HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen10 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen10, new and refurbished. Gen10 storage runs on the Smart Array SR Gen10 family — Essential (E-series) and Performance (P-series) controllers in modular (-a) and PCIe plug-in (-p) forms, with S100i software RAID underneath and the Smart Storage battery protecting write cache.
DL325 Gen10 Storage Controller Specifications
- Software RAID: HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 — UEFI mode only, off by default, Windows only, and a maximum of 4 devices
- Essential: E208i-a modular and E208i-p plug-in (8 internal lanes, no cache), plus the E208e-p for 8 external lanes
- Performance: P408i-a modular and P408i-p plug-in (8 internal lanes, 2GB cache), P408e-p (8 external lanes, 4GB), and P816i-a (16 internal lanes, 4GB cache, SmartCache included)
- Cache protection: Performance controllers require the 96W Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), sold separately; a Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor kit is also listed
- Slot cost: modular -a controllers do not occupy a PCIe slot, but choosing one rules out the low-profile secondary riser
Budget for the battery and for the slot. Every Performance controller — P408i-a, P408i-p, P408e-p, and P816i-a — needs the 96W Smart Storage Battery, which is sold separately. And a modular -a controller, while it occupies no PCIe slot, rules out the low-profile secondary riser.
Which RAID controller does the DL325 Gen10 use?
| Controller | Form factor | Lanes / cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Array S100i SR | Embedded software RAID | 4 devices, no cache | 4LFF or the 2SFF SAS/SATA kit, Windows and UEFI only |
| E208i-a / E208i-p | Modular / PCIe | 8 internal, no cache | Basic RAID and passthrough-style builds |
| E208e-p / P408e-p | PCIe | 8 external, none / 4GB | External 12G SAS: tape and JBOD |
| P408i-a / P408i-p | Modular / PCIe | 8 internal, 2GB cache | Mainstream cache-protected hardware RAID |
| P816i-a | Modular | 16 internal, 4GB cache | Ten-bay SFF arrays; SmartCache included |
Every Smart Array option here is a 12G SAS device, so NVMe bays are cabled independently of the RAID controller. The P816i-a cable also ships in the 8SFF chassis only.
Choosing the Right DL325 Gen10 Storage Controller
- Budget for the battery: every Performance controller needs the 96W Smart Storage Battery, a separate part number — the cache-less E208 models and S100i need none.
- Modular versus plug-in is a slot trade: an -a controller saves a PCIe slot but blocks the low-profile riser kit, so a -p card is the better choice when you want all three PCIe slots.
- Know the S100i's limits: four devices, Windows, UEFI, and only on the 4LFF chassis or the optional 2SFF SAS/SATA kit.
- Order the SAS cable kit that matches your chassis — the 8SFF, 10SFF, and 4LFF kits are not interchangeable.
- Background reading: HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers explained and NVMe drives in HPE servers.
Complete Your DL325 Gen10 Build
Match your controller with DL325 Gen10 drives, then round out the system with memory and networking adapters, or everything on the DL325 Gen10 parts page. Neighboring chassis: DL325 Gen10 Plus controllers and the two-socket DL385 Gen10 controllers. Or browse parts by server model.
DL325 Gen10 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers does the HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen10 support?
The Smart Array SR Gen10 family: E208i-a, E208i-p, and E208e-p on the Essential side, and P408i-a, P408i-p, P408e-p, and P816i-a on the Performance side. HPE Smart Array S100i SR software RAID is also available in limited configurations.
Do DL325 Gen10 Smart Array controllers need a battery?
The Performance controllers do. HPE states that all performance RAID controllers are supported by the 96W Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), which is sold separately. The cache-less E208 controllers and the S100i software RAID do not need one.
What is the difference between -a and -p Smart Array controllers?
Mounting. An -a controller is modular and does not occupy a PCIe expansion slot; a -p controller is a PCIe plug-in card. The catch is that a modular Smart Array cannot be combined with the low-profile secondary riser kit.
Can I use the S100i software RAID with the 8SFF backplane?
No. HPE supports the S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID only on the 4LFF chassis or on the optional 2SFF SAS/SATA kit when that is selected with an 8SFF or 8SFF NVMe chassis. It also runs in UEFI mode only, under Windows only, with a maximum of 4 devices.
Which DL325 Gen10 controller supports the most drives?
The P816i-a, with 16 internal lanes and 4GB of cache - the choice for a fully populated ten-bay SFF configuration. Its cable ships in the 8SFF chassis only.
Do I need a license for SmartCache on the DL325 Gen10?
Not with the P816i-a - SmartCache comes standard on that controller and needs no licensing. On other Performance controllers SmartCache is a separately licensed option.
Does the DL325 Gen10 need a RAID controller for NVMe drives?
No. Every Smart Array controller listed for this server is a 12G SAS device, and the NVMe bays are enabled by the NVMe chassis cabling or the 2SFF NVMe Enablement Kit rather than by a RAID card.
✅ Looking for a specific DL325 Gen10 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
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