HPE 804398-B21 - HPE Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 Controller

Brand: HPE | Category: Accessories & Components

SKU: HPE-804398-B21 | Part #: 804398-B21 | MPN: 804398-B21

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HPE's Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 Controller (part number 804398-B21) is a low-profile, half-height PCIe RAID adapter designed for installation in HPE ProLiant Gen10 server chassis without requiring additional mounting hardware or extensive reconfiguration. The controller ships with a factory-fitted low-profile bracket, meaning your infrastructure team can slide it directly into an available PCIe 3.0 x8 slot and begin configuration within minutes. This form factor matters because it eliminates the sourcing of custom brackets, reduces installation labour, and keeps spare-part logistics simpler across distributed data-centre environments.

Storage architects and IT procurement teams typically evaluate this adapter when they need to add external SAS or SATA capacity to existing ProLiant hardware without replacing servers or redesigning arrays. The HPE 804398-B21 connects two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) ports and can manage up to 256 external drives, making it suitable for environments ranging from modest NAS expansions to larger SAN fabric additions. Unlike the E208i-p SR Gen10 (which is embedded on the motherboard), this external variant lets you upgrade storage connectivity without touching system firmware or requiring system reinstalls. IT teams deploying hybrid SSD and HDD tiering, or those adding capacity to existing storage enclosures, often select this controller because it doesn't mandate a full server refresh.

The adapter supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, covering the standard protection profiles needed for production workloads. HPE designed this particular SKU (804398-B21) without onboard cache memory, which makes it a cost-conscious choice for read-heavy applications or tiered storage scenarios where write caching overhead isn't a priority. The controller defaults to write-through mode, ensuring data consistency without relying on battery-backed cache. It handles SAS HDD, SATA HDD, SAS SSD, and SATA SSD drives transparently, so your storage architect can mix drive types across a single 256-drive footprint and adjust tier assignments post-deployment. Drive negotiation happens automatically at 12Gb/s SAS or 6Gb/s SATA, depending on the connected hardware.

Integration with HPE's management ecosystem is straightforward. The controller reports status and performance metrics to HPE iLO (Intelligent Lights-Out), the Agentless Management Service (AMS), and HPE OneView, meaning your operations centre gains visibility without installing additional agents on compute nodes. Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and VMware vSphere all recognize the adapter and its attached drives natively, eliminating driver sourcing concerns for most enterprise platforms. System administrators managing ProLiant DL, ML, and Apollo servers in your data centre will find the HPE Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 requires no firmware updates or BIOS tweaks before deployment—it slots in as a recognized component from day one.

One important note: this version of the part number (804398-B21) does not include controller-level encryption. If your compliance requirements mandate encrypted-at-rest storage, you'll need to implement encryption at the OS or application layer, or consult with our team about alternative HPE Smart Array SKUs that include encryption capability. For general-purpose storage expansion, mid-market deployments, and cost-sensitive tiers, the 804398-B21 delivers proven reliability and HPE's standard warranty and support terms.

Interface, Compatibility & Connectivity

• PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface with low-profile bracket; compatible with HPE ProLiant Gen10 DL, ML, and select Apollo server families
• Two Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) external ports supporting up to 256 directly attached drives across SAS HDD, SATA HDD, SAS SSD, and SATA SSD
• Native support for Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and VMware vSphere; integration with HPE iLO, AMS, and HPE OneView
• RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 with write-through default and no onboard cache module
• No controller-based encryption on this SKU; encryption must be implemented at OS or application layer
• 12Gb/s SAS and 6Gb/s SATA drive negotiation; automatic detection and assignment within a single logical array

Omnixon Global holds HPE Smart Array controllers in stock across our Dubai warehouse and can source HPE 804398-B21 units for immediate delivery to data centres and enterprises across the GCC, India, and Europe. Our technical team has deployed this adapter in production SAN and NAS environments and understands the integration points with your existing ProLiant infrastructure. Contact us for a detailed quotation, technical pre-sales consultation, or volume pricing for multi-unit deployments.