Description
HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U 8SFF x1 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane Drive Cage Kit
Introducing the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U 8SFF x1 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane Drive Cage Kit, a purpose-built storage expansion designed to unlock the full potential of your DL345 Gen11 server. This drive cage kit delivers dense, scalable storage in a compact 2U chassis, carefully engineered to integrate with HPE’s latest Gen11 technology. With eight hot-swappable 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) bays and a Tri-Mode U.3 midplane, you gain the flexibility to deploy NVMe, SATA, or SAS drives in a single enclosure, matching performance to workload without overhauling your platform. The midplane’s live-switch capability ensures you can adapt to changing data-center demands—whether you’re handling high IOPS for database workloads, streaming large media files, or powering virtualization and AI workloads. Built to endure the rigors of enterprise environments, this drive cage kit emphasizes serviceability, reliability, and streamlined maintenance, helping IT teams minimize downtime and maximize uptime in mission-critical deployments.
- The eight SFF drive bays provide dense storage capacity in a space-efficient 2U footprint, enabling rapid scale-out as data needs grow while preserving rack real estate for other essential infrastructure.
- Tri-Mode U.3 midplane supports NVMe, SATA, and SAS drives, granting you the freedom to select the optimal mix of performance and price per workload, all within a single backplane and without changing the chassis.
- Designed specifically for HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 servers, the drive cage kit integrates with the server’s backplane, power, and cooling architecture to maintain consistent thermals, flight-time reliability, and predictable performance under load.
- Tool-less drive access and a robust midplane cage deliver effortless maintenance, faster drive replacement, and simplified field upgrades—minimizing maintenance windows and reducing total cost of ownership.
- Built for data-center efficiency, the 2U form factor aligns with standard rack installations, and the kit is optimized for streamlined cabling, airflow, and compatibility with existing HPE management tools for monitoring, alerting, and firmware consistency.
Technical Details of HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U 8SFF x1 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane Drive Cage Kit
- Drive Bays: 8 SFF hot-swappable bays integrated into a 2U drive cage, delivering dense storage expansion while preserving quick access for maintenance and drive replacement.
- Midplane and Interface: Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane enabling NVMe, SATA, and SAS drive support, allowing flexible performance per slot and workload-tailored configurations without swapping backplanes.
- Compatibility: Specifically engineered for the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U server family, ensuring seamless integration with the server’s backplane, cabling, and management ecosystem.
- Form Factor: 2U rack-mount drive cage with tool-less drive access and a secure latching mechanism to minimize downtime during maintenance and drive swaps.
- Management and Integration: Designed to work with standard HPE management tools and monitoring capabilities, enabling centralized visibility into drive status, firmware levels, and drive health within your existing IT operations.
- Power and Cooling Alignment: Engineered to align with the DL345 Gen11 power and cooling architecture, ensuring reliable operation under heavy workloads while maintaining data-center efficiency and predictable acoustics.
How to install HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U 8SFF x1 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane Drive Cage Kit
- Power down the DL345 Gen11 server completely and unplug from all power sources; disconnect any attached peripherals to prevent accidental electrical discharge.
- Refer to the server maintenance manual to identify the correct service door, drive cage area, and any required anti-static precautions; prepare a clean workspace with proper ESD protection before handling components.
- If a prior drive cage is installed, carefully release any latches or screws and remove the existing cage according to the manufacturer’s guidelines; set hardware fasteners aside in a secure location for re-use if applicable.
- Position the new DL345 Gen11 drive cage into the appropriate 2U slot, aligning it with the chassis rails; gently slide the cage in until it seats firmly and engages with the backplane connectors.
- Connect the Tri-Mode U.3 midplane cables to the server backplane following the included wiring diagram; ensure cables are neatly arranged to avoid interference with fans or other components.
- Install eight SFF drives into the drive cage using the tool-less latches or the specified mounting method; confirm each drive is securely seated and labeled for future maintenance.
- Reattach any front bezel or covers, re-secure power and data connections, and power on the system; enter the BIOS or iLO/ILO-onboard management interface to verify drive detection, identify any misconfigurations, and confirm firmware versions are up to date.
- In the operating system, initialize and format the new drives as required by workload requirements; update storage policies and performance profiles to reflect the mixed NVMe, SATA, or SAS configuration enabled by the U.3 midplane.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U 8SFF x1 Tri-Mode U.3 BC Midplane Drive Cage Kit? It is a purpose-built drive cage kit that adds eight hot-swappable SFF bays to a DL345 Gen11 server, powered by a Tri-Mode U.3 midplane that supports NVMe, SATA, and SAS drives for flexible, high-performance storage expansion in a compact 2U chassis.
- Does this kit include drives? No. The drive cage kit provides the cage, midplane, and mounting hardware; drives are sold separately and must be compatible with the U.3 backplane specifications.
- Is this kit compatible with all DL345 Gen11 configurations? It is designed for use with HPE ProLiant DL345 Gen11 2U servers; for exact compatibility with your model and firmware, consult the official HPE product documentation and ensure your firmware is up to date.
- What kind of maintenance benefits does this kit offer? The eight-disk, tool-less design simplifies drive replacement and routine maintenance, reducing downtime and enabling faster service in data-center environments.
- How should I plan for firmware and compatibility updates? Use your existing HPE management tools to monitor firmware versions across the drive cage, midplane, and drives; apply updates in a controlled maintenance window to preserve compatibility and performance.
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