1

I feel like I’m missing something on this one.

The thing is, I’ve got an HPE DL 380 G10 24 SFF with this controller, right now, this controller is handling 2 + 12 SSDs. So that’s 14 SSDs.

From the information I’ve gathered, the 408 does have “8 internal lanes”, so… how’s this possible? (https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/PSN1010026915WWEN)

Actually, what I want to know if I can plug another 10 SSDs in this server on the empty bays. I don’t want to pop the lid to check if the backplane is cabled.

Comming from Dell servers I’ve had to install multiple controllers to address all the drives in the chassis, so this one is new for me.

I’m puzzled.

5 Spice ups
(ich.ni.san) 2

Apparently, SAS controllers can handle more than one physical drive per lane through the use of SAS expanders.

Google

SAS expander

for many links regarding this.

I’m assuming that’s what is in use in your sever.

2 Spice ups
3

Even though this would give you a direct answer, very quickly.

Typically if you buy a server with 24 bays empty, look at your order spec, it should list if the expander and SAS cables were installed.

If the server has 24 days but they are blanked with a cover and no dummy caddies, then it’s usually not configured to support all 24 without buying new hardware.

The controller itself has eight internal SAS lanes across two x4 internal Mini-SAS ports

Pop the lid and see how many cables you have to the backplane - if you’ve got 3, you’re probably OK, if you’ve got 2, you likely need an expander and SAS cables.

That said, why not populate a slot and see if it shows up?

2 Spice ups
4

If it is currently using 14 drives right now, you probably have two 8 bay (including expander) and I remember correctly with my DL380s, there was a way to either add two more drives either in the front or the back in the mixed utility cage if you bought that.

1 Spice up
5

You should have iLO advanced or something so you can go and look and see under System Information then device inventory. It should not only show you the SAS expander plugged in but which PCI-E slot it occupies (should be slot 3 per install instructions).

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=a00019109en_us&page=GUID-41BE8B1D-FCBB-4F35-BFFA-BAC8A6B3B5F1.html

1 Spice up
6

The server it seems to have 2x8 bays and there is support for 1 more drive cage on the front and 6 more in the back. Both of these would require separate controllers. This is dependent on the configuration. 826690-B21 and 826691-B21

1 Spice up
7

Well I do agree that opening the lid would be easier, I was hoping to avoid that with a straightforward “sure you can”… you can’t always get what you want I guess.

Screen
Screen1402×523 66.6 KB

This is the server itself, and based on your input, and those blanks, I’d say I might be able to add another 2 drives, but those last 8 drives in the third cage, I have some serious doubts.

8

I’ve seen one before.

Why do you doubt they would work?

What was on your order slip?

A controllers SAS port can usually control 8 drives per channel, given you have 6 in use on the second part of the cage, you will for sure be able to use the last 2, giving you 16.

I’m not sure why you have doubts about the last 8 but since lifting the lid will confirm if the backplane has 3 cables in about 5 seconds, that would be my go to, and you can do this while it’s in operation, just don’t go poking around.

I’m not sure why you don’t want to pop the lid.

The answer is yes you can use them - there’s your direct reply, the bigger question is, whether you can use them as is, or if you need a SAS expander and SAS cables.

1 Spice up
9

have you removed the drive blanks temporarily? looked inside to see if a controller backplane is in there? don’t have to remove the case for that one. I would not leave the blanks out long, say no more than five minutes which should be plenty if you have a flashlight and decent vision. the fans will rev up pretty quick unless you got the air conditioning cranked up pretty high.

10

Me neither. Everything else is speculation (well, maybe more than speculation as some of the posters really know what they are talking about) but still…

Inquiry procedure:

  1. Pop lid
  2. Have answer
11

Hey, apologies for the delay.
So, summing up, everything is cabled and connected through a SAS Expander (you never know).
So, yes, I should have opened the lid sooner, and no, the “number” of channels of the controler itself can(not) be a definitive answer about the max number of drives.

This is also the information inside the ILo
SK2025-05-27 134240

Thank you!