This is not a downloadable crack or a registry hack. HPE sells licenses via an "Entitlement Certificate" that you redeem through the HPE Licensing Portal. There are two primary types:
The HPE Smart Array controller (e.g., P408i-a, P816i-a) is physically capable of performing SSD caching. However, HPE divides its feature set via licensing to deliver different tiers of value. Without the license key, the controller’s SSD caching feature remains dormant. The hardware is present; the firmware simply will not activate the functionality.
You might own a powerful Gen10 or Gen11 server, have an unused NVMe or SATA SSD installed, and see no option to assign it as a cache device. This is the "feature not enabled" wall—and the Smart Cache License is the only way to break through it.
Many administrators assume that caching capabilities are standard hardware features. However, HPE has positioned Smart Cache as a value-add software product. While the hardware (the Smart Array Controller and the SSD slots) exists physically, the firmware logic required to manage the cache-to-disk relationship is locked.
To unlock this functionality, you must purchase and apply an HPE Smart Cache License Key.
This licensing model allows HPE to offer the hardware at a competitive base price while charging for the advanced acceleration features only when the customer needs them.
For any production environment running mixed workloads on HPE ProLiant servers with spinning disks, the answer is a definitive yes.
The HPE Smart Cache License Key is not merely a software unlock; it is a performance multiplier. For a relatively small upfront cost (license + one or two small SSDs), you can breathe new life into legacy HDD arrays, drastically reducing read latency and increasing throughput.
Final Pro Tip: Always monitor your cache hit ratio using ssacli or HPE OneView after installation. If you are seeing less than 50% cache hits, consider increasing the size of your SSD cache or adjusting your workload pattern.
Unlock the key, unlock the speed.
Disclaimer: HPE, Smart Cache, ProLiant, and Smart Array are trademarks of Hewlett Packard Enterprise. This article is for informational purposes. Always consult HPE's official documentation for your specific server generation.
The HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache License Key is a unique activation code required to unlock controller-based caching features on HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. This technology accelerates application performance up to 4X by caching "hot" (frequently accessed) data from standard Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) onto high-speed Solid State Drives (SSDs). Licensing Structure
HPE utilizes a per-server licensing model, meaning one license is required for every server where SmartCache is deployed, regardless of the number of controllers or drives within that server. License Types:
Single-Server License (LTU): Delivered as a physical entitlement certificate and license key installation card.
Flexible-Quantity License (E-LTU): An electronic version that can cover a customer-defined quantity of servers with a single activation key. Key Attributes: Hpe Smart Cache License Key
Non-Transferable: Licenses are tied to the specific server deployment.
Support Included: Each purchase typically includes one year of 24x7 HPE Software Technical Support.
Hardware Requirement: Generally requires a Smart Array P-class controller with at least 1GB of Flash-Backed Write Cache (FBWC). Feature Sets & Capabilities
Activating the license unlocks different caching policies based on the server generation:
Gen8 Servers: Supports Read and Write-Through caching (writes go directly to HDDs).
Gen9 & Gen10 Servers: Adds support for Write-Back caching, which accelerates both read and write operations by temporarily storing data on the SSD.
RAID Support: SmartCache provides data protection for the SSD cache volume, supporting RAID 0 on Gen8, and RAID 0, 1, 10, and 5 on Gen9/Gen10. Popular License Part Numbers Description Part Number
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Single Server) LTU D7S26A
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Multiple Servers) LTU D7S27A
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache (Single Key/Multiple Servers) E-LTU D7S27AAE HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache QuickSpecs | HPE
The HPE Smart Cache (now HPE SR SmartCache) license key is a 25-character alphanumeric code used to activate SSD caching features on HPE Smart Array P-class controllers. Format and Example Key
A typical license key follows this format: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Example (Evaluation Key): 34T62-N84MB-7DQGY-G7XGT-YTQ63.
Note: This specific key is widely cited as a 60-day trial key and will expire after the evaluation period. Licensing Details
Usage Requirement: One license is required for every server deployed. This is not a downloadable crack or a registry hack
Entitlement: Permanent licenses are delivered as a License Entitlement Certificate, which must be redeemed online at the HPE Software Center to generate the actual activation key.
Non-Transferable: Once activated, licenses are generally tied to the server or controller hardware and cannot be transferred. How to Retrieve an Existing Key
If you have already purchased and registered a license, you can find your key through these steps on the HPE Support Portal: Sign in to the My HPE Software Center. Navigate to Manage > Activation History.
Locate your license and click the Entitlement Order Number (EON) to view or download the license key text file. Pre-Installed Licenses
Newer hardware often includes the license by default. The HPE SR SmartCache license is pre-installed on: HPE Smart Array P816i-a SR Gen10. All Gen10 Plus or later controller models.
Are you looking to activate a trial on an older Gen8/Gen9 server, or do you need help redeeming a certificate you already purchased?
HP Smart Array Advanced Pack Evaluation License Key · GitHub
HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache License is a controller-based software activation that enables SSD caching on HPE Smart Array P-series controllers. It is designed to accelerate application workloads by caching "hot" (frequently accessed) data onto low-latency SSDs while maintaining high-capacity HDD storage for the rest of your data. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Performance Review & Value Workload Acceleration
: Users report significant performance gains in environments with repetitive I/O, such as SQL databases Virtual Desktops (VDI)
. It effectively bridges the performance gap between spinning disks and all-flash arrays. Efficiency
: By using a small number of SSDs to accelerate a large RAID array of HDDs, it provides a more cost-effective alternative to full SSD deployments for large datasets. Write Policy Support : The license supports both Write-through (safe, read-only acceleration) and Write-back
(high performance, riskier without a battery-backed cache) policies. Limitations not beneficial
for non-repetitive I/O like routine backups or one-time file access, where data isn't "hot" enough to justify being cached. Additionally, most controllers only support one cache array per controller. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Community Licensing & Compatibility Per-Server Licensing : A separate license key is required for every server where the feature is deployed. Hardware Compatibility Gen10 Servers
: Optional for P408 and P416 controllers; standard on the P816-a. Gen9 Servers : Required for P44x series; standard on P840/P841. Gen8 Servers : Available for P420 and P430 series controllers. Nontransferable Disclaimer: HPE, Smart Cache, ProLiant, and Smart Array
: Once activated, the license is tied to that specific hardware and cannot be moved to another server. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Deployment & Installation SSD SmartCache on multiple Logical drives - HPE Community 12 Aug 2020 —
To activate HPE Smart Array SR SmartCache, you generally need to redeem an entitlement certificate for an activation key and then install that key via the HPE Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) or Command Line Interface (CLI). 1. Obtain Your License Key
Before installation, you must redeem your purchase to get the actual 25-character alphanumeric key.
Redemption: Visit the HPE My Software Center to redeem your Entitlement Certificate (received via email or physical shipment). License Types: Single-Server License: One key for one specific server.
Flexible-Quantity License: A single activation key used for multiple servers.
Preinstalled: Note that SmartCache is already included and preinstalled on certain high-end controllers like the P816i-a SR Gen10 and all Gen10 Plus or later models. 2. Installation Steps
You can install the key using either a graphical interface or the command line. Using HPE Smart Storage Administrator (SSA)
Launch SSA: Open the utility from your OS or via Intelligent Provisioning (F10 during boot).
Select Controller: Choose the Smart Array controller you want to license.
Manage Licenses: Go to the Actions or Settings tab and select Manage License Keys.
Add Key: Click Add License Key, enter your 25-character code, and save. Using SSA CLI (Command Line) HPE Smart Array SR Gen10 Controller User Guide
Once you procure and install the HPE Smart Cache License Key (typically via an iLO Advanced license key or a specific software entitlement for the Smart Array), you unlock:
| Platform | Management Tool | |----------|----------------| | Nimble / Alletra 5000/6000 | NimbleOS GUI or CLI (or HPE InfoSight) | | 3PAR / Primera | HPE 3PAR SSMC (Storage Management Console) or CLI | | MSA | MSA Web Interface (SMU) or CLI |
The license is typically sold as a Flexible License (FL) or a Base License. It is often tied to the specific Smart Array Controller's serial number or the server's hardware.
Tip: Ensure you purchase the correct license tier. Some licenses are sold based on the controller model (e.g., licensing for the P-Series controllers).