P12948-001 HPE ISCSI SPS-MSA 1060 Storage controller

HPE ISCSI SPS-MSA 1060 Storage Controller

General Details

• Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model Number: P12948-001
• Category: ISCSI Storage Controller

Technical Specifications

Interface and Ports

• Host Interface: 16Gb Fibre Channel (FC)
• Connectivity: 4 ultra-fast FC ports per controller

Performance Metrics

• Transfer Speed: 16 Gbps per port (auto-negotiates to 8Gb)
• Cache Contribution: 24GB system-wide cache in dual-controller setups

Data Protection and RAID

• Built-in RAID management for SFF and LFF drive enclosures
• Enhanced reliability with integrated redundancy features

Connectivity Options

• Supports SFP+ transceivers for fiber optic cabling
• Flexible integration with enterprise storage networks

Physical Dimensions

• Length: 14.6 inches
• Width: 8.3 inches
• Height: 1.6 inches
• Weight: Approximately 5.25 lbs (2.38 kg)

Compatibility Information

Supported Chassis

• Designed for HPE MSA 2060 SFF and LFF Disk Enclosures

Storage Bundles

• Standard inclusion in MSA 2062 Flash-ready configurations

Replacement and Upgrade

• Direct replacement for malfunctioning units
• Ideal for converting iSCSI/SAS arrays to Fibre Channel

P12948-001 ISCSI SPS-MSA 1060 Storage Controller Overview

The HPE P12948-001 iSCSI SPS-MSA 1060 Storage Controller represents a purpose-built enterprise storage control solution designed to support modern, performance-driven, and highly available data center environments. As part of the HPE Modular Smart Array (MSA) 1060 family, this controller is engineered to provide reliable block-level storage access over IP-based networks using the iSCSI protocol. Its architecture focuses on delivering balanced performance, scalability, and operational simplicity for organizations seeking cost-effective shared storage without sacrificing enterprise-grade features.

This storage controller is optimized for small to mid-sized enterprises as well as edge deployments that require dependable storage services for virtualization platforms, database workloads, backup targets, and business-critical applications. By leveraging iSCSI connectivity, the controller integrates seamlessly into existing Ethernet infrastructures, reducing the complexity and cost traditionally associated with Fibre Channel environments while still delivering consistent throughput and low-latency access.

HPE MSA 1060 Platform Integration and Design Philosophy

The P12948-001 controller is specifically designed for integration within the HPE MSA 1060 storage system, aligning with Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s design philosophy of simplicity, modularity, and efficiency. The MSA 1060 platform emphasizes straightforward deployment and management, making it accessible to IT teams with limited storage specialization while still offering robust functionality expected from enterprise hardware.

Physically, the controller fits seamlessly into the MSA 1060 chassis and operates as a core processing and connectivity component. It manages data flow between hosts and storage media, handling read and write operations, caching, RAID processing, and protocol translation. This tight integration ensures optimized performance tuning and compatibility across firmware, hardware, and management layers.

Controller Processing Capabilities and Cache Management

At the core of the HPE P12948-001 controller is a dedicated storage processor designed to handle concurrent I/O operations efficiently. The controller incorporates intelligent cache management to optimize read and write performance across diverse workloads. Cache memory is utilized to buffer frequently accessed data, reduce latency, and smooth out performance peaks during periods of high demand.

The controller’s cache architecture supports advanced algorithms for data integrity and consistency, ensuring that cached data is protected in the event of power interruptions or system failures. This approach enhances reliability while maintaining predictable performance, which is essential for transactional workloads and virtualized environments.

iSCSI Connectivity and Network-Based Storage Access

The HPE P12948-001 ISCSI SPS-MSA 1060 Storage Controller is built around the iSCSI protocol, enabling block-level storage access over standard IP networks. This design choice allows organizations to leverage existing Ethernet switching infrastructure, simplifying deployment and reducing overall total cost of ownership. iSCSI connectivity also provides flexibility in network design, supporting both dedicated storage networks and converged network architectures.

By encapsulating SCSI commands within TCP/IP packets, the controller ensures compatibility with a wide range of operating systems, hypervisors, and server platforms. This makes it suitable for heterogeneous environments where multiple vendors and technologies coexist. The controller supports stable, persistent connections that maintain session integrity even under fluctuating network conditions.

Key Optimization over Ethernet Networks

The controller is engineered to deliver consistent performance over Ethernet by optimizing packet handling, queue management, and flow control. It supports multi-path I/O configurations, allowing hosts to establish multiple network paths to the storage system. This enhances both performance and availability by distributing traffic and providing automatic failover in the event of a network component failure.

Advanced iSCSI offload capabilities reduce CPU overhead on connected servers, enabling more efficient utilization of host resources. This is particularly beneficial in virtualized environments where compute cycles are at a premium. The result is a storage solution that delivers dependable throughput without imposing unnecessary processing burdens on application servers.

Scalability for Growing Storage Demands

Scalability is a key attribute of the HPE P12948-001 controller, allowing organizations to expand storage capacity and performance as business needs evolve. Within the MSA 1060 ecosystem, the controller supports the addition of expansion enclosures, enabling seamless capacity growth without disruptive system migrations. This modular approach ensures that initial investments are protected while providing a clear upgrade path.

The controller’s ability to handle increasing numbers of volumes, hosts, and concurrent connections makes it suitable for growing IT environments. As data volumes increase and workloads become more demanding, the controller maintains stable operation and predictable performance characteristics.

Data Protection and Availability Features

Data integrity and availability are central to the design of the HPE P12948-001 iSCSI storage controller. It incorporates multiple layers of protection to safeguard data against hardware failures, power disruptions, and operational errors. These features are essential for maintaining business continuity and minimizing the risk of data loss.

The controller supports industry-standard RAID levels, providing redundancy and fault tolerance across connected drives. RAID processing is handled directly by the controller, ensuring efficient parity calculations and rapid rebuild operations. This reduces exposure during drive failures and helps maintain application availability.

High Availability Controller Configurations

Within the MSA 1060 system, the P12948-001 controller can operate in dual-controller configurations, enabling active-active or active-passive modes depending on system design. This architecture allows continuous access to storage resources even if one controller becomes unavailable. Automatic failover mechanisms ensure that workloads continue running with minimal disruption.

Controller redundancy is complemented by redundant power supplies and cooling systems within the storage enclosure. Together, these features create a resilient storage platform capable of supporting mission-critical workloads with high uptime requirements.

Database and Transactional Workload Optimization

Transactional databases and business applications demand predictable storage performance and strong data integrity guarantees. The controller’s caching mechanisms, RAID processing, and optimized I/O paths are designed to meet these requirements. This makes it suitable for supporting relational databases, ERP systems, and other data-intensive applications.

Support for multi-path access and high availability configurations further enhances suitability for critical workloads. Applications can maintain continuous access to storage resources, reducing the risk of downtime and performance degradation.

Backup, Archival, and Secondary Storage Roles

In addition to primary storage roles, the HPE P12948-001 controller is effective for backup and archival use cases. Its cost-effective design and scalable capacity make it a practical choice for secondary storage tiers. Organizations can use it to store backups, snapshots, and long-term archival data while maintaining reliable access when needed.

The controller’s compatibility with common backup software and data protection solutions ensures seamless integration into existing backup strategies. This versatility enhances its value within a comprehensive data management architecture.