
( Brand: Dell ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 0R1DNH ), ( Part Type: Controller Card ), ( Connectors: Sas ), ( Compatible Port: Pci Express ), ( Country Of Origin: China )
The **Dell 0R1DHN PERC H310 SAS RAID Controller Card** is a high-performance, enterprise-grade storage solution designed to deliver reliable, scalable, and efficient data management for mid-range servers. Part of Dell s PowerEdge lineup, this dual-port RAID adapter is engineered to enhance storage performance, redundancy, and fault tolerance in mission-critical environments. Featuring a **dual-port SAS interface**, the H310 ensures seamless connectivity to high-capacity storage arrays, SAS drives, and JBOD configurations, enabling seamless data access and minimizing downtime through intelligent load balancing. Built with **Dell s proven PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) technology**, this card supports **RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10**, allowing administrators to optimize storage configurations based on performance needs, data protection requirements, or a balance of both. The **6GB/s SAS ports** provide robust bandwidth for handling large datasets, high I/O workloads, and concurrent operations, making it ideal for virtualization, database servers, and file-sharing environments.
One of the standout features of the H310 is its **low-profile design**, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of Dell PowerEdge servers, including models with limited internal space. The card integrates seamlessly with Dell s **OpenManage Server Administrator (OSA)** and **Dell EMC PowerPath** software, offering centralized management, monitoring, and configuration capabilities through a user-friendly web interface or command-line tools. This simplifies RAID setup, virtual disk creation, and performance tuning, reducing administrative overhead while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability. Additionally, the H310 supports **Dell s Data Protection Advisor (DPA)**, a tool that provides real-time insights into storage health, capacity utilization, and potential failure risks, helping IT teams proactively address issues before they impact operations.
Security and data integrity are prioritized with features like **hardware-based encryption support** (via compatible drives) and **secure boot capabilities**, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected against unauthorized access or corruption. The controller also includes **Dell s Virtual RAID (vRAID) technology**, which allows for non-disruptive migration of virtual disks between physical servers, enhancing flexibility in dynamic IT environments. With **128MB of cache memory**, the H310 delivers improved write-back performance and reduces latency for read-heavy workloads, further enhancing overall system responsiveness. Whether deployed in a small business server, a mid-sized data center, or a virtualized infrastructure, the Dell PERC H310 SAS RAID Controller Card offers a cost-effective yet powerful solution for organizations seeking to maximize storage efficiency, reliability, and scalability without the complexity of high-end enterprise RAID systems.
### Pros and Cons of the Dell PERC H310 SAS RAID Controller Card (0R1DH)
#### **Pros:**1. **Affordability** The H310 is one of Dell s most budget-friendly RAID controllers, making it a cost-effective choice for small to medium workstations or servers where advanced features aren t critical.
2. **Basic RAID Support** It supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, which are sufficient for simple redundancy and performance improvements in non-critical storage setups.
3. **Dual-Port SAS Connectivity** The dual ports allow for better redundancy and flexibility in cabling, reducing the risk of a single point of failure in the storage backbone.
4. **Compatibility with Dell Servers** Designed specifically for Dell PowerEdge servers, ensuring seamless integration with Dell s hardware ecosystem, including BIOS and management tools.
5. **Low Power Consumption** Unlike more advanced controllers, the H310 has minimal power draw, making it suitable for energy-efficient deployments.
6. **No Battery Backup (BBU) Required** Unlike some RAID controllers, the H310 does not require a battery backup unit (BBU), simplifying installation and reducing costs.
7. **Sufficient for Basic Storage Needs** If your workload involves general file serving, virtualization (lightweight), or database operations without extreme I/O demands, the H310 can handle the job adequately.
8. **Easy Installation** The card is straightforward to install in Dell servers, with minimal configuration required for basic RAID setups.
---
#### **Cons:**1. **Lack of Advanced Features** The H310 lacks support for virtualization (VMD), cache vaulting, or advanced data protection features found in higher-end controllers like the H730 or H740. This limits its use in modern virtualized or high-availability environments.
2. **No NVMe Support** The controller does not support NVMe SSDs, which are increasingly common in modern storage architectures for better performance.
3. **Limited Cache Size** The H310 has only 256MB of cache, which is insufficient for high-performance workloads requiring large write buffers or heavy read/write operations.
4. **No Hardware Encryption** Unlike newer PERC cards, the H310 does not support hardware-based encryption, which is a security concern for sensitive data environments.
5. **Outdated Technology** The H310 uses older SAS 6Gbps interfaces, which, while still functional, are not as fast or future-proof as newer PCIe-based or NVMe controllers.
6. **No Remote Array Configuration** Unlike newer Dell controllers, the H310 does not support remote configuration via Dell s OpenManage tools, limiting remote management capabilities.
7. **No Support for Large Drive Configurations** The H310 has limitations with very large drives (e.g., 15TB ), as it may not handle them optimally in RAID configurations.
8. **No Integrated Virtualization Support** If you re running virtual machines, the lack of VMD (Virtualization Media Driver) support means you ll need to rely on software-based RAID, which can be less efficient.
---
### **Conclusion:**The Dell PERC H310 SAS RAID Controller is a **good choice for basic, low-cost RAID needs** in Dell servers where performance demands are modest, and advanced features are unnecessary. It excels in simplicity, affordability, and compatibility with Dell s hardware but falls short in modern environments requiring virtualization, high I/O performance, encryption, or support for newer storage technologies like NVMe.
If your use case involves **lightweight file serving, small-scale databases, or non-critical workloads**, the H310 is a practical and cost-effective solution. However, if you require **virtualization, high performance, encryption, or support for large-scale storage**, investing in a newer model like the **PERC H740P or H750** (or a PCIe-based NVMe controller) would be a better long-term choice.
### **Recommendation:**- **Buy the H310 if:** You need a simple, budget-friendly RAID solution for a Dell server with minimal performance requirements and no need for advanced features.
- **Avoid the H310 if:** You are running virtual machines, require hardware encryption, need support for NVMe SSDs, or expect high I/O workloads. In such cases, consider a more modern controller like the **PERC H740P** or a **PCIe-based RAID card** (e.g., LSI 940 or similar).
Used Dell PERC H310 0R1DNH SAS RAID Controller Card Dual Port 8 Ports No cables.