and integrated Remote Assistant management software with support for SNMP simple network management protocol and the Desktop Management Task Force’s DMI 2.0 desktop management interfaces – HP claims to be the first with the latter. It also includes support for HP and Intel’s Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) – which is backed by IBM Corp and NEC Corp as well – which inserts a firmware layer between the hardware to make event log files simpler to manage. The LC II features three hot-swappable drives, a NetRAID controller and automatic server restart, as well as ECC system and CPU cache memory. The LH II adds support for Microsoft’s Corp forthcoming Wolfpack clustering software. HP reckons it has about 35% of the entry-level high volume NT server market at the moment. The LC II entry-level spec with one Pentium II 266 MHz processor (they both support up to two) costs from $2,700 and the entry-level LH II, with up to 109.2Gb of hot-swap storage goes from just under $4,200. Both are available in January. HP is launching its 8-way NetServers on December 2.
