HP TC2120

A fine example of HP's basic entry-level server range, the TC2120 is designed for cost-conscious customers. It differs from the more basic TC2110 by providing greater performance and expansion capabilities and is, therefore, suited for small network environments for file and printer sharing, Web access or even small database applications.

Housed in a tower case with a tool-free lockable chassis, the single CPU system is available in two configurations - either a P4 2.53GHz or a Celeron 1.8GHz Intel processor, both using a Serverworks Grand Champion SL chipset. Its basic memory configuration is 256MB, expandable up to 4GB of PC2100 ECC DDR-SDRAM memory. Connectivity is provided through a single integrated Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet NIC.

Internally, there's plenty of room for expansion, with five 64-bit/33MHz PCI slots available. Additionally, there are two spare 5.25in. bays for devices such as tape drives. These are all tool-free and easily accessible.

Our review system came equipped with a single Ultra320 10,000rpm SCSI hard drive hooked up to the optional single channel PCI SCSI controller card (the onboard dual-channel Ultra ATA/100 controller is the standard configuration).

An additional spare 3.5in. drive bay is available, although one of the 5.25in. bays must be used to achieve the maximum quoted internal storage capacity of 240GB (three 80GB E-IDE drives) or 109GB (three 36GB SCSI drives).

With neither hot-swap power supplies, nor hot-plug drive bays, the redundancy level is par for the course at this level. Another slight drawback is the lack of a USB port on the front bezel, a feature that can prove extremely useful. On the plus side, the TC2120 is reasonably quiet in use - no louder than an average desktop PC.

No operating system is supplied, but a startup CD-ROM provides the relevant driver files for all the major operating systems, such as SuSE, RedHat and Novell, and Microsoft's server operating systems, including Windows Server 2003.

Overall, the TC2120 provides all the basic hardware requirements for a small network environment, providing good performance in our Labs tests.

Although the expansion potential is limited, it's a reasonably priced way to get a small network up and running.

Contact: HP (0845) 270 4222
www.hp.com/uk

Specifications:

• Case Tower 5U
• CPU Pentium 4 2.53GHz
• Memory 256MB of ECC PC2100
• Chipset ServerWorks Grand Champion SL
• Graphics Integrated 8MB ATI Rage XL
• Hard disk 36GB Ultra320 SCSI
• Expansion slots Five x 64-bit/33MHz PCI
• Optical drive 48X CD-ROM drive
• Other drives 3.5in. floppy disk drive
• Warranty One year, on site, NBD

See also:

Dell PowerEdge 700

Dell serves up all-rounder.  21 Jun 2004

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