Description
Product Overview for the HPE 726907-B21 PCI-E Adapter
The world of information technology is constantly evolving, with hardware components playing a crucial role in the performance and functionality of computer systems. One such component that holds significance in storage and data management is the 726907-B21 HPE H240 12GBPS SAS Dual Port PCI-E 3.0 X8 Smart Host Bus Adapter (HBA) with LP (Low Profile) Bracket. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of this hardware, exploring its features, benefits, and applications.
Understanding the Basics
What is a Host Bus Adapter (HBA)?
A Host Bus Adapter is a crucial component in computer systems that enables communication between the host system (such as a server or workstation) and storage devices like hard drives and solid-state drives. It acts as an interface, facilitating the transfer of data between the storage devices and the computer.
The Significance of SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)
The 726907-B21 HPE H240 utilizes SAS, which stands for Serial Attached SCSI. SAS is a technology that enables high-speed and reliable data transfer between the host and storage devices. It provides advantages like faster data access, improved scalability, and robust performance, making it suitable for various enterprise-level applications.
Key Features
- 12GBPS SAS Speed: The HPE H240 supports a 12GBPS (Gigabits per second) SAS interface, ensuring high-speed data transfer between the host system and connected storage devices. This is crucial for applications that demand quick access to large volumes of data, such as databases and virtualization environments.
- Dual Port Configuration: With dual ports, the H240 allows for redundancy and load balancing. This means that if one port or path fails, the other can seamlessly take over, ensuring continuous and uninterrupted data access. Dual ports also enhance performance by distributing the data traffic across both ports.
- PCI-E 3.0 X8 Interface: The PCI Express (PCI-E) 3.0 X8 interface ensures a high-speed connection between the HBA and the host system. This interface standard is known for its bandwidth capabilities, supporting the rapid transfer of data between the host and storage components.
- Smart HBA Capabilities: The term “Smart HBA” indicates that the HPE H240 is equipped with intelligent features for enhanced functionality. This may include advanced monitoring, management, and diagnostic capabilities, providing administrators with valuable insights into the status and health of the storage infrastructure.
- Low Profile (LP) Bracket: The inclusion of a Low Profile bracket makes the H240 suitable for systems with space constraints. This feature enhances the adaptability of the HBA, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into a variety of server and storage configurations.
Use Cases and Applications
- Enterprise Storage Solutions: The HPE H240 is well-suited for enterprise-level storage solutions where high performance, reliability, and data integrity are paramount. It can be integrated into storage arrays and servers to handle the demanding storage requirements of large organizations.
- Virtualization Environments: In virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines share the same physical hardware, the H240’s dual-port configuration and high-speed SAS interface ensure optimal data throughput. This is essential for maintaining the responsiveness and efficiency of virtualized systems.
- Database Servers: Database servers, dealing with extensive read and write operations, benefit from the H240’s fast SAS connectivity. The dual-port configuration adds a layer of redundancy, reducing the risk of data access disruptions in critical database applications.
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): The H240’s capabilities make it suitable for High-Performance Computing environments where rapid data access and transfer are essential. Its compatibility with PCI-E 3.0 X8 ensures that it can keep up with the demanding workloads of HPC applications.
RAID Support and Configuration Options
The 726907-B21 HPE H240 12GBPS SAS Dual Port PCI-E 3.0 X8 Smart HBA With LP Bracket supports the following RAID levels:
- RAID 0 (Striping)
- RAID 1 (Mirroring)
- RAID 1+0 (Mirroring and Striping)
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity)
- RAID 6 (Striping with Dual Parity)
- RAID 10 (Mirroring and Striping)
- RAID 50 (Striping with Parity across multiple drives)
- RAID 60 (Striping with Dual Parity across multiple drives)
It also supports the following RAID configuration options:
- Online Capacity Expansion (OCE)
- Online RAID Level Migration (RLM)
- Automatic RAID Reconfiguration (ARR)
- RAID Group and Virtual Drive Management
- Global and Dedicated Hot Spare
- Automatic Drive Failover and Recovery
Additionally, the HPE H240 Smart HBA supports HPE SmartCache and HPE SmartPath features, which provide additional performance and redundancy options for your storage environment.
It is recommended to check with HPE for the most up-to-date RAID support and configuration options for the H240 Smart HBA.
Advanced-Data Protection Features
The 726907-B21 HPE H240 12GBPS SAS Dual Port PCI-E 3.0 X8 Smart HBA with LP Bracket offers several advanced data protection features, including:
- RAID support: The H240 Smart HBA supports RAID levels 0, 1, and 1E, providing data redundancy and protection in the event of a drive failure.
- Online Capacity Expansion (OCE): The H240 Smart HBA supports OCE, which allows you to expand the capacity of your RAID array without having to take it offline.
- Online RAID Level Migration (RLM): The H240 Smart HBA supports RLM, which allows you to change the RAID level of your array without having to take it offline.
- Automatic Drive Roaming: The H240 Smart HBA supports Automatic Drive Roaming, which allows you to move a drive from one controller to another without having to take the array offline.
- SAS and SATA drive support: The H240 Smart HBA supports both SAS and SATA drives, giving you the flexibility to choose the drive type that best meets your needs.
- S.M.A.R.T. monitoring: The H240 Smart HBA supports S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, which allows you to monitor the health of your drives and receive alerts if there are any issues.
- Advanced Error Recovery: The H240 Smart HBA supports advanced error recovery, which allows the controller to recover from errors and continue to operate in the event of a failure.
- Remote Management: The H240 Smart HBA supports remote management, which allows you to manage and monitor the controller remotely.
General Information about this HPE 726907-B21
- Manufacturer: HPE
- Part Number or SKU# 726907-B21
- Product Type: PCI-Express
- Product Name: Controller
Technical Specifications:
- Device Type: Storage Controller (Plug-in Card, Low Profile)
- Bus Type: PCI-E 3.0 x8
- Interface: SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s
- Data Transfer Rate: 1.2 Gbps
- Supported Devices: Hard Drive, Solid State Drive
- Channel Quantity: 8
- RAID Level: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5
In short, the 726907-B21 HPE H240 12GBPS SAS Dual Port PCI-E 3.0 X8 Smart HBA with LP Bracket is a robust and versatile component that addresses the demanding storage needs of modern IT environments. Its high-speed SAS interface, dual-port configuration, and smart capabilities make it a valuable asset for enterprise storage, virtualization, database management, and high-performance computing. When integrated into compatible HPE systems, the H240 contributes to a reliable and efficient storage infrastructure, ensuring that data remains accessible and secure. As technology continues to evolve, Smart HBAs like the HPE H240 play a crucial role in shaping the future of data management and storage solutions.
