826688-B21 HPE DL380 G10 2SFF SAS / SATA HDD Riser Kit.

HPE 826688-B21 DL380 G10 2SFF HDD SAS/SATA Riser Kit

The HPE 826688-B21 DL380 G10 2SFF HDD Riser Kit is a precision-engineered riser assembly designed for the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 server family. This component enables installation of two SFF (2.5") SAS or SATA hard drives into the server chassis, providing a compact, hot-pluggable storage interface optimized for density, cooling, and serviceability. The riser kit is an OEM-grade spare part intended for system builders, IT administrators, and data center operators who demand compatibility, reliability, and predictable physical and electrical behavior in enterprise-class servers.

Key features and benefits

• Compatibility: Engineered specifically for the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 platform—ensures correct fit, connector alignment, and firmware compatibility when installing SFF SAS/SATA drives.
• High-density storage support: Supports two 2.5" drives in a single riser space to maximize storage per chassis bay.
• Hot-swap readiness: Designed for hot-pluggable drive bays—enables drive replacement without powering down the system, reducing maintenance windows.
• Thermal and mechanical stability: Optimized for airflow and server cooling strategies to maintain thermal limits for attached drives.
• OEM quality: HPE-manufactured spare part (or factory-equivalent) built to the vendor's tolerances and test requirements.

Detailed technical description

The riser kit combines mechanical mounting brackets, a printed circuit board (PCB) with host connectors, cable routing channels, and guide rails that align with the DL380 G10 chassis. The PCB contains the SAS/SATA backplane interface and signal paths for each SFF bay. Although not a controller itself, the riser ensures that signals from attached drives reach the server's integrated storage controller or HBA with correct impedance and minimal signal loss.

Physical specifications

• Drive support: 2 x SFF (2.5") SAS / SATA
• Form factor: Riser assembly compatible with HPE DL380 G10 chassis
• Mounting: Tool-less and screw-mounted interface points matching factory mounting holes
• Materials: Metal bracket with PCB and retention clips engineered for server-grade durability

Electrical and signaling considerations

The PCB traces and connectors are laid out to meet SAS/SATA signal integrity standards. The riser passes through power to the drive backplane connectors and maintains correct pin mapping for the server's drive controller. When populating the riser with NVMe-capable drives (if adapter-equipped), verify the server's firmware and riser configuration as NVMe in DL380 Gen10 systems often requires specific riser/backplane combinations.

Compatibility matrix and supported configurations

Understanding compatibility is critical when ordering replacement parts. The HPE 826688-B21 riser is compatible with models in the ProLiant DL380 Gen10 family that accept the 2SFF front bay configuration. It is typically used in configurations where higher spindle density and 2.5" drive performance are prioritized over larger 3.5" media.

Supported drive types

• SAS 12Gb/s 2.5" enterprise HDD
• SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" HDD or SSD
• SAS 12Gb/s 2.5" SSD (if supported by controller firmware)

Server models and chassis

Commonly compatible with HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 chassis variants. Before purchase, confirm the server's chassis revision and factory options—some configurations or factory-installed backplanes may require a different riser or additional brackets. When in doubt, check the server's spare part list or HPE's QuickSpecs for the exact machine serial number.

Performance considerations

While the riser itself does not accelerate performance, its correct installation and compatibility ensure that the attached drives can operate at their rated throughput and latency. Performance depends primarily on the drive technology (SAS vs SATA), controller capabilities (HBA, RAID card, or Integrated Smart Array), and workloads.

Maximizing throughput and IOPS

• Choose 12Gb/s SAS drives and pair them with a compatible HBA for high-throughput workloads.
• For random I/O-heavy applications, consider enterprise SSDs with higher IOPS ratings.
• Balance RAID levels and stripe sizes to match application needs—higher redundancy reduces raw performance but can increase effective availability.

Thermal management

2.5" drives tend to run cooler than their 3.5" counterparts, but densely populated bays still require proper airflow. The riser is designed to maintain separation and channel cool air over drive surfaces. Monitor drive temperatures using iLO or the server's embedded management tools, and consider additional cooling if temperatures approach vendor limits under peak load.

Use cases and deployment scenarios

The 826688-B21 riser kit finds use across multiple scenarios — from small enterprise branches to large-scale data centers. Below are common deployments where this riser is particularly beneficial.

High-density storage arrays

When maximizing storage capacity in 1U/2U rack servers without increasing chassis size, deploying two 2.5" drives per riser increases density while maintaining hot-swap capability and enterprise-grade reliability.

Mixed media configurations

Pairing SAS HDDs for bulk storage with SSDs for cache or tiering can yield strong performance-to-cost ratios. The riser supports mixed SAS and SATA drive mixes, subject to controller and firmware constraints.

Edge and branch servers

Compact, lightweight, and easy to service, the riser kit is suitable for remote or edge deployments where on-site personnel must perform quick replacements and minimal downtime is required.

Ordering information and part numbers

When sourcing replacement risers, always verify the manufacturer part number and any kit contents. HPE part numbers often come with multiple kit variants depending on whether screws, retention clips, or cable assemblies are bundled. Ordering the correct SKU reduces the risk of incompatible or incomplete shipments.

Common SKUs and variations

• 826688-B21: Base riser assembly for DL380 G10 2SFF SAS/SATA configuration.
• OEM spare kits may include additional screws, rails, or cabling—confirm contents in the product listing.
• Compatible alternative part numbers may exist for specific chassis revisions—consult HPE QuickSpecs.

Comparison with related parts and upgrades

In many deployments, datacenter managers weigh the decision to replace a riser against upgrading the backplane or purchasing higher-capacity riser/backplane assemblies. Key considerations include future-proofing for NVMe, drive bay reconfiguration, and cost of downtime during replacement.

Riser vs Backplane upgrades

• Riser replacement: Lower cost and faster to install—fixes mechanical damage, worn connectors, or minor mounting issues.
• Backplane upgrade: More comprehensive change—may enable additional drive types (e.g., NVMe passthrough) but requires greater planning and possible firmware updates.