Technology considerations in selecting a direct attached storage solution for HP ProLiant Gen8 servers

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Table 1: Characteristics of HP Gen8 P-Series Smart Array storage controllers
P220i P222 P420 P420i P421
Blade/Rack Blade Rack Rack Rack Rack
PCI Bus Embedded
PCIe 2.0 x8
Low profile
PCIe 3.0 x8
Low profile
PCIe 3.0 x8
Embedded Low profile
PCIe 3.0 x8
Memory
Options
512 MB 40
bit FBWC
512 MB 40 bit
FBWC
512 MB 40 bit,
1 GB and 2 GB
72 bit FBWC
Zero memory 1 GB or 2 GB
72 bit FBWC
SAS/SATA
Connectivity
1 x4 port
mini-SAS
internal
1 x4 port
internal mini
SAS and 1 x4
external
2 x4 ports mini-
SAS internal
2 x4 ports mini-
SAS internal
2 x4 ports
mini-SAS
external
Max Drives* Up to 4 Up to 4
internal, up to
100 external
Up to 27
internal
Up to 27
internal
Up to 200
external
RAID
Support
0 and 1 for
Blades
0, 1, 1+0, 5
and 50
0, 1, 1+0, 5
and 50
0, 1, and 1+0,
5 and 50 with
optional
memory
0, 1, 1+0, 5
and 50
Smart Array
Advanced
Pack (SAAP)
2.0 Support
optional 6,
60, and ADM
with software
key
optional 6, 60,
and ADM with
software key
optional 6, 60,
and ADM with
software key
optional 6,
60, and ADM
with software
key
*Depending on available bays
Storage infrastructure
For ProLiant Gen8 servers and BladeSystem servers our technology for packaging drives and
connecting them internally and externally has evolved for higher densities, improved manageability,
and simplified cabling.
HP SmartDrive carriers
The new SmartDrive carriers for ProLiant servers have fault and activity indicators and a
microcontroller to monitor and store information about drive operation and status. We reduced the
drive carrier dimensions to allow up to a 50% increase in server drive count. SmartDrive
Authentication technology verifies that you are using genuine HP drives.
HP SmartDrive carriers do not fit in ProLiant platforms prior to Gen8 servers. Likewise, drives designed
for G7 and earlier systems will not fit into our Gen8 servers and server blades.
Internal expander backplanes
HP developed new expander backplanes for use in ProLiant Gen8 server platforms. Unlike previous
designs, these backplanes do not require a SAS expander in a PCIe slot. They have simplified cabling
and support SmartDrive status monitoring and error logging.