Description
Product Overview for the HPE 726897-B21 4GB 2 Port PCI-E
In the world of enterprise storage solutions, the 726897-B21 HPE Smart Array P840 stands out as a robust and efficient storage controller. This device plays a crucial role in managing and optimizing storage resources within a server environment. In this detailed exploration, we will delve into the key features, specifications, and benefits of the HPE Smart Array P840, with a focus on its 4GB FBWC (Flash Backed Write Cache) and its capabilities in handling SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations.
Key Features
- PCIe 3.0 x8 Interface: At the heart of the HPE Smart Array P840 is its PCIe 3.0 x8 interface. PCIe, or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard that provides a significant boost in data transfer rates compared to its predecessors. The x8 designation indicates the number of lanes in the connection, with “x8” meaning eight lanes, allowing for faster and more efficient communication between the storage controller and the server.
- SAS and SATA Compatibility: The P840 supports both SAS and SATA drives, offering flexibility in storage options. SAS is known for its high-performance capabilities and reliability, making it suitable for demanding enterprise environments. SATA, on the other hand, is more cost-effective and commonly used for less performance-critical applications. The ability to accommodate both types of drives makes the P840 a versatile choice for various storage needs.
- RAID Capabilities: RAID technology is integral to modern storage solutions, providing data protection, performance optimization, or a combination of both. The HPE Smart Array P840 supports RAID configurations, allowing users to implement different RAID levels, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and more. This flexibility enables organizations to tailor their storage setup to specific performance, redundancy, and capacity requirements.
- 4GB FBWC: One standout feature of the P840 is its 4GB Flash Backed Write Cache. This component is crucial for enhancing data reliability and system performance. The write cache temporarily stores data that is waiting to be written to the storage drives. In the event of a power loss or system failure, the flash-backed nature of the cache ensures that the data in the cache is preserved, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption.
Specifications
- Form Factor: The HPE Smart Array P840 is designed as a PCIe plug-in card, adhering to the standards of the PCIe form factor. This makes it compatible with a wide range of server configurations, providing a seamless integration process.
- Data Transfer Rate: With its PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, the P840 boasts impressive data transfer rates. The PCIe 3.0 specification supports a per-lane data transfer rate of 8 GT/s (Giga transfers per second), ensuring that the storage controller can efficiently handle large volumes of data with minimal latency.
- Cache Memory: The 4GB Flash Backed Write Cache is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the performance and reliability of the P840. The ample cache size allows for the temporary storage of write operations, reducing the number of write commands sent directly to the storage drives. This not only enhances performance but also extends the lifespan of the attached storage devices.
- RAID Levels Supported: The P840 supports a comprehensive range of RAID levels, providing users with the flexibility to choose the level of data protection and performance that best suits their needs. RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and more are supported, ensuring that organizations can tailor their storage configurations to meet specific requirements.
- SAS and SATA Ports: The storage controller is equipped with SAS and SATA ports, offering compatibility with a variety of storage drives. This versatility is valuable for organizations that may have a mix of SAS and SATA drives or those looking to transition between the two technologies over time.
Benefits and Use Cases
- Improved Data Reliability: The 4GB Flash Backed Write Cache is a key asset in enhancing data reliability. By temporarily storing write operations in the cache, the risk of data loss or corruption during unexpected power outages or system failures is significantly reduced. This is particularly critical in enterprise environments where data integrity is paramount.
- Enhanced System Performance: The PCIe 3.0 x8 interface and the 4GB FBWC work in tandem to boost system performance. The high-speed PCIe interface ensures rapid data transfer between the storage controller and the server, while the ample write cache optimizes write operations, reducing latency and improving overall system responsiveness.
- Versatility in Storage Configurations: The support for both SAS and SATA drives, along with the flexibility of RAID configurations, makes the HPE Smart Array P840 a versatile choice for various storage setups. Organizations can customize their storage environments based on performance, redundancy, and capacity requirements, adapting the P840 to different use cases.
- Scalability: As business needs evolve, the P840 provides scalability options. The PCIe interface and RAID support allow for the addition of more storage capacity and performance as required. This scalability ensures that the storage infrastructure can grow with the organization, avoiding the need for frequent hardware replacements.
High Performance of 4GB 2 Port PCI-E
The HPE P840 4GB 2 Port PCIE 3.0 x8 SAS/SATA FBWC Raid Storage Controller (part number 726897-B21) is designed to deliver high performance in enterprise-class server environments. The controller is based on the Smart Array P840 controller, which is known for its high-performance capabilities.
One of the key features that contribute to the high performance of the controller is the 4GB battery-backed write cache (BBWC) memory. This memory provides fast data access and writes performance, and it works in conjunction with the Flashed Back Write Cache (FBWC) module, which is a type of cache memory that stores data that is being written to the hard drive. This helps to ensure that data is written correctly in the event of a power failure, and it also helps to improve the overall performance of the system.
The controller supports multiple RAID levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60) which allows for flexibility in balancing performance and data protection according to the specific needs of the business. This can help to improve the overall performance of the system by providing data protection, and also by allowing for the use of different RAID levels for different workloads.
The HPE P840 4GB 2 Port PCIE 3.0 x8 SAS/SATA FBWC Raid Storage Controller is designed to deliver high performance by leveraging its 4GB of BBWC memory, FBWC module, high-speed PCI-E 3.0 interface, multiple RAID levels support, and advanced data protection features. This allows for a balance between performance and data protection and also enables the use of different types of storage devices and RAID levels for different workloads.
General Compatibility
The HPE P840 4GB 2 Port PCIE 3.0 x8 SAS/SATA FBWC Raid Storage Controller (part number 726897-B21) is designed to be compatible with specific HPE server models. It is important to ensure that this controller is compatible with your server before purchasing it, as it may not be compatible with all HPE server models.
To check the compatibility, you can refer to the HPE website, where you can find a list of supported server models for this controller. You can also check the compatibility with the HPE Smart Storage Administrator (HPE SSA) software, which provides a web-based interface for managing and monitoring the controller and its associated storage.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the controller is compatible with the operating system, drivers, and firmware of your server. You can check the compatibility of these components with the HPE website, where you can find the latest software and drivers for this controller.
The HPE P840 4GB 2 Port PCIE 3.0 x8 SAS/SATA FBWC Raid Storage Controller is designed to be compatible with specific HPE server models, but it’s important to check the compatibility with the server, the operating system, drivers, and firmware before purchasing it.
General Information about this HPE 726897-B21
- Manufacturer: HPE
- Part Number or SKU# 726897-B21
- Product Type: SAS SATA
- Product Name: Controller
Technical Specifications
- Interface: SATA 6GGPS / SAS 12GBPS
- Data Transfer Rate: 1.2 Gbps
- Buffer Size: 4 Gigabyte(GB)
- Supported Devices: Disk array (RAID)
- Channel Qty: 16
- Max Storage Devices Qty: 16
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, RAID 50, RAID 60, RAID 1 ADM, RAID 10 ADM
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces: 2 x SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s (internal)
Miscellaneous
- Features: HPE SmartCache
- Compliant Standards: WEEE
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Ubuntu 12.04, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Oracle Solaris 11.1, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, VMware ESXi 5.0 update 2, VMware ESXi 5.1 update 1, VMware vSphere 5.5, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP3, Ubuntu 14.04, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 update 5
Compatibility Information
- HPE Apollo 4500
- HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL80 Gen9, DL80 Gen9 Base, DL80 Gen9 Entry, DL80 Gen9 Performance, DL180 Gen9, DL180 Gen9 Base, DL180 Gen9 Entry, DL180 Gen9 Performance, DL360 Gen9, DL360 Gen9 Base, DL360 Gen9 Entry, DL360 Gen9 Performance, DL380 Gen9, DL380 Gen9 Base, DL380 Gen9 Entry, DL380 Gen9 Performance, DL560 Gen9, DL560 Gen9 Base, DL560 Gen9 Entry, DL560 Gen9 Performance
- HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML110 Gen9, ML110 Gen9 Base, ML110 Gen9 Entry, ML110 Gen9 Performance, ML150 Gen9, ML150 Gen9 Base, ML150 Gen9 Entry, ML150 Gen9 Performance, ML350 Gen9, ML350 Gen9 Base, ML350 Gen9 Entry, ML350 Gen9 Performance
Outline, the 726897-B21 HPE Smart Array P840 with its 4GB FBWC, SAS, and SATA compatibility, and support for various RAID levels stands as a formidable storage controller in the realm of enterprise storage solutions. Its combination of high-performance features, data reliability mechanisms, and scalability options makes it well-suited for a wide range of applications and use cases. Whether used in small businesses or large enterprises, the P840 contributes to an efficient and resilient storage infrastructure, ensuring the integrity and availability of critical data. As technology continues to advance, storage solutions like the HPE Smart Array P840 play a pivotal role in meeting the ever-growing demands of modern computing environments.
