HPE Smart Array P408i-a Gen10 8GB FBWC 12Gb/s SAS PCIe 3.0 x8 RAID Controller 836260-004

The HPE Smart Array P408i-a is a high-performance RAID controller engineered for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, delivering enterprise-class storage management with 8GB Flash-Backed Write Cache and 12Gb/s SAS connectivity. This controller excels in mixed drive environments, supporting up to 8 internal SAS or SATA drives through dual Mini-SAS HD ports, and offers flexible RAID levels including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, 1 ADM, and 10 ADM. Its Adaptive RAID On Chip (AROC) architecture, powered by the Microchip SmartROC 3100 processor, ensures efficient data protection and accelerated performance for demanding workloads.

Advantages

The P408i-a provides robust data integrity with Flash-Backed Write Cache, protecting cached data in the event of power loss. It supports mixed mode operation, allowing the controller to function as either a RAID controller or an HBA for maximum flexibility. Advanced features such as HPE SmartCache and HPE Secure Encryption can be enabled to enhance performance and security. Online capacity expansion and RAID level migration minimize downtime, while UEFI and Secure Boot support ensure modern system compatibility.

Suitable for

• Database servers requiring high IOPS and data redundancy
• Virtualization environments with mixed SAS/SATA drive configurations
• File and application servers needing scalable storage performance
• Business-critical systems where data protection is paramount

Key specifications

• Controller: HPE Smart Array P408i-a Gen10
• Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8
• Internal Ports: 2 x Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643)
• Data Transfer Rate: 12Gb/s SAS, 6Gb/s SATA
• Cache: 8GB Flash-Backed Write Cache (FBWC)
• RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, 1 ADM, 10 ADM
• Supported Drives: SAS HDD/SSD, SATA HDD/SSD
• Form Factor: Type-a Flexible Smart Array Controller
• Max Drives: Up to 8 internal
• Processor: Microchip SmartROC 3100

Recommendations

For optimal performance, pair this controller with enterprise SAS SSDs and enable HPE SmartCache to accelerate read-intensive workloads. Always update to the latest firmware to ensure compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers.