HPE ProLiant SL250s Gen8 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers, cache modules, enablement kits and host bus adapters for the HPE ProLiant SL250s Gen8, new and refurbished. The tray ships with an embedded H220i host bus adapter and no RAID at all: RAID arrives when that controller runs as the B320i Dynamic Smart Array after a firmware update, and write caching only when the 512MB B-series module is fitted.
SL250s Gen8 Storage Controller Specifications
- Embedded controller: HPE H220i host bus adapter — 6Gb SAS and SATA on two internal 4X connectors, an x8 PCI Express 3.0 link giving 8GB/s, up to eight physical drives, no cache and no RAID of its own
- Embedded RAID: the same controller runs as the B320i Dynamic Smart Array with a firmware update, and takes a 512MB B-series flash backed write cache with a 24-inch cable
- Smart Array cards: the P222 with 512MB FBWC, one internal and one external port, listed for E5-2600 and E5-2600 v2 alike; the P420 with 1GB FBWC and two internal ports, listed for E5-2600 only; and the P421 with 1GB or 2GB FBWC and two external ports
- Enablement kits: the SL250s 4X SFF Smart Array enablement kit, which connects the internal drives to a Smart Array controller, and the SL250 SFF internal enablement kit, which creates those positions
- Required with flash: the 24-inch Super Capacity Option, HPE's cabling requirement for implementing a Smart Array controller with flash
- Licences and external SAS: the B320i SAS licence key, Smart Array Advanced Pack 2.0, and the HPE H220 and H222 host bus adapters
The Smart Array P420 is the one card to check twice. It offers the two internal ports a drive-heavy tray wants, but HPE lists it for Intel E5-2600 processors only and states that the SL250 SFF internal enablement kit will not work with it because of cable restrictions. For four internal drives the P222 is the card that cables to them.
Which Smart Array card suits your SL250s Gen8?
| Controller | Ports | Cache | What it serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| H220i (embedded) | 2 internal | None | The tray's own drives, with no RAID until the B320i firmware is in place |
| B320i Dynamic Smart Array | 2 internal | 512MB FBWC option | The same drives with RAID, and write caching once the module is fitted |
| Smart Array P222 | 1 internal, 1 external | 512MB FBWC | Internal drives on a cached controller, plus one external enclosure |
| Smart Array P420 | 2 internal | 1GB FBWC | Internal drives only, on E5-2600 processors, and not alongside the SFF internal kit |
| Smart Array P421 | 2 external | 1GB or 2GB FBWC | External storage only, leaving the internal drives on the embedded controller |
The P420 is the card to check twice. It has the two internal ports a drive-heavy tray wants, but HPE restricts it to Intel E5-2600 processors and states that the SL250 SFF internal enablement kit will not work with it — so the card that looks right for four internal drives cannot cable to them. The P222 is the internal answer here, and the only card listed for both processor generations.
Choosing the Right SL250s Gen8 Storage Controller
- The P420 carries two constraints, not one. HPE lists it for Intel E5-2600 processors only, and states that the SFF internal enablement kit will not work with the card because of cable restrictions.
- The super capacity option is not optional. HPE lists the 24-inch super cap as a cabling requirement for a Smart Array controller with flash, so it belongs in the same order as the card.
- A P421 has no internal port. It drives external enclosures only, whatever cache it carries.
- Every cached card here is flash backed. No battery backed module is listed for this tray, so there is no battery to age out.
Complete Your SL250s Gen8 Build
Controllers and drives are bought together — see SL250s Gen8 drives for what the array will hold. Also available: SL250s Gen8 memory, processors and networking adapters, or the full SL250s Gen8 parts listing and the HPE parts by server model index. Background reading: what are HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers.
SL250s Gen8 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which storage controller does the SL250s Gen8 come with?
An embedded HPE H220i host bus adapter. It has no cache and no RAID of its own, and becomes the B320i Dynamic Smart Array with a firmware update.
How many drives can the embedded controller address?
Up to eight physical drives, across two internal 4X SAS connectors at 6Gb, on an x8 PCI Express 3.0 host connection.
Can I use a Smart Array P420 with four internal drives?
No. HPE states that the SL250 SFF internal enablement kit, which is what creates those four positions, will not work with the P420 because of cable restrictions.
Does the Smart Array P420 work with E5-2600 v2 processors?
No. HPE lists both P420 cache variants for Intel E5-2600 processors only. The P222 is the card listed for both E5-2600 and E5-2600 v2.
Do I need the super capacitor with a Smart Array card?
Yes. HPE lists the 24-inch super capacity option as a cabling requirement for a Smart Array controller with flash on this server.
Do SAS drives need a licence on this server?
With the embedded B320i as the primary controller, yes. HPE requires the B320i SAS licence key. SATA drives do not need it.
✅ Looking for a specific SL250s Gen8 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
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