Enterprise Hard Drive Buying Guide: SAS vs SATA, 7.2K vs 10K, CMR vs SMR
Spinning drives still run most backup targets, file servers, and NAS builds, and the market is full of...
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In StockDell PERC H740P 8GB NV Cache 12Gb/s SAS RAID Controller
Vendor:DELLRegular price QAR 570.00Regular price -
In StockDell PERC H330 12Gb/s SAS/SATA PCIe RAID Controller Adapter – 0CG2YM
Vendor:DELLRegular price QAR 420.00Regular price -
In StockHPE Smart Array P408i-a SR Gen10 RAID Controller
Vendor:HPERegular price QAR 520.00Regular price -
Sold outHPE Smart Array P440ar RAID Controller DL360 Gen9
Vendor:ServerDoveRegular price QAR 270.00Regular price -
In StockDell PERC H730 RAID Controller
Vendor:DELLRegular price QAR 240.00Regular price -
In StockDell PERC H710 RAID Controller
Vendor:DELLRegular price QAR 190.00Regular price -
Sold outDell PERC H330 Mini Mono 12Gb RAID Controller
Vendor:DELLRegular price QAR 180.00Regular price
About Dell PERC and HPE Smart Array controllers
Dell PERC and HPE Smart Array RAID controller cards for PowerEdge and ProLiant servers, from entry-level controllers to 12Gb/s SAS models with protected write cache, tested and held in stock in Doha.
This is the controller card range: Dell PowerEdge RAID Controllers (PERC) and HPE Smart Array controllers, from entry-level cards without cache to 12Gb/s SAS models with a large protected write cache. It is for administrators replacing a failed controller, moving a server from software to hardware RAID, or upgrading to a controller with cache for faster writes.
Each card is designed for its own vendor's servers, so choose by vendor and server generation first and by speed second. Refurbished controllers are tested before listing.
- Vendors
- Dell PERC, HPE Smart Array
- Drive interfaces
- SAS, SATA
- Formats
- Dedicated slot and PCIe card
Controller formats
| Format | How it fits | How to spot it |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Mini Mono | Dedicated storage slot on the motherboard, leaving PCIe slots free | "Mini" in the name |
| Dell Adapter | Standard PCIe slot | "Adapter" in the name |
| HPE modular (Gen9) | Dedicated controller slot | "ar" suffix, e.g. P440ar |
| HPE modular (Gen10) | Dedicated controller slot | "-a" suffix, e.g. P408i-a |
| HPE PCIe (Gen10) | Standard PCIe slot | "-p" suffix |
In HPE names, "i" means internal ports and "e" external ports.
Cache, batteries and HBA mode
A controller with cache holds writes in memory and confirms them early, which speeds up RAID 5 and RAID 6 in particular. The cache must survive a power cut, so it is protected by a battery or a flash module with its own backup power. If that protection fails, most controllers fall back to slower write-through mode. Replacements are in RAID Batteries.
Many current controllers can also pass drives straight to the operating system, known as HBA or pass-through mode, which software-defined storage such as ZFS or VMware vSAN expects.
Compatibility and ordering
A RAID controller is one of the most platform-specific parts in a server. Whether a card works depends on the server vendor and generation, the mounting format, the cables and connectors running to the backplane, and the firmware the system expects. Send the server model or service tag and the team in Doha will confirm the controller and any storage cables you need. Controllers are covered by the ServerDove warranty, and fitting and array setup are available as a service.
RAID Controllers: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dell PERC and HPE Smart Array?
Both are hardware RAID controllers, made for different server families. PERC is Dell's line for PowerEdge servers, managed through the controller utility, Lifecycle Controller or iDRAC. Smart Array is HPE's line for ProLiant servers, managed through HPE's own storage tools and iLO. Each is designed around its vendor's motherboards, cables and firmware, so buy the controller that matches the server brand.
Can I use a Dell PERC controller in an HPE server?
Not as a rule. Dedicated-slot controllers, such as Dell Mini Mono and HPE modular cards, only fit their own vendor's boards. A PCIe adapter may physically fit another brand's slot, but cabling, management and firmware support are not assured, and the server may not treat it as a supported storage device. Stay with the server's own vendor unless the team confirms otherwise.
What does NV cache or flash-backed cache mean?
It means the controller's write cache is protected against power loss. If power fails, the data waiting in cache is saved to flash memory using a battery or capacitor, then written to the drives when power returns. This lets the controller safely use faster write-back caching. Without that protection, the controller should run in slower write-through mode.
Will my RAID array survive a controller replacement?
With a like-for-like replacement, usually yes. Controllers in the same family store the array configuration on the drives, and the new controller offers to import it as a foreign configuration. Moving to a different controller family is less predictable and can mean rebuilding the array. Take a full backup before any controller change, whatever the plan.
Do I need new cables when changing RAID controller?
Sometimes. Older 6Gb/s controllers often use Mini-SAS connectors, while 12Gb/s controllers often use Mini-SAS HD, and some servers route cables differently for dedicated-slot and PCIe controllers. A like-for-like replacement normally reuses the existing cables. Send the server model and both controllers and the team will tell you whether cables are needed.
What is HBA mode on a RAID controller?
HBA mode, also called pass-through or non-RAID mode, makes the controller present each drive directly to the operating system instead of building arrays. Software-defined storage such as ZFS, Windows Storage Spaces or VMware vSAN needs this, because it manages the drives itself. Many current PERC and Smart Array controllers support it; older models may not.
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