Description
HPE Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller
The HPE Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller is an enterprise-grade PCIe storage accelerator designed for HPE Gen10 Plus systems. Built on Broadcom’s MegaRAID technology, this controller delivers robust bandwidth, exceptionally high read IOPS, and strong RAID capabilities to accelerate data-intensive workloads—from databases and virtualization to high-transaction applications. Engineered for reliability and seamless integration into HPE infrastructure, the MR216i-a combines strong performance with proven manageability to help data centers achieve higher throughput, faster rebuilds, and improved storage efficiency.
- The MR216i-a offers impressive performance metrics that make it ideal for demanding environments. With up to 13,700 Mbs of bandwidth, users can move large data sets quickly, enabling faster backups, streaming workloads, and smoother data replication. In addition, the controller delivers around 3 million random read IOPS, ensuring quick access to frequently used data even under heavy load. For RAID operations, the MR216i-a can handle RAID5 random write IOPS around 240,000, helping maintain steady write performance during rebuilds and write-intensive tasks. This combination of bandwidth and IOPS is designed to minimize bottlenecks in storage-heavy applications.
- Designed to work seamlessly within HPE Gen10 Plus environments, the MR216i-a is built to integrate with the broader HPE compute and storage ecosystem. This compatibility reduces deployment friction and simplifies management through familiar HPE workflows. By leveraging Broadcom’s MegaRAID firmware and software ecosystem, administrators can centrally monitor health, performance, and capacity, while taking advantage of proven RAID protection and drive management. The MR216i-a is a natural choice for organizations seeking reliable, enterprise-grade storage acceleration that complements existing HPE servers and back-end storage strategies.
- RAID protection and data integrity sit at the core of the MR216i-a’s capabilities. MegaRAID controllers are designed to optimize rebuild times and protect data across multiple drives, offering RAID levels that balance performance and fault tolerance. In practice, this means faster restores after drive failures and more predictable performance during degraded mode. The MR216i-a supports critical enterprise storage features that help maintain service levels for mission-critical workloads, including proactive health monitoring, error detection, and streamlined firmware updates that minimize downtime during maintenance windows.
- Reliability and longevity are key considerations in enterprise storage, and the MR216i-a is engineered with that in mind. By integrating Broadcom MegaRAID technology with HPE’s trusted hardware platform, this controller delivers consistent performance across operational cycles and varying workload profiles. The design emphasizes stability under sustained load, with robust caching strategies and firmware resilience that help protect against data loss and performance dips during long-running tasks or peak usage periods.
- Easy deployment and ongoing management are supported through familiar MegaRAID and HPE management interfaces. Administrators can plan, deploy, and monitor storage more efficiently, with clear visibility into drive health, cache status, and array configurations. The MR216i-a is built to simplify common administrative tasks, from initial provisioning to routine maintenance, enabling IT teams to allocate more time to strategic initiatives while maintaining tight control over storage performance and reliability.
Technical Details of HPE Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller
- Controller: Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller
- Bus Interface: SAS storage controller connectivity
- Target Workload: Enterprise-grade storage acceleration for HPE Gen10 Plus servers
- Bandwidth: Up to 13,700 Mbs
- Random Read IOPS: Approximately 3,000,000
- RAID5 Random Write IOPS: Approximately 240,000
- Storage Protocols Supported: SAS (legacy and contemporary enterprise SAS environments)
- Designed For: HPE Gen10 Plus infrastructure and compatible storage configurations
- Product Family: HPE Broadcom MegaRAID family
how to install HPE Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller
- Power down the server and disconnect the power sources to prevent any electrical risk during installation.
- Open the server chassis and locate an appropriate PCIe slot that supports a storage controller card. Verify the slot is compatible with the MR216i-a and that there is adequate clearance for the card and any required cooling.
- Install the MR216i-a into the PCIe slot, pressing firmly until the card seats fully and the retention mechanism locks it in place. Reconnect any required riser or cables as specified by the server chassis documentation.
- Connect SAS or SATA backplane cables to the MR216i-a per the server’s backplane layout, ensuring secure and properly oriented connections to drives and drive bays. Route cables neatly to avoid obstruction to fans and other components.
- Close the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Enter the system BIOS or UEFI if prompted to confirm the new PCIe device is recognized, and set any necessary boot or controller priorities as required by your deployment.
- Install or update the MegaRAID management software and drivers from HPE or Broadcom as appropriate for your operating system. Run a health check to verify the controller is online, the cache is enabled, and the drives are visible to the RAID configuration tool.
- Configure your RAID arrays using the MegaRAID configuration utility. Define your preferred RAID levels, drive pairing, cache policies, and hot-spare settings. After configuration, initialize arrays as needed and perform a baseline performance check to ensure expected throughput and reliability.
- Document the configuration for future maintenance, firmware updates, and hardware changes. Establish a routine of monitoring array health and firmware levels to sustain optimal performance and data integrity over time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the HPE Broadcom MegaRAID MR216i-a SAS Controller?
- The MR216i-a is an enterprise-grade MegaRAID SAS controller designed for HPE Gen10 Plus servers. It provides high bandwidth, large-scale I/O performance, and robust RAID capabilities to accelerate storage workloads while protecting data across multiple drives.
- What performance can I expect from this controller?
- According to specifications, it offers up to 13,700 Mbs of bandwidth, approximately 3 million random read IOPS, and around 240,000 random write IOPS for RAID5 configurations. These metrics support demanding applications such as databases, virtualization, and data-intensive analytics.
- Is the MR216i-a compatible with HPE Gen10 Plus platforms?
- Yes. The MR216i-a is designed for HPE Gen10 Plus systems and integrates with HPE storage and management ecosystems to streamline deployment, monitoring, and maintenance.
- What management tools are available for this controller?
- Broadcom MegaRAID provides a management suite that allows configuration, health monitoring, firmware updates, and performance tuning. In an HPE environment, these capabilities are typically integrated with HPE management workflows for centralized control.
- How should I approach installation and maintenance?
- Follow a structured process: safely power down the server, install the card into a compatible PCIe slot, connect required SAS/SATA cables to the drive backplane, boot and verify recognition, install or update the MegaRAID drivers, configure RAID arrays, and establish ongoing monitoring and firmware update routines to preserve performance and reliability.
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