Beginning with HP product releases in the first quarter of 2009, Smart Array controllers are SAS-2
capable. In fully supported controllers, 6-Gb/s SAS technology allows Smart Array controllers to
deliver peak data bandwidth up to 600 megabytes per second (MB/s) per physical link in each
direction. SAS devices are capable of sending and receiving data simultaneously across each
physical link (full duplex mode). When running full duplex, 6-Gb/s SAS technology can deliver peak
data bandwidth up to 1200 MB/s.
The SAS-2 specification is compatible with both Serial SCSI and Serial ATA protocols for
communicating commands to SAS and SATA devices. SAS-2 compliant controllers are fully
compatible with 1.5-Gb/s and 3.0-Gb/s SATA technology.
New generation HP Smart Array controllers
T
he Smart Array PCIe 2.0-based controllers are modular solutions with a common form factor,
hardware, and firmware. The controllers are compatible with all ProLiant 300-series G6 servers. With
the exception of the DL320 G6 and ML330 G6 servers, the ProLiant 300-series G6 servers
incorporate embedded HP Smart Array P410i/Zero Memory Controllers (RAID 0/1/1+0). As a
standard entry level RAID, the Smart Array 410i incorporates Zero Memory RAID (ZMR).
Administrators can choose the cache size and whether to include the battery backed write cache
(BBWC). These options allow users to upgrade from ZMR to 512 MB BBWC (this upgrade is included
as a standard capability with some 300-series G6 servers).
Battery backed write cache
T
he BBWC is required for capacity expansion (adding one or more physical disks to an existing
array). The controller recalculates parity and balances the data across all the disks. During the
expansion, the BBWC preserves data and logical structures on the array. The HP 650 mAh P-Series
battery extends battery life up to 48 hours before recharging is necessary.
Zero Memory RAID
Using Ze
ro Memory RAID (ZMR), administrators can create a RAID 0-1 configuration without using
any additional memory. Smart Array P410, P410i, P411, and P212 controllers include ZMR. The
P212 controller does not include ZMR on the external connector. ZMR supports up to eight drives in
Zero Memory Mode, or seven drives and one tape drive. Modular Smart Array (MSA) products are
not supported in ZMR mode. ZMR does not include any caching. All systems can be upgraded to a
BBWC memory module that can significantly increase performance.
NOTE:
The P212 controller can only be upgraded to 256 MB BBWC and does not support
512 MB BBWC.
NOTE:
Smart Array Advanced Pack is not available on Zero Memory configurations.
Smart Array Advanced Pack (SAAP)
HP Smart Array Advanced Pack (SAAP) is firmware that provides advanced functionality within the
newest generation of Smart Array Controllers. These capabilities further enhance performance,
reliability, and availability of data. SAAP is hosted on the Smart Array Controller hardware firmware
stack. It can be enabled on the P212, P410, P410i, and P411 controllers.
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