Storage controller options
The server ships with an embedded Dynamic Smart Array B140i Controller. This embedded controller is
supported in UEFI Boot Mode only. For more information about the controller and its features, see the HPE
Dynamic Smart Array B140i RAID Controller User Guide on the Hewlett Packard Enterprise website.
Upgrade options exist for an integrated array controller. For a list of supported options, see the product
QuickSpecs on the Hewlett Packard Enterprise website.
To configure arrays, see the HPE Smart Storage Administrator User Guide on the Hewlett Packard
Enterprise website.
The server supports FBWC. FBWC consists of a cache module and a Smart Storage Battery Pack. The DDR
cache module buffers and stores data being written by an integrated Gen9 P-series Smart Array Controller.
This server supports the 96W Smart Storage Battery Pack. This battery pack can support up to 24 devices.
Devices in this context refer to the Smart Array Controller or NVDIMM associated with the cache module.
The battery pack might have a low charge when installed. If the battery does have low charge, a POST error
message appears when the server is powered up, indicating that the battery pack is temporarily disabled. No
action is necessary. The internal circuitry automatically recharges the batteries and enables the battery pack.
When the system is powered on this process might take approximately 2 hours.
If a system power failure occurs, a fully charged battery pack provides power for up to 150 seconds. During
that interval, the controller transfers the cached data from DDR memory to flash memory, where the data
remains indefinitely or until a controller retrieves the data. The data protection and the time limit also apply if a
power outage occurs. When power is restored to the system, an initialization process writes the preserved
data to the storage drives.
CAUTION:
The cache module connector does not use the industry-standard DDR3 mini-DIMMs. Do not use the
controller with cache modules designed for other controller models, because the controller can
malfunction and you can lose data. Also, do not transfer this cache module to an unsupported controller
model, because you can lose data.
CAUTION:
To prevent a server malfunction or damage to the equipment, do not add or remove the battery pack
while an array capacity expansion, RAID level migration, or stripe size migration is in progress.
CAUTION:
After the server is powered down, wait for 30 seconds, and then check the amber LED before
unplugging the cable from the cache module. If the amber LED flashes after 30 seconds, do not remove
the cable from the cache module. The cache module is backing up data. Data will be lost if the cable is
detached when the amber LED is still flashing.
Storage controller installation guidelines
Storage controllers may be installed in slot 1 or 4. Hewlett Packard Enterprise recommends installing a
storage controller in PCIe slot 4 for optimal performance.
An optional front PCI fan must be installed if any PCI cards are installed in the system.
Storage controllers additionally require the appropriate optional cables to connect to storage devices.
46 Storage controller options
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