HPE 787840-B21 P440AR 12GB/S PCI-E 3.0 X8 Dual Port SAS Smart Array Controller Card

Interface: SAS

What is SAS?

SAS, short for Serial Attached SCSI, is a high-speed, high-performance storage interface that allows for the transfer of data between the host system and storage devices. It is a successor to the traditional SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) technology and offers several advantages over its predecessor.

The Benefits of SAS

1. Speed and Performance

SAS provides faster data transfer rates compared to traditional SCSI interfaces. With its ability to transmit data at speeds of up to 12GB/s, it enables quicker access to information stored on SAS devices. This increased speed is particularly beneficial for applications that require high-performance storage, such as databases, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads.

2. Scalability

SAS supports multiple devices to be connected in a daisy-chain or in a point-to-point configuration, allowing for easy expansion and scalability. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for businesses that anticipate future growth and need the ability to add more storage devices as their needs increase.

3. Reliability

SAS incorporates advanced error detection and correction mechanisms, ensuring data integrity and reducing the risk of data loss or corruption. It also supports hot-swapping, which allows for the replacement or addition of drives without disrupting system operations. This feature enhances overall system reliability and minimizes downtime.

4. Compatibility

SAS controllers are backward compatible with SATA (Serial ATA) drives, providing users with the flexibility to mix and match SAS and SATA drives in their storage infrastructure. This compatibility allows businesses to leverage existing SATA drives while gradually migrating to the higher performance and reliability of SAS technology.

5. Wide Range of Applications

The high-speed and reliability of SAS make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including enterprise storage systems, servers, workstations, and high-performance computing. It is particularly beneficial for tasks that involve data-intensive operations, such as large-scale data analytics, video editing, and scientific research.

Port: Dual Port

Understanding Dual Port

The HPE P440AR PCI-E Controller Card features a dual port configuration. Dual port refers to the presence of two independent SAS ports on the controller card. Each port operates independently and can connect to separate SAS devices or expanders.

The Benefits of Dual Port

1. High Availability and Redundancy

By having two independent ports, the dual port configuration offers redundancy and high availability. In case one port fails or encounters an issue, the other port can continue to function, ensuring uninterrupted access to data. This redundancy is crucial in mission-critical environments where downtime can result in significant financial losses or operational disruptions.

2. Load Balancing

Dual port controllers support load balancing, allowing for the distribution of I/O traffic across both ports. This feature optimizes performance by evenly distributing the workload between the two ports, preventing bottlenecks and maximizing overall system efficiency.

3. Improved Performance

Dual port configurations provide improved performance by enabling parallel processing of I/O operations. With two independent channels for data transfer, the controller can handle higher workloads and achieve faster response times. This enhanced performance is especially beneficial for applications that require high-speed data processing and low latency.

4. Simplified Configuration

A dual port controller simplifies the configuration process by eliminating the need for additional hardware, such as external switches or adapters, to connect multiple devices. The dual port functionality is integrated into the controller card, reducing complexity and potential points of failure in the storage infrastructure.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

The dual port configuration allows for easy scalability and flexibility in expanding storage capacity. With two independent ports, users can connect multiple SAS devices or expanders to each port, creating a scalable storage solution that can grow with their business needs.

Data Transfer Rate: 12GB/s

Understanding Data Transfer Rate

The HPE P440AR PCI-E Controller Card boasts an impressive data transfer rate of 12GB/s. Data transfer rate refers to the speed at which data can be transmitted between the controller card and the connected storage devices.

The Benefits of 12GB/s Data Transfer Rate

1. Faster Backup and Restoration

A higher data transfer rate significantly speeds up backup and restoration processes. With 12GB/s, large volumes of data can be quickly copied or restored, reducing the time required for backup windows and minimizing downtime in case of system failures or data loss.

2. Improved System Responsiveness

The increased data transfer rate leads to improved system responsiveness and faster data access. Applications that rely on high-speed storage, such as databases or virtualization platforms, can benefit from reduced latency and faster retrieval of information, enhancing overall system performance.

3. Enhanced Workload Performance

A higher data transfer rate enables the controller card to handle more concurrent I/O operations, resulting in improved workload performance. This is particularly important for demanding applications that require intensive read/write operations, such as video editing or real-time analytics.

4. Future-Proofing

The 12GB/s data transfer rate ensures compatibility with the latest storage technologies and future-proofing your infrastructure. As storage devices continue to evolve and offer higher performance capabilities, having a controller card that supports faster data transfer rates ensures compatibility and longevity of your storage investment.

5. Reduced Bottlenecks

A higher data transfer rate helps alleviate bottlenecks in the storage subsystem. By increasing the bandwidth available for data transfer, the controller card can handle larger volumes of data without becoming a performance bottleneck, allowing the overall system to operate at its maximum potential.

Memory: 2GB FBWC

Understanding 2GB FBWC

The HPE P440AR PCI-E Controller Card is equipped with 2GB FBWC (Flash-Backed Write Cache) memory. FBWC is a type of cache memory that uses non-volatile flash memory to protect data in the event of a power loss or system failure.

The Benefits of 2GB FBWC

1. Data Protection and Integrity

The presence of FBWC enhances data protection and integrity by ensuring that data in transit is not lost or corrupted during power outages or system failures. The cache memory temporarily holds write operations before flushing them to the permanent storage devices, safeguarding against data loss and maintaining consistency.

2. Improved Write Performance

FBWC improves write performance by temporarily storing write operations in cache memory before committing them to disk. This reduces latency and improves overall system responsiveness, especially for applications that involve frequent write operations, such as databases or transactional systems.

3. Accelerated Read Operations

The presence of cache memory allows for the acceleration of read operations by storing frequently accessed data in cache. This reduces the need to retrieve data from slower storage devices, such as hard drives, resulting in faster read response times and improved application performance.

4. Power Loss Protection

FBWC utilizes non-volatile flash memory to protect data in the event of a power loss. Unlike traditional volatile cache memory, which loses data when power is interrupted, FBWC retains the cached data until power is restored. This ensures that no data is lost or compromised during unexpected power outages.

5. Flexible Configurations

The 2GB FBWC memory allows for flexible configurations to meet specific application requirements. Users can adjust the ratio of cache used for read and write operations, optimizing performance based on their workload characteristics and priorities.

Part Number: 787840-B21

Understanding Part Numbers

A part number serves as a unique identifier for a specific product or component. The HPE P440AR PCI-E Controller Card is identified by the part number 787840-B21.

The Importance of Part Numbers

1. Accurate Identification

A part number ensures accurate identification of a product or component within a vast inventory. It eliminates ambiguity and confusion when ordering or referencing specific items, allowing for precise identification and procurement of the desired product.

2. Compatibility Assurance

Part numbers provide compatibility assurance by indicating the exact model or version of a product. This helps users ensure that they are selecting the correct component that is compatible with their existing hardware or infrastructure, preventing compatibility issues or costly mistakes.

3. Simplified Maintenance and Support

Part numbers simplify maintenance and support processes by streamlining the identification of replacement parts or components. When a specific part fails or requires replacement, having the correct part number readily available expedites the troubleshooting and procurement process, minimizing system downtime.

4. Documentation and Documentation Retrieval

Part numbers are essential for documentation purposes, as they provide a standardized reference for product information and specifications. In case users need to access product documentation, such as user manuals or technical specifications, knowing the part number allows for easy retrieval of accurate and relevant information.

5. Inventory Management

Part numbers play a critical role in inventory management by facilitating accurate tracking and organization of products or components. They enable efficient inventory control, ensuring that the correct quantities of specific items are maintained, reducing excess stock and preventing shortages.