Proliant Hardware Array Controller - That does not occupy a PCI slot

[muzza9999]

HPE used to have Smart Array devices that "sat on the Motherboard" and did not occupy a PCI slot. For instance HPE Smart Array P408i-a SR Gen10 Controller.

Does such an option exist at DL360 Gen11?

I have a server where I want as many network adapters as possible, and having to sacrifice a PCI for a slot is not ideal. ATM my choice seems to be limited to having only two PCI slots after sacrificing one for the RAID controller.

And I would not pursue the software or software hybrid options "Once bitten twice shy". Whereas never had a HPE Hardware RAID issue over thirty years.

Regards Murray

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. ProLiant DL360 Server Maintenance and Service Guide

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[muzza9999]

Hi - I possibly should have added that I do not believe this is possible after reading the Quickpecs in detail.

[Cali]

Hello Murray,

Gen11 Server have two OCP Slots (Number 2 below), these do not occupy a PCI Slot.
You can insert Raid Controller or Network Cards.
These Cards have a -o in the Naming, this is a new replacement for the older -a in the Gen11 Server.
P47781-B21 HPE MR416i-o Gen11 x16 Lanes 8GB Cache OCP SPDM Storage Controller
P47789-B21 HPE MR216i-o Gen11 x16 Lanes without Cache OCP SPDM Storage Controller
P58335-B21 HPE MR408i-o Gen11 x8 Lanes 4GB Cache OCP SPDM Storage Controller
You can use one for Raid and the second for an -o NIC for example.
If you need only a Boot Device, you can use the:
P48183-B21 HPE NS204i-u Gen11 NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device (Number 5 below)
This is s Hot-Plug 2x 480GB M.2 with itegrated Raid 1 for Boot OS.
If you use this, you don't need a Raid Controller and have both OCP Slots free for NICs and also the PCIe Slots.

Cali

[muzza9999 · Accepted solution]

Fantastic response - Thanks much appreciated.

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @muzza9999,

Excellent! 

We are extremely glad to know your concern has been addressed.