HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus 8SFF to 16SFF U.3 Smart Carrier Drive Cage Upgrade Kit

Elevate your HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus storage capabilities with this purpose-built drive cage upgrade kit. It seamlessly transforms an 8‑SFF backplane into a 16‑SFF U.3 Smart Carrier configuration, delivering doubled drive bays, flexible drive types, and optimized data throughput for demanding workloads. Engineered for reliability, serviceability, and smooth integration with HP’s management ecosystem, this upgrade is ideal for virtualization, databases, analytics, and other data-intensive environments where scalable storage and efficient maintenance matter most.

• Expand storage capacity — Increase from 8 to 16 SFF bays to unlock larger storage pools, enable advanced RAID configurations, and provide ample room for growth. The expanded cage supports mixed drive types where your workload benefits from a combination of NVMe, SAS, and SATA drives, all within a single backplane ecosystem.
• U.3 Smart Carrier compatibility — Built around the U.3 standard, this upgrade kit delivers a versatile backplane interface (SFF-8639) that accommodates modern NVMe, SAS, and SATA drives. Experience streamlined drive swapping, improved I/O efficiency, and greater compatibility with recent storage technologies.
• Seamless integration with HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus — Specifically designed to fit the DL325 Gen10 Plus chassis, aligning with HP firmware, management tools, and drive-controller topology. The kit preserves the server’s management visibility, enabling straightforward monitoring through HPE iLO and related utilities without compromising warranty or support.
• Tool-less installation and reliable build — Engineered for straightforward deployment in data centers, with rugged steel construction, secure drive retention, and simple mounting hardware. The design minimizes downtime during upgrades and simplifies future servicing or drive replacements.
• Reliability, airflow, and serviceability — Precision-engineered to maintain proper airflow across drives, reduce hot spots, and support long-term reliability under sustained workloads. The kit’s layout enhances cable management and accessibility for routine maintenance and drive replacement.

Technical Details of HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus 8SFF to 16SFF U.3 Smart Carrier Drive Cage Upgrade Kit

• Product type: Drive cage upgrade kit designed for HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus servers
• Drive bays supported: 16 x 2.5" SFF bays for expanded storage capacity
• Backplane standard: U.3 (SFF-8639) compatible backplane integration for flexible drive support
• Drive compatibility: Supports NVMe, SAS, and SATA drives as supported by the U.3 backplane
• Form factor: Rugged metal cage with secure retention for reliable serviceability in rack environments
• Compatibility: Specifically designed for HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen10 Plus servers; verify your SKU to ensure exact fit
• Installation hardware: Includes mounting screws and necessary hardware to simplify installation
• Management and firmware: Maintains compatibility with current HPE management tools and firmware practices

How to install HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus 8SFF to 16SFF U.3 Smart Carrier Drive Cage Upgrade Kit

Follow these general steps to install the upgrade kit and realize the full benefits of expanded storage capacity. Before you begin, power down the server, disconnect all cables, and follow electrostatic discharge practices.

• Prepare the server — Remove the existing 8SFF drive cage or backplane and set aside any components you may reuse, keeping track of screws and brackets.
• Install the new cage — Mount the 16SFF U.3 Smart Carrier into the server chassis, securing it with the included hardware. Ensure the backplane is aligned with the drive bays and electrical connectors are accessible.
• Connect the backplane and controller — Attach the appropriate cables from the system backplane to the drive controller or host bus adapter, ensuring secure connections and proper routing for airflow.
• Populate drives — Install NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives into the 16 SFF bays according to your workload needs. Maintain balanced distribution if using multiple drive types and verify drive order if required by your RAID configuration.
• Verify and boot — Power up the server, enter the system management interface, and confirm that all new drives are detected. Update firmware if prompted and run a quick integrity check to confirm successful integration.

Frequently asked questions

• What does this upgrade kit do? It expands a DL325 Gen10 Plus server from 8 SFF bays to 16 SFF bays using a U.3 Smart Carrier backplane, enabling greater storage capacity and flexibility for diverse workloads.
• Is this kit compatible with all DL325 Gen10 Plus configurations? It is designed for HPE DL325 Gen10 Plus systems that support an 8SFF to 16SFF U.3 upgrade. Check your server’s SKU and chassis specifications to confirm fitment.
• Do I need to replace drives to use this kit? The kit increases the number of drive bays; you can use existing drives if they are compatible with the U.3 backplane or mix in compatible NVMe/SAS/SATA drives as desired.
• Are NVMe drives supported? Yes, the U.3 backplane in this kit supports NVMe drives in addition to SAS and SATA drives, depending on your chosen configuration.
• Is the upgrade reversible? The kit is designed to upgrade the drive cage; if needed, you can revert to the original 8SFF configuration by reinstalling the prior cage and backplane components.