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Low-profile PCIe card with silver bracket and two external SAS ports

HPE

HPE P421Product Smart Array P421/1GB FBWC 6Gb 2-ports Ext SAS Controller

SKU CH-EPC3-Z8NM8 MPN P421Product

A low-profile PCIe 3.0 SAS RAID controller with 1 GB flash-backed write cache and two external ports for ProLiant Gen8 servers

  • TypeSAS Controller
  • Enterprise RAID performance with 6 Gb/s SAS connectivity
  • Low-profile PCIe 3.0 design fits dense server chassis
  • Flash-backed write cache protects data during power loss
  • Online RAID migration and global spare boost uptime
  • Eight external ports enable maximum storage scalability

HPE Smart Array P421 SAS RAID Controller

The HPE Smart Array P421 is a low-profile PCIe 3.0 SAS RAID controller with 1 GB flash-backed write cache. It provides 6 Gb/s external connectivity through two ports for select ProLiant Gen8 servers. This new controller delivers enterprise-class storage performance and data protection for compatible rack and tower systems.

Suits Gen8 servers needing external SAS RAID

This controller suits administrators managing HPE ProLiant Gen8 servers who require external SAS expansion with hardware RAID and flash-backed cache. It supports online RAID level migration and global hot spare features. Buyers needing internal drive connections or support for newer server generations should verify compatibility before purchase.

Two external 6 Gb/s SAS ports

The card presents two external SAS ports operating at 6 Gb/s each. This port count determines how many external enclosures or drive cages can be attached directly. Confirm your enclosure cabling and server slot availability match this two-port configuration.

Highlights

  • Enterprise RAID performance with 6 Gb/s SAS connectivity
  • Low-profile PCIe 3.0 design fits dense server chassis
  • Flash-backed write cache protects data during power loss
  • Online RAID migration and global spare boost uptime
  • Eight external ports enable maximum storage scalability

Specifications

BrandHPE
TypeSAS Controller

Questions about this item

Which server slot does the P421 controller need for installation?

The P421 requires a PCIe 3.0 slot in a compatible HP ProLiant Gen8 rack or tower server for operation.

Can the controller connect to existing 3 Gb/s SAS drives or enclosures?

Yes, the 6 Gb/s SAS interface is backward compatible with 3 Gb/s SAS devices, allowing integration with older storage hardware.

How can I verify the 1 GB flash-backed write cache is active after setup?

Check the Smart Array configuration utility during boot or in the OS; it will display the FBWC module status and cache size when the controller initializes correctly.

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