Method 1: Using HP Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) GUI (Offline/Online)
HP Smart Array P420i is an embedded RAID controller commonly found in HP ProLiant Gen8 servers.
Before attempting to install a license key, your hardware must meet specific baseline requirements. 1. Flash-Backed Write Cache (FBWC)
For the P420i (commonly found in Gen8 ProLiant servers), a license key unlocks enterprise-grade features that are otherwise dormant in the hardware's firmware.
HP Smart Array Advanced Pack Evaluation License Key · GitHub hp smart array p420i license key
Click , enter your code, and apply the changes. Method 3: Via HPE iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) Command Line
While often included in newer firmware, some legacy environments may still require SAAP 2.0 for advanced sanitization methods. Video on Demand (VOD) Optimization:
: Features previously locked under the Smart Array Advanced Pack (SAAP 2.0) are now included by default in the base firmware for the P420i. Included Features
Note: The SAAP 2.0 license is generally a one-time purchase per server, but it is non-transferable. FAQ: HP Smart Array P420i License Key Method 1: Using HP Smart Storage Administrator (SSA)
If you need features not covered by the base firmware, you typically look for these specific licenses: HP Smart Array SR SmartCache:
(Note: Replace slot=0 with the appropriate slot number if your integrated P420i is mapped differently, and replace the X's with your actual license key). To verify that the license was successfully applied, run: ssacli ctrl slot=0 show license Use code with caution. Important Prerequisites and Troubleshooting
A significant piece of information for users of the HP Smart Array P420i is that for Gen8 controllers (including the P420i), a license key is to use SAAP features. Official documentation from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) states: "For Smart Array Gen8 controllers, update the controller firmware to take advantage of the advanced features of SAAP without the need of license". This policy change means simply updating the controller's firmware to the latest version automatically unlocks the advanced features that previously required a license purchase.
The P420i is a 6Gb/s SAS and SATA RAID controller built directly into the motherboard of HP Gen8 servers, such as the ProLiant DL360p Gen8 and DL380p Gen8. It supports up to 8 physical drives without an expander and features a PCIe 3.0 interface. Flash-Backed Write Cache (FBWC) For the P420i (commonly
, modern firmware updates have largely rendered these license keys unnecessary for standard advanced operations www.bitcon.be Licensing and Feature Access
The P420i sits in that awkward sweet spot of datacenter nostalgia: a solid, well-built embedded RAID controller from HPE’s Gen8 era that still hums in many home labs and older servers. But unlike the free, open-world feel of spinning disks and SATA cables, HPE wrapped several important features — RAID6/60, SmartCache, some advanced capacity and expansion capabilities — behind paid license keys (the Smart Array Advanced Pack / SmartCache licenses). That business choice has made the P420i a lightning rod: technically capable hardware, commercially gated features.
This article is a complete guide to understanding the HP Smart Array P420i license key. It covers what the license is for, which features it unlocks, how to buy or obtain it, step-by-step installation methods, and answers to common questions.
: Requires a valid license key and a Flash Backed Write Cache (FBWC) module. How to Unlock Advanced Features
If you don't have a license key, you might not be able to: