Compaq's ProLiant DL360 performed well and has a single differentiating feature: It is the only unit we tested to integrate a RAID controller onto the motherboard. This, coupled with one 32-bit 33-MHz slot and one 64-bit 33-MHz slot, gives the DL360 a little more room, in terms of cards and slots. However, the ProLiant DL360 has only two drive bays.

The front panel has LEDs displaying power status, links for both NICs, hard-disk activity and activity for both NICs. There's also a handy UID (unit identification) light. Push a button on the front of the server, and a blue LED turns on at the back; push a button on the back, and a blue light goes on at the front. One oddity is the lack of a floppy-disk-drive activity light. This isn't a problem; it's just unusual.

TPS Performance Click here to enlarge

Along with the ServerWorks ServiceSet III LE chipset, the ProLiant DL360 has four DIMMs and supports up to 4 GB of memory. The on-board RAID controller aids in disk access, increasing the system's performance in tests -- the box led the pack in bidirectional throughput.

Serviceability on this machine is very good. As long as a circus strongman doesn't tighten the thumbscrews, the Compaq ProLiant DL360 can be completely disassembled without a single tool. The box we received came with an optional management card, the Compaq Remote Insight board (Lights-Out Edition). This board provides out-of-band management features. The management add-in is beyond the scope of this review, but we want to mention the increased boot time this card adds. With our NEC MultiSync LCD 1525M connected to the video port on the Remote Insight board, power up to the first sign of video took 36 seconds. When you don't know it's going to take that long, the wait is a little disturbing.

We used Compaq's SmartStart server load utility to install Windows NT 4.0. Installation went smoothly, and the utility was easy to use. Compaq's warranty is three years parts and labor, all on site.

We like Compaq's machine but don't think it measures up to the standard that IBM and Dell set, either in price or in innovation.

ProLiant DL360, $4,027 with Remote Insight board, $3,516 without (Web pricing). Available: Now. Compaq Computer Corp., (800) 433-2391, (281) 370-0670; fax (281) 514-1740. www.compaq.com.