Storage controller cable for DL325 Gen11

[canb]

Hello,

I have a DL325 Gen11 with HPE MR416i-o Gen11 x16 Lanes 8GB Cache OCP SPDM Storage Controller and the drive cage HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11 8SFF x4 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Backplane Kit with 4 HPE 1.6TB NVMe Gen4 High Performance Mixed Use SFF BC U.3 PM1735a SSD . The cable for the connection from the controller to the drive cage is not yet availbale and I am searching for a cable to use as a placeholder while the 8SFF x2 NVMe to Tri-Mode OCP Cable Kit arrives. I am currently searching for a Low Profile SlimSAS to NVMe U.3 cable but I only find U.2 cables.

Can I use U.2 connection with the U.3 drive cage? Is there any additional information I must take into account while searching for the cable?

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11 Server User Guide | 2 SFF NVMe drive controller cabling

2. HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11 Server User Guide | 8 + 2 SFF NVMe drive controller cabling

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[Vinky_99 · Accepted solution]

@canb 

Good day!

While U.2 and U.3 connectors are similar in physical form, they are not directly compatible due to differences in signal and power specifications. U.2 connectors are designed for SAS and SATA drives, while U.3 connectors are intended for NVMe drives, offering additional support for PCIe connectivity.

In your case, you have an HPE MR416i-o Gen11 storage controller, which likely uses the SlimSAS connector to connect to the HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11 8SFF x4 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Backplane Kit. To temporarily replace the cable until the 8SFF x2 NVMe to Tri-Mode OCP Cable Kit arrives, you need to find a Low Profile SlimSAS to NVMe U.3 cable.

Make sure the cable you choose specifically supports NVMe and has the necessary connectors for both ends – SlimSAS on one end for the controller and U.3 on the other end for the drive cage. You may want to consult with HPE or the cable manufacturer to ensure compatibility and avoid any potential issues.

Additionally, pay attention to the length of the cable to ensure it is suitable for your server configuration. Using the correct cable is crucial to maintain proper data transfer rates and to avoid damage to the components. If in doubt, please do reach out the HPE Support for further assistance.

Hope the info helps! Let me know...