HPE ProLiant DL580 G7 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers, cache modules and host bus adapters for the HPE ProLiant DL580 G7, new and refurbished. The eight internal bays are already served by the embedded Smart Array P410i, so most cards bought for this server are about reaching storage outside the chassis — or about the cache that decides which RAID levels the embedded controller will give you.
DL580 G7 Storage Controller Specifications
- Embedded controller: HPE Smart Array P410i with two internal 4X SAS connectors on an x4 PCIe 2.0 link, running 6Gb/s SAS and 3Gb/s SATA
- Factory cache: 512MB flash backed write cache on base models and 1GB FBWC on high performance models, while the configure-to-order server shipped the P410i as Zero Memory
- RAID levels: 0, 1 and 1+0 with no cache; RAID 5 and 5+0 need a minimum of 256MB of cache; RAID 6 and 6+0 additionally need the Smart Array Advanced Pack licence
- Logical drives: two logical volumes across eight physical drives on a Zero Memory controller, rising to 64 logical drives once cache is fitted
- Cards stocked: Smart Array P212 with zero memory or 256MB, P411 in 256MB, 512MB BBWC, 512MB FBWC and 1GB FBWC forms, and the P812 with 1GB FBWC
- Cache and host bus adapters: 512MB battery backed and 512MB and 1GB flash backed write cache modules, the SC08e 6Gb external SAS HBA and the SC11Xe Ultra320 SCSI HBA
RAID 5 is a cache feature, not a card feature. The embedded Smart Array P410i needs a minimum of 256MB of cache before it will give you RAID 5 and 5+0, and RAID 6 and 6+0 need cache plus the Smart Array Advanced Pack licence on top. With no cache it also caps out at two logical volumes across the eight drives, against 64 logical drives once cache is fitted.
Which Smart Array Card Does This Server Actually Need?
| Controller | Ports | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| P410i (embedded) | 2 internal 4X SAS | The eight internal bays, on whatever cache the factory fitted |
| P212 | 1 internal, 1 external | A small array plus a single external enclosure |
| P411 | 2 external | Up to eight D2600 or four D2700 enclosures, leaving the internal bays on the P410i |
| P812 | 2 internal, 4 external | Internal drives and several external enclosures from one card |
With the internal backplane already wired to the embedded P410i, the add-in cards divide by where the drives live: the P411 family is external-only, the P812 does both, and the P212 is the entry card for a single enclosure. Cache size, not the card number, is what unlocks RAID 5 — on the embedded controller that means a cache module, not a new card.
Choosing the Right DL580 G7 Storage Controller
- Battery backed and flash backed cache are not interchangeable. BBWC depends on a battery that ages and holds data around two days; FBWC writes the cache to flash instead, which HPE describes as infinite retention.
- Check what a cache upgrade fits. HPE lists the 512MB battery backed write cache upgrade for the Smart Array P411 only.
- The host bus adapters are narrow-purpose. The SC08e is approved for the HPE StorageWorks P2000 G3 SAS Modular Smart Array, and the SC11Xe Ultra320 card is the recommended route to SCSI tape.
- Count your slots first. Five PCI Express Gen2 slots ship as standard, all full-length and full-height.
Complete Your DL580 G7 Build
Controllers and drives are bought together, so see DL580 G7 hard drives for what the array will hold. Also available: DL580 G7 memory, processors, networking adapters and power supplies, or the full DL580 G7 parts listing. Background reading: what are HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers. Other platforms are indexed under HPE parts by server model.
DL580 G7 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controller is built into the DL580 G7?
An embedded HPE Smart Array P410i. Base models shipped it with a 512MB flash backed write cache and high performance models with 1GB, while the configure-to-order server shipped it as Zero Memory.
Does the DL580 G7 support RAID 5?
Yes, once the controller has at least 256MB of cache. Without cache the P410i is limited to RAID 0, 1 and 1+0. RAID 6 and 6+0 need cache plus the Smart Array Advanced Pack licence.
What is the difference between BBWC and FBWC?
Battery backed write cache holds the cache contents on a battery for around two days. Flash backed write cache writes them to flash instead, so there is no battery to replace and no retention limit.
Can I connect external storage to a DL580 G7?
Yes. The Smart Array P411 gives two external ports and supports up to eight D2600 or four D2700 enclosures, and the P812 offers four external ports alongside two internal.
Which cache upgrade fits which card?
HPE lists the 512MB battery backed write cache upgrade for the Smart Array P411 only. The 512MB and 1GB flash backed write cache modules are the flash-based alternatives.
How many logical drives can the embedded controller handle?
Two logical volumes across eight physical drives when the P410i has no cache, rising to 64 logical drives once a cache module is fitted.
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