HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus 2-port 4NVMe x16 SlimSAS Primary Riser Kit

The HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus 2-port 4NVMe x16 SlimSAS Primary Riser Kit is an essential storage expansion designed to unlock the full potential of your high-density, enterprise-grade server. Built for DL380 Gen10 Plus systems, this riser kit provides two SlimSAS x16 connections that support up to four NVMe drives, enabling dramatically faster data access, reduced latency, and enhanced I/O parallelism for demanding workloads. Whether you’re running mission-critical databases, virtualized environments, AI workloads, or data analytics, this primary riser kit delivers the speed, scalability, and reliability you need to accelerate performance while maintaining strong uptime. With HPE engineering and a seamless form factor, it integrates smoothly into the existing DL380 Gen10 Plus architecture, helping you maximize throughput without overhauling your infrastructure.

Designed with enterprise environments in mind, the DL380 Gen10 Plus 2-port 4NVMe SlimSAS Primary Riser Kit emphasizes clean installation, robust reliability, and straightforward management. It is tuned to work with HPE backplanes and storage cages, ensuring consistent NVMe drive recognition and dependable operation. The kit emphasizes a compact footprint to preserve airflow and thermal efficiency, a critical consideration in dense data centers where performance-per-watt matters. As NVMe storage continues to drive modern workloads, this riser kit makes it possible to scale storage capacity and speed while maintaining the reliability and serviceability that IT teams depend on for 24/7 operations.

In addition to raw performance, this riser kit is crafted for ease of deployment and ongoing maintenance. IT teams can leverage familiar HPE management tools, firmware update processes, and service procedures to minimize downtime during upgrades. The primary riser design minimizes cable clutter and simplifies replacement or expansion, allowing administrators to add NVMe drives as workloads grow without introducing complexity. For organizations pursuing data-driven agility, the kit delivers a dependable path to higher NVMe density, improved boot times, and accelerated data pipelines across a variety of workloads and deployment models.

With a focus on reliability and enterprise-grade resilience, the HPE DL380 Gen10 Plus SlimSAS primary riser supports the same level of hardware monitoring, fault tolerance, and seamless integration you expect from HPE. It is built to endure the rigors of busy data centers, with attention to mechanical stability, thermal management, and compatibility with HPE’s firmware and driver ecosystems. By enabling high-speed NVMe connectivity through SlimSAS interfaces, this kit positions the DL380 Gen10 Plus as a flexible, scalable platform capable of handling next-generation workloads while delivering consistent performance, predictable latency, and strong data integrity.

• High-performance NVMe expansion for DL380 Gen10 Plus — Two SlimSAS x16 ports enable you to attach up to four NVMe drives, delivering ultra-low latency and impressive I/O parallelism. This configuration is ideal for databases, virtualized environments, and analytics workloads that demand fast, consistent access to data. The design captures the strength of NVMe technology, ensuring you can push throughput while maintaining strong queue depth and predictable read/write performance under heavy workloads.
• Seamless enterprise integration — Tailored for the DL380 Gen10 Plus platform, this primary riser integrates with the server’s backplane and drive cages, delivering secure, plug-and-play operation. It supports HP management features, firmware stacks, and compatibility with standard HPE service procedures, helping reduce deployment time and simplify ongoing maintenance. Expect reliable drive detection, clean signal integrity, and minimal downtime during upgrades.
• Scalable storage without complexity — The kit is designed to grow with your data needs. As workloads evolve, you can add NVMe drives to expand capacity and boost performance, while keeping the same DL380 Gen10 Plus chassis and management interface. This scalability is particularly valuable for data-intensive environments, where storage performance often becomes the bottleneck for virtual machines, databases, and analytics pipelines.
• Thermal-aware, power-conscious design — HPE engineers the riser for favorable thermal characteristics within the DL380 Gen10 Plus chassis. The compact, efficient form factor preserves airflow across the drives and backplane, helping maintain steady performance under sustained load. The kit is designed to deliver strong NVMe performance without imposing excessive power requirements, aiding in overall data-center efficiency and total cost of ownership.
• Management visibility and firmware alignment — With compatibility across HPE iLO, Intelligent Provisioning, and the server’s firmware ecosystem, administrators gain clear visibility into NVMe drive health, firmware status, and hot-plug readiness. Regular firmware updates help ensure compatibility with new NVMe drives and maintain peak performance across your storage tier.

Technical Details of HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus 2-port 4NVMe x16 SlimSAS Primary Riser Kit

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus 2-port 4NVMe x16 SlimSAS Primary Riser Kit

Before starting, power down the server, unplug all power sources, and discharge any static buildup. Ground yourself and work on a clean, non-conductive surface. Have your server maintenance manual handy for model-specific guidance, and confirm you have the correct riser kit revision for your DL380 Gen10 Plus chassis.

Step 1 — Prepare the server: Remove the existing top cover, side panels, and any shields as described in the DL380 Gen10 Plus maintenance guide. Verify the system is powered down and that all redundant power supplies are isolated. Inspect the backplane area for dust and debris and ensure there is clear access to the riser slot.

Step 2 — Remove the old riser (\u2018if applicable\u2019): If you are replacing a previous riser, carefully disconnect any attached cables and unfasten mounting screws. Gently lift the old riser from its slot, noting the orientation and connector alignment. Keep track of fasteners for reuse, and avoid misplacing any screws in the chassis.

Step 3 — Align and insert the SlimSAS primary riser: With the DL380 Gen10 Plus chassis opened and the riser slot exposed, align the SlimSAS connectors with the corresponding backplane or drive cage connectors. Insert the riser firmly and evenly, ensuring a complete and secure seating without wiggling. Make sure the two SlimSAS x16 ports are oriented toward the correct backplane connectors for NVMe drives.

Step 4 — Secure the riser and route cables: Fasten the riser using the appropriate screws to the chassis standoff points. If your configuration requires cable connections to the NVMe backplane or drive cages, connect securely and route cables to minimize tension and block airflow paths. Use cable management guides to keep the area tidy and unobstructed.

Step 5 — Reassemble, power up, and verify: Replace the server cover and panels, reconnect power, and boot the system. Enter the BIOS/UEFI and confirm that both SlimSAS ports are recognized and that the NVMe drives are detected by the OS installer or the storage management utility. Update firmware for the riser and related components if needed, and run a basic drive health check to verify integrity before deploying workloads.

Tip: For optimal results, plan drive configurations in advance and align with your storage policy. If you intend to boot from NVMe or run a high-IO workload from NVMe devices, ensure the boot path is configured correctly in the OS and BIOS settings, and that your drivers are up to date for the best reliability and performance.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads benefit most from this riser kit?
  A: Environments that require fast, scalable NVMe storage—such as high-transaction databases, virtualization hosts, AI inference pipelines, and real-time analytics—will see improved throughput, lower latency, and better overall performance when paired with the DL380 Gen10 Plus.
• Q: Is this riser kit compatible with all DL380 Gen10 Plus configurations?
  A: It is designed for DL380 Gen10 Plus servers and is typically compatible with standard backplanes used in these models. Always verify compatibility with your exact chassis revision and firmware version using the HPE compatibility resources.
• Q: Do I need to update firmware after installing the kit?
  A: Yes. It is recommended to update the riser firmware, backplane firmware, and system firmware to the latest versions to ensure stable NVMe recognition and optimal performance.
• Q: Can I hot-swap NVMe drives with this setup?
  A: Hot-swap support depends on the specific backplane, drive cages, and server configuration. In many Gen10 Plus configurations with appropriate backplanes, hot-swapping is supported, but confirm with your deployment’s hardware guidelines and service procedures.
• Q: How many NVMe drives can I connect with this kit?
  A: The kit exposes two SlimSAS x16 ports, which can support up to four NVMe drives depending on the drive cage, backplane, and permissible configurations in your DL380 Gen10 Plus model. Always consult the server’s storage topology to determine exact drive counts.