HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache

Overview

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. 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.

Controller Support

For HPE Gen10 servers

For HPE Gen9 servers

For HPE Gen8 servers

*See Caching Features section on Page 3 for more details.

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

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).

Part Number: D7S26A

Flexible-Quantity License

HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Multiple Servers) LTU

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).

Part Number: D7S27A

Flexible-Quantity Electronic License

HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Multiple Servers) E-LTU

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).

Part Number: D7S27AAE

Standard Features

Key Features

• Up to 32 SSD Cache volumes
• Up to 64 total number of HDD volumes and cache volumes
• Maximum logical drive size is 281 TB
• 1 TB maximum SSD SmartCache capacity per controller
• Supported with all ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 supported SSDs
• See https://www.hpe.com/servers/solidstate for more details

Caching Features

HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache provides the following caching support:

• Write-through Cache Policy: Write-through caching accelerates read operations. All write operations go to Primary Source (HDDs); write operations may also go to the Cache (SSDs). Write operations may be slower compared to a configuration without Write-through Cache.
• Write-back Cache Policy: Write-back caching accelerates both read and write operations. Writes may be cached on the Cache (SSDs) and written to the Primary Storage (HDDs) at a later point of time.

Requirements

Server

• HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers
• HPE ProLiant Gen9 servers
• HPE ProLiant Gen8 servers
• HPE Synergy Gen10 compute modules
• HPE Synergy Gen9 compute modules

Drive

• Minimum one HDD and one SSD (SAS or SATA)

Controller

• HPE Smart Array controller with 1GB or greater Flash-Backed Write Cache (FBWC)
• Minimum Smart Array controller firmware version: see table on page 1

Configuration Utility

• Minimum HPE SSA version:
  • 1.0 version or later for write-through SmartCache
  • 2.0.22.0 or later for write-back SmartCache
• Minimum ACU version: 9.40.12.0 version or later

Features and Benefits

HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache provides the following features and benefits:

• Workload Acceleration - Workload acceleration performance by caching hot data on SSDs.
• Simplified Deployment - Seamless integration into your datacenter with no application or operating system changes.
• Unified Management - Manage your array and HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache through the Array Configuration Utility (ACU) or HPE Smart Storage Administrator (HPE SSA).
• Efficient Operations - Performance and efficiency gains utilizing your existing HPE ProLiant server technology.
• RAID on cache volume (SSDs) - RAID 0 and 1 are supported on Smart Array Px2x and Px3x series of controllers. RAID 5 is supported with write-back policy on Px3x series of controllers with minimum firmware version 3.54. On Smart Array Gen9 and Gen10 controllers, RAID 0, 1 and 10 are supported with both write-through and write-back policy. On Smart Array Gen9 and 10 controller, RAID 5 is supported with write-back policy only.

SmartCache Elements

• Bulk Storage - The first element is the bulk storage device, which is any supported SSD or HDD with SAS or SATA interface, attached to the HPE Smart Array controller.
• Accelerator - The second element is the accelerator, which is any supported SAS or SATA SSD device that caches the data. The capacity of the accelerator must be less than or equal to the capacity of the bulk storage device.
• Metadata - The final element is the metadata, which information is held in a relatively small storage area that maps the location of information residing on the accelerator and bulk storage devices.

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

Summary of Changes