HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 Controllers
Genuine HPE storage controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus v2, new and refurbished. Three families run side by side: Smart Array SR Gen10 Essential and Performance cards, Gen10 Plus tri-mode MR and SR controllers for NVMe, and the NS204i-p boot device.
DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 Storage Controller Specifications
- Essential (no cache): Smart Array E208i-a modular, E208i-p PCIe, and E208e-p with 8 external 12G SAS lanes
- Performance (cached): Smart Array P408i-a and P408i-p (8 internal lanes, 2GB), P408e-p (8 external lanes, 4GB), and P816i-a (16 internal lanes, 4GB, SmartCache)
- Tri-mode NVMe/SAS: MR216i-a and MR216i-p (x16, no cache), MR416i-a and MR416i-p (x16, 4GB), SR416i-a (x16, 4GB, 24G), and SR932i-p (x32 lanes, 8GB wide cache, 24G)
- Boot device: HPE NS204i-p x2-lane NVMe PCIe3 x8 — supported only in primary riser slot 1 or tertiary riser slot 8
- Software RAID: embedded SR100i Gen10 Plus SW RAID — UEFI mode only, Windows Server only, up to two U.3 NVMe SSDs
- Cache protection: Performance RAID controllers need the HPE 96W Smart Storage Battery, sold separately
Don't mix MR and SR internal controllers. HPE does not support MegaRAID (MR) and SmartRAID (SR) internal controllers in the same server. They are managed by different tools, and MR controllers are not supported with Intelligent Provisioning.
Which RAID controller does the DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 use?
| Controller | Lanes and cache | Form factor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E208i-a / E208i-p | 8 internal, no cache | Modular / PCIe | Entry SAS and SATA arrays |
| P408i-a / P408i-p | 8 internal, 2GB cache | Modular / PCIe | Mainstream cached hardware RAID |
| P816i-a | 16 internal, 4GB + SmartCache | Modular | High drive counts: 12 LFF and 24 SFF |
| MR216i / MR416i | x16, none / 4GB cache | Modular or PCIe | Tri-mode NVMe, SAS, SATA cages |
| SR932i-p | x32 lanes, 8GB wide cache | PCIe, x16 electrical slot | Largest NVMe and 24G SAS arrays |
The split that matters most is MR against SR. MegaRAID (MR) and SmartRAID (SR) internal controllers cannot be mixed in one server, they use different management tools, and MR controllers are not supported with Intelligent Provisioning.
Choosing the Right DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 Storage Controller
- Cached Performance controllers need the battery: the 96W Smart Storage Battery is sold separately.
- NVMe front cages force a tri-mode card: SAS/SATA controllers and the embedded SR100i cannot drive the 8 SFF U.3 and U.2 cages — see DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 drives.
- -a modular cards keep PCIe slots free; the SR932i-p needs a x16 electrical PCIe slot.
- Boot separately with the NS204i-p to keep the OS off the data array — it cannot be combined with the Universal SATA M.2 kit or Legacy Mode.
- Background reading: what HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers are.
Complete Your DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 Build
Match your controller with DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 drives, then round out the system: memory, processors, networking adapters, power supplies, or everything on the DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 parts page. Neighboring models: DL385 Gen10 Plus controllers and DL385 Gen11 controllers. Or browse all HPE parts by server model.
DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers are supported in the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus v2?
Smart Array E208i-a, E208i-p and E208e-p in the Essential line; P408i-a, P408i-p, P408e-p and P816i-a in the Performance line; and the Gen10 Plus tri-mode family of MR216i-a/-p, MR416i-a/-p, SR416i-a and SR932i-p. The NS204i-p covers OS boot.
Do DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 RAID controllers need a battery?
The Performance RAID controllers do. HPE states that all performance RAID controllers are supported by the 96W Smart Storage Battery, which is sold separately. Essential E-series and cache-less MR216i cards do not need one.
Can I mix MR and SR controllers in the DL385 Gen10 Plus v2?
No. HPE does not support mixing MegaRAID (MR) series and SmartRAID (SR) series internal controllers in the same server. They also use different management tools, and MR controllers are not supported with Intelligent Provisioning.
What is the difference between -a and -p controllers?
Mounting. The -a models are modular controllers that do not occupy a PCIe expansion slot, while -p models are PCIe plug-in cards. An -e suffix means the card presents external SAS ports for tape or JBOD.
Do I need a tri-mode controller for NVMe drives in the DL385 Gen10 Plus v2?
For the 8 SFF U.3 and U.2 NVMe cages, yes - the QuickSpecs state that SAS/SATA controllers and the embedded SR100i cannot support those cages. The embedded SR100i software RAID handles at most two U.3 NVMe SSDs, in UEFI mode, on Windows Server only.
Where does the NS204i-p boot device install?
Slot 1 of the primary riser, or slot 8 of the tertiary riser. It cannot be selected together with the Universal SATA M.2 kit or with the Legacy Mode setting.
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