The HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID Driver for Windows Server 2022 is a small but critical piece of software that unlocks the full potential of software RAID on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. While the driver installation process may seem daunting—especially during a clean OS deployment where storage is invisible—following the steps outlined in this guide ensures a smooth, reliable outcome.
Remember the golden rules:
By mastering this driver, you turn a simple embedded SATA controller into a functional, redundant storage subsystem capable of running Windows Server 2022 in small to medium business environments, branch offices, or development labs. For mission-critical workloads, however, consider upgrading to a hardware RAID controller.
Now go forth, deploy your Gen10 server, and leave the "no drives found" error behind.
Additional Resources:
Last updated: [Current Date] – Driver version tested: 1.2.18.0
The HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID Driver for Windows Server 2022 is available as version 1010.14.0.0(C) (or newer), which you can download directly from the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center.
For detailed technical guidance, the best documentation is the HPE Smart Array SR Gen10 Controller User Guide. This document covers critical procedures such as enabling software RAID in the UEFI System Utilities and manually injecting drivers during a Windows installation. Key Technical Resources
Official Driver Download: The HPE Support Portal provides the verified package for Windows Server 2022.
Comprehensive User Guide: The HPE Smart Array SR Gen10 User Guide explains the differences between S-class (software), E-class, and P-class controllers, along with configuration steps.
QuickSpecs Reference: For hardware limits and supported RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 10), refer to the HPE S100i QuickSpecs.
Configuration Advisory: Critical updates regarding data consistency for specific RAID levels can be found in this HPE Support Advisory. Installation Highlights Enabling Smart Array software RAID - HPE Support
The HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID driver for Windows Server 2022
is a software-based storage solution that enables basic data protection and performance for entry-level SATA configurations on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Core Capabilities
Storage Interface: Supports up to 14 SATA lanes using 6Gb/s SATA technology. The HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW
RAID Levels: Supports standard entry-level configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.
Drive Support: Manages up to 14 physical drives and up to 14 logical drives.
Platform Compatibility: Specifically designed for embedded SATA ports on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers and HPE Synergy Gen10 compute modules. Data Protection & Reliability
Predictive Drive Failure: Detects potential issues before they occur, allowing for proactive component replacement.
Background Surface Scan: Checks drives during inactive periods to automatically remap bad sectors and maintain data integrity.
HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge: Monitors and reports the remaining lifetime of installed SSDs.
Event Notification Service: Integrates with the Windows Server system event log to provide real-time status updates. Deployment Requirements
Boot Mode: Operates exclusively in UEFI Boot Mode; it is not supported in Legacy BIOS Mode.
Installation: The driver is not included in standard Windows Server media. It must be manually injected during OS installation via USB or automatically added using HPE Intelligent Provisioning.
Updates: It is highly recommended to use the latest driver version (e.g., v1010.14.0.0 or later) available through the HPE Support Center to ensure stability on Windows Server 2022.
HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 entry-level, software-based RAID
solution integrated into many HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. While it provides basic data redundancy, it is widely criticized for poor performance in write-intensive workloads. Spiceworks Community Quick Verdict
Low-budget, light workloads (e.g., OS boot volumes) where redundancy is needed but performance is not critical. Worst For:
Databases, heavy file servers, or high-performance VMs, especially in RAID 5 configurations. Windows Server 2022 Support: Fully supported via official HPE drivers. HPE Support Center Review Breakdown 1. Performance & Reliability Write Bottlenecks: By mastering this driver, you turn a simple
Users frequently report significant performance drops, specifically in RAID 5. Sequential write speeds can drop from 150MB/s to as low as once the system's cache is exhausted. CPU Dependency:
Because it is "Software RAID," parity calculations (for RAID 5/10) are handled by the system CPU. However, real-world tests show that upgrading to a more powerful CPU does not necessarily solve the underlying throughput limits of the S100i architecture. Stability:
Despite performance issues, its reliability for drive failures is solid. It accurately reports failed drives and handles rebuilds without data loss. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Community 2. Driver & Installation (Windows Server 2022) Manual Injection Required: The driver is not included
in standard Microsoft Windows installation media. If you are installing the OS onto a RAID volume, you must manually load the driver via USB or use HPE Intelligent Provisioning during setup. Official Downloads: HPE Smart Array S100i Driver (Win Server 2022) - Version 1010.14.0.0(C). HPE SR100i Gen10 Plus Driver - Specifically for Gen10 Plus platforms. HPE Support Center 3. Pros and Cons
The HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID is a driver-based storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10 for up to 14 SATA drives. Because it is a software RAID, its driver is not included in standard Windows Server 2022 installation media; you must manually provide it during setup for Windows to "see" your logical drives. 1. Official Driver Download
HPE provides a specific version of this driver for Windows Server 2022. Version: 1010.14.0.0(C) Release Date: September 28, 2022
Direct Source: Download the HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID Driver from the HPE Support Center. 2. Pre-Installation Configuration
Before installing the OS, the controller must be set to RAID mode and an array must be created.
Enable RAID Mode: During POST, press F9 to enter UEFI System Utilities. Navigate to System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > Storage Options > SATA Controller Options > Embedded SATA Configuration and select Smart Array SW RAID Support.
Create Array: Enter the HPE Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) (usually via F10 Intelligent Provisioning or F9 System Configuration) to create your RAID volume. 3. OS Installation Steps
If you are not using HPE Intelligent Provisioning (which automatically injects drivers), follow these manual steps:
Extract the Driver: Download the .exe driver file. Run it on another PC and select the option to Extract the files to a USB flash drive. Load Driver During Setup: Boot from the Windows Server 2022 media.
When the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen appears (and no disks are listed), click Load driver.
Browse to the folder on your USB drive where you extracted the driver files. Additional Resources:
Select the HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 SW RAID driver. Once loaded, your RAID logical drive should appear in the list. 4. Key Specifications
Compatibility: Exclusively for Windows environments; Linux and VMware require different configurations or are not supported in SW RAID mode. Interface: 6Gb/s SATA.
CPU Impact: As a software RAID, it utilizes system CPU for RAID calculations, though performance tests on Windows Server 2022 show minimal CPU load differences between entry-level and high-end processors.
This paper details the technical requirements, driver architecture, and deployment procedures for the HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10 software RAID controller on the Microsoft Windows Server 2022 operating system. As organizations migrate from legacy operating systems to Windows Server 2022, understanding the specific driver requirements for software-defined storage controllers is critical. This document clarifies the necessity of the HPE ProLiant Intelligent Provisioning environment, addresses common installation failures during Out-of-Box-Experience (OOBE), and outlines best practices for storage configuration.
Open diskmgmt.msc. Your RAID logical volume(s) should appear as a single disk with the correct capacity.
Cause: Windows Update may have installed a generic Microsoft driver.
Solution:
For Windows Server 2022, the S100i does not typically utilize a standalone "Smart Array" driver in the traditional sense (like the hpdsa or smartpqi drivers used for hardware cards). Instead, it operates through the HPE ProLiant Intelligent Provisioning driver stack.
The S100i supports the following RAID levels:
Note: RAID 5 and RAID 6 are generally not supported on the S100i due to the high computational overhead on the host CPU.
Cause: BIOS SATA controller mode mismatch.
Solution:
Reboot into System BIOS (F9). Navigate to System Options → SATA Controller Options → Ensure Embedded SATA Configuration is set to "Dynamic Smart Array" or "RAID Mode". Do NOT use AHCI or Legacy.
Cause: The S100i is in AHCI mode, not RAID mode.
Solution:
Historically, HPE provided separate driver .exe or .zip packages for download. However, for Windows Server 2022 and the Gen10 platform, the drivers for the S100i are integrated into the HPE Intelligent Provisioning (IP) Recovery Environment.
Crucial Note: HPE strongly advises against attempting to download individual drivers from the HPE Support Center for the S100i unless specifically directed by a Support Matrix. The most stable and supported method of installation is via the Intelligent Provisioning boot media.