HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers, Smart HBAs and cable kits for the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9, new and refurbished. Storage starts on the embedded Dynamic Smart Array B140i, a 10-port SATA controller HPE states runs in UEFI mode only, with the Flexible Smart Array P440ar the usual step up.
DL380 Gen9 Storage Controller Specifications
- Embedded B140i: four PCI links at 4Gb/s, a 6Gb/s SATA peak rate, up to 10 internal drives, RAID 0, 1, 10 and 5 on SATA, and no expander or SmartCache support
- Flexible Smart Array (-ar): the P440ar/2GB and P840ar/2GB use a dedicated modular connector, supporting up to eight internal SAS or SATA drives without a PCIe slot
- Stand-up Smart Array: the P840/4GB with two internal 12Gb ports and the P841/4GB with four external, both with flash-backed write cache
- Smart HBAs: H240ar and H240 with two internal 12Gb ports, the H241 with two external, for pass-through storage
- Cache and cabling: the P440ar, P840 and P840ar kits include the Smart Storage Battery, and each front end has its own SAS cable kit
The embedded B140i is SATA only, and UEFI only. HPE lists it with four PCI links at 4Gb/s, a 6Gb/s SATA peak rate, up to 10 internal drives and RAID 0, 1, 10 and 5 on SATA, with no expander support and no SmartCache. It will not operate in Legacy mode, so SAS drives, larger arrays or legacy boot all mean a Smart Array or Smart HBA.
Which storage controller does the DL380 Gen9 use?
| Controller | Form | Cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Smart Array B140i | Embedded, 10-port SATA | None | SATA RAID 0, 1, 10 and 5 in UEFI mode only |
| Flexible Smart Array P440ar/2GB | Modular (-ar), no PCIe slot | 2GB FBWC with battery | Standard on Base and Performance models |
| Smart Array P840/4GB | PCIe, 2 internal 12Gb ports | 4GB FBWC with battery | Larger arrays; SmartCache included |
| Smart Array P841/4GB | PCIe, 4 external 12Gb ports | 4GB FBWC | External SAS enclosures |
| H240ar, H240 and H241 | Modular or PCIe Smart HBA | None | Pass-through SAS and SATA |
The split that decides most orders is modular against stand-up. An -ar controller sits in its own connector and leaves all three primary-riser slots free; a P840 or P841 takes a slot but brings 4GB of cache. Our guide to HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers covers the families.
Choosing the Right DL380 Gen9 Storage Controller
- The B140i is SATA only. It is a chipset controller with no SAS and no expander support, so any SAS drive means a Smart Array or Smart HBA.
- Legacy boot needs an add-in card. HPE is explicit that the B140i will not operate in Legacy mode.
- Cabling is part of the order. Separate SAS cable kits cover 8/16/24SFF, 12LFF, front 2SFF and the 12LFF rear 2SFF or 3LFF paths.
- A 24SFF upgrade wants the expander. HPE lists a 12Gb SAS expander card with cables, populated in slot 2 or 3 of the primary riser.
- Refurbished controllers and batteries are a low-risk buy — tested before shipping, and the usual way to replace an aged one.
Complete Your DL380 Gen9 Build
Match your controller with DL380 Gen9 drives, then memory, processors, adapters and power supplies, or the full DL380 Gen9 parts page. Neighbors: DL360 Gen9 and DL380p Gen8 parts. Catalog-wide: Smart Array batteries and parts by server model.
DL380 Gen9 Storage Controllers FAQ
What RAID controller does the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 use?
The embedded HPE Dynamic Smart Array B140i is standard on every model, and Base and Performance models add a Flexible Smart Array P440ar/2GB. HPE also lists the P840ar/2GB, the P840/4GB and P841/4GB, and the H240ar, H240 and H241 Smart HBAs.
What are the limits of the B140i on a DL380 Gen9?
It is a SATA-only chipset controller. HPE lists four PCI links at 4Gb/s, a 6Gb/s SATA peak rate, up to 10 internal drives, RAID 0, 1, 10 and 5 on SATA, no expander support, and neither Secure Encryption nor SmartCache licensing.
Does the B140i work in legacy BIOS mode?
No. HPE states plainly that the embedded B140i controller operates in UEFI only mode and will not operate in Legacy mode. A server that has to boot in legacy mode needs an additional controller, and factory orders also select the legacy mode settings part.
What is the difference between a P440ar and a P840 on the DL380 Gen9?
Form factor and cache. The P440ar is a Flexible Smart Array that uses a dedicated modular connector and supports up to eight internal SAS or SATA drives without taking a PCIe slot, with 2GB of flash-backed write cache. The P840 is a stand-up PCIe card with 4GB.
Do DL380 Gen9 Smart Array controllers need a cable kit?
Usually. HPE lists separate SAS cable kits for 8/16/24SFF to a P440ar or P840, for 12LFF, for the front 2SFF path, and for 12LFF rear 2SFF or 3LFF drives. Check which front end and controller you are cabling before ordering.
Is SmartCache included on the DL380 Gen9?
It depends on the controller. HPE states that SmartCache comes standard with no licensing required if the Smart Array P840 controller is installed, and is otherwise a licensed option on supported Smart Array controllers. The embedded B140i does not support it.
✅ Looking for a specific DL380 Gen9 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
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