HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE storage controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11, new and refurbished. Gen11 storage is tri-mode — one controller family handling NVMe, SAS, and SATA — in PCIe plug-in and OCP 3.0 forms, with the NS204i-u as the dedicated hot-plug boot device.
DL345 Gen11 Storage Controller Specifications
- MR Gen11 family: MR216i-p and MR216i-o (x16 lanes, no cache), MR408i-o (x8 lanes OCP, 4GB cache), MR416i-p and MR416i-o (x16 lanes, 8GB cache)
- x32-lane controllers: SR932i-p with 8GB wide cache, and the PCIe Gen5 MR932i-p
- External SAS: Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 — 8 external 12G SAS lanes, no cache, up to 8 external SAS or SATA drives
- Cache protection: the cached controllers require the 96W Smart Storage Lithium-ion Battery kit or the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor — one or the other, never both
- Boot: NS204i-u hot-plug NVMe boot device with dual 480GB NVMe M.2 in a RAID 1 mirror — externally accessible and it does not occupy a PCIe slot
- Mixing rule: mixing MR (MegaRAID) series and SR (SmartRAID) series controllers is not allowed
Never mix MR and SR controllers. The QuickSpecs state that mixing MR (MegaRAID) series and SR (SmartRAID) series controllers is not allowed, and the two families use different RAID configuration tools. Cached models also need the 96W Li-ion battery or the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor — one or the other, never both.
Which RAID controller does the DL345 Gen11 use?
| Controller | Form factor | Cache | Drives supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR416i-p / MR416i-o | PCIe / OCP | 8GB | Up to 16 SAS, SATA, or NVMe |
| MR408i-o | OCP | 4GB | Up to 8 SAS, SATA, or NVMe |
| MR216i-p / MR216i-o | PCIe / OCP | None | Up to 16 SAS, SATA, or NVMe |
| SR932i-p | PCIe, x32 lanes | 8GB wide cache | Up to 32 SAS, SATA, or NVMe |
| MR932i-p | PCIe Gen5, x32 lanes | None listed | Up to 32 SAS or NVMe |
Pick a family and stay in it: MR and SR controllers use different RAID configuration tools, and the QuickSpecs state plainly that mixing MegaRAID and SmartRAID series controllers is not allowed. Background on the older Smart Array line is in our guide to HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers.
Choosing the Right DL345 Gen11 Storage Controller
- Cached controllers require cache protection: the MR408i-o, MR416i-o, MR416i-p, and SR932i-p each need the 96W Li-ion battery or the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor. The cache-less MR216i models need neither.
- -p versus -o is placement: -p models take a PCIe slot and -o models an OCP 3.0 bay. This server has two PCIe slots and two OCP 3.0 slots as standard, so a controller and a network card compete for the same real estate.
- Large arrays want the x32-lane parts: the SR932i-p and MR932i-p each handle up to 32 drives, and the 24EDSFF x4 cage is listed as requiring three x32-lane controllers.
- Software-defined stacks want the cache-less MR216i-p or MR216i-o, or a direct attach NVMe layout with no controller at all.
Complete Your DL345 Gen11 Build
Match your controller with DL345 Gen11 drives, then round out the system: memory, processors, networking adapters, power supplies, or everything on the DL345 Gen11 parts page. Neighboring generation: DL345 Gen10 Plus controllers. Sibling AMD Gen11 platform: DL385 Gen11 controllers. Or browse all HPE parts by server model.
DL345 Gen11 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers are supported in the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11?
The Gen11 MR series - MR216i-p, MR216i-o, MR408i-o, MR416i-o, MR416i-p and the x32-lane MR932i-p - plus the SR932i-p with 8GB wide cache and the Smart Array E208e-p for external SAS. The NS204i-u handles boot.
Can I mix MR and SR controllers in a DL345 Gen11?
No. The QuickSpecs state that mixing MR (MegaRAID) series and SR (SmartRAID) series controllers is not allowed. The two families also use different RAID configuration tools.
Do DL345 Gen11 RAID controllers need a battery?
The cached models do. The MR408i-o, MR416i-o, MR416i-p and SR932i-p each require the 96W Smart Storage Lithium-ion Battery kit or the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor - one or the other, never both. The cache-less MR216i models need neither.
What is the difference between -p and -o controller models?
Mounting. The -p models are PCIe plug-in cards and the -o models install in an OCP 3.0 bay. The DL345 Gen11 ships with two PCIe slots and two OCP 3.0 slots, so the choice is about which slot you can spare.
How many drives can one DL345 Gen11 controller handle?
Up to 16 SAS, SATA or NVMe drives on the MR216i and MR416i models, up to 8 on the MR408i-o, and up to 32 on the x32-lane SR932i-p and MR932i-p. The 24EDSFF x4 configuration is listed as requiring three x32-lane controllers.
Can the DL345 Gen11 run NVMe drives without a RAID controller?
Yes. The supported storage configuration tables list direct attach NVMe layouts for 8, 24, 32 and 36 drives with no controller, using the matching direct attach cable kit.
✅ Looking for a specific DL345 Gen11 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
Browse all models
Why Global One?
- Trusted by thousands. Over 36,000 customers in 100+ countries trust Global One Technology to deliver mission-critical HP Enterprise hardware - including Fortune 500 businesses, schools, hospitals, and federal, state, and local goverment agencies.
- HPE is our specialty! We only sell genuine HP Enterprise parts.
- EASY ordering process. Purchase online now with credit card or PayPal!
- FAST shipping. Global One Technology ships orders received by 4pm ET the same day and offers NEXT DAY delivery to US customers.
