RAID Controllers, NICs & PCIe Cards

RAID Controllers

RAID controllers manage drive arrays for data protection and performance. Each server generation uses a specific controller family:

• Dell PERC — H330/H730P/H740P (14G), H345/H745/H755 (15G), H355/H755/H965i (16G). The controller must match your server generation — PERC models are not cross-compatible.
• HPE Smart Array — P440ar/P840 (Gen9), P408i-a/P816i-a (Gen10). Same generation-matching requirement.
• HBA (Host Bus Adapter) — Passthrough mode for software RAID, Ceph, ZFS, and other software-defined storage. Dell HBA330/HBA355i, HPE H240ar/HBA355i.

When replacing a failed RAID controller, match the exact model to avoid data loss — RAID configuration is stored on the controller's cache.

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Server NICs range from 1GbE to 25GbE and come in RJ-45 (copper) or SFP+/SFP28 (fiber) variants:

• 1GbE — Standard for management networks and low-bandwidth applications
• 10GbE — Standard for VM traffic, iSCSI storage networks, and most data center use
• 25GbE — High-bandwidth for NVMe-oF, high-density virtualization, and modern storage fabrics

Common vendors: Intel (X550, X710, E810), Broadcom (57416, 57412), Mellanox ConnectX-4/5/6. Check your server's PCIe slot availability and height restrictions before ordering.

GPU Accelerators

Enterprise GPU accelerators for AI inference, VDI, and HPC workloads. NVIDIA T4 (75W single-width), A30/A100 (double-width), and legacy Tesla P100/V100. GPU compatibility depends on server model, PCIe slot height, and PSU wattage — contact Enterasource to verify before ordering.

How to Choose the Right Card

1. Match the server generation — RAID controllers and NDC/OCP cards are generation-specific
2. Check PCIe slot availability — low-profile vs full-height, half-length vs full-length
3. Verify PSU headroom — GPUs require significant power (75W-350W per card)
4. Contact Enterasource for compatibility verification

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which RAID controller is compatible with my server?

RAID controllers are generation-specific. Dell PowerEdge 14th Gen servers use PERC H330, H730P, or H740P. 15th Gen uses PERC H345, H745, or H755. 16th Gen uses PERC H355, H755, or H965i. HPE ProLiant Gen9 uses Smart Array P440ar or P840; Gen10 uses P408i-a or P816i-a. Controllers from one generation will not work in another. The embedded controller slot and PCIe add-in card slot also differ by model — verify both the server generation and the slot type. Enterasource confirms controller compatibility before shipping.

What happens if I replace a RAID controller with a different model?

Replacing a RAID controller with a different model will result in loss of the existing RAID configuration and likely render the existing array unreadable. RAID metadata is stored on the controller and is not cross-compatible between models. If you need to replace a failed controller, use the exact same model and firmware version to preserve the array. If switching to a different controller family (e.g., PERC H730P to H745), you must back up all data first, install the new controller, and rebuild the array from scratch.

What is the difference between a RAID controller and an HBA?

A RAID controller manages drive arrays in hardware — it handles parity calculations, caching, and drive rebuilds independently of the operating system. An HBA (Host Bus Adapter) passes drives through directly to the OS with no hardware RAID. HBAs are required for software-defined storage systems like Ceph, ZFS, and vSAN, which need direct access to individual drives. Dell HBA330 (14G) and HBA355i (15G/16G) are the standard HBA options. If your storage design uses hardware RAID, choose a PERC controller. If it uses software RAID or a distributed storage platform, choose an HBA.

Building a complete system? Browse server hard drives and enterprise SSDs to pair with your controller, or configure a complete server with pre-built RAID arrays.