The HP Smart Array P420i controller, standard in HPE ProLiant Gen8 servers, no longer requires a separate license for its core advanced features if you are running modern firmware. 1. The "Free" License Change
A controller-based caching solution that caches hot data onto lower-latency SSDs to accelerate read/write performance.
Complete Guide to HP Smart Array P420i License Keys: Features, Installation, and Legacy Alternatives hp smart array p420i license key new
ssacli ctrl slot=0 add licensekey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX Use code with caution.
| Feature | Requires License? | Notes | |--------|------------------|-------| | Basic RAID (0,1,5,6,10,50,60) | ❌ No | Free and built-in | | HPE SSA (GUI/CLI config tool) | ❌ No | Free download from HPE | | | ✅ Yes | Unlocks: RAID 6, 60, Online Spare, etc. But P420i already supports RAID 6/60 natively — so SAAP is irrelevant here. | | SSD Caching / CacheCade | ✅ Yes | Requires separate license key (not for P420i typically). | | Mixed drive types (SAS+SATA) in one array | ❌ No | P420i supports mixing without license. | The HP Smart Array P420i controller, standard in
Despite the change, there are scenarios where a license key might be needed, such as using an older firmware version for compatibility reasons or for P420i controllers without an FBWC module. If you fall into this category, here are the official methods to obtain a key.
Out of the box, the base P420i controller supports standard storage setups, but it requires a hardware cache upgrade (FBWC) and a software license key to unlock its full potential. Why Do You Need an HP Smart Array License Key? Complete Guide to HP Smart Array P420i License
To successfully activate advanced features, your P420i must have: A minimum of 256MB Flash Backed Write Cache (FBWC) or Battery Backed Write Cache (BBWC).