RAID and HBA controllers

This category contains hardware RAID controllers and host bus adapters (HBAs) for servers and workstations, suited to IT teams, system builders and anyone repairing or expanding a storage setup. Cards and controllers from Lenovo, Broadcom, Dell and HP Enterprise make up most of the range, alongside Fujitsu, LSI, IBM and Microchip.

How to choose a RAID or HBA controller

RAID or HBA. A RAID controller builds and manages drive arrays in hardware, while an HBA passes the drives straight to the operating system. Choose an HBA for software-defined storage such as ZFS or Ceph, and a RAID controller when you want mirrored or parity arrays handled before the operating system loads. Some cards can work in either mode, depending on the firmware.

Server compatibility. Many controllers are built for a specific server family, so check the server model and the slot type first: standard PCIe, or a vendor-specific or mezzanine form factor. Compare part numbers rather than product names, because a Dell, Lenovo or HP Enterprise card is often tied to the firmware and cabling of that vendor's servers.

Drive interface and ports. Match the card to the drives you will connect: SATA, SAS or NVMe. SAS-3 cards running at 12Gb/s suit current SAS and SATA drives, while tri-mode cards also handle NVMe. Count the internal ports, check whether you need external ports for a disk shelf, and confirm the cable type, since connectors such as SFF-8643 and SFF-8087 are not interchangeable.

RAID levels and cache. Entry-level cards often offer only RAID 0, 1 and 10, while parity levels such as 5, 6, 50 and 60 generally call for a card with onboard cache. Cache works best with a battery or flash-based protection module, so that data in flight survives a power cut. Check whether the module is included or has to be ordered separately.

Brands of RAID and HBA controllers we carry

• Lenovo: ThinkSystem RAID and HBA adapters, made to fit Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and the earlier System x line.
• Broadcom: owner of the MegaRAID and SAS HBA families after acquiring LSI, so many controllers from other server makers are based on its chips.
• Dell: PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) cards, designed for PowerEdge servers and managed through Dell's own tools.
• HP Enterprise: Smart Array controllers and Smart HBAs for ProLiant servers, configured with HPE's Smart Storage Administrator.
• Fujitsu: PRAID controllers and HBAs for PRIMERGY servers, listed under both Fujitsu and Fujitsu Technology Solutions.
• LSI: the original maker of MegaRAID, with older cards that are still used to replace or expand existing systems.
• IBM: ServeRAID controllers from the System x era, relevant to anyone maintaining older IBM servers.
• Microchip: maker of the Adaptec SmartRAID and SmartHBA lines, which also appear under the name Microchip Technology.
• StarTech: known for PCIe expansion cards and adapters that add storage ports to ordinary desktops and workstations.

Also in our range: unbranded controllers.

RAID and HBA controller FAQ

What is the difference between a RAID controller and an HBA?

A RAID controller combines several drives into an array and handles redundancy and performance itself. An HBA simply connects drives to the server and leaves every drive visible to the operating system. HBAs are the usual choice for ZFS and similar software storage, while RAID controllers suit traditional hardware-managed arrays.

Can I use a Dell, HP or Lenovo controller in a different server?

Sometimes, but compatibility is not guaranteed. Vendor-branded cards often carry customised firmware and may need specific cables, backplanes or management tools. Check that the card's part number is supported by your server, or choose a standard PCIe card from Broadcom or Microchip.

Which RAID level should I choose?

RAID 1 suits two drives where you want a mirrored copy, and RAID 10 adds speed with four or more drives. RAID 5 gives more usable capacity and survives one drive failure, while RAID 6 survives two and is the safer option for large drives. A RAID array is not a backup, so keep separate copies of important data.

Do I need a hardware RAID controller for a home server?

No, a home server does not need one. Operating systems can build software arrays, and an HBA gives them direct access to the drives. A hardware RAID card makes more sense when you need parity arrays with cache, boot volumes managed outside the operating system, or you are replacing a card in an existing server.