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Hewlett-Packard NetServer LP2000r: Editor's Choice

HP's NetServer LP2000r, which uses the same motherboard as the company's 1U server, came decked out with two 933 MHz Intel Pentium III processors. The main difference between the 1U and 2U models: The LP2000r will support as many as six hot-swappable Ultra 160 SCSI drives, and it offers three open 64-bit 33 MHz slots and two redundant hot-swappable power supplies, rated at 265 watts each. Also, this is the only box in the 1U and 2U categories to have a full-size CD-ROM drive. In all other respects, it is the same unit as HP's LP1000r, just bigger. And like HP's 1U offering, the NetServer LP2000r comes standard with a three-year on-site warranty.

NetServer LP2000r, $5,807 (Web pricing). Available: Now. HP, 650-857-1501, 650-857-7299. www.hp.com.

NEC Express5800/120Rc-2

The NEC Express5800/120Rc-2 is a good little 2U server. Although a close second, it did fall a few features short when compared to the HP LP2000r. The most notable exception is the lack of a second Ethernet port, which, combined with room for only five Ultra 160 SCSI drives, left the NEC Express slightly behind the HP box. Our overall impression of the machine is that it's fairly solid, but plain. The front of the system, with the bezel removed, is so completely unadorned that it took a moment to find the power switch. That beige, square control turned out to be completely flush with the front of the unit, the same color as the case and set off with only the smallest of markings. Without the bezel, the front of the machine also lacks any indication of model, serial number or, for that matter, brand. Other front-panel features include lights to indicate SCSI status, hard disk and LAN activity and 100 Mb links, and each SCSI drive has an activity LED and a fault LED. One nice thing NEC has added to the front of the machine is a 9-pin serial port for console operations.

The NEC Express came with two 933 MHz Pentium III processors and can accept up to 4 GB of RAM in four DIMM slots. It features two redundant hot-swappable power supplies, each rated at 330 watts. The chipset is the ServerWorks Corp. ServerSet III LE, and the unit has four open slots -- three 64-bit 33 MHz and one 32-bit 33 MHz.

What really makes the NEC Express shine is ExpressBuilder, NEC's server NOS loading utility. Of all the 1U and 2U machines we tested for this review, this was the best load utility we saw. It allowed installation of Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with a single reboot and provided very advanced options for preconfiguring the OS. For example, we could set up groups and users before installation, and ExpressBuilder will even install service packs for you. Our experience with this utility was excellent, and we can see that NEC has put a lot of time and effort into automation.

Looking at warranty and service options, the NEC Express comes with a standard three-year parts and labor warranty, with next-business-day response times. Also included is 24x7 toll-free technical support for the length of the warranty. For customers with an eye for expanded service options, NEC offers a premium package with faster response times.

Express5800/120Rc-2, $7,075 (as configured, list). Available: Now. NEC Computers Inc., 888-632-8701. www.neccomp.com.