HPE ProLiant DL380e Gen8 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers, cache modules and SAS host bus adapters for the HPE ProLiant DL380e Gen8, new and refurbished. Storage starts on the embedded Dynamic Smart Array B120i — six SATA drives at up to 3Gb/s — so most builds add a B320i SAS riser or a P-series card.
DL380e Gen8 Storage Controller Specifications
- Embedded B120i: up to 6 SATA drives at 3Gb/s, Zero Memory on the CTO servers — HPE notes more than four drives needs an additional cable
- B320i on the SAS riser: 512MB FBWC and up to 8 SAS or SATA drives at 6Gb/s, with a SAS license key for SAS mode — fitting it disables the B120i
- Pre-configured cards: P420/1GB FBWC on High Performance and Storage LFF models, P420/2GB on Storage SFF, at RAID 0/1/1+0/5/5+0/6/6+0
- Plug-in cards: P420 and P421 with 1GB or 2GB FBWC at 6Gb; P430, P431 and P830 with 2GB or 4GB at 12Gb; the 1-internal/1-external P222/512 and the 2-internal/4-external P822/2GB
- HBAs and cache: H220, H221, H222 and SC11Xe host bus adapters, the 2GB P-series FBWC (631681-B21), and the 512MB B-series kit for the B320i (631922-B21), which includes a cable
Count your drives before you pick a card. The embedded Dynamic Smart Array B120i handles up to six SATA drives at up to 3Gb/s and the B320i on the SAS riser up to eight SAS or SATA at up to 6Gb/s. Past that you need a Smart Array P-series card — and behind the expander backplane of a 12 LFF or 25 SFF chassis, HPE states a single P420 can control every bay plus the rear drives.
Which storage controller does the DL380e Gen8 need?
| Controller | Drives and rate | Cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| B120i (embedded) | 6 SATA, 3Gb/s | Zero Memory | SATA-only builds |
| B320i (SAS riser) | 8 SAS or SATA, 6Gb/s | 512MB FBWC | SAS with no PCIe slot |
| P222 / P420 / P421 | 6Gb SAS, internal or external | 512MB to 2GB FBWC | A full 25 SFF or 12 LFF cage |
| P430 / P431 / P830 | 12Gb SAS | 2GB or 4GB FBWC | 12Gb arrays, larger cache |
| H220 / H221 / H222 | SAS HBA, PCIe 3.0 | None | Pass-through storage |
Cage size decides. The 12 LFF and 25 SFF CTO servers carry an expander-based backplane, where HPE states a single Smart Array P420 can control every drive plus the rear pair, while the B120i tops out at six SATA and the B320i at eight. Our guide to HPE Smart Array controllers covers the families.
Choosing the Right DL380e Gen8 Storage Controller
- Count your drives first. Six SATA on the B120i, eight on the B320i, every bay of a 25 SFF or 12 LFF cage on a single P420.
- Budget for the SAS license key on a B320i. HPE states it is mandatory for SAS support on the riser board; some pre-configured SFF models include it, the Base LFF models do not, and P-series cards need no key.
- Watch the slot budget. Four slots come standard, the SAS riser removes slot 3, and the secondary riser needs the second processor and the space a rear cage takes. Refurbished cards and cache modules are tested before shipping.
Complete Your DL380e Gen8 Build
Match your controller with DL380e Gen8 drives, memory, processors, networking adapters and power supplies, or the full parts page. Neighbors: DL380p Gen8 controllers and DL380 Gen9 controllers. Catalog-wide: Smart Array batteries and parts by server model.
DL380e Gen8 Storage Controllers FAQ
What RAID controller does the HPE ProLiant DL380e Gen8 use?
The embedded HP Dynamic Smart Array B120i, rated for up to 6 SATA drives at up to 3Gb/s. Entry SAS and Base models use the B320i/512MB FBWC for up to 8 SAS or SATA drives at 6Gb/s; High Performance and Storage models use a Smart Array P420 at RAID 0/1/1+0/5/5+0/6/6+0.
Does the DL380e Gen8 need a SAS license key?
On the B320i, yes, for SAS mode. The QuickSpecs state the SAS-enabled riser kit comes with the B320i and requires a SAS license key to support SAS drives. Some pre-configured SFF models include it; Smart Array P-series cards need no key.
What happens to the B120i when the SAS riser is installed?
It is switched off. HPE states that when the SAS-enabled riser board with the B320i is installed, the embedded B120i is automatically disabled. Front drives then run in AHCI or Legacy mode, outside hardware RAID, with carrier LEDs disabled.
Can one controller drive all 25 SFF bays in a DL380e Gen8?
Yes. The 25 SFF and 12 LFF configure-to-order servers include an expander-based storage backplane, and HPE states a single Smart Array P420 can control all of those drives plus the optional rear drives.
Which Smart Array cards are listed for the DL380e Gen8?
The QuickSpecs list the P222/512 FBWC, P420 and P421 in 1GB and 2GB, P430 and P431 in 2GB and 4GB, the P822/2GB and the P830/4GB, plus the H220, H221, H222 and SC11Xe host bus adapters.
Can I add cache to a DL380e Gen8 storage controller?
Yes, as a separate part. HPE lists the 2GB P-series Smart Array flash-backed write cache (631681-B21) and a 512MB B-series kit (631922-B21), which includes a cable and a cache module for the B320i.
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