Key Features and Specifications:
- Type:Host Bus Adapter (HBA) - This means it primarily provides connectivity to storage devices and doesn't offer hardware RAID capabilities like a full RAID controller. It presents the connected drives directly to the operating system.
- Interface: PCIe 3.0
- SAS Speed: 12Gb/s per port
- Ports: 2 external SAS ports (SFF-8644 connectors)
- Connectivity:Supports SAS and SATA HDDs and SSDs. It's important to note that while SATA drives can be connected, optimal performance is achieved with SAS drives due to the 12Gb/s SAS interface.
- RAID Support:While it's an HBA, it does offer basic RAID functionality (RAID 0, 1, and 5) through software RAID implementations. However, for more advanced hardware RAID levels and features, you would need a Smart Array RAID controller.
- Use Cases:Ideal for scenarios where you need high-bandwidth connectivity to external storage arrays, tape drives, or for simple internal storage configurations where software RAID is sufficient.
- Management: Managed through the server's operating system and HPE Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) software.
Key Differences Compared to RAID Controllers:
- Lack of Onboard RAID Processing: The H241 offloads RAID processing to the host server's CPU, unlike dedicated RAID controllers that have their own processors for this task.
- No Cache Memory: HBAs like the H241 don't have onboard cache memory, which RAID controllers use to improve performance.
- Limited RAID Functionality: The H241's RAID capabilities are basic compared to full-featured RAID controllers.
In Summary:
The HP H241 is a solid choice for providing high-speed SAS connectivity when you don't need advanced hardware RAID features. It's a cost-effective solution for connecting to external storage or for basic internal storage configurations.