HP ProLiant AMD-based 100-series G7 servers

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The SAS-2 specification is compatible with both Serial SCSI and Serial ATA protocols for
communicating commands to SAS and SATA devices. SAS-2 compliant controllers are fully
compatible with 1.5-Gb/s and 3.0-Gb/s SATA technology.
For the most up-to-date listing of HP Smart Array controllers that support the SAS-2 specification, see
the Smart Array controller matrix: http://www.hp.com/products/smartarray
HP Smart Array controllers based on PCIe 2.0
T
he Smart Array PCIe 2.0-based controllers are modular solutions with a common form factor,
hardware, and firmware. Any of the ProLiant 300-series G6 and G7 servers can use PCIe 2.0-based
controllers. With the exception of the DL320 G6 and ML330 G6 servers, the ProLiant 300-series G6
and G7 servers incorporate embedded HP Smart Array P410i/Zero Memory Controllers (RAID
0/1/1+0). As a standard entry level RAID, HP designed the Smart Array 410i with a unique Zero
Memory RAID (ZMR) capability. Administrators can choose the cache size and can choose to include
the battery backed write cache (BBWC) or the flash-backed write-cache (FBWC). These options allow
users to upgrade from ZMR to 512 MB BBWC or 1GB FBWC.
Battery backed write cache
T
he BBWC system continues to be an option for capacity expansion (adding one or more physical
disks to an existing array). The Smart Array controller recalculates parity and balances the data
across all the disks. During the expansion, the BBWC preserves data and logical structures on the
array. The HP 650 mAh P-Series battery extends battery life up to 48 hours before recharging
becomes necessary.
Flash-backed write cache
HP introduced
the flash-backed write-cache (FBWC) system in the fourth quarter of 2009. The FBWC
uses NAND
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flash devices to retain cache data and super-capacitors (Super-caps) instead of batteries
to provide power during a power loss. The FBWC offers significant advantages over the HP Battery-
backed write-cache (BBWC) system. Since the FBWC writes the contents of memory to flash devices,
there is no longer a 48-hour battery life limitation and the data will be posted to the disk drive on the
next power up.
The FBWC DDR2 mini-DIMM cache module is specifically designed for the present generation of
PCIe2.0, SAS-based Smart Array controllers based on the PMC PM8011 SAS SRC 8x6G RAID on a
chip (RoC). The primary FBWC components consist of the cache module, Super-caps with integrated
charger, and RoC located on the system board.
At the time of this writing, the FBWC cache is supported on the Smart Array P410, P410i, P411,
P212, P812, and P712m.
For more information on the flash-backed write cache, see the “HP Smart Array Controller technology
brief” at
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/S
upportManual/c00687518/c00687518.pdf
Zero Memory RAID
Using Ze
ro Memory RAID (ZMR), administrators can create a RAID 0-1 configuration without
additional memory. Smart Array P410, P411, and P212 controllers include ZMR. The P212 controller
does not include ZMR on the external connector. ZMR supports up to eight drives in Zero Memory
Mode, or seven drives and one tape drive. ZMR mode does not support Modular Smart Array (MSA)
products. ZMR does not include caching; however, all systems can be upgraded to a BBWC or
FBWC memory module that can significantly increase performance.
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Non-volatile semiconductor memory that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed. No power is needed to maintain
data stored in the chip