Dell PERC H730P INTEGRATED RAID CONTROLLER 2GB NV CACHE CUSKIT
Dell (5397063766949 / 405-AAEK) - SAS 3108 - PCI Express x8 - LSI - SAS,Serial ATA III - Channels quantity: 8 channels - Depth: 64.4 mm - Width: 167.6 mm - Linux operating systems supported - Number of devices supported: 255
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Dell PERC H730P Integrated RAID Controller – Overview
The Dell PERC H730P Integrated RAID Controller is a high‑performance storage solution designed for Dell PowerEdge servers. It delivers robust data protection, rapid I/O throughput, and flexible configuration options suitable for enterprise workloads.
Key Architectural Highlights
- Processor Core: SAS 3108 – a dedicated RAID controller processor that offloads host CPU resources.
- Channel Count: 8 independent channels, enabling simultaneous access to multiple drives and maximizing bandwidth.
- Cache Capacity: 2 GB NV (Non‑Volatile) cache – ensures data integrity during power events and accelerates write operations.
- Host Interface: PCI Express x8, version 3.0 – provides up to 32 Gb/s raw bandwidth per direction.
- Physical Dimensions: Depth 64.4 mm; Width 167.6 mm – fits standard 2‑inch server chassis slots.
Supported RAID Levels and Data Protection
The controller supports a comprehensive set of RAID configurations, allowing administrators to tailor redundancy and performance to specific workloads:
- RAID 0 – Striping for maximum throughput (no redundancy).
- RAID 1 – Mirroring for high data availability.
- RAID 5 – Block‑level striping with distributed parity; efficient storage utilization.
- RAID 6 – Dual parity, protecting against two simultaneous drive failures.
- RAID 10 – Combination of mirroring and striping for balanced performance and redundancy.
- RAID 50 – Nested RAID 5 arrays striped together; scalable and fault‑tolerant.
- RAID 60 – Nested RAID 6 arrays striped together; highest level of data protection.
Operating System Compatibility
The H730P is engineered to operate seamlessly across a wide range of server operating systems:
- Windows Server: 2008 R2, 2008 R2 x64, and 2012.
- Linux Distributions: Supported by the latest kernel releases; includes Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Ubuntu LTS, and others.
Supported Storage Interfaces
The controller is versatile in terms of drive compatibility:
- SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) – High‑speed enterprise drives up to 12 Gb/s per lane.
- Serial ATA III (SATA III) – Standard SATA drives at 6 Gb/s, ideal for cost‑effective storage tiers.
Device Capacity and Scalability
The H730P can manage up to 255 devices, enabling large scale arrays that support extensive data sets. This scalability is critical for environments that require rapid expansion without compromising performance or reliability.
Server Compatibility Matrix
This controller is specifically engineered for Dell PowerEdge server families, ensuring optimal integration and firmware support:
- PowerEdge R430
- PowerEdge R530
- PowerEdge R630
- PowerEdge R640
- PowerEdge R730
- PowerEdge R730XD
- PowerEdge R740
- PowerEdge R740XD
Performance Characteristics
The combination of an 8‑channel architecture, PCIe x8 3.0 interface, and a dedicated SAS 3108 processor yields the following performance benefits:
- High IOPS: The controller can sustain tens of thousands of input/output operations per second, suitable for database and virtualization workloads.
- Low Latency: NV cache reduces round‑trip times for write operations, ensuring consistent response under heavy load.
- Bandwidth Utilization: With each PCIe lane delivering up to 8 Gb/s (PCIe 3.0), the x8 slot offers a theoretical maximum of 64 Gb/s raw throughput, which is effectively leveraged by the controller’s parallel channel design.
Reliability and Data Integrity Features
The H730P incorporates several mechanisms to safeguard data:
- Non‑Volatile Cache (NV Cache): Stores pending write commands in flash memory, preventing data loss during power interruptions.
- Hardware RAID Engine: Offloads parity calculations and rebuild processes from the host CPU, reducing system overhead.
- Advanced Error Handling: Supports SMART monitoring, error logging, and automatic drive replacement workflows.
Management and Configuration Tools
Administrators can manage the controller through Dell’s integrated management frameworks:
- PERC BIOS Utility: Accessible during system POST for initial configuration.
- Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA): Provides a graphical interface for monitoring health, performance metrics, and firmware updates.
- Command‑Line Interface (CLI): Enables scripting and automation of RAID operations across multiple servers.
Firmware and Software Ecosystem
The controller’s firmware is regularly updated to support new drive technologies, improve performance, and address security vulnerabilities. Dell provides comprehensive documentation for firmware upgrade procedures, ensuring that the H730P remains current with evolving storage standards.
Use‑Case Scenarios
- Virtualization Platforms: High IOPS and low latency make it ideal for VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper‑V environments.
- Database Servers: RAID 10 or RAID 50 configurations provide a balance of speed and redundancy for OLTP workloads.
- Data Warehousing: RAID 60 offers maximum protection for large analytical datasets that require long rebuild times.
- Backup & Recovery Solutions: The controller’s ability to handle numerous drives efficiently supports tape‑less backup architectures.
Conclusion
The Dell PERC H730P Integrated RAID Controller is a feature‑rich, enterprise‑grade storage solution that delivers exceptional performance, scalability, and data protection. Its compatibility with a broad spectrum of Dell PowerEdge servers, coupled with robust operating system support and advanced management tools, makes it an indispensable component for modern data centers seeking reliable and high‑throughput storage infrastructure.
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- RAID controllers for PC |
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| Identifiers | |
| Brand | ![]() Dell is a computer technology company that was founded by Michael Dell in 1984. The company is headquartered in Texas and is one of the largest technology companies in the world. Dell manufactures and sells personal computers, servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, and computer peripherals. |
| MPN | Dell 405-AAEK |
| Model | Dell 405-AAEK |
| ID | 8515044 |
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Built-in processor Indicates whether the product contains a built‑in central processing unit (CPU) that can execute instructions without requiring an external processor module. A value of "Yes" means the device has such a CPU; "No" means it does not.
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SAS 3108 |
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Channels quantity The total count of independent communication or signal pathways that a product can provide or receive, such as audio channels, video streams, data links, or radio frequencies. It indicates how many separate signals can be transmitted or processed simultaneously and is expressed as an integer.
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8 channels |
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Depth The linear measurement of an object from front to back or top to bottom, expressed in a physical unit such as millimeters, centimeters, inches, etc. It indicates how deep the item is and can be used for fitting, compatibility, or spatial planning.
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64.4 mm |
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Linux operating systems supported List of Linux operating systems that the product can run or support, including specific versions and architectures when relevant. Each value represents a distinct Linux distribution or kernel version supported by the hardware or software.
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Yes |
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Number of devices supported The total count of individual devices that the product can accommodate or operate with simultaneously. This value indicates how many separate units—such as computers, peripherals, or other hardware components—can be connected to or managed by the product at once.
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255 |
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PCI Express slots version The version of the PCI Express specification supported by a device or component. It indicates the maximum bandwidth and compatibility with PCIe devices such as graphics cards, storage controllers, and expansion cards. The value is typically expressed as a numeric revision (e.g., 2.0, 3.0, 4.0) but may also include descriptive labels for specific generations.
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3.0 |
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Processor family The processor family identifies the group or series of CPU models that share a common architecture, design, and performance characteristics. It helps users compare processors across brands and generations by indicating the underlying technology used in the chip.
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LSI |
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RAID levels A comma‑separated list that specifies the RAID configurations supported by a storage controller or device. Each entry can be a numeric level (e.g., 0, 1, 5, 10) or a special label such as JBOD. This attribute indicates which disk arrangements the system can manage.
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0,1,5,6,10,50,60 |
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Server operating systems supported A list of operating systems that the product can run or support, including specific versions and architectures when relevant. Each value represents a distinct OS that is compatible with the hardware or software.
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Windows Server 2008 R2,Windows Server 2008 R2 x64,Windows Server 2012 |
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Supported storage drive interfaces List of physical or logical interfaces that allow an internal storage drive to communicate with the system, such as SATA, M.2 PCIe, U.2, SAS, NVMe, or other standard connections.
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SAS,Serial ATA III |
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Width The horizontal measurement of a product, expressed in a linear unit such as millimetres or inches. It indicates how wide the item is from one side to the other and is used for sizing, fitting, and compatibility purposes.
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167.6 mm |


