
( Brand: Hp ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: DE504-BA ), ( Part Type: Controller Card )
The **HP ProLiant DL380p Gen8 Server LSI Logic SAS 2121-00 Controller Card (Part No. 467693-B21)** is a high-performance, enterprise-grade storage controller designed to deliver unparalleled reliability, scalability, and data throughput for mission-critical workloads in data centers. Part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise s (HPE) ProLiant server ecosystem, this **LSI Logic SAS 2121-00** controller card is engineered to maximize storage efficiency while maintaining low latency and high availability ideal for environments demanding robust RAID configurations, high-speed data transfer, and seamless integration with enterprise-class storage solutions. Built on the **LSI SAS 2121-00 chipset**, this controller leverages **6Gbps SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)** technology to achieve blazing-fast data transfer rates, ensuring optimal performance for storage-intensive applications such as virtualization, database management, and high-end computing. The card supports **RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60**, providing administrators with flexible redundancy and data protection options tailored to their specific storage requirements, whether for fault tolerance, performance optimization, or a balance of both.
Designed with **enterprise-grade durability**, the LSI Logic 2121-00 controller card features **hot-plug capable SAS connectors**, allowing for non-disruptive expansion and maintenance critical for minimizing downtime in high-availability server environments. Its **low-profile form factor** ensures compatibility with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers, including the DL380p Gen8, while its **dual-port configuration** enables redundant connectivity, enhancing fault tolerance and improving data path redundancy. The controller is optimized for **HPE Smart Array controllers**, integrating seamlessly with HPE s **Smart Storage Administrator (SSA)** and **HPE Systems Insight Manager (SIM)** tools, which provide centralized management, monitoring, and configuration capabilities for storage arrays. This integration simplifies deployment, troubleshooting, and performance tuning, making it an indispensable component for IT administrators managing large-scale server infrastructures.
Beyond its technical specifications, the **LSI Logic 2121-00** stands out for its **backward and forward compatibility** with a broad range of storage devices, including HPE s own **D2700, D2900, and D3900** storage arrays, as well as third-party SAS/SATA drives. This versatility ensures that organizations can scale their storage infrastructure without being locked into proprietary solutions, offering cost-effective upgrades and future-proofing. Additionally, the controller s **low power consumption** and **efficient thermal management** contribute to energy savings and reduced operational costs, aligning with modern data center initiatives focused on sustainability and cost efficiency. Whether deployed in a **virtualized environment, a high-performance computing cluster, or a traditional enterprise server setup**, the HP ProLiant DL380p Gen8 s LSI Logic 2121-00 controller card delivers a robust, high-performance storage solution that balances speed, reliability, and scalability making it a cornerstone for businesses relying on HPE s proven server architecture.
### **Pros and Cons of buying a HP DE504-BA (LSI Logic 2121-00) Controller Card**
#### **Pros:**1. **Compatibility with Older Systems** The LSI Logic 2121-00 (also known as the SAS 2121-00) is a well-established SAS/SATA controller card designed for enterprise and server environments. It is widely supported in older HP ProLiant servers (such as DL380 G6/G7, BL460c, and ML110 G6/G7) and other x86-based systems, making it a reliable choice for legacy hardware upgrades.
2. **High Performance for SAS/SATA Drives** The controller supports SAS 2.0 (3 Gbps) and SATA II (3 Gbps) drives, providing good throughput for storage-intensive workloads. It includes two internal ports and two external ports, allowing for flexible drive configurations.
3. **Reliability and Stability** LSI s SAS controllers are known for their robustness, especially in enterprise environments. The 2121-00 has been used for years in mission-critical systems, reducing the risk of sudden hardware failures.
4. **Cost-Effective Upgrade** Compared to newer, more expensive SAS controllers (such as LSI 9207-8i or 9300-8i), the 2121-00 is relatively inexpensive, making it a budget-friendly option for upgrading older servers.
5. **Software Support** LSI provides free firmware updates and driver support, which can help maintain compatibility with newer operating systems (e.g., Windows Server 2012/2016, Linux, and VMware ESXi). The controller is also compatible with IT Mode (for advanced configuration) and RAID Mode (for basic RAID support).
6. **Physical Durability** The card is built to withstand the rigors of server environments, with proper cooling and rugged construction.
7. **Backward Compatibility** It works with older SAS drives (up to 6 Gbps in some configurations, though officially rated for 3 Gbps), making it useful for repurposing older storage arrays.
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#### **Cons:**1. **Limited to 3 Gbps SAS** The 2121-00 only supports SAS 2.0 (3 Gbps), which is significantly slower than modern SAS 3.0 (6 Gbps) or SAS 6.0 (12 Gbps) controllers. If you re using high-speed SAS drives (e.g., 6 Gbps or 12 Gbps), you ll experience bottlenecks.
2. **No Native NVMe Support** Unlike newer LSI controllers (e.g., 9405-8i or 9700-8i), the 2121-00 does not support NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) or PCIe-based NVMe SSDs. If you re looking to modernize storage with NVMe, this card is not suitable.
3. **Outdated Firmware Ecosystem** LSI has largely discontinued support for older controllers like the 2121-00 in favor of newer models. While firmware updates are still available, they may not receive long-term security patches or performance optimizations.
4. **Limited Port Count** The card has only four ports (two internal, two external), which may be insufficient for large-scale storage configurations requiring more expansion.
5. **No Native RAID 5/6 Support in IT Mode** While the card can function in RAID Mode (with limited RAID levels), IT Mode (for advanced configuration) does not natively support RAID 5 or RAID 6. This requires additional software RAID solutions (e.g., Linux mdadm, Windows Storage Spaces, or VMware vSphere).
6. **Potential Compatibility Issues with Newer OSes** While it works with most modern operating systems, some newer Linux distributions or Windows Server versions may require manual driver installation or tweaks to function properly.
7. **No PCIe 3.0 Support** The card uses PCIe 2.0 x8, which is slower than modern PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 slots. This can limit bandwidth in newer servers with PCIe 3.0 slots.
8. **Hardware Obsolescence** The 2121-00 is an older design, and finding replacement parts (e.g., if the card fails) may become difficult over time.
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### **Ending Conclusion:**The **HP DE504-BA (LSI Logic 2121-00)** is a **functional, reliable, and cost-effective** choice for upgrading older HP ProLiant servers or other x86 systems that require a SAS/SATA controller. It excels in **legacy environments** where high performance is not critical, and it provides a stable foundation for storage configurations. However, it is **not ideal for modern workloads** that require high-speed SAS (6 Gbps ), NVMe support, or advanced RAID features.
If your primary goal is **repurposing older hardware, maintaining compatibility with legacy systems, or running basic storage workloads**, this card is a solid pick. However, if you are **building a new system, upgrading to NVMe, or needing high-speed SAS (6 Gbps or 12 Gbps)**, you would be better off investing in a newer LSI controller (e.g., 9207-8i, 9300-8i, or 9405-8i).
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### **Recommendation:** - **Buy the HP DE504-BA (LSI 2121-00) if:**- You are working with **older HP ProLiant servers (G6/G7)** or similar systems.
- You need a **budget-friendly SAS/SATA controller** for legacy storage setups.
- You are **not using high-speed SAS drives** (6 Gbps or faster).
- You require **basic RAID support** (via RAID Mode) or **IT Mode for configuration**.
- **Avoid the HP DE504-BA (LSI 2121-00) if:**- You are **building a new server** or upgrading to **PCIe 3.0/4.0**.
- You need **NVMe support** (for PCIe-based SSDs).
- You require **SAS 6 Gbps or 12 Gbps** performance.
- You are running **modern workloads** that benefit from newer LSI controllers with better firmware support.
For **modern systems**, consider:- **LSI 9207-8i** (SAS 6 Gbps, PCIe 2.0, budget-friendly)
- **LSI 9300-8i** (SAS 6 Gbps, PCIe 3.0, better performance)
- **LSI 9405-8i** (SAS 6 Gbps NVMe, PCIe 3.0, enterprise-grade)
- **LSI 9700-8i** (SAS 12 Gbps NVMe, PCIe 3.0, high-end)
If you confirm that the 2121-00 fits your needs, it remains a **practical and dependable** choice for its intended use cases.
Item comes from a used environment and is untested. Item has some minor cosmetic wear and tear such as scratches scuffs. Shipping and Handling. Calculated Shipping with UPS: Standard shipping estimates are calculated using UPS Ground service to a commercial address.
Comes with a 30-day DOA warranty.