HPE
HPE 698529-B21 Smart Array P430 2GB FBWC 6Gb SAS Controller
A low-profile PCIe 3.0 x8 SAS RAID controller with 2 GB flash-backed write cache for ProLiant Gen8 servers
- TypeInput/Output Controller
- ColorBlack
- Enterprise storage performance boost with 6Gb SAS controller
- Low-profile PCIe 3.0 x8 fits Gen8 rack and tower servers
- Eight internal SAS ports expand direct-attach capacity
- Flash-backed write cache protects data during power loss
- Online RAID level migration simplifies storage reconfiguration
Smart Array P430 RAID Controller
The HPE Smart Array P430 is a low-profile PCI Express 3.0 x8 SAS RAID controller with 2 GB flash-backed write cache. It provides enterprise-class data protection and storage performance for select ProLiant Gen8 rack and tower servers through eight internal SAS ports.
Suited for Gen8 server upgrades
This controller suits administrators expanding direct-attach SAS storage on supported Gen8 platforms who need hardware RAID with flash-backed cache. It is not for systems lacking a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot or for environments that require external SAS connectivity.
PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface
The card installs in a PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot and presents eight internal 6 Gb/s SAS ports. Compatibility depends on the server having this exact slot type and supported firmware; verify the host platform before purchase.
Highlights
- Enterprise storage performance boost with 6Gb SAS controller
- Low-profile PCIe 3.0 x8 fits Gen8 rack and tower servers
- Eight internal SAS ports expand direct-attach capacity
- Flash-backed write cache protects data during power loss
- Online RAID level migration simplifies storage reconfiguration
Specifications
| Brand | HPE |
|---|---|
| Type | Input/Output Controller |
| Color | Black |
| Shipping weight | 0.27 kg |
| Package size | 229 × 152 × 102 mm |
Questions about this item
How do I install the 698529-B21 Smart Array P430 into a Gen8 server and which step is often missed?
Seat the low-profile card into a PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot, connect the eight internal SAS ports to the backplane, then enable the controller in the system ROM before creating any logical drives — skipping the ROM enable step leaves the drives invisible to the OS.
What maintenance does the 2 GB flash-backed write cache require over time?
The FBWC module uses NAND flash and a super-capacitor; no battery replacement is needed, but the super-capacitor should be checked after several years of continuous operation to ensure it still holds enough charge for a clean cache flush during power loss.
What limit appears first when the P430 sustains heavy random-write workloads?
The 6 Gb/s SAS link and the 2 GB flash-backed cache bandwidth become the bottleneck before the PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface saturates, capping sustained write throughput under intense I/O.
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