Smart Array P440 in a DL380G7

[servertom]

Hi,

Is there a chance to get a P440 RAID controller installed and running in my old and trusty (and still loved) DL380 G7 while disabling its integrated P410i to give the server another year or two?

Is somebody around who has tried it? Could you tell me a little about that experiment's outcome? Will 12G/s SAS work?

If there's a chance, are there cables to connect the P440 and the front 6-LFF drive bay? Do you happen to have an order number?

Thank you so much!

[Edward357J]

Hi there! It's great to hear that you're still loving your DL380 G7! 

Yes, it is possible to install a P440 RAID controller in your DL380 G7 and disable the integrated P410i. The P440 controller supports 12G/s SAS, so you should be good on that front.

As for the cables, you will need Mini-SAS to Mini-SAS cables to connect the P440 RAID controller to the front 6-LFF drive bay. The specific part number you're looking for is 496013-B21. 

[servertom]

Hello Edward,

thanks for your reply. Are you sure about the cables?

I don't have the P440 yet, and I haven't found any information about the drives connector on it, but it looks different from the Mini-SAS (SFF-8087) connector on the P410(i). The 496013-B21 you suggested has a Mini-SAS connector on both sides that doesn't seem to fit in the P440's port. (I may be wrong, though.)

I guess I need something with this P440-compatible plug on one side and a couple of MiniSASs for the drive backplane on the other side.

[servertom]

It could be a "HP Wide SAS" connector.  781580-001 seems to be one such cable but way too short. Maybe 709421-001, or 804876-001 (which is longer). Question is whether I should go for an angled plug rather than a straight one...

Suggestions much appreciated

[Mr_Techie]

@servertom 

You’re absolutely on the right track—many HPE P-series controllers (including the P440) use HPE Wide SAS (SFF-8643) connectors, which bundle multiple SAS lanes into a single port. If your P440 has these connectors, you'll indeed need a compatible cable for connecting to the DL380 G7’s backplane.

FYI, HPE Wide SAS connector on the P440 can handle 4 SAS lanes per port, meaning a single cable can support multiple drives. Ensure your DL380 G7’s backplane ports align with the cable's connection requirements (you’ll likely need two cables for dual backplane ports).

I hope this gives you the insights, let me know. 

[servertom]

Thanks for all your answers and support. I appreciate that.

There's another thing to consider, though – the P440 has a separate power supply cable for the cache module, whereas it seems this is not directly wired to a battery or capacitor module like in the olden days (Gen7, etc).

After all, I've decided to save myself the hassle of buying stuff that might not fit and spending hours upon hours trying to make it work, only to realize it won't work the way I want it, or even not at all.

That's why I got a DL380 Gen10 recently and will retire the G7.

[Mr_Techie]

@servertom 

Ah, you're absolutely correct about the P440's cache power—it requires a dedicated power cable to connect the cache module to the system board or a power source, which adds another layer of complexity in older servers like the G7. It could have been yet another obstacle in making the setup work seamlessly.

Your decision to move to a DL380 Gen10 is a wise one! It’s a significant upgrade in performance, compatibility, and reliability. The Gen10 will support the P440 (or even newer controllers) natively, and you won’t have to deal with the backplane or power compatibility headaches.