1.5. Chipsets

The chipset is the central nervous system of the server. It controls communications and data exchange between all server components and determines the overall functionality of the server.

A chipset is a set of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that has many basic server-logic functions integrated into one or more chips. Functions integrated into the ASICs include the system controller, the memory controller, the I/O controller, and the program interrupt controller.

Most ProLiant servers use industry-standard chipsets designed by ServerWorks. Servers in the 700 series use a chipset designed internally by HP. Sometimes HP adds additional ASICs designed by HP to perform specific functions, such as system management.