[itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell

Sat Oct 29 16:34:37 EDT 2011

I worked for an HP reseller for 9 years and had become a bit of an HP
snob.  They make rock solid hardware from my experience and the price is
pretty comparable once you beat them down on price.  The only real
experience I had with Dell was with clients that got the bargain basement
model and I was less than impressed.

In February I changed jobs and now administer a college network that was a
Dell shop when I arrived.  I can say that I have been very pleased with the
Dell hardware.  Now that I'm seeing comparable hardware I think that the
quality is really a wash between the two.  For price, Dell definitely wins.
I've also been VERY impressed with the support I receive from Dell.  When
I've had minor issues like HDDs go in the storage arrays we have, I get a
new drive same day.  On the minor occasions that I've had a significant
issue, I've been placed in touch with a competent engineer withing 10
minutes and they have had me running again same day each time.

My only complaint with Dell is that while HP has the iLO out of band
management built into each server and licensed for basic functionality,
this feature is an add-on for many of the Dell servers at over $300 per
server.  I was somewhat surprised to find that the servers don't have any
PS2 ports, so a new server I ordered had to have a USB to PS2 adapter
installed before it could be used with our in-place KVM solution.

I also have a EMC by Dell SAN that has become a bit of a burr in my
saddle.  I've been requesting assistance from Dell in reviewing a sporadic
performance issue I'm having and it too me involving EMC directly before
they would dedicate resources to helping me.  I'm pleased to say that once
they got in gear, their engineers are much more capable than even the EMC
people in diagnosing the issue.

All that to say, that despite the small issues I've had with Dell and my
preconceived notions about the quality of product I'm overall pleased with
the hardware and do not see myself switching any time soon.

Mike K.

2011/10/26 Chance <chance at mindspring.com>

> We too are a Dell shop, have been for over 10 years, I’ve been very happy
> with the servers I have and any service I’ve need from Dell.****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Julianna Hutchins****
>
> IT Administrator****
>
> Sugar Hill UMC****
>
> 4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd****
>
> Sugar Hill, GA 30518****
>
> 770-945-2845 ext. 273****
>
> *Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
> world gives. *Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.*
>
> John 14:27****
>
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> *From:* Greg Allen [mailto:greg.allen at mccart.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 26, 2011 11:32 AM
>
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* Re: [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> We are a Dell shop here. I inherited it this way 8 years ago and rolled
> with it. We have had very good luck with all generations of the Dell
> servers we have used. I have never had issues with their server/storage
> support either. Most of the time those guys are spot on. ****
>
> ** **
>
> I really like the newer R series servers. I just rolled out an R710 for
> our SQL database and it is a beast! I strongly suggest getting the servers
> with the iDRAC cards as well if you don’t have an IP KVM in house. It’s
> awesome to be at home and reboot a server and watch it cycle from start to
> finish remotely. ****
>
> ** **
>
> PS. Anyone know who makes Dell’s switches for them? ****
>
> ** **
>
> *Greg Allen*  |  IT Manager****
>
> The McCart Group*  *| *an Assurex Global Partner*****
>
> 2405 Satellite Blvd., Suite 200  |  Duluth, GA  30096****
>
> *PH*  678-475-5761  |  *FX*  678-475-3871****
>
> *Visit our new website at **www.mccart.com** *
>
> * *
>
> Founded in 1971, The McCart Group offers comprehensive Property and
> Casualty <http://www.mccart.com/Risk_Management.aspx>,
> Employee Benefits<http://www.mccart.com/Employee_Benefits_Payroll_Benefits.aspx>,
> Risk Control & Safety <http://www.mccart.com/Risk_Control_Safety.aspx>,
> and Personal Insurance <http://www.mccart.com/Personal_Insurance.aspx>solutions.
> **
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> ** **
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> *From:* Huff, Brandon [mailto:BrandonH at PERIMETER.org]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 26, 2011 11:17 AM
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* Re: [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> We also use Dell for our Servers and workstations.  Support has been great
> the few times we have had to contact them (we’ve actually never needed to
> contact support for our servers).  However, we are using HP for our SAN.
> Dell prices for SANs were way too high and HP offered some lower cost
> options that met our needs.  If you’re curious, here are the model numbers
> for our servers and SAN:****
>
> ** **
>
> 2 x Dell PowerEdge R710****
>
> 1 x Dell PowerEdge 2950****
>
> 1 x HP StorageWorks MSA2000****
>
> ** **
>
> --****
>
> Brandon Huff****
>
> IT Director****
>
> Perimeter Church****
>
> 678.405.2236 | brandonh at perimeter.org****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Dayron Daugherty [mailto:ddaugherty at precept.org]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 26, 2011 11:04 AM
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* Re: [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> I came on here in May 2005 and part of my first task was to spec out new
> servers for an NT\Exchange 5.5 to Windows 2003\Exchange 2003 migration and
> other core serer upgrades. We reviewed HP and Dell and in the end went with
> Dell. For what we needed Dell was less expensive and research showed they
> were good servers and we liked the warranty options. We went with 2 PE800s
> for the domain controllers, PE1800 for a new file server, and 2 PE2800s for
> Exchange and SQL servers. From there we’ve been a Dell (server and
> workstation) shop and have great experience with reliability and, on the
> rare occasion when needed, their warranty support. We’ve used warranty
> replacement mostly for laptops (2 motherboard replacements and 2 dying
> screen replacements). We’ve had to have a couple of drives replaced in
> raids over the years. ****
>
> ** **
>
> We just recently had a hardware failure in one of the PE800s (which is now
> out of warranty) and just setup a hyper-V VM to take its place as a
> secondary domain controller as we plan for the Windows 2008\Exchange 2010
> upgrade. ****
>
> ** **
>
> All that to say – We’ve been a Dell shop for some time. I don’t have any
> recent experience with HP, but I’ve never heard complaints about their
> server line. I’d say if you know Dell, and the price is right, stick with
> Dell. ****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* blloyd at buskercom.com [mailto:blloyd at buskercom.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 26, 2011 6:36 AM
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* Re: [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> I’ve had a great experience with HP servers.  They are highly reliable and
> the support is usually very good.  Recently, we purchased used Dell servers
> because of the cost.  So far they have been very good.  I think there was a
> time when Dell servers had problems with reliability and service but it
> appears they have gotten their act together now.  Given the situation you
> are describing, my inclination would be to go with the Dell server and have
> a good backup plan.****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *Bill Lloyd*
> IT Manager****
>
> ****
>
> 2567 Athens Hwy.
> Gainesville, GA 30507
> Phone: 770-417-1604 Ext.: 250
> Fax:     770-417-1747
> Cell:     404-379-6963****
>
> *blloyd at buskercom.com*****
>
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> *From:* Ray Tyner [mailto:ray.tyner at ptcumc.org]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 25, 2011 10:15 PM
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* Re: [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> I am using Dell PE2950s with 8gb RAM, 4 - 176gb SCSI 15k drives configured
> as RAID 5.  I’ve been using Dells servers since I started supporting the
> church in 1996.  I have no experience with HP except for printing.****
>
> ** **
>
> Ray Tyner****
>
> Peachtree City UMC****
>
> 678.642.3362****
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Mike Hazelwood [mailto:mhazelwood at gracechurchsc.org]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:02 PM
> *To:* discuss at itdiscuss.org
> *Subject:* [itdiscuss] Server- HP vs Dell****
>
> ** **
>
> I have been a user of Dell servers for the last 10+ years.  I have been
> looking at the HP line just to get a comparison.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> What do you use and if you have used both which did you prefer?  The
> specific models I am looking at are Dell T410 and T610, and the HP Proliant
> ML350 G6.  All have pretty much same specs. with RAM, processor, # of hard
> drives but the HP is between $700-1000 more than the Dell servers.  I am
> inclined to go with the Dell since it is what I am used to and the price
> diff., so let me know if I am missing something on why it would be better
> to go with HP for more money.****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks,****
>
> Mike****
>
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