Q
What are HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers are high-density, rack-optimized compute platforms designed for high-performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, and scale-out workloads. They deliver exceptional compute density, flexible storage options, and advanced cooling to accelerate data-intensive applications and improve total cost of ownership (TCO).
Q
Which workloads are ideal for HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers excel at HPC simulations, big data analytics, machine learning, genomics, oil and gas exploration, and financial risk modeling. Their scale-out architecture, GPU acceleration support, and high-throughput networking make them optimal for data-heavy, compute-intensive workloads.
Q
How do HPE Apollo Servers improve computing performance?
A
By combining the latest Intel or AMD processors, optional NVIDIA GPU accelerators, and high-bandwidth memory channels, HPE Apollo Servers deliver industry-leading FLOPS per rack. Their innovative chassis design reduces latency and maximizes airflow, ensuring sustained performance under peak loads.
Q
What storage configurations are available on HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers offer flexible storage with up to 24 NVMe SSD or SAS/SATA drive bays per chassis, support for HPE Scalable Object Storage (Scality), and modular drive sleds. These options enable tiered storage, parallel file systems, and low-latency data access for demanding applications.
Q
How do HPE Apollo Servers manage power and cooling?
A
HPE Apollo Servers feature high-efficiency power supplies, hot-swap fans, and front-to-back airflow design. Integrated thermal sensors and HPE’s Advanced Power Manager dynamically adjust cooling and power distribution, reducing energy consumption and improving data center sustainability.
Q
What management tools support HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers integrate with HPE OneView, iLO 5, and HPE InfoSight for comprehensive deployment, monitoring, and predictive maintenance. These tools streamline firmware updates, asset tracking, and automated remediation, reducing administrative overhead and unplanned downtime.
Q
Can HPE Apollo Servers be configured with GPU acceleration?
A
Yes, select HPE Apollo Server models support up to eight NVIDIA GPU accelerators per chassis. This GPU-dense configuration accelerates AI training, deep learning, and simulation workloads by offloading parallel computations to high-performance GPUs.
Q
What networking options are available for HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers support 10/25/40/100 GbE and InfiniBand HDR interconnects via modular FlexibleLOM and PCIe adapters. These high-bandwidth, low-latency options ensure seamless cluster scaling and efficient data transfer for HPC and analytics environments.
Q
How scalable are HPE Apollo Server clusters?
A
HPE Apollo Servers scale from a single 1U node to multi-rack clusters with thousands of nodes. Their modular architecture and fabric-ready design simplify expansion, enabling you to start small and grow compute, storage, and networking capacity as your requirements evolve.
Q
How do HPE Apollo Servers differ from HPE ProLiant Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers are optimized for scale-out, dense compute environments with enhanced cooling, power efficiency, and rack integration. HPE ProLiant Servers target general-purpose and virtualization workloads with broader configurability and enterprise features but lower node density.
Q
Which operating systems are certified on HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers support major OS platforms including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, CentOS, Ubuntu Server, and VMware ESXi. HPE provides validated firmware and driver bundles to ensure compatibility and performance optimization.
Q
What warranty and support options are offered for HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers include a standard 3-year parts, labor, and on-site warranty. Optional HPE Pointnext Services extend coverage with accelerated response times, proactive firmware updates, and predictive analytics via HPE InfoSight for end-to-end infrastructure support.
Q
How do I optimize HPE Apollo Servers for big data analytics?
A
To optimize for big data, configure NVMe storage for low latency, enable high-speed networking (25–100 GbE), and deploy HPE Scalable Object Storage for parallel file access. Pair with HPE OneView and InfoSight for performance tuning and real-time monitoring.
Q
Which virtualization platforms work best with HPE Apollo Servers?
A
HPE Apollo Servers are certified for VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat Virtualization. Their high core counts, large memory footprints, and SR-IOV-capable NICs deliver robust performance and dense VM consolidation for cloud and private data centers.
Q
How can I purchase and deploy HPE Apollo Servers?
A
You can purchase HPE Apollo Servers through HPE authorized partners or the HPE Direct Sales channel. Deployment is streamlined with HPE’s Rapid Setup Kit and automated provisioning via HPE OneView, enabling faster time-to-value in your data center.