HP 468406-B21 24 Bay 3Gb SAS Expander Controller Card with Cables

Product Description

The HP 468406-B21 SAS Expander Controller Card is a specialized piece of hardware designed to significantly increase the storage capacity of compatible HP ProLiant servers. Its primary function is to act as an intermediary, allowing a single host SAS controller port to connect to a much larger number of SAS drives. This expander card supports up to 24 SAS drives, making it ideal for configurations requiring extensive internal storage without needing to add multiple host controllers or external enclosures. Operating at 3Gb/s SAS speeds, this expander card ensures that connected drives can communicate effectively with the server's system. It is crucial to note that this is an expander, not a RAID controller itself; it requires connection to a host SAS controller (like a Smart Array controller) that manages the RAID functions and presents the drives to the operating system. The card comes bundled with the necessary cables to facilitate its integration into the server's internal drive bays. This solution is particularly valuable for server models that have a limited number of onboard SAS ports but offer physical space for numerous hard drives. By deploying the 468406-B21, businesses can achieve higher storage density within a single server chassis, reducing complexity and potentially lowering costs associated with expanding storage. It is a key component for building high-capacity storage servers, file servers, or direct-attached storage solutions within HP's server ecosystem.