Limitations, Basic RAID Types, Hardware

Hardware

The HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs uses Intel chipsets that support an AHCI capable Host Bus Adapter (HBA). This HBA supports ATA and ATAPI devices in both PIO and DMA modes with NCQ as long as the device supports NCQ.

All hard drives shipped with the HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs are NCQ capable.

Limitations

NCQ functionality requires both HBA and hard drive to support it. Non-NCQ capable hard drives will not see any performance benefits even though the HBA is NCQ capable.

Hot-plugging is not possible in an operating system without an AHCI driver that supports hot-plugging, such as DOS, Windows 9x, Windows NT4.0, and older versions of Linux.

Changing AHCI to IDE Mode through the HP Replicated Setup Utility

Multiple AHCI systems can be reverted back to IDE mode using the HP Replicated Setup Utility. This utility allows for system BIOS settings to be replicated and distributed throughout an enterprise. The procedures and information about how to obtain the Replicated Setup Utility are described in the HP white paper “UEFI BIOS Tools for HP Business Desktops” available at http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02932801.pdf .

Basic RAID Types

This section provides a brief explanation of the supported RAID configurations for HP Elite 8000-series Business PCs.

RAID 0 with two hard drives (Striped)

Even though HP supports RAID 0, it is not the recommended configuration for business PC users. Lack of redundancy causes less than half the reliability of a single hard drive system since the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of RAID 0 is equal to the MTBF of an individual drive, divided by the number of drives.

Table 3: RAID 0 with two hard drives (Striped)

First disk	Second disk

Data Segment 1	Data Segment 2

Data Segment 3	Data Segment 4

Data Segment 5	Data Segment 6

Data Segment 7	Data Segment 8

Data Segment 9	Data Segment 10

Data Segment 11	Data Segment 12

Data Segment 13	Data Segment 14

Data Segment 15	Data Segment 16

In the previous table, each “Data Segment n” represents a group of data, known as a strip. In this case, each row represents a stripe. RAID 0 represented in the table above shows how information is segmented, made into chunks or strips, and stored across the stripes of the hard drive members of this RAID volume.

To better illustrate the concept of RAID 0 and striping, Figure 1 shows how a sequence of data “ABCD...” is stored in a RAID 0 mode. In this example, each letter represents a segment or strip. The graphic shows how the various pieces of the information go to different hard drives. If any segment of RAID 0 fails, all information from all members is lost.

8200 tower specifications

The HP 8200 Tower is a robust desktop computer designed for professional environments, delivering performance and expandability for a variety of business needs. This workstation is part of HP's Elite series, known for its reliability and advanced technologies, making it a sound choice for companies requiring consistent operation.

One of the defining features of the HP 8200 Tower is its versatile processing power, powered by the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. These processors offer a multi-core architecture, ensuring that users can efficiently handle multitasking and processor-intensive applications. With options for up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM, the HP 8200 Tower can smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously, making it suitable for tasks ranging from everyday office work to more demanding software like graphical design programs.

The system also provides a range of storage options, including traditional hard disk drives and faster solid-state drives, allowing users to select the balance of capacity and speed that best suits their needs. Additionally, the HP 8200 supports RAID configurations, enhancing data redundancy and performance, thereby protecting critical business data.

In terms of expandability, the HP 8200 Tower offers multiple PCIe slots for adding graphic cards, sound cards, or other expansion cards. This capability makes it adaptable for various purposes, whether that involves improving graphics performance for video editing or integrating specialized hardware for specific business functions.

The design of the HP 8200 Tower ensures efficient cooling and quiet operation. It features a tool-less chassis, allowing for easy upgrades and maintenance. The internal layout maximizes airflow, keeping components cool even under heavy workloads, an important feature for maintaining long-lasting performance.

Connectivity options are plentiful, with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, enabling speedy data transfer and peripheral connectivity. Additionally, integrated Gigabit Ethernet offers reliable networking capabilities, essential for seamless communication within a business environment.

The HP 8200 Tower showcases HP's commitment to sustainability, featuring energy-efficient components and a design aimed at reducing environmental impact. Overall, this powerful workstation combines performance, expandability, and energy efficiency, making it an excellent choice for any professional setting. With its blend of modern technologies and traditional reliability, the HP 8200 Tower stands out as a dependable tool for businesses looking to enhance productivity.