Demonstrate Solution Expertise:
Intel® ESAA Certification and Vendor Hardware Compatibility Lists (HCLs)
The Intel® Enabled Server Acceleration Alliance (Intel® ESAA) helps remove hurdles by pre-certifying Intel®-architecture-based server platforms with participating independent hardware and software vendors (ISVs and IHVs). Intel® ESAA reduces certification barriers, providing server resellers and OEMs a quick, cost-efficient avenue for adopting a wide variety of software and hardware building blocks and helping them build end-user confidence.

Certification vs. HCLs – Which One Do I Choose?
If your system is based on a VMware*, Red Hat*, or Novell* solution, then you may qualify for pass-through certification and listing on the vendor’s Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Otherwise, you may request certification from the Intel ESAA or Intel Cluster Ready programs.
Learn more about pass-through certification from Intel® ESAA:
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Intel® ESAA Certification
Intel® ESAA certificates are electronically signed documents providing proof of validation and/or certification for a specific reseller/OEM. On the certificate the actual model name and number of the OEM is published, as well as the signed logos of the application vendors supporting the configuration. The certificate states that the application vendor supports this OEM and will stand behind the server solution engineering work.
To get certification for a recipe configuration, select the "Request Intel® ESAA Certificate" link on the download page for the individual recipe.

Intel® Cluster Ready Certification
Join the Intel® Cluster Ready (ICR) program and begin using Intel® ESAA recipes to achieve Pass-Though Certification for HPC clusters. The ICR program defines a common basis for clusters in collaboration with OEMs, channel members, and ISVs. Intel ESAA has developed recipes which detail the configuration of HPC clusters on Intel® Server Products for validation with ICR tools.
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Red Hat* HCL
The Intel® ESAA program offers Pass-Through Certification which allows third-party systems to be granted the same certification status as models previously certified by Intel Corporation. Your certified hardware will be listed for FREE on the Red Hat* Hardware Catalog, Red Hat's official online database of certified hardware, and Red Hat will provide support to your end customers for Red Hat products installed on your certified hardware.
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VMware* HCL
VMware pass-through certification gives you the authority to provide world-class customer assurance that the hardware and software in your solutions have been validated to work together smoothly. With the Intel ESAA/VMware* Pass-Through Certification Process, your certified hardware will be listed for FREE^ on VMware’s Hardware Compatibility List (HCL): http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/cat/119
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Citrix* XenServer* Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
Intel® ESAA-certified Citrix* XenServer* recipes specify tested configurations that use Intel Server Boards and Systems. Intel OEMs, resellers, and system integrators who use Intel server configurations based on Citrix recipes can make a submission to be listed as Citrix-certified hardware on the Citrix XenServer Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).
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Novell* HCL
Novell* SUSE* Linux Pass-Through Certification and participation in the Novell YES Certified Program is available to vendors who purchase Intel® server boards and systems and are current members of the Novell PartnerNet program. This process has been developed to give Novell SUSE Linux Hardware Certification status to third-party vendors of Intel server boards and systems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Learn more about Novell* SUSE* Linux Certification for Intel® Server Products ›
Learn more about the Novell YES Certified Program ›

EMC Interoperability Support Matrix
The EMC Interoperability Support Matrix specifies configurations of storage products based on Intel® Server Boards and Systems that have been qualified by EMC. Intel OEMs, resellers, and system integrators who sell Intel-based storage configurations can submit a request to be listed on the EMC Interoperability Support Matrix. Please allow 3-4 weeks after submission for listing.
Get Listed on the EMC Interoperability Support Matrix ›
Download the EMC Interoperability Support Matrix for Intel ESAA ›

Microsoft Windows* Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)*
Building servers using Intel® Server Building Blocks makes it considerably easier for system integrators to receive the Microsoft "Designed for Windows" logo. When you see the "Designed for Windows" logo, it signifies that the system or device meets Microsoft's standard for hardware compatibility with the specified Microsoft Windows operating system.
Learn more about Intel® Server Products and Microsoft WHQL ›