Description
Features And Specifications Of The Controller
The HPE Smart Array P408I-A PCI-E 3.0 X8 SAS Modular Controller (804331-B21) is a high-performance controller designed for use in enterprise-level storage systems and servers. Below are some of the key features and specifications of the controller:
- Interface: PCI-E 3.0 x8
- Data transfer rate: Up to 8 GT/s
- Number of ports: 8 SAS ports
- RAID support: RAID levels 0, 1, 1+0, and 5 with optional battery-backed write cache (BBWC)
- Cache memory: 1GB (upgradable to 2GB)
- Max number of drives supported: 240 (with expansion enclosures)
- Supported drive types: SAS, SATA, and solid-state drives (SSDs)
- Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and VMware
- Management: HPE Smart Storage Administrator (HPE SSA) web-based interface for easy management and configuration
The controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 1+0, and 5, which allows for data protection and performance optimization. It also supports battery-backed write cache (BBWC) which increases the performance of write operations by caching data in flash memory before it is written to the storage media. With a max number of 240 drives support and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems, it makes it a versatile and flexible option for data storage and server environments.
Modular Design And Expandability Options
The HPE 804331-B21 Smart Array P408I-A PCI-E 3.0 X8 SAS Modular Controller features a modular design that allows for easy expandability and customization options. The controller supports a wide range of storage options including SAS, SATA, and SSD drives, and it supports up to 24 drives with the use of an optional HPE Smart Array Expansion Enclosure.
The controller also supports the use of HPE SmartCache, which allows for the installation of a small SSD drive as a cache for the controller, improving the performance of read and write operations.
Additionally, the controller also offers advanced data protection features, including RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, which allows for the creation of different levels of data redundancy depending on the requirements of the application.
Furthermore, the controller also supports HPE’s SmartPath technology, which provides an optimized path to the storage devices, improving the performance and reliability of the storage system.
RAID Support And Options
The HPE 804331-B21 Smart Array P408I-A PCI-E 3.0 X8 SAS Modular Controller supports a variety of RAID levels, including:
- RAID 0 (striping): Distributes data across multiple drives, providing increased performance and capacity.
- RAID 1 (mirroring): Creates a copy of data on a second drive, providing redundancy and protection against drive failure.
- RAID 5 (striping with parity): Distributes data and parity information across multiple drives, providing redundancy and protection against drive failure.
- RAID 6 (striping with dual parity): Distributes data and dual parity information across multiple drives, providing redundancy and protection against up to two drive failures.
- RAID 10 (striping and mirroring): Combines RAID 0 and RAID 1, providing increased performance, capacity, and redundancy.
The controller also supports advanced RAID options, such as:
- Online RAID level migration: Allows you to change the RAID level of a virtual drive without having to rebuild the array or lose data.
- Online expansion: Allows you to add additional drives to an existing RAID array without having to rebuild the array or lose data.
- Online capacity expansion: Allows you to increase the size of a RAID array without having to rebuild the array or lose data.
- Automatic data recovery: Automatically rebuilds a RAID array in the event of a drive failure.
- Advanced data recovery: Allows you to recover data from a failed RAID array using advanced techniques, such as drive cloning and data recovery software.
- Smart caching: Allows you to improve performance by using a small amount of system memory as a cache for frequently accessed data.
- Smart array battery backup: Provides power to the controller’s cache memory in the event of a power failure, preventing data loss and reducing recovery time.
- Support for HPE Smart Host Bus Adapters (HBAs): Allows you to connect to SAS and SATA drives using HPE Smart HBAs, which provide advanced features such as support for SAS-3 and SAS-4 protocols, and support for NVMe drives.
General Information
- Manufacturer Name: HPE
- MPN: 804331-B21
- Spare Part Number: 804334-001
- Spare Part Number: 836260-001
- SKU: 804331-B21
- Device Type: Storage Controller (RAID) – Plug-in Card
- Host Bus: PCI Express 3.0 x8 Lane Width
Storage Controllers
- Data Transfer Rate: 12Gb/s SAS per lane; 6Gb/s SATA per lane; PCI Express 3.0 x8 lane width
- Interface: SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s
- Form Factor: Type-a Modular Controller
- Ports (Internal): 8 SAS lanes across 2 x4 Mini-SAS ports
- Cache (Buffer): 2 GB Flash-Backed Write Cache
- Supported Devices: Hard Drive, Disk Array (RAID)
- Servers Supported: HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10; HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10; HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen10; HPE ProLiant XL450 Gen10
- Additional features: HPE Smart Array SR Secure Encryption (optional license); HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (optional license)
- Certifications: FIPS 140-2 Level 1 Implementation Under Test with expected validation in 2018
- Channel Qty: 8
- SATA Speed: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, 1 ADM, 10 ADM
- 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
Expansions And Connectivity
- Interfaces: 2 x SATA 6Gb/s / SAS 12Gb/s (internal)
Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards: FIPS 140-2 Level 1
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 Performance, DL380 Gen10, DL380 Gen10 Base, DL380 Gen10 Entry, DL380 Gen10 High Performance, DL380 Gen10 Performance Servers
- HPE ProLiant XL Series: XL450 Gen10 Server