HPE ProLiant XL220a Gen8 v2 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE Smart Array controllers and host bus adapters for the HPE ProLiant XL220a Gen8 v2, new and refurbished. Because the tray holds two independent nodes, storage here is bought two at a time: HPE requires two controllers of the same part number, one per node, each with its own Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS cable.
XL220a Gen8 v2 Storage Controller Specifications
- Smart Array options: the HPE Smart Array P430, a 12Gb single-port internal SAS controller, in 2GB and 4GB flash backed write cache builds
- Host bus adapter: the HPE H220 Host Bus Adapter, presenting the drives themselves rather than an array
- Quantity: two controllers of the same part number, one per node
- Required cable: HPE lists the Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS P430 Cable as required for the P430 and the Mini-SAS H220 Cable for the H220, two of the same part number per tray
- Slot: one low profile PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot per node; the other connector is a PCIe 3.0 x8 FlexibleLOM, not a general card slot
- Drives addressed: that node's two hot-plug SFF bays, on 6G SAS or 6G SATA
Order the cable with the card, and order both in twos. HPE lists the Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS P430 Cable as required to support the P430 and the Mini-SAS H220 Cable as required to support the H220, two of the same part number per tray because both nodes must match. Those Apollo cables render a quote link here rather than a price, so check what the tray already carries first.
Smart Array P430 or the H220 Host Bus Adapter?
| Smart Array P430 | H220 Host Bus Adapter | |
|---|---|---|
| Cache | 2GB or 4GB flash backed write cache | None |
| Presents | A hardware array | The drives themselves |
| Required cable | Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS P430 Cable | Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS H220 Cable |
| Quantity per tray | Two, matching | Two, matching |
The cable is the part of this decision most often missed. HPE documents a Mini-SAS cable for each controller family and lists it as required, so a P430 cable will not stand in for an H220 cable, and two are needed because both nodes must match. Both Apollo 6000 cables render a quote link here rather than a price, so check what the tray already carries first.
Choosing the Right XL220a Gen8 v2 Storage Controller
- Buy controllers in twos. One card serves one node's two bays and cannot reach the other node's drives, so a tray with a single card has one node running storage and one without.
- The cable is neither optional nor interchangeable. HPE lists one per controller family as required, two of the same part number per tray.
- Cache size is the P430's only variable here. 2GB and 4GB are the two builds; both are the same 12Gb single-port internal card.
- Pick the H220 when the software wants raw drives. It presents the drives rather than an array, which suits the high performance computing work this platform was built for.
Complete Your XL220a Gen8 v2 Build
Controllers and drives are bought together, and both come in pairs — see XL220a Gen8 v2 drives for what those bays will hold. Also available: memory, networking adapters and rack options, or the full XL220a Gen8 v2 parts listing. Background reading: what are HPE Flexible Smart Array controllers, with every model under HPE parts by server model.
XL220a Gen8 v2 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which storage controllers does the XL220a Gen8 v2 support?
The HPE Smart Array P430 with a 2GB or 4GB flash backed write cache, and the HPE H220 Host Bus Adapter. HPE requires two controllers of the same part number, one per node.
Why do I need two controllers for one tray?
Because the tray holds two independent nodes, each with its own pair of drive bays. HPE requires both nodes to be configured identically, so controllers go in matching pairs.
Do I need a special cable for the controller?
Yes. The P430 requires the Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS P430 Cable and the H220 requires the Apollo 6000 Mini-SAS H220 Cable, two cables of the same part number per tray.
Does the XL220a Gen8 v2 have an onboard RAID controller?
The QuickSpecs lists the Smart Array P430 and the H220 host bus adapter as the storage controllers for this server, each fitted per node with its own Mini-SAS cable.
How many drives does one controller serve?
The two hot-plug SFF bays belonging to its own node. A controller in one node does not reach the other node's drives, which is why a matching pair is required.
What slot does the controller use?
The node's low profile PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot. The other connector is a PCIe 3.0 x8 FlexibleLOM for the network adapter, not a general purpose card slot.
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