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HPE Boot Device Options QuickSpecs

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

    HPE Boot Device Options come in different form factors and are a dedicated hardware RAID 1 solution for those who wish to separate their data plane from their OS plane.


    The NS204i meets the certification requirements of VMware and Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct. Refer to the included server compatibility matrix for each of the different form factors. Server platforms support a single NS204i OS boot device. This RAID optimized SSD flash based solution utilizes the Windows, Linux, or VMware NVMe inbox drivers for easy set up and reliability. The NS204i OS boot device does not consume any drive bay, thus making all of the bays available for data storage.

    Overview

    HPE Boot Device Options

    The HPE NS204i-u is a universal installation hot plug OS boot device that includes two 480 GB M.2 NVMe SSDs. This device no longer takes up a PCIe slot, and auto-creates RAID1 volume. The HPE NS204i-u Gen11 is compatible with Gen11 platforms, and the NS204i-u V2 is compatible with DL365, DL385 Gen11, and Gen12 Platforms.


    The HPE NS204i-p and the NS204i-d (SY480 Gen10 Plus) boot devices includes two 480 GB M.2 NVMe SSDs. Two 22110 M.2 NVMe SSDs must be added to the NS204i-r riser and the NS204i-t Boot Controller. The NS204i boot device enables customers to mirror their OS through dedicated RAID 1.


    HPE NS204i presents itself to your management interface as a single directly connected NVMe drive, not a RAID controller. As the NS204i is a hardware boot device, only RAID 1 mode is supported and it will not operate in any other RAID mode. HPE NS204i is “plug-and-play” with no need to configure or manage the device. Always ensure you are running the latest iLO version and update server BIOS, FW and drivers when they become available.


    Notes:

    – In some documentation and GUIs, the NS204i may be referred to as a controller or a device.

    – HPE NS204i-d Synergy Gen11 Boot Controller does not support Ubuntu

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    Key Features

    • – Automatic RAID 1 creation
    • – Hardware RAID 1 with automatic drive rebuild
    • – (2) 480 GB NVMe M.2 SSDs included with the NS204i-p and NS204i-d (SY480 Gen10 Plus option) controllers
    • – (2) On-board M.2 drive bays
    • – Utilizes native OS NVMe drivers – no custom driver needed
    • – Full HPE iLO integration for Redfish, Alerts, GUI
    • – Supports Intel Gen10 and Intel and AMD Gen10 Plus platforms (see support matrix for details)

    Models

    HPE NS204i-u v2 480GB NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device

    P78279-B21

    HPE NS204i-u v2 960GB NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device

    P81160-B21

    HPE NS204i-u v2 960GB NVMe SED Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device

    P81162-B21

    HPE NS204i-u Gen11 NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device

    P48183-B21

    HPE NS204i-p x2 Lanes NVMe PCIe3 x8 OS Boot Device

    P12965-B21

    HPE NS204i-t Gen10 Plus x2 Lanes NVMe PCIe 3 x8 Boot Controller

    P20292-B21

    HPE Synergy NS204i-d Gen11 NVMe Boot Storage Device

    P39568-B21

    M.2 Drive – Required for NS204i-r Riser

    HPE 480GB NVMe Gen3 Mainstream Performance Read Intensive M.2 Multi Vendor SSD

    P40513-B21

    HPE Boot Device Options

    XXXXXX-X21 is SKU designation formed by a common six digit part number and a -X21 suffix that identifies a SKU that is available across multiple server family lines. Refer to the table below to find the SKU suffix that applies to the specific server product line this option can be ordered with.

    -B21

    -H21

    -K21

    COMPUTE Server Line

    SPECIALIZED COMPUTE Server Line

    STORAGE Line

    HPE Cloudline CL2100/CL2200/CL2800/CL3100/CL4100/CL5200/CL5800 Servers

    HPE Composable Cloud for ProLiant DL

    HPE ProLiant BL460c/BL660c Servers

    HPE ProLiant DL20/DL160/DL180 Servers

    HPE ProLiant DL325/DL345/DL365/DL360/DL380/DL385/DL560/DL580 Servers

    HPE ProLiant DX360/DX380 Servers

    HPE ProLiant MicroServer

    HPE ProLiant for Microsoft Azure Stack

    HPE ProLiant ML30/ML110/ML350 Servers

    HPE Synergy 480/660 Systems

    HPE ProLiant DX170r/DX190r, DX2000 Servers

    HPE ProLiant DX560 Gen10 server

    HPE ProLiant DX4200 Gen10 server

    HPE Apollo 35/40/70 Systems

    HPE Apollo 2000/6000 Servers

    HPE XL170r/XL190r/XL270d (Apollo 6500) Gen10 Server for BlueData Software

    HPE Converged System 300/500/700/750

    HPE Edgeline Systems and Servers

    HPE Integrity BL860c i6/BL870c i6/BL890c i6 Server Blades

    HPE Integrity MC990 X Server

    HPE Integrity rx2800 i6 Server

    HPE Integrity Superdome

    HPE SGI 8600 System

    HPE Solutions for SAP HANA (TDI)

    HPE Apollo 4200 Gen9/Gen10 Servers

    HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10 LFF Server for BlueData Software

    HPE Apollo 4510 Gen10 System

    HPE D2220sb/D2500sb Storage Blade

    HPE D3000/D6020/D8000 Disk Enclosures

    HPE Scalable Object Storage with Scality RING

    HPE SimpliVity 2600

    HPE SimpliVity 325/380 Gen10

    HPE Storage File Controllers

    HPE StoreEasy 1460/1560/1650/1660/1860


    Disclaimer: This may not be a complete listing of applicable servers

    Standard Features

    Software Updates

    Always ensure you are operating with the latest iLO, system BIOS, and controller firmware for your server and OS.


    For optimal performance:

    • – iLO 5 2.30 or later
    • – BIOS 2.36 or later for Gen10 Servers

    Operating Systems and Virtualization Software Support for HPE Servers

    HPE servers are designed for seamless integration with partner Operating Systems and Virtualization Software. By collaborating closely with our partners, we ensure that their products are optimized, certified, and fully supported within your HPE server environment.

    Notes: HPE NS204i-d Synergy Gen11 Boot Controller does not support Ubuntu


    Access the certified and supported servers for each of the OS and Virtualization software: HPE Servers Support & Certification Matrices

    Service and Support

    HPE Services

    No matter where you are in your digital transformation journey, you can count on HPE Services to deliver the expertise you need when, where, and how you need it. From planning to deployment, ongoing operations and beyond, our experts can help you realize your digital ambitions.

    https://www.hpe.com/services


    Consulting Services

    No matter where you are in your journey to hybrid cloud, experts can help you map out your next steps. From determining what workloads should live where, to handling governance and compliance, to managing costs, our experts can help you optimize your operations.

    https://www.hpe.com/services/consulting


    HPE Managed Services

    HPE runs your IT operations, providing services that monitor, operate, and optimize your infrastructure and applications, delivered consistently and globally to give you unified control and let you focus on innovation.

    HPE Managed Services | HPE


    Operational services

    Optimize your entire IT environment and drive innovation. Manage day-to-day IT operational tasks while freeing up valuable time and resources. Meet service-level targets and business objectives with features designed to drive better business outcomes.

    https://www.hpe.com/services/operational


    HPE Complete Care Service

    HPE Complete Care Service is a modular, edge-to-cloud IT environment service designed to help optimize your entire IT environment and achieve agreed upon IT outcomes and business goals through a personalized experience. All delivered by an assigned team of HPE Services experts. HPE Complete Care Service provides:

    • – A complete coverage approach -- edge to cloud
    • – An assigned HPE team
    • – Modular and fully personalized engagement
    • – Enhanced Incident Management experience with priority access
    • – Digitally enabled and AI driven customer experience

    https://www.hpe.com/services/completecare


    HPE Tech Care Service

    HPE Tech Care Service is the operational support service experience for HPE products. The service goes beyond traditional support by providing access to product specific experts, an AI driven digital experience, and general technical guidance to not only reduce risk but constantly search for ways to do things better. HPE Tech Care Service delivers a customer-centric, AI driven, and digitally enabled customer experience to move your business forward. HPE Tech Care Service is available in three response levels. Basic, which provides 9x5 business hour availability and a 2-hour response time. Essential which provides a 15-minute response time 24x7 for most enterprise level customers, and Critical which includes a 6-hour repair commitment where available and outage management response for severity 1 incidents.

    https://www.hpe.com/services/techcare

    HPE Lifecycle Services

    HPE Lifecycle Services provide a variety of options to help maintain your HPE systems and solutions at all stages of the product lifecycle. A few popular examples include:

    • – Lifecycle Install and Startup Services: Various levels for physical installation and power on, remote access setup, installation and startup, and enhanced installation services with the operating system.
    • – HPE Firmware Update Analysis Service: Recommendations for firmware revision levels for selected HPE products, taking into account the relevant revision dependencies within your IT environment.
    • – HPE Firmware Update Implementation Service: Implementation of firmware updates for selected HPE server, storage, and solution products, taking into account the relevant revision dependencies within your IT environment.
    • – Implementation assistance services: Highly trained technical service specialists to assist you with a variety of activities, ranging from design, implementation, and platform deployment to consolidation, migration, project management, and onsite technical forums.
    • – HPE Service Credits: Access to prepaid services for flexibility to choose from a variety of specialized service activities, including assessments, performance maintenance reviews, firmware management, professional services, and operational best practices.

    Notes: To review the list of Lifecycle Services available for your product go to:

    https://www.hpe.com/services/lifecycle


    For a list of the most frequently purchased services using service credits, see the HPE Service Credits Menu


    Other Related Services from HPE Services


    HPE Education Services

    Training and certification designed for IT and business professionals across all industries. Broad catalogue of course offerings to expand skills and proficiencies in topics ranging from cloud and cybersecurity to AI and DevOps. Create learning paths to expand proficiency in a specific subject. Schedule training in a way that works best for your business with flexible continuous learning options.

    https://www.hpe.com/services/training


    Defective Media Retention

    An option available with HPE Complete Care Service and HPE Tech Care Service and applies only to Disk or eligible SSD/Flash Drives replaced by HPE due to malfunction.


    Consult your HPE Sales Representative or Authorized Channel Partner of choice for any additional questions and service options.


    Parts and Materials

    HPE will provide HPE-supported replacement parts and materials necessary to maintain the covered hardware product in operating condition, including parts and materials for available and recommended engineering improvements.


    Parts and components that have reached their maximum supported lifetime and/or the maximum usage limitations as set forth in the manufacturer's operating manual, product QuickSpecs, or the technical product data sheet will not be provided, repaired, or replaced as part of these services.


    How to Purchase Services

    Services are sold by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Authorized Service Partners:

    • – Services for customers purchasing from HPE or an enterprise reseller are quoted using HPE order configuration tools.
    • – Customers purchasing from a commercial reseller can find services at https://ssc.hpe.com/portal/site/ssc/

    AI Powered and Digitally Enabled Support Experience

    Achieve faster time to resolution with access to product-specific resources and expertise through a digital and data driven customer experience


    Sign into the HPE Support Center experience, featuring streamlined self-serve case creation and management capabilities with inline knowledge recommendations. You will also find personalized task alerts and powerful troubleshooting support through an intelligent virtual agent with seamless transition when needed to a live support agent.

    https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/home/signin

    Consume IT On Your Terms

    HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform brings the cloud experience directly to your apps and data wherever they are—the edge, colocations, or your data center. It delivers cloud services for on-premises IT infrastructure specifically tailored to your most demanding workloads. With a pay-per-use, scalable, point-and-click self-service experience that is managed for you, HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform accelerates digital transformation in a distributed, edge-to-cloud world

    • – Get faster time to market
    • – Save on TCO, align costs to business
    • – Scale quickly, meet unpredictable demand
    • – Simplify IT operations across your data centers and clouds

    To learn more about HPE Services, please contact your Hewlett Packard Enterprise sales representative or Hewlett Packard Enterprise Authorized Channel Partner. Contact information for a representative in your area can be found at "Contact HPE" https://www.hpe.com/us/en/contact-hpe.html


    For more information: http://www.hpe.com/services

    Technical Specifications

    HPE NS204i

    Function

    OS boot only

    Form Factor

    PCIe HHHL card, mezzanine or 1U riser

    RAID Mode

    Preconfigured hardware RAID 1

    SSD

    480/960 GB, read intensive, enterprise-class with Power Loss Protection (PLP).

    SSDs must be added to the NS204i-r riser and NS204i-t boot controller

    SSD form factor

    22110

    Drive writes per day (dwpd)

    1

    PCIe Support

    Gen 3

    PCIe Host Interface

    NS204i-p: x8 physical, x4 electrical

    Physical Drives Required

    2

    NVMe RAID

    Supported, hardware RAID 1 only

    Boot Mode

    UEFI

    Security

    FW RoT

    Platform support

    HPE Intel Gen10 and Intel and AMD Gen10 Plus (see Platform Support matrix

    for details)

    What’s in the box

    NS204i-p: (1) PCIe HHHL card, (2) NVMe M.2 SSDs, full height bracket, half height bracket, installation instructions

    NS204i-d: (1) Boot Controller SY480 Gen10 Plus, (2) NVMe M.2 SSDs, installation instructions

    NS204i-r: (1) DL36x Gen10 Plus riser, installation instructions - SSDs not included NS204i-t: (1) Apollo boot controller, installation instructions – SSDs not included

    Driver and Firmware

    Uses native OS NVMe drivers. No separate driver required.

    OS supported

    VMware, Linux, Windows See Support table for details.

    HPE OneView support

    Visible, not managablemanageable

    Storage Management Software support

    Visible, not managablemanageable

    Compliance

    RoHS, Lot 9

    Warranty

    3 years, parts only. Does not include SSD wear out.

    Environmentally friendly Products and Approach End-of Life Management and Recycling

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers end-of-life product return, trade-in, and recycling programs, in many geographic areas, for our products. Products returned to Hewlett Packard Enterprise will be recycled, recovered or disposed of in a responsible manner.


    The European Union Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive [EU WEEE] (2002/95/EC) requires

    manufacturers to provide treatment information for each product type for use by treatment facilities. This information (product disassembly instructions) is posted on the Hewlett Packard Enterprise web site. These instructions may be used by recyclers and other WEEE treatment facilities as well as Hewlett Packard Enterprise OEM customers who integrate and re-sell Hewlett Packard Enterprise equipment.

    Summary of Changes

    Date

    Version History

    Action

    Description of Change

    10-Nov-2025

    Changed

    Overview section was updated.

    Removed

    HPE ProLiant DL36X Gen10 Plus x16/x8 PCIe M.2 NS204i-r Riser Kit obsolete SKU.

    28-Jul-2025

    Changed

    Technical specifications Section was updated (HPE NS204i)

    07-Jul-2025

    Changed

    Models Section was updated with new SKUs,

    Added

    SKUs were added in Models Section: P81160-B21, P81162-B21

    27-May-2025

    Changed

    Notes updated (page 1 & 5), SKU P48183-21 was removed from Models

    02-Dec-2024

    Changed

    QuickSpecs Name was updated

    16-Sep-2024

    Changed

    Operating Systems information was updated.

    04-Dec-2023

    Changed

    Service and Support Section was updated

    05-Sep-2023

    Changed

    Standard Features & Overview Sections were updated

    05-Jun-2023

    Changed

    Overview, Standard Features and Service and Support sections were updated.

    10-Nov-2022

    Changed

    Models & Service and Support Sections were updated

    06-Sep-2022

    Changed

    Models Section was updated

    06-Dec-2021

    Changed

    Added NS204i-r, NS204i-d, and NS204i-t products

    15-Nov-2021

    Changed

    Models & Service and Support Sections were updated

    09-Nov-2020

    Changed

    Technical Specifications was updated

    28-Sep-2020

    New

    New QuickSpecs

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