What is our primary use case?
I'm working just with the Generation 9 and Generation 10 as Generation 8 is obsolete. We are leaving that kind of solution. These generations are a little bit obsolete since the processor, and the spec of the Blades are behind a newer HP solution.
Right now, we're using that with a Citrix server and use it with VMware SX 7.0.
What is most valuable?
It's scalable, and it's stable.
The product has been simple to set up.
What needs improvement?
One thing that is already being fixed in the new solution is how you connect with the console of tech management of this Blade or other enclosures. Right now, usually, you have to connect one by one, and it's a little tedious. And besides, the better option or best option they have to improve is to consolidate the way you connect to this platform. Right now, for example, if the new solution (Synergy) has a way to connect to everything and is a one-view console, it would be ideal.
It could always use new tools.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable platform. The number of issues or the number of failures on the system that we have with this platform is minimal. It's reliable, and the performance is good.
This is important. Usually, you get a cluster configured on that platform. This cluster usually has critical services, and it's important that you put services on a stable platform. Specifically, with generation 9, we have four years with this solution, and in those four years, the issues or failures have been very few.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution can scale.
There are 30 people, approximately, who can access the console and manage the whole platform. The server that we have inside of it is related to the virtualization and might have more than 1000 users.
How are customer service and support?
In the past year, support was very good. We got fast answers.
For example, if we have a Blade fail or something like that, the response was very quick. However, right now, it takes so long to change parts, it's not as good. For example, if you need to replace a part of the display, sometimes it takes a while, even if we have a contract. Even if we have an SLA contract, they take so long now.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Compared with other brands like Cisco and Dell, HP is very stable and very scalable. It's very useful for the Intel platform that we use it is related to VMware or Citrix.
We like the HP platform and have used it all these years. We are very comfortable with it. It's one reason we want to continue with it. However, the price is not that good.
How was the initial setup?
It is very straightforward to set up. It's not complex.
The length of deployment depends on the way that you configure the Blades. For example, if you're going to work with VMware, the time could be at least 25 to 30 minutes. It is not going to depend on the BladeSystem; it is going to depend on the time of the operate system deployed.
The number of people you need for maintenance depends on the monitoring system that you have. For example, if you have a good monitoring system for this platform you're going to need less than ten specialists, but if you don't have a monitoring system to check the platform, probably you're going to need more than ten people.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The prices right now for HP are high. It has the highest price if you compare it with other solutions like Dell, for example.
That said, I don't directly deal with contracts and can't speak to the exact cost.
What other advice do I have?
We're a customer.
I'm currently using HP Blades for c7000 Enclosures. Also, I'm using two Synergy Blades with Synergy Frames.
The Blades are not being sold anymore, and HP is moving people over to Synergy. I'd advise new users to take advantage of Synergy Blades going forward.
I'd rate it a nine out of ten due to its general stability. Compared to other solutions in the market, HP is quite stable.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.