Description
Product Overview for the HP 692276-B21 Mezzanine Card
The 692276-B21 HP Smart Array PCI Express x8 P420I Mezzanine RAID Controller Card is a crucial component in modern server systems, playing a pivotal role in managing data storage and ensuring efficient data retrieval. In this detailed exploration, we will delve into the features, functionalities, and benefits of this RAID controller card, shedding light on its importance in enhancing server performance and data management capabilities.
Key Features
- PCI Express x8 Interface: The 692276-B21 RAID Controller Card is equipped with a PCI Express x8 interface, ensuring high-speed data transfer between the RAID card and the server’s motherboard. The x8 interface provides a substantial bandwidth, allowing for quick and seamless communication between the RAID controller and other system components.
- P420I RAID Controller: The “P420I” in the product name signifies that this RAID card belongs to the HP Smart Array P420I series. The P420I is a reputable RAID controller known for its reliability and performance. It offers various RAID levels, allowing users to configure their storage setup based on their specific needs, whether it be for data redundancy, performance optimization, or a balance of both.
- Mezzanine Form Factor: The Mezzanine form factor of the 692276-B21 makes it particularly suitable for blade server environments. Mezzanine cards are designed to be compact and space-efficient, fitting seamlessly into the limited space of blade server architectures. This ensures that the RAID controller does not take up unnecessary space while still delivering robust storage management capabilities.
RAID Levels Supported
- The P420I RAID controller supports a range of RAID levels, each catering to different requirements in terms of performance, redundancy, and capacity. Some of the notable RAID levels supported by the 692276-B21 include:
- RAID 0 (Striping): RAID 0 enhances performance by stripping data across multiple drives. While this configuration doesn’t provide redundancy, it significantly improves data transfer speeds by dividing the workload among the drives.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): RAID 1 focuses on data redundancy by creating an exact copy (mirror) of data on two drives. If one drive fails, the system can seamlessly switch to the mirrored drive, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime.
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): RAID 5 combines striping with parity, providing a balance between performance and redundancy. Data is striped across multiple drives, and parity information is distributed, allowing for the reconstruction of data in case of a drive failure.
- RAID 6 (Striping with Dual Parity): RAID 6 takes redundancy a step further by using dual parity, allowing the array to withstand the failure of up to two drives simultaneously. This level of protection is crucial for environments where data integrity is of utmost importance.
Performance Optimization
The 692276-B21 RAID Controller is designed not only for data protection but also for optimizing storage performance. Some features contributing to its performance optimization include:
- Cache Memory: The presence of cache memory on the RAID controller enhances data transfer speeds by temporarily storing frequently accessed data. This reduces the need to fetch data directly from the disks, resulting in improved overall system performance.
- Battery Backup Unit (BBU): To safeguard against unexpected power outages or system failures, the P420I RAID controller often comes equipped with a Battery Backup Unit. The BBU ensures that cached data is safely preserved, preventing data loss or corruption during power interruptions.
- Compatibility and Integration
- Server Compatibility: The 692276-B21 is designed to seamlessly integrate with a variety of HP ProLiant servers, ensuring compatibility across a range of server configurations. It is essential for users to verify the compatibility of the RAID controller with their specific server model before installation.
- Driver Support: HP provides up-to-date drivers for the RAID controller, ensuring compatibility with the latest operating systems. Regular updates and driver support from the manufacturer contribute to the stability and reliability of the RAID card in diverse server environments.
Common Use Cases
- Enterprise Servers: The 692276-B21 RAID controller is well-suited for enterprise-level servers where data reliability, performance, and scalability are critical. Its compatibility with various server models and support for multiple RAID levels make it a versatile choice for large-scale data storage environments.
- Data Centers: In data center environments, where the volume of data and the demand for high-performance storage solutions are substantial, the 692276-B21 finds its application. Its compact Mezzanine form factor makes it an excellent choice for data centers with space constraints.
- Virtualization: The high-speed PCI Express x8 interface and support for RAID configurations make this RAID controller ideal for virtualized environments. It ensures that virtual machines (VMs) can access data quickly and reliably, contributing to the overall efficiency of virtualization setups.
General Information about this HP 692276-B21
- Manufacturer: HP
- Model Number or SKU# 692276-B21
- Sub-Type: Smart Array
- Product Name: Controller
Technical specifications
- Interface: PCI Express x8 (Gen3)
- RAID levels supported: 0, 1, 1+0, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
- Cache memory: 2GB FBWC (Battery-backed write cache)
- Maximum number of physical drives supported: 8/16/24/32/40/48
- Maximum number of logical drives supported: 256
- Data transfer rate: 12GBPS SAS and 6GBPS SATA
- Maximum internal drive capacity: 8TB
In general, the 692276-B21 HP Smart Array PCI Express x8 P420I Mezzanine RAID Controller Card stands as a versatile and robust solution for organizations seeking efficient data storage and management in their server infrastructure. With features like a PCI Express x8 interface, support for various RAID levels, performance optimization through cache memory, and easy management tools, this RAID controller caters to the diverse needs of modern server environments. As technology continues to advance, having a reliable and high-performance RAID controller is integral to ensuring the integrity and availability of critical data in enterprise settings.