HPE Smart Array P408e-p SR Gen10 (8 External Lanes/4GB Cache) 12G SAS PCIe Plug-in Controller

Overview

The HPE 804405-B21 is a Smart Array P408e-p SR Gen10 controller designed to provide robust external storage connectivity for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. It features eight external 12G SAS lanes through two Mini-SAS HD ports and includes a 4 GB flash-backed write cache to protect data during unexpected power loss. This controller supports both SAS and SATA drives, enabling flexible storage configurations that combine RAID and HBA modes for diverse workload needs.

Key features

• Eight external 12G SAS lanes delivered via two Mini-SAS HD ports, allowing connection to multiple drive enclosures without bandwidth bottlenecks
• 4 GB flash-backed write cache that safeguards data integrity during power outages, ensuring workload reliability
• Support for a wide range of RAID levels including 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, 1 ADM, and 10 ADM, providing versatile data protection and performance options
• PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface that offers high throughput for demanding storage environments
• Compatibility with both 12 Gb SAS and 6 Gb SATA drives on every lane, enabling mixed drive configurations
• Validated for use with HPE D3610, D3710, and D6020 drive enclosures, facilitating scalable storage expansion
• Optional encryption license available to enable data-at-rest protection, supporting compliance with regulatory requirements
• Seamless integration with many HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, simplifying management through familiar HPE tools

Key specs

• External lanes: 8 lanes of 12G SAS
• Cache: 4 GB flash-backed write cache
• Host interface: PCIe 3.0 x8
• Supported RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, 1 ADM, 10 ADM
• Drive compatibility: 12 Gb SAS and 6 Gb SATA
• Ports: Two Mini-SAS HD external ports
• Encryption: Optional license for data-at-rest protection
• Certification: FIPS 140-2 Level 1 certification status under review

Connectivity and compatibility

This controller connects to external storage enclosures using two Mini-SAS HD ports, each providing four lanes of 12G SAS bandwidth. It supports a broad range of SAS and SATA drives, making it suitable for mixed storage environments. The card fits into a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, ensuring high-speed data transfer and compatibility with existing server infrastructure. It is validated for use with HPE D3610, D3710, and D6020 enclosures, which helps streamline storage expansion and management.

Installation and setup

Installing the controller is straightforward: insert the card into an available PCIe 3.0 x8 slot and connect Mini-SAS HD cables to your external drive enclosures. Configuration and management are handled through the HPE Smart Storage interface, which many administrators will find familiar and efficient. Note that the Smart Storage Battery, which is necessary for full cache protection, must be purchased separately to ensure data safety during power interruptions.

Ideal uses and environments

This controller is well suited to environments that require scalable and reliable external storage, such as virtualization clusters, backup targets, and tiered storage pools for data analytics. Its ability to run RAID and HBA modes simultaneously allows IT teams to optimize performance and flexibility within a single card. Organizations needing encrypted storage for compliance can add the optional license to secure data at rest. Overall, it fits well in enterprise data centers and professional IT setups that demand high throughput and robust data protection.