The HP ProLiant DL380a Gen12 is a powerful and customizable server ideal for AI, HPC, and virtualization workloads. Configurations can include dual Intel Xeon processors, up to 8TB of DDR5 memory, and high-capacity storage with up to 8 double-wide GPUs. Working with suppliers like WECENT ensures tailored solutions to maximize performance for diverse business needs.
What Is HP ProLiant DL380a Gen12?
The HP ProLiant DL380a Gen12 is a 2U rack server optimized for demanding workloads such as AI, HPC, and virtualization. With the ability to support up to 8 double-wide PCIe GPUs and large-scale storage, it is an excellent choice for data centers and enterprise IT environments. This server includes 32 DDR5 DIMM slots, PCIe Gen5 risers, and HPE iLO 6 for remote management, offering flexibility and performance for critical business applications. As an authorized HP agent, WECENT provides customized solutions to meet specific needs in industries such as finance, healthcare, and cloud computing.
| Key Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2U Rack |
| Processors | Dual 5th/6th Gen Intel Xeon |
| Memory | 32x DDR5 RDIMM, up to 8TB |
| Storage | Up to 122.88TB NVMe |
| GPUs | 8 Double-Wide PCIe |
How Do You Choose the Right Processors?
Choosing the right processors for the HP DL380a Gen12 depends on workload needs. For AI training, higher core count processors are recommended, while virtualization benefits from balanced processors. Selecting dual 5th or 6th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors ensures compatibility and optimal performance. It’s crucial to match processor generations to ensure seamless operation and populate memory channels for maximum bandwidth. WECENT’s expert team recommends using benchmarking tools to match the processor configuration to your specific business needs, ensuring the best performance for big data, virtualization, and other enterprise applications.
What Memory Configurations Maximize Performance?
For optimal performance in the HP DL380a Gen12, populate the 32 DDR5 SmartMemory RDIMM slots with 2 DIMMs per channel, achieving speeds of 5200 MT/s, which supports up to 8TB of memory. Properly balancing memory across processors enhances bandwidth, ensuring smooth operation across demanding applications like AI, virtualization, and big data. WECENT offers customized memory kits optimized for high-performance computing (HPC), ensuring error-correcting code (ECC) protection for enhanced data integrity. Following HPE’s guidelines and regularly updating firmware will help maintain performance over time.
How to Set Up Storage for Enterprise Needs?
Setting up storage for the HP DL380a Gen12 requires configuring Intel VROC for RAID across up to 8 SFF NVMe or 16 EDSFF drives, providing a maximum raw capacity of 122.88TB. Choose boot drives and storage tiers based on performance needs, leveraging Intelligent Provisioning for ease of setup. WECENT supports the installation of OEM storage solutions tailored for data-heavy applications. NVMe is ideal for speed, while EDSFF drives provide higher density, making them suitable for storage-heavy environments. Additionally, securing your storage with encryption meets compliance requirements, especially in industries such as finance and healthcare.
Which GPUs Suit DL380a Gen12 AI Workloads?
For AI workloads, install up to 8 double-wide PCIe Gen5 GPUs, such as the NVIDIA H100 or RTX A6000. These GPUs are designed for training and inferencing in AI, delivering high performance and efficiency. When configuring GPUs, ensure that power, cooling, and PCIe slot compatibility are all considered to avoid performance bottlenecks. WECENT stocks a variety of data center GPUs, including H200 and B100 series, at competitive prices, making it easier to customize the server for specific workloads.
| GPU Series | Models | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| RTX Pro | A4000, A5000, A6000 | AI/ML Workloads |
| Tesla/Data Center | H100, A100, B200 | HPC/Training |
| GeForce | RTX 5090, 4090 | Inferencing |
How to Configure Networking and PCIe?
For networking, choose OCP 3.0 slots or stand-up adapters that support 100GbE, and use risers to expand PCIe slots, accommodating up to 6x PCIe5 x16 slots. This configuration enhances data transfer speeds, which is crucial for high-performance environments. WECENT provides integrated networking solutions, partnering with top brands like Cisco and H3C to ensure low-latency, high-throughput connections suitable for environments like financial trading. Ensuring firmware is up-to-date via HPE’s Smart Update Manager helps maintain system security and performance.
What Power and Cooling Options Are Best?
Power and cooling are critical for maintaining uptime in the HP DL380a Gen12. Select redundant MCRPS PSUs, ranging from 800W to 3000W Titanium, based on the number of GPUs and drives. A minimum of 4+8 fans is recommended for optimal airflow. WECENT provides customized power and cooling configurations to match your workload and energy efficiency goals. For green IT initiatives, consider optimizing power profiles to reduce energy consumption, especially in industries like education or large-scale data centers.
How Does iLO 6 Simplify Management?
HPE iLO 6 provides a comprehensive management solution through a RESTful API, allowing remote monitoring, firmware updates, and provisioning. Its integration with Smart Update Manager (SUM) and the mobile app ensures seamless management across the server lifecycle. For large-scale deployments, WECENT assists with iLO 6 setup and integration, helping streamline operations and reduce management overhead. Automating tasks with PowerShell scripting also enables businesses to scale their IT infrastructure efficiently.
WECENT Expert Views
“The HP DL380a Gen12 revolutionizes enterprise AI with its 8-GPU capacity and PCIe Gen5 backbone. At WECENT, we customize configurations for optimal ROI—pairing H100 GPUs with VROC NVMe for sub-second inferencing in healthcare imaging or financial modeling. Our 8+ years as HP agents ensure warranty-backed, OEM-ready servers. Avoid common pitfalls like mismatched memory by leveraging our CTO expertise.”
— WECENT Senior IT Architect
How to Deploy OS and Optimize Post-Setup?
Deploy the operating system (OS) using Intelligent Provisioning, followed by applying drivers via the Smart Update Package (SPP). For optimal performance, tune workload profiles through the server’s BIOS settings. WECENT provides full lifecycle services, including setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance. Regular firmware updates and benchmarking ensure that the system continues to perform at its best as your workload demands grow.
In summary, configuring the HP DL380a Gen12 for enterprise needs involves selecting the right processors, GPUs, memory, and storage to match your workloads. Partnering with WECENT allows you to access expert advice, tailored solutions, and full support, ensuring your server operates at maximum efficiency while supporting business growth. Start with CTO models for a customizable, reliable IT infrastructure.
FAQs
What makes DL380a Gen12 AI-ready?
The server supports 8 double-wide GPUs, PCIe Gen5, and high NVMe density, making it perfect for AI training and inferencing.
Can WECENT customize DL380a servers?
Yes, WECENT offers OEM configurations for GPUs, storage, and memory, backed by global support for customized deployments.
How much memory does it support?
The DL380a Gen12 supports up to 8TB of DDR5 memory across 32 slots, ideal for virtualization and big data.
Is redundant power standard?
Yes, optional MCRPS PSUs ensure continuous uptime, with power options tailored to specific workload TDPs.
What management tools are included?
The server includes HPE iLO 6 with a RESTful API, Smart Update Manager, and a mobile app for full lifecycle management.