HP Smart Array P731M 6GB 4-Ports Ext Mezzanine SAS Controller 698536-B21

Ports

The HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller is equipped with 4 ports, making it an ideal choice for users who require high levels of connectivity and flexibility in their storage solutions.

Increased Scalability

With 4 ports, this controller allows for increased scalability in storage configurations. Users can connect multiple drives or devices to the controller, enabling them to expand their storage capacity as their needs grow. This is particularly beneficial for businesses or individuals who anticipate future data growth or need to accommodate large amounts of data.

Improved Performance

The 4 ports on the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller also contribute to improved performance. With multiple ports available, data can be distributed across multiple drives, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall data transfer speeds. This is especially important for tasks that involve high volumes of data, such as data-intensive applications or large-scale file transfers.

Redundancy and Failover

The presence of 4 ports on this controller also offers redundancy and failover capabilities. In the event of a port failure, the controller can automatically switch to another functioning port, ensuring that data access and availability are maintained. This redundancy is crucial for businesses or individuals who cannot afford downtime or data loss.

Flexibility in Drive Configuration

Having 4 ports allows users to configure their drives in various ways to suit their specific needs. They can choose to connect multiple drives directly to the controller or utilize expanders to connect a larger number of drives. This flexibility enables users to create storage configurations that align with their performance, capacity, and cost requirements.

Multiple RAID Configurations

The 4 ports on the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller also enable users to implement different RAID configurations. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) provides data redundancy and performance improvements by combining multiple drives into a logical unit. With 4 ports, users can create RAID arrays that offer different levels of performance, scalability, and data protection, depending on their specific needs.

Support for Multiple Drive Types

The presence of 4 ports on this controller ensures compatibility with a wide range of drive types. It supports both SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) and SATA (Serial ATA) drives, allowing users to choose the best drive technology for their storage requirements. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when integrating the controller into existing storage infrastructures that may already utilize different drive types.

Expandability

The 4 ports on the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller provide room for future expandability. Users can add additional drives or devices as their needs evolve, without requiring a complete overhaul of their storage infrastructure. This expandability ensures that users can adapt to changing storage demands and maintain optimal performance and capacity.

Interface

The HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller features a 6GB interface, providing users with high-speed data transfer capabilities and improved overall system performance.

Faster Data Transfer

The 6GB interface of this controller allows for significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This is essential for applications that demand high-speed data access, such as databases, virtualization environments, or multimedia editing tools. With faster data transfer, users can experience improved system responsiveness and reduced data access latency.

Optimized Workflows

The 6GB interface enables optimized workflows by minimizing data transfer bottlenecks. When working with large files or performing disk-intensive tasks, such as rendering videos or running complex simulations, the high-speed interface ensures that data is processed quickly and efficiently. This translates to reduced waiting times and increased productivity, particularly in time-sensitive or resource-intensive environments.

Compatibility with Existing Systems

The 6GB interface on the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller ensures compatibility with existing systems that support this interface. Users can integrate the controller seamlessly into their current infrastructure without the need for complex upgrades or replacements. This compatibility is especially valuable for businesses or individuals who want to enhance their storage capabilities without disrupting their existing workflows or investments.

Future-Proofing

The 6GB interface future-proofs the storage infrastructure by providing headroom for future advancements in storage technology. As storage technologies continue to evolve, higher-speed interfaces may become more prevalent. By adopting a controller with a 6GB interface, users can ensure that their storage infrastructure remains compatible with future devices and maintains optimal performance over time.

Scalability

The 6GB interface also contributes to scalability in storage configurations. Users can connect multiple drives or devices to the controller, taking advantage of the high-speed interface to accommodate growing data needs. This scalability is particularly important for businesses or individuals who anticipate future data growth or need to handle large amounts of data.

Efficient Data Backup and Restore

The high-speed interface enables efficient data backup and restore operations. When backing up critical data or restoring it from a backup, the 6GB interface ensures that data is transferred quickly and reliably. This is crucial for minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity in the event of data loss or system failure.

Improved System Responsiveness

The 6GB interface contributes to improved system responsiveness by reducing data access latency. With faster data transfer speeds, tasks that rely on accessing and retrieving data from storage can be completed more quickly. This translates to a more responsive and efficient computing experience for users, allowing them to work with larger datasets or perform resource-intensive tasks more smoothly.

Cache

The HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller is equipped with 512MB FBWC (Flash-Backed Write Cache), providing users with enhanced data protection, improved performance, and increased flexibility in storage operations.

Data Protection

The 512MB FBWC serves as a temporary buffer for data being written to the storage drives. In the event of a power loss or system failure, the FBWC ensures that data in the cache is safely written to the drives, preventing data loss or corruption. This feature provides an additional layer of data protection, particularly for critical applications or environments where data integrity is paramount.

Improved Performance

The presence of the 512MB FBWC significantly improves overall system performance. By temporarily storing data in the cache before writing it to the drives, the controller can optimize data transfer and access patterns. This results in faster write speeds and reduced latency, allowing applications to operate more efficiently and users to experience improved system responsiveness.

Flexibility in Storage Operations

The 512MB FBWC also offers flexibility in storage operations. Users can configure the controller to prioritize specific data types or applications by allocating a portion of the cache for their use. This enables users to optimize storage performance based on their unique requirements, ensuring that critical applications or frequently accessed data receive priority treatment.

Accelerated RAID Performance

The presence of the 512MB FBWC enhances RAID performance. By temporarily caching write operations, the controller can optimize the order in which data is written to the drives, reducing latency and improving overall RAID performance. This is particularly beneficial for RAID configurations that involve parity calculations or require high levels of write-intensive operations.

Efficient Storage Virtualization

For users utilizing storage virtualization technologies, such as VMware or Hyper-V, the 512MB FBWC offers improved performance and efficiency. By caching frequently accessed data in the controller's cache, storage virtualization operations can be accelerated, resulting in faster read and write speeds for virtual machines. This translates to better overall performance and responsiveness in virtualized environments.

Reduced Disk I/O

The presence of the 512MB FBWC reduces the number of disk I/O operations required. By temporarily caching write operations, the controller can consolidate multiple smaller write requests into larger, more efficient operations. This reduces the workload on the drives, minimizing wear and tear and extending their lifespan. Additionally, it frees up disk resources for other read-intensive operations, further improving overall system performance.

Part Number

The HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller is identified by its unique part number: 698536-B21. This part number serves as a crucial identifier for users and ensures compatibility with their specific system configurations.

Easy Identification

The part number, 698536-B21, enables easy identification of the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller. Users can quickly verify that they are purchasing or working with the correct controller by referencing its part number. This eliminates any confusion or compatibility issues that may arise when selecting or integrating storage components into their systems.

Compatibility Assurance

The part number also serves as an assurance of compatibility with specific system configurations. Users can cross-reference the part number with their system requirements or documentation to verify that the controller is supported and will function optimally in their environment. This compatibility assurance is crucial for avoiding potential performance issues or incompatibilities that may arise when using incompatible storage components.

Warranty and Support

The part number, 698536-B21, is also important for warranty and support purposes. Users can reference the part number when seeking technical support or initiating warranty claims with HP or authorized service providers. This ensures that users receive the appropriate level of assistance and service for their specific controller model, streamlining the support process and minimizing downtime.

Replacement and Upgrades

The part number facilitates easy replacement or upgrades of the HP Smart Array P731M Mezzanine SAS Controller. When a controller needs to be replaced due to failure or when an upgrade is desired, users can simply reference the part number to ensure they obtain the correct model. This simplifies the procurement process and minimizes any disruption to storage operations.

Inventory Management

The part number also assists in inventory management for businesses or individuals who need to keep track of their storage components. By having a unique identifier like 698536-B21, users can easily track and manage their storage inventory, ensuring that they have accurate records of the controllers in use and available for future deployments. This streamlines maintenance and planning activities, allowing for efficient resource allocation.