HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen12 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE storage controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen12, new and refurbished. The Gen12 storage stack is built on the MR (MegaRAID) controller family in PCIe plug-in and OCP form factors, with Intel VROC software RAID as the controller-free alternative for NVMe.
DL580 Gen12 Storage Controller Specifications
- MR416i-p / MR416i-o: 16-lane tri-mode controllers with 8GB cache — the mainstream hardware-RAID choice
- MR408i-p / MR408i-o: 8-lane, 4GB cache
- MR216i-p / MR216i-o: 16-lane, cache-less — pass-through/HBA-style for software-defined storage
- MR932i-p: 32-lane PCIe Gen5 controller for maximum bandwidth — supports SAS and NVMe SSDs only (no HDDs)
- Smart Array E208e-p: 8 external 12G SAS lanes for tape libraries and external enclosures
- Cache protection: 96W Smart Storage battery or Hybrid Capacitor with 260mm cable, plus the MR416 data-retention power cable kit (one cable supports up to 3 controllers)
- Software RAID: Intel VROC (Virtual RAID on CPU) options for direct-attached NVMe
The MR932i-p is SSD-only. HPE lists its PCIe Gen5 flagship for SAS and NVMe solid state drives — no HDDs — so arrays that include spinning disks belong on the MR416i or MR408i family, paired with a Smart Storage battery or hybrid capacitor for cache protection.
Which RAID controller does the DL580 Gen12 use?
| Controller | Form factor | Cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR416i-p / MR416i-o | PCIe / OCP | 8GB | Mainstream protected hardware RAID |
| MR408i-p / MR408i-o | PCIe / OCP | 4GB | Smaller arrays, cache-protected |
| MR216i-p / MR216i-o | PCIe / OCP | None | HBA passthrough, vSAN/SDS, ZFS |
| MR932i-p | PCIe Gen5 ×32 | Onboard (integrated backup) | Highest-bandwidth SSD arrays — SSD only |
| Smart Array E208e-p | PCIe | None | External 12G SAS: tape, JBOD |
Choosing the Right DL580 Gen12 Storage Controller
- Cached MR controllers need cache protection: pair the MR416i or MR408i with a Smart Storage battery or hybrid capacitor. The MR932i-p has integrated cache backup and needs no separate battery.
- The MR932i-p is SSD-only — if the array includes any HDDs, use the MR416i/MR408i family instead.
- -p vs -o is placement, not performance: -p occupies a PCIe slot, -o an OCP slot. Choose based on which slots your NIC layout leaves free.
- Running vSAN, Storage Spaces, or ZFS? The cache-less MR216i (or direct-attach NVMe with VROC) is the right architecture — hardware RAID cache works against software-defined stacks.
Complete Your DL580 Gen12 Build
Match your controller with DL580 Gen12 drives, then round out the system: memory, processors, networking adapters, power supplies, or everything on the DL580 Gen12 parts page. Previous generation: DL580 Gen10 controllers. Or browse all HPE parts by server model.
DL580 Gen12 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers are supported in the HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen12?
The HPE MR family: MR416i-p/-o (8GB cache), MR408i-p/-o (4GB), the cache-less MR216i-p/-o, and the PCIe Gen5 MR932i-p, plus the Smart Array E208e-p for external SAS. Intel VROC software RAID is available for direct-attached NVMe.
Does the MR932i-p support hard drives?
No. HPE lists the MR932i-p for SAS and NVMe SSDs only - it does not support HDDs. For arrays that include spinning disks, use the MR416i or MR408i family.
Do DL580 Gen12 RAID controllers need a battery?
The cached MR416i and MR408i controllers should be paired with a Smart Storage battery or hybrid capacitor (260mm cable kits on this chassis) to protect write-back cache. The MR216i has no cache to protect, and the MR932i-p has integrated cache backup.
What's the difference between -p and -o controller models?
The interface location: -p models are PCIe plug-in cards, -o models install in an OCP 3.0 slot. Controller silicon and features are the same - choose whichever slot type your configuration has free.
Why does my Gen12 server use controllers with Gen11 in the name?
HPE carried the MR Gen11 controller family forward: the DL580 Gen12 QuickSpecs list the MR416i/MR408i/MR216i Gen11 controllers as the supported internal RAID options, joined by the newer PCIe Gen5 MR932i-p. They are fully supported Gen12 configurations.
Can I run the DL580 Gen12 without any RAID controller?
Yes, for NVMe-centric builds: drives direct-attach to the processors and Intel VROC or OS-level software RAID handles redundancy. SAS/SATA drives, however, connect through an MR controller.
✅ Looking for a specific DL580 Gen12 storage controller? Browse our full selection above.
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