Table of Contents
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache is a controller-based caching solution in a Direct Attached Storage (DAS) environment that caches the most frequently accessed data ("hot" data) onto lower latency high performing SSDs to dynamically accelerate application workloads.
SmartCache consists of firmware that provides the caching feature within the Smart Array controllers and requires a license key for activation.
Overview
SmartCache is offered on HPE Smart Array P-series controllers for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, and HPE Synergy Gen9 and Gen10 compute modules.
| | SmartCache License | Write-back support* | Write-through support* | Minimum firmware version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For HPE Gen10 servers | | | | |
| HPE Smart Array P816-a Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P416ie-m Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P408i-m Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P408i-p Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P408e-p Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P408i-a Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| For HPE Gen9 servers | | | | |
| HPE Smart Array P841 Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P840 Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P840ar Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P741m Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P542D Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P441 Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P440 Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P440ar Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | Any |
| For HPE Gen8 servers | | | | |
| HPE Smart Array P830 Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | 3.54 |
| HPE Smart Array P822 Controller | Standard | | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P731m Controller | Standard | ✓ | ✓ | 3.54 |
| HPE Smart Array P721m Controller | Standard | | ✓ | Any |
| HPE Smart Array P431 Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | 3.54 |
| HPE Smart Array P430 Controller | Optional | ✓ | ✓ | 3.54 |
| HPE Smart Array P421 Controller | Optional | | ✓ | 3.42 |
| HPE Smart Array P420 Controller | Optional | | ✓ | 3.42 |
| HPE Smart Array P420i Controller | Optional | | ✓ | 3.42 |
Models
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache
- – One license is required for every server to be deployed.
- – Each license includes one year of 24x7 HPE Software Technical Support Services.
- – Licenses are non-transferable. Full details are contained in the End User License Agreement.
| Single-Server License | |
| HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Single Server) LTU | D7S26A |
| Used to purchase a license for one server. Contains one license per server, a printed license entitlement certificate, end user license agreement, and license key installation card delivered via physical shipment. The license entitlement certificate must be redeemed online or via fax in order to obtain the license activation key(s). | |
Flexible-Quantity License
Used to purchase multiple licenses with a single activation key. Contains license(s) for a customer-defined quantity of servers, a license entitlement certificate for the quantity of licenses purchased, end user license agreement, and license key installation card delivered via physical shipment. The license entitlement certificate must be redeemed online or via fax in order to obtain the license activation key(s).
Flexible-Quantity Electronic License
Used to purchase multiple licenses with a single activation key. Contains license(s) for a customer-defined quantity of servers, a license entitlement certificate for the quantity of licenses purchased, end user license agreement, and license key installation information delivered via e-mail. The license entitlement certificate must be redeemed online or via fax in order to obtain the license activation key(s).
Service and Support
For the most up-to-date information on HPE Services, please refer to the HPE Services – Supplemental QuickSpecs, which provides a comprehensive and regularly updated overview of available services.
Standard Features
| Key Features | – Up to 32 SSD Cache volumes – Up to 64 total number of HDD volumes and cache volumes
– 1 TB maximum SSD SmartCache capacity per controller – Supported with all ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 supported SSDs See http://www.hpe.com/servers/solidstate for more details | |
| Caching Features | HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache provides the following caching support:
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| Requirements | Server | |
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| Drive | ||
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| Controller | ||
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| Configuration Utility | ||
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| SmartCache Line Size There is a choice of SmartCache cache line size. Please use this table to determine the optimal SmartCache line size. The line size increases the total amount of SmartCache and also increases the amount of space a single I/O consumes (i.e., the # of cache lines does not grow). | ||
| SmartCache line size | SmartCache capacity | |
| 64 KiB (default) | 1.7 TB | |
| 128 KiB | 3.4 TB | |
| 256 KiB | 6.8 TB | |
| Features and Benefits | HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache provides the following features and benefits:
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| SmartCache Elements |
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| HPE Software Support | Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers a number of software support services, many of which are provided to customers at no additional charge. Software Technical Support Service HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache includes one year of 24 x 7 HPE Software Technical Support Service. This service provides access to Hewlett Packard Enterprise technical resources for help in resolving software implementation or operations problems. The service also provides access to reference manuals either in electronic form or on physical media as they are made available from HPE. (Customers who purchase an electronic license to use are eligible for electronic updates only.) For more information on Hewlett Packard Enterprise support services, contact any of our worldwide sales offices or visit the following website: www.hpe.com/services/support | |
Summary of Changes
| Date | Version History | Action | Description of Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21-Sep-2026 | Changed | QuickSpecs maintenance updates. | |
| 16-Feb-2026 | Changed | New branding applied to document. | |
| 04-Dec-2023 | Changed | Service and Support section was updated. | |
| 15-Nov-2019 | Changed | Service and Support section was updated. | |
| 07-Oct-2019 | Changed | Models section was updated. | |
| 05-Mar-2018 | Changed | Models descriptions were updated. | |
| 05-Feb-2018 | Changed | Added compatibility with Gen10 controllers and servers. Included note that the maximum logical drive size is 281 TB. | |
| 11-Jul-2017 | Changed | Added compatibility with Gen10 controllers and servers. Overview, Models, and Standard Features were updated. Note the name was changed to HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache. | |
| 07-Oct-2016 | Added | Added RAID 1 and 5 support for Px3x controllers with minimum firmware version 3.54. | |
| 19-Aug-2016 | Added | New Models section was added to the QuickSpecs. | |
| Changed | Overview and Standard Features were revised. | ||
| 24-Jul-2015 | Changed | Overview, Standard Features, and Technical Specifications sections were revised. | |
| 30-Jan-2015 | Removed | Removed Activation Key Agreement. | |
| 09-Sep-2014 | Changes | Overview, Standard Features and Technical Specifications sections were revised. | |
| 31-Mar-2014 | Changes | Updated the Overview and Technical Specifications section. | |
| 23-Aug-2013 | Changes | Updated the Overview and Technical Specifications section. | |
| 01-Mar-2013 | Changes | Updated the Overview and Technical Specifications section. | |
| 19-Feb-2013 | New | Initial version. |
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For hard drives, 1GB = 1 billion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less.
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