HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10, new and refurbished. Storage on this platform runs on the Smart Array SR Gen10 family — Essential (E-series) and Performance (P-series) controllers in modular (-a) and PCIe (-p) forms, backed by the HPE Smart Storage Battery for cache protection.
DL385 Gen10 Storage Controller Specifications
- S100i SR Gen10: embedded software RAID driving the two M.2 connectors — UEFI mode only, and off by default
- E208i-a / E208i-p: Essential tier — 8 internal 12G SAS lanes, no cache, in modular and PCIe forms
- E208e-p: 8 external 12G SAS lanes, no cache, for tape and JBOD
- P408i-a / P408i-p: Performance tier — 8 internal lanes with 2GB cache
- P408e-p: 8 external lanes with 4GB cache; the P816i-a is the 16-lane modular controller with 4GB cache and a SmartCache license
- Cache protection: every Performance RAID controller requires the HPE Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), sold separately and supporting up to 20 devices
Performance controllers need the Smart Storage Battery. HPE lists the P408i, P408e-p, and P816i-a as requiring the HPE Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), which is sold separately — a normal wear item on refurbished systems, so check its health before you rely on write cache. The cache-less E208i and E208e-p need none.
Which Smart Array controller does the DL385 Gen10 use?
| Controller | Form factor | Lanes / cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| S100i SR Gen10 | Embedded | M.2 only, no cache | Boot volumes on the two M.2 connectors |
| E208i-a / E208i-p | Modular / PCIe | 8 internal, no cache | Entry hardware RAID, HBA passthrough |
| P408i-a / P408i-p | Modular / PCIe | 8 internal, 2GB | Mainstream protected hardware RAID |
| P816i-a | Modular | 16 internal, 4GB | Largest internal arrays, maximum drive count |
| E208e-p / P408e-p | PCIe | 8 external, none / 4GB | External 12G SAS: tape, JBOD, enclosures |
The modular -a controllers do not occupy a PCIe expansion slot, which matters on a single-processor DL385 Gen10 where only the three primary riser slots are live. Watch the cabling on the P816i-a: HPE ships its cable with the 12LFF chassis only.
Choosing the Right DL385 Gen10 Storage Controller
- P-series needs its battery: the Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21) is a separate order and a normal wear item — check its health when buying refurbished.
- -a vs -p is placement: -a models mount in the dedicated modular slot and keep PCIe slots free; -p models are plug-in cards that consume a riser slot.
- Software-defined stacks (vSAN, Storage Spaces, ZFS) want the cache-less E208i in HBA mode — write-back cache works against them.
- Background: our guide to HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers explains the -a, -p, and -e naming and where each fits.
Complete Your DL385 Gen10 Build
Match your controller with DL385 Gen10 drives, then round out the system: memory, processors, networking adapters, power supplies, or everything on the DL385 Gen10 parts page. Related platforms: DL385 Gen10 Plus controllers, DL325 Gen10 controllers, and DL380 Gen10 controllers. Or browse all HPE parts by server model.
DL385 Gen10 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers does the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 use?
The Smart Array SR Gen10 family: the embedded S100i software RAID, the cache-less E208i-a and E208i-p, the 2GB-cache P408i-a and P408i-p, the 16-lane P816i-a with 4GB cache and SmartCache, and the external E208e-p and P408e-p.
What is the difference between E-series and P-series Smart Array controllers?
Cache. E-series (Essential) controllers have no cache and suit entry RAID or HBA passthrough duty; P-series (Performance) controllers add write cache - 2GB on the P408i, 4GB on the P408e-p and P816i-a.
Do DL385 Gen10 Smart Array controllers need a battery?
The Performance controllers do. HPE states that all Performance RAID controllers are supported by the HPE Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), which is sold separately and backs up to 20 devices. The E-series controllers need none.
What is the difference between -a and -p controller models?
Mounting. The -a models install in the server's dedicated modular slot and do not occupy a PCIe expansion slot; -p models are PCIe plug-in cards. Silicon and features are otherwise equivalent within a tier.
Can the DL385 Gen10 connect to tape drives or external storage?
Yes. The E208e-p (no cache) and P408e-p (4GB cache) provide external 12G SAS lanes for LTO tape drives, JBODs, and enclosures.
What controls the M.2 drives in a DL385 Gen10?
The embedded HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 software RAID, which supports the two M.2 connectors on the system board. It operates in UEFI mode only and is off by default, so enable it before installing an OS on M.2.
✅ Looking for a specific DL385 Gen10 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
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