Description
Product Overview for the HPE 804338-B21 Smart Array Controller
The 804338-B21 HPE Smart Array P816I-A is a cutting-edge modular controller designed to enhance storage performance and reliability in server environments. This controller is a crucial component for managing SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) drives, offering a seamless integration into PCI Express architectures. In this detailed exploration, we’ll delve into the features, specifications, and benefits of the 804338-B21, shedding light on its role in optimizing storage solutions.
Overview of the 804338-B21 HPE Smart Array P816I-A
The 804338-B21 is a Smart Array modular controller developed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). As a PCI Express-based controller, it is engineered to deliver high-speed data transfer capabilities, making it ideal for demanding server environments. The “P816I-A” designation indicates its specific model within the Smart Array series.
Key Features
- PCI Express Compatibility: The P816I-A controller is built on the PCI Express architecture, ensuring efficient communication between the controller and the server’s motherboard. This compatibility is crucial for maximizing data transfer rates and reducing latency, ultimately enhancing overall system performance.
- SAS and SATA Support: The controller supports both SAS and SATA drives, providing flexibility in storage device selection. SAS drives are known for their high-speed data transfer and reliability, while SATA drives offer a cost-effective solution for storage needs. The ability to accommodate both types allows for a tailored approach to storage configuration.
- 12Gbps SAS and 6Gbps SATA Connectivity: One of the standout features of the 804338-B21 is its support for 12Gbps SAS and 6Gbps SATA connectivity. This ensures lightning-fast data transfer rates, making it well-suited for data-intensive applications and workloads. The controller’s compatibility with these high-speed interfaces contributes to improved system responsiveness.
- Modular Design: The modular design of the P816I-A controller adds a layer of adaptability to storage configurations. This modularity allows for scalability, enabling users to expand storage capacity as their needs evolve. The flexibility offered by the modular design is particularly beneficial in dynamic server environments.
Specifications
- Form Factor: The controller adheres to a specific form factor, defining its physical dimensions and compatibility with different server architectures. Understanding the form factor is essential for ensuring proper integration into the target server. The 804338-B21 is designed to fit seamlessly into servers that support its form factor, providing a hassle-free installation process.
- RAID Support: RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) support is a critical aspect of storage controllers. The P816I-A offers various RAID levels, allowing users to configure their storage arrays for performance, redundancy, or a balance of both. RAID configurations enhance data protection and system reliability.
- Cache Memory: Cache memory plays a pivotal role in optimizing storage performance. The 804338-B21 features a specified amount of cache memory, contributing to faster data access and improved overall system responsiveness. Understanding the cache size is crucial for tailoring the controller to specific performance requirements.
- Battery Backup: In scenarios where power interruptions or failures are a concern, the P816I-A offers the option for battery backup. This feature safeguards data integrity by providing temporary power to the controller, allowing it to complete pending read and write operations before a graceful shutdown. The inclusion of a battery backup option enhances the controller’s reliability in unpredictable power environments.
Benefits of the 804338-B21 HPE Smart Array P816I-A
- Enhanced Performance: The 804338-B21 is designed to boost storage performance significantly. With support for high-speed SAS and SATA interfaces, as well as a modular design for scalability, users can optimize their storage solutions for demanding workloads, ensuring smooth and efficient data access.
- Improved Data Protection: The RAID support offered by the controller enhances data protection by creating redundant copies of data or striping it across multiple drives. This not only minimizes the risk of data loss but also contributes to faster data recovery in the event of a drive failure.
- Scalability for Future Growth: The modular design of the P816I-A allows for easy scalability, enabling businesses to expand their storage capacity as their data requirements increase. This scalability feature ensures that the controller remains a viable solution as storage needs evolve over time.
- Flexibility in Drive Selection: Support for both SAS and SATA drives gives users the flexibility to choose the type of storage that best fits their budget and performance requirements. This versatility ensures that the 804338-B21 can adapt to a wide range of storage scenarios.
Use Cases
- Enterprise Servers: The 804338-B21 is well-suited for enterprise-level servers where high-performance storage and data reliability are paramount. Its compatibility with 12Gbps SAS and 6Gbps SATA drives makes it an ideal choice for data-intensive applications commonly found in enterprise environments.
- Data Centers: In data center environments, where storage demands are constantly evolving, the modular design and scalability of the P816I-A provide an effective solution. The controller’s ability to support a variety of RAID configurations further enhances its suitability for data center applications.
- Virtualization Environments: Virtualized environments place unique demands on storage infrastructure. The P816I-A’s high-speed connectivity and RAID support make it a valuable asset in virtualized setups, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity for virtual machines.
Data Protection and Data Management Features
The HPE Smart Array P816i-a PCI Express 3.0 x8 12Gbps SAS 6Gbps SATA Modular Controller (804338-B21) provides a range of data protection and data management features, including:
- RAID levels: The controller supports a range of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 5, 5+0, and 6, providing options for data protection and performance optimization.
- Advanced Data Services: The controller supports advanced data services such as online RAID level migration, spare activation, and rebuild, allowing you to manage and protect your data with minimal disruption.
- Online Capacity Expansion: The controller supports online capacity expansion, allowing you to add storage to your system without taking it offline.
- Snapshot and Cloning: The controller supports snapshot and cloning functionality, allowing you to create point-in-time snapshots of your data, as well as clone entire arrays.
- Performance Optimization: The controller includes features such as read-ahead caching and write-back caching, allowing you to optimize system performance.
- Intelligent Battery Backup Unit (iBBU): The controller supports the optional iBBU, providing an additional layer of data protection and ensuring that cache data is flushed to disk in the event of a power loss.
- Advanced Event Logging: The controller provides advanced event logging, allowing you to track system activity and identify potential issues.
- Remote Management: The controller supports remote management through the HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) or the HPE System Management Homepage (SMH), allowing you to manage your storage from anywhere.
In conclusion, the HPE Smart Array P816i-a PCI Express 3.0 x8 12Gbps SAS 6Gbps SATA Modular Controller provides a range of features for data protection and data management, allowing you to optimize system performance and ensure the protection of your valuable data.
Performance and Reliability
The HPE Smart Array P816i-a PCI Express 3.0 x8 12Gbps/S SAS 6Gbps/S SATA Modular Controller (804338-B21) is known for its good performance and reliability. Here are some key features that contribute to these characteristics:
- Performance: The P816i-a has 16 internal lanes, which allows for high data transfer rates. It supports 12Gbps SAS and 6Gbps SATA, which provides fast data transfer speeds for both SAS and SATA drives. The controller also supports up to 16GB of cache, which can improve overall system performance by caching frequently used data.
- Reliability: The P816i-a has built-in data protection features, such as RAID protection and error correction, which help to ensure that data is protected in the event of a drive failure. The controller also supports online spare drives, which automatically replace a failed drive and minimize downtime.
- Scalability: The P816i-a supports up to 8 hard drives or solid-state drives, which provides the ability to expand storage capacity as needed. It also supports multiple RAID levels, which provides flexibility in choosing the right level of data protection and performance for specific workloads.
General Information about this HPE 804338-B21
- Manufacturer Name: HPE
- Part Number or SKU# 804338-B21
- Product Name: Controller
- Sub-Type: SAS-SATA
Technical Information
- Device Type: Storage Controller (RAID) – Plug-In Card
- Host Bus: PCI-E 3.0 X8
- Interfaces: 4 X SATA 6GB/S / SAS 12GB/S (Internal)
- Data Transfer Rate: 1.2 GBPS
- Buffer Size: 4 GB
- Supported Devices: Hard Drive, Disk Array (RAID)
- Channel Qty: 16
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, RAID 50, RAID 60, RAID 1 ADM, RAID 10 ADM
- Maximum Luns: 64
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces: 4 x SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s (internal)
Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards: FIPS 140-2 Level 1
- Features: Flash Backed Write-back Cache (FBWC)
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required: Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Oracle Solaris, Citrix XenServer, Oracle Linux, ClearOS, VMware vSphere (ESXi), Microsoft Windows Hyper-V Server
Compatibility Information
- HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL360 Gen10, DL360 Gen10 Base, DL360 Gen10 Entry, DL360 Gen10 High Performance, DL360 Gen10 Low, DL360 Gen10 Network Choice, DL360 Gen10 Performance, DL360 Gen10 SMB, DL360 Gen10 SMB Network Choice, DL360 Gen10 Solution, DL380 Gen10, DL380 Gen10 Base, DL380 Gen10 Entry, DL380 Gen10 Entry SMB, DL380 Gen10 for Cohesity DataPlatform, DL380 Gen10 High Performance, DL380 Gen10 Network Choice, DL380 Gen10 NVMe All Flash Server for Datera, DL380 Gen10 Performance, DL380 Gen10 SMB, DL380 Gen10 SMB Networking Choice, DL380 Gen10 Solution, DL388 Gen10 Network Choice
- HPE ProLiant DL Series: XL270d Gen10
Finally, the 804338-B21 HPE Smart Array P816I-A PCI Express SAS 12GBPS SATA 6GBPS Modular Controller is a feature-rich and versatile storage solution designed to meet the demands of modern server environments. With its compatibility with high-speed SAS and SATA interfaces, modular design for scalability, and support for various RAID configurations, it stands as a reliable choice for enhancing storage performance, reliability, and flexibility. Understanding its key features, technical specifications, benefits, and use cases empowers users to make informed decisions when integrating this controller into their server infrastructure. Whether deployed in enterprise servers, data centers, or virtualized environments, the 804338-B21 contributes to an optimized storage ecosystem, supporting the evolving needs of today’s data-driven businesses.
