Description
Product Overview for the HP 468406-B21 SAS Expander Card
In the realm of data storage and management, having a reliable and efficient controller card is paramount. The HP 468406-B21, a 3GB 24 Ports PCI-E SAS Expander Controller Card, stands out as a crucial component designed specifically for integration with the Smart Array P410 and P410I. This article delves into the features, functionality, and benefits of this controller card, shedding light on its role in enhancing storage capabilities and system performance.
Overview of HP 468406-B21
The HP 468406-B21 is a PCI Express SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) expander controller card, meticulously engineered to provide expanded connectivity options for the Smart Array P410 and P410I. As an integral part of HP’s storage solutions, this controller card facilitates the seamless connection of additional drives, optimizing storage capacity and throughput.
Compatibility with Smart Array P410/P410I
One of the key strengths of the HP 468406-B21 lies in its compatibility with the Smart Array P410 and P410I RAID controllers. This compatibility ensures a streamlined integration process, allowing users to augment their existing storage infrastructure without the need for extensive hardware changes. The result is a cost-effective solution for expanding storage capabilities within an HP server environment.
Key Features
- High-Speed Connectivity: The 3GB SAS connectivity of the HP 468406-B21 ensures swift and efficient data transfer rates. With 24 ports available, this controller card supports a large number of SAS or SATA hard drives, providing flexibility in designing storage configurations that meet specific performance and capacity requirements.
- PCI Express Interface: Equipped with a PCI Express interface, the HP 468406-B21 ensures a high-bandwidth connection to the server’s motherboard. This interface standard is known for its reliability and speed, reducing latency and optimizing the overall performance of the storage subsystem.
- Scalability: Scalability is a critical aspect of any storage solution, and the HP 468406-B21 excels in this regard. The 24 available ports allow for the easy addition of multiple drives, accommodating the growing storage needs of businesses and enterprises. This scalability feature enhances the longevity and adaptability of the storage infrastructure.
- SAS Expander Technology: The SAS expander technology employed by the HP 468406-B21 enables the efficient management of multiple SAS or SATA drives through a single connection to the Smart Array controller. This technology reduces cable clutter, simplifying the overall storage architecture and enhancing system airflow.
- RAID Support: As an extension of the Smart Array P410/P410I controllers, the HP 468406-B21 seamlessly integrates with RAID configurations. This ensures data protection, high availability, and improved performance through various RAID levels, meeting the diverse needs of users ranging from small businesses to large enterprises.
Benefits of HP 468406-B21
- Improved Storage Capacity: By providing 24 additional SAS ports, the HP 468406-B21 significantly enhances the storage capacity of servers equipped with the Smart Array P410/P410I controllers. This is particularly advantageous for businesses experiencing data growth and seeking a cost-effective solution to expand their storage infrastructure.
- Enhanced Performance: The high-speed 3GB SAS connectivity and PCI Express interface contribute to improved data transfer rates and overall system performance. Whether handling large datasets, supporting virtualization environments, or running I/O-intensive applications, the HP 468406-B21 ensures a responsive and efficient storage subsystem.
- Simplified Management: The integration of SAS expander technology and compatibility with Smart Array management tools simplifies the management of the expanded storage infrastructure. IT administrators can easily monitor and configure RAID settings, ensuring optimal performance and data protection.
- Cost-Effective Expansion: Rather than investing in entirely new storage solutions, businesses can leverage the cost-effective nature of the HP 468406-B21 to expand their existing infrastructure. This approach minimizes capital expenditure while providing a scalable and adaptable storage solution for evolving business needs.
Considerations and Best Practices
- Firmware Updates: Regular firmware updates from HP ensure the ongoing compatibility, stability, and security of the HP 468406-B21. IT administrators should incorporate a firmware update schedule into their maintenance routine to benefit from the latest features and improvements.
- Compatibility Checks: Before purchasing the HP 468406-B21, it’s essential to verify compatibility with the existing server hardware and the Smart Array P410/P410I controllers. This involves checking for available PCI Express slots, reviewing system requirements, and ensuring that the controller card aligns with the intended use case.
- Cooling and Airflow: As with any hardware addition, consideration should be given to the impact on server cooling and airflow. The placement of the HP 468406-B21 should allow for proper ventilation, and IT administrators should monitor system temperatures to ensure optimal operating conditions.
Performance of 3GB PCI-E
The HP 468406-B21 SAS expander card is designed to provide a specific level of performance, based on the specifications provided by HP. The card supports 3 Gbps SAS speeds, which is slower than the 12 Gbps SAS speeds supported by other SAS expander cards currently available in the market. This means that the data transfer rate will be lower compared to those cards, and it may impact the overall system performance, especially in high-performance applications such as data warehousing and video editing.
Additionally, the card has 24 external SAS ports and it connects to the server via a PCI-E interface, which provides a limited bandwidth for data transfer. Although the PCI-E interface provides a high-speed data transfer, it may not be sufficient to handle the high-performance requirements of certain applications.
It’s important to note that the performance of the card will depend on the specific configuration of your system and the workload that you are running. It may be sufficient for certain workloads or applications, but not for others. If performance is a critical factor for your use case, it’s recommended to evaluate your requirements and choose a SAS expander card that supports higher speeds.
The HP SAS expander card is designed to provide a specific level of performance, based on the specifications provided by HP. The card supports 3 Gbps SAS speeds, which is slower than the 12 Gbps SAS speeds supported by other SAS expander cards currently available in the market and it has 24 external SAS ports, connecting to the server via a PCI-E interface. The performance of the card will depend on the specific configuration of your system and the workload that you are running, it may be sufficient for certain workloads or applications, but not for others.
General Compatibility
The HP 468406-B21 SAS expander card is specifically designed for use with Smart Array P410 and P410i controllers. It is an add-on card that connects to the controller card through a PCI-E interface, and it allows the controller to connect to additional SAS storage devices. The card is designed to be compliant with industry standards such as SAS, which ensures compatibility and interoperability with a wide range of storage devices.
It is important to note that the card is only compatible with Smart Array P410 and P410i controllers and it cannot be used with other HP controllers or servers from other vendors. The Smart Array P410 and P410i controllers are compatible with a wide range of HP ProLiant servers, including the DL380, DL360, DL160, and DL120 series.
The HP SAS expander card is specifically designed for use with Smart Array P410 and P410i controllers and it is only compatible with them. It is built to be compliant with industry standards such as SAS, which ensures compatibility and interoperability with a wide range of storage devices. It is important to note that the card is not compatible with other HP controllers or servers from other vendors.
General Information about this HP 468406-B21
- Manufacturer: HP
- Model Number or SKU# 468406-B21
- Product Name: Controller
- Sub-Type: Expander Card
Technical Information
- Host Interface: PCI-Express
- Data Transfer Rate: 600 MBPS
- Interfaces: Serial Attached SCSI
- Drive Support: 64 X Logical
- Platform Support: PC
- 8 X Mini-SAS SAS 600 – Serial Attached SCSI
- 1 X Mini-SAS SAS 600 – Serial Attached SCSI
- Form Factor: Full-Height Plug-In Card
- Dimensions: 4.38 Height X 6.60 Width – Without Bracket
In general, the HP 468406-B21 SAS Expander Controller Card stands as a robust solution for expanding storage capabilities within HP server environments equipped with Smart Array P410/P410I controllers. Its high-speed connectivity, scalability, and seamless integration make it a valuable asset for businesses seeking to enhance their storage infrastructure without incurring significant costs. As technology continues to evolve, the HP 468406-B21 remains a reliable choice for those prioritizing performance, flexibility, and ease of management in their storage solutions.
