Going where no servers have gone before

HP's log, star date 2013. Our destination is ... environmental sustainability.

HP Moonshot, an extreme low-energy server technology, is changing the way we build computers—and helping the planet in the process.

"I don't want to pave over an area the size of Manhattan with data centers to support the growth of the internet," says John Gromala, director of Product Marketing, Hyperscale BU, Industry Standard Servers (ISS).

Moonshot, launched on 8 April, uses HP Converged Infrastructure technology to allow the sharing of resources across thousands of servers, while reducing power and cooling usage.  Through these efforts, HP expects data center efficiencies to reach new heights for select workloads and applications—consuming up to 89% less energy and 94% less space, while reducing overall costs up to 63% compared with traditional server systems.

The engineers who have worked on Moonshot are understandably proud.

"It really drew out of all of us excitement that we got to do something that's making a difference for the environment," said Kelly Pracht, hardware platform manager, Hyperscale BU, ISS.

How are they doing it?

Deleting "all the things that have crept into servers over the past several decades that don't need to be there anymore"
Sharing components—such as power supplies and fans—in ways never achieved before
Saving carbon—and money—by cooling with tap water instead of chillers on a scale never done before

As Ron Mann, director of Engineering, ISS, says, "It not only makes good business sense for us to be more economical and more efficient; but it also makes good environmental sense."

Watch the video in this post to hear, in their own words, how Moonshot engineers are helping Planet Earth live long and prosper.

Brand new day for webOS

LG to acquire HP’s webOS Mobile Platform; HP retains webOS cloud computing assets




Key takeaways ::

*LG will use the webOS technology to create an intuitive user experience and Internet services across a range of consumer-electronics devices, with a focus on Smart TVs
*The transaction will bring HP an ongoing stream of licensing revenue from patents related to webOS
*HP is retaining webOS cloud technology assets and talent to deliver market-leading solutions for enterprise customers
After months of reviewing a range of compelling opportunities, HP today announced that LG Corp is acquiring HP’s webOS Mobile Platform, while HP is retaining its webOS cloud computing assets. LG is one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world, with offerings that by and large do not compete with HP’s.



Under terms of the asset and licensing agreement::


*LG is acquiring the webOS Mobile Platform, including the source code and associated documentation
*HP is licensing to LG patents for the webOS operating system and user interface
*HP is retaining ownership of all webOS cloud-computing assets, including the source code, infrastructure and contracts.

The talent behind the webOS Mobile Platform—HP’s engineering and user-experience teams—now have an opportunity to do impactful work at LG, where they will innovate to disrupt the Smart TV market and possibly other segments, as well.
Meanwhile, other employees on the webOS team, including those who work on cloud technologies, will remain at HP, where they will collaborate with teams in other HP businesses to bring to market innovative solutions for enterprise customers.                               

A careful decision :: 

Martin Risau

Today’s announcement follows more than a year of careful planning, deliberation and execution by HP. “I am very proud of the way we took time to maximize the value of webOS,” said Martin Risau, senior vice president of the business. “Our goal has been to find the best way forward for a set of very compelling assets.”



Going back to December 2011, HP first expanded the reach of the webOS Mobile Platform by open-sourcing parts of it. “This decision has helped rebuild trust in the long-term viability of the platform,” Risau noted.
Then, throughout 2012, HP took time and looked at a range of different opportunities, which included discussions and preliminary work with potential partners, including LG.
“The deal that we’ve announced today makes a lot of business sense and is a result of nine months of collaboration with LG,” Risau said. “It is a great outcome for HP, with significant upside from licensing revenue, and a great outcome for LG, which will be able to innovate across a range of consumer electronics devices, starting with Smart TVs.”
The deal will enable HP to focus more intensely on webOS solutions related to cloud computing and the needs of enterprise customers. “Cloud is one of HP’s key strategic pillars, and our employees are doing some very exciting work in this area,” said Risau. “The webOS cloud assets being retained by HP are extremely valuable for our enterprise customers, who need solutions to mobilize their workforces.”
For example, Risau said, HP Enterprise Services could use this technology to serve the automotive industry. “In addition, the webOS cloud technology creates unique differentiation for the Enterprise Group and its Moonshot offering, and we are exploring potential opportunities with the PPS Mobility group.”

The five things you need to know about HP Moonshot

HP employees, the moment is almost here: HP Moonshot officially launches today. To make sure you’re ready for takeoff, please put your seatbacks and tray tables in the full, upright, and locked position – and then read about the five things you need to know about HP's latest breakthrough.

1. Moonshot extreme low-energy servers offer performance that you just can’t match: Why is this so important? According to one estimate, by 2015, there will be 10 million servers around the world, consuming 33 billion kilowatt hours of energy per year, taking up 15 million square feet of space, strung together by 500,000 switches, and 40,000 miles of cabling. Put simply, that sort of growth just isn’t sustainable using today’s technology.

2. Moonshot is HP innovation in action: Unlike traditional servers, which are often larger, less efficient, and can fit only a few dozen of servers per rack, HP ProLiant Moonshot servers share technology so that you can move to having thousands of servers per rack.

3. Moonshot servers break the mold: Because Moonshot servers can use processors from a variety of vendors and work under different architectures, HP can develop specialized server cartridges for specific customer requirements – something no one else in the industry can do.

4. Moonshot is converged infrastructure defined: HP servers can be used for different purposes at different times and come with server, storage, and networking capabilities all in one.

5. HP stands alone: Only HP has the breadth of expertise – hardware, software, firmware, storage, networking, and more – to develop a product like this and bring it to market. It is truly revolutionary, and it’s a great example of the kind of innovation HP has built its reputation on.

So there you have it. HP is over the moon for Moonshot. We’re sure you will be too. Be sure to join the official launch on April 8. Also, participate in ourgreen contest, and meet the people who brought Moonshot to life with a visit to our Mission Control Center.


Moonshot, by the numbers ::

• HP is serious when we say that Moonshot servers are a disruptive and revolutionary technology. Moonshot servers:
• use 89% less energy
• take up 80% less space
• reduce data center costs by 77%
• reduce complexity by 97%

Technically speaking :: HP has some big plans to empower and advance women in technical roles

Today, more than half of all women in science, engineering, and technical roles end up leaving their training and education behind. That’s a disheartening statistic, but there’s no use lamenting the numbers. Instead, it’s time to change them. And that’s what HP has set out to do.

Making connections, creating communities 

HP’s plan for sustaining women in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field begins by investing in early education, targeted recruiting at leading universities and industry conferences, and showcasing HP as a company where women in technical fields can thrive (think Girl Geek Dinners).

To support women in their careers here, HP will soon launch a “Global Women in Tech” series of audio and webcasts aimed at connecting women around the world with female leaders at HP. The Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) team leading this effort also plans to leverage Employee Resource Groups to build an internal support system for women.

"HP is such a virtual company and we have so many resources that women often don’t know where to start,” said Cindy Stanphill, Global Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager. “We bring in business leaders that can help facilitate conversations around career paths, connect with others, and create a sense of community.”

The series of audio and webcasts can also make a difference, she said. “Seeing a visible role mode, whether it’s a man or a woman, sends a clear signal that if they can do it, you can do it.”

Number one for women 

Other plans in the works include supporting women who aspire to reach senior roles by helping them prepare to present at technical conferences, including Tech Con. Coaching sessions and resume workshops will provide a forum where women can develop campaigns to move up in their organizations. And a Women’s Innovation Council will connect women across HP with representatives from companies like Microsoft and Proctor and Gamble to establish cross-company connections.

“When you talk to HP leadership about this, it’s clear they have a vision for HP: They want HP to be the number one choice for talented women in technology,” Cindy said. “Our goal with this program is to make that vision a reality. We want every woman looking to work in an innovative company with a high-performing and fun workforce to think of HP first.”