The DL380 Gen10 is a 2U server that HPE sold with several drive layouts. Which drive you can fit depends on three things: the bay type (small 2.5-inch SFF or large 3.5-inch LFF), the controller that connects the bays, and the drive interface (SATA, SAS or NVMe). This guide summarizes what HPE’s own QuickSpecs for the server say, and links to the matching drive categories.
1. Check the bay layout first
HPE lists these chassis types for the DL380 Gen10:
- 8 SFF (2.5-inch) with an optional Universal Media Bay and optional SFF or NVMe drive-bay options. It can be extended with additional 8-drive boxes to 16 or 24 SFF.
- 24 SFF front bays, with an optional 6-drive rear bay for up to 30 SFF drives.
- 8 LFF (3.5-inch) with the Universal Media Bay.
- 12 LFF, with an optional 4-drive LFF mid-tray and an optional rear bay of 3 LFF plus 2 SFF drives, for up to 19 LFF and 2 SFF drives in total.
Pick SFF drives for SFF bays and LFF drives for LFF bays. HPE sells most drives in a Smart Carrier (SC for SFF; SCC for LFF) that slides into the bay.
2. Drive types HPE lists for this server
| Class | Interface | Form factor |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise HDD (10K, 15K) | 12G SAS | SFF |
| Midline HDD (7.2K) | 12G SAS and 6G SATA | SFF and LFF |
| Read Intensive, Mixed Use and Write Intensive SSD | 12G SAS | SFF (Mixed Use also LFF) |
| Read Intensive and Mixed Use SSD | 6G SATA | SFF and LFF |
| Read Intensive and Mixed Use SSD | 6G SATA | M.2 2280 |
| Read Intensive, Mixed Use and Write Intensive SSD | NVMe | SFF |
Example parts from HPE’s list: 872481-B21 (1.8 TB SAS 12G Enterprise 10K SFF HDD), 872479-B21 (1.2 TB SAS 12G Enterprise 10K SFF HDD), P09712-B21 (480 GB SATA 6G Mixed Use SFF SSD), P09718-B21 (960 GB SATA 6G Mixed Use LFF SSD) and 875488-B21 (240 GB SATA 6G Mixed Use M.2 2280 SSD).
3. Match the drive to the controller
- S100i SR Gen10 software RAID. Every DL380 Gen10 includes it. It is a SATA software-RAID controller on 14 embedded SATA ports, of which 12 are usable because two are used by the M.2 slots on the primary riser. HPE notes that it runs in UEFI mode only, is off by default and must be enabled, and supports Windows only (Linux users can use HPE’s in-distro two-disk RAID 1 boot option).
- Essential RAID: Smart Array E208i-a, E208i-p and E208e-p SR Gen10.
- Performance RAID: Smart Array P408i-a, P408i-p, P408e-p and P816i-a SR Gen10. These need either the HPE Smart Hybrid Capacitor (P02377-B21) or the HPE Smart Storage Battery (P01366-B21), sold separately.
- M.2 SATA drives sit on the primary riser, use the S100i only and support software RAID only.
- NVMe drives are not supported by HPE Smart Array controllers, require the High Performance Fan kit (867810-B21), and when NVMe drives are selected only one double-wide graphics card is supported.
In practice: SATA drives work on the embedded S100i or on a Smart Array controller; SAS drives need a Smart Array (or other SAS-capable) controller; NVMe drives use their own PCIe connection.
4. Mixing drives
HPE staff have stated on the HPE Community that SAS and SATA drives can be attached to the same controller but cannot be combined in the same array or logical drive. Plan separate arrays for SAS and SATA.
5. Maximum internal storage HPE lists
Examples from HPE’s table: up to 24+6 SFF SAS HDDs (with the optional rear cage), up to 12+4+3 LFF HDDs plus 2 SFF SSDs (with mid-tray and rear cage), and up to 20 NVMe SFF SSDs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a SATA SSD in a SAS bay?
Yes, if the controller supports SATA (the S100i and the Smart Array controllers do) and the drive is in an HPE Smart Carrier. Keep SAS and SATA in separate arrays.
What do RI, MU and WI mean?
Read Intensive, Mixed Use and Write Intensive: HPE’s endurance classes for SSDs.
What is the difference between -B21 and -001?
The -B21 number is the option kit you order; the -001 number is the spare number for the same part.
Where do I confirm my exact configuration?
In the QuickSpecs for your DL380 Gen10 model and the drive’s own HPE listing; send us your server model and we confirm fit with your quote.
Related drives
HPE server SSDs · HPE server hard drives · HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 parts · Request a quote
Sources: HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Server QuickSpecs (U.S. version) and HPE Community answers on SAS/SATA mixing. Check your own server’s QuickSpecs for its exact configuration.