Hewlett Packard Enterprise 804398B21 peripheral controller

Hewlett Packard Enterprise 804398B21 Peripheral Controller

The HPE Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 (part number 804398B21) is a high‑performance, PCI Express 3.0 x8 plug‑in storage controller designed for the latest generation of HPE ProLiant servers. It delivers robust RAID capabilities, seamless integration with both SAS and SATA drives, and uncompromised data throughput.

Key Technical Specifications

• Host Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8 – providing a wide bandwidth path for rapid data movement.
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 12 Gbit/s – ensuring fast read/write operations across connected storage devices.
• Drive Connectivity: Supports both SAS 12Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s drives, allowing flexible storage configurations.
• RAID Levels Supported: RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 – giving administrators multiple options for performance, redundancy, or a balance of both.
• External Lanes: 8 external lanes – enabling connection to up to eight drives without internal caching.
• No Cache Memory: The controller operates without onboard cache, simplifying firmware management and reducing potential data corruption risks.
• Port Count: 2 physical ports – each port can be used for separate SAS or SATA connections, facilitating modular expansion.

Compatibility Matrix

The controller is engineered to fit seamlessly into a wide range of HPE ProLiant server models. Below is an exhaustive list of supported systems:

• HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant ML110 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant XL170r Gen10
• HPE ProLiant XL190r Gen10

These models span entry‑level to high‑density servers, ensuring that the 804398B21 controller can be deployed in both small‑business and enterprise data center environments.

Installation & Physical Attributes

• Form Factor: PCIe 3.0 x8 plug‑in card – designed for easy insertion into a standard server chassis without the need for additional power connectors.
• Dimensions: Compact enough to fit within tight rack spaces while maintaining optimal airflow.
• Mounting: Securely attaches to the server’s PCIe slot, ensuring stable operation under heavy workloads.

Software & Firmware Support

The controller is fully compatible with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management suite. Administrators can:

• Configure RAID arrays via the iLO web interface or command‑line tools.
• Monitor drive health, performance metrics, and error logs in real time.
• Apply firmware updates through HPE Support Assistant to keep the controller’s capabilities current.

Performance & Reliability Highlights

• High Throughput: The 12 Gbit/s data rate ensures that even demanding workloads, such as virtualization or database operations, experience minimal latency.
• Redundancy Options: RAID 5 and RAID 10 provide fault tolerance, protecting critical data against drive failures.
• No Cache Design: Eliminates the risk of cache‑related data loss during power interruptions, a key consideration for mission‑critical applications.
• Scalable Architecture: With eight external lanes and dual ports, administrators can scale storage capacity without replacing the controller.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

The 804398B21 is ideal for a variety of enterprise scenarios:

• Virtualized Environments: Provides fast, reliable storage for VMware ESXi or Microsoft Hyper‑V hosts.
• Database Servers: Supports high IOPS requirements for SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL deployments.
• Backup & Recovery: RAID 5/10 configurations offer a balance of performance and data protection for backup appliances.
• High‑Density Storage Pools: The controller’s external lane design allows dense drive packing in rack servers, maximizing storage per rack unit.

Conclusion

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise 804398B21 Peripheral Controller exemplifies HPE’s commitment to delivering reliable, high‑performance storage solutions. With its versatile drive support, robust RAID options, and seamless integration into a broad spectrum of ProLiant servers, it stands as an essential component for any organization seeking scalable, fault‑tolerant storage infrastructure.