HPE MSA 2070 SAN Storage System

The HPE MSA 2070 SAN Storage System is a compact, high-value SAN solution designed to deliver enterprise-grade storage capabilities to growing businesses, virtualization hosts, and branch offices. Built around a 12-bay 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) chassis and driven by a robust iSCSI data path, this array consolidates capacity, performance, and data protection in a footprint that fits in smaller data centers while still delivering the reliability you expect from HPE. With 12 drives configured at 1.92 TB each, the MSA 2070 offers a raw storage capacity of up to 23.04 TB, providing ample headroom for virtual machines, databases, backups, and file services. Its design focuses on simplicity—easy provisioning, straightforward management, and non-disruptive upgradability—so you can deploy quickly and scale as your workloads grow. Whether you’re standardizing on iSCSI to leverage existing Ethernet networks or planning a future upgrade to Fibre Channel, the MSA 2070 helps you achieve predictable performance at a compelling total cost of ownership.

• Compact, scalable 12-bay SFF storage array: 12 x 1.92 TB drives provide up to 23.04 TB raw capacity in a compact 2U footprint, making it ideal for virtualized environments, databases, and backup targets. The MSA 2070 is designed to grow with your business, with options to add capacity as your needs expand while maintaining consistent performance and reliability.
• iSCSI connectivity with flexible networking: Delivering affordable, Ethernet-based storage, the MSA 2070 integrates smoothly into standard network fabrics. It supports Ethernet-based iSCSI for streamlined cabling and cost-effective deployment, with the option to scale to higher-performance fabrics as your performance requirements rise, helping you consolidate storage without a complex SAN overlay.
• Dual-controller architecture for high availability: The MSA 2070 employs a dual-controller design to provide redundancy and non-disruptive operation. With automatic failover and non-disruptive maintenance, you can maintain access to data during software updates or hardware upgrades, reducing downtime and preserving service levels for critical workloads.
• Comprehensive data protection and performance features: Built to support a range of workloads, the MSA 2070 offers RAID options (0, 1, 5, 6, 10), snapshots, and cloning capabilities to protect data and accelerate provisioning. These features help you meet business continuity targets while delivering predictable performance for virtual machines, databases, and shared file services.
• Easy management and strong integration: The MSA 2070 is designed for straightforward administration, with intuitive setup wizards, centralized monitoring, and compatibility with leading virtualization platforms. It integrates with common backup and disaster-recovery workflows and provides clear visibility into capacity, performance, and health, making storage management approachable for IT teams of all sizes.

Technical Details of HPE MSA 2070 SAN Storage System

• Drive Bays: 12 x 2.5" SFF SAS/SATA drives configured at 1.92 TB each (total raw capacity up to 23.04 TB).
• Form Factor: 2U rack-mount chassis designed for compact data centers and remote office deployments.
• Connectivity: Primarily iSCSI over Ethernet for economical storage networking; option for Fibre Channel connectivity in mixed environments or future upgrades.
• Controllers: Dual active controllers for redundancy and high availability, enabling non-disruptive upgrades and continuous access to data.
• RAID and Data Protection: Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, along with snapshots and cloning capabilities to safeguard data and accelerate provisioning.
• Power and Cooling: Redundant power supplies and hot-swappable components to minimize downtime and simplify maintenance.
• Expansion and Growth: Designed to scale with growing workloads; supports expansion options and future capacity upgrades to accommodate increasing storage requirements.
• Management and Monitoring: Web-based management with intuitive wizards, real-time health checks, and integration with standard IT monitoring and administration tools.
• Compatibility and Workloads: Well-suited for virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V), databases, backups, and file services, with broad compatibility across operating systems and backup tools.

How to install HPE MSA 2070 SAN Storage System

• Step 1: Prepare the rack space and ensure proper cooling and electrical requirements are in place. Install the MSA 2070 in a suitable 2U rack using standard hardware rails, and verify that there is adequate airflow around the chassis.
• Step 2: Connect power and network cables. Attach redundant power connections to the appropriate power sources and connect the iSCSI network uplinks (and any Fibre Channel adapters if used) to the designated switch ports. Ensure network settings align with your data center standards.
• Step 3: Power on the array and perform initial firmware checks. Access the management interface from a connected workstation, verify firmware versions, and apply any recommended updates to ensure compatibility and security.
• Step 4: Configure storage pools, RAID groups, and logical units. Create RAID configurations that align with your availability and performance goals, then define LUNs or volumes and map them to your host servers or clusters. Assign appropriate block sizes and caching settings based on workload characteristics.
• Step 5: Establish host connectivity and initiator settings. For iSCSI, configure the iSCSI targets and discovery including CHAP as needed. For Fibre Channel, set up the zoning and fabric connections. Bind hosts to the presented LUNs and verify visibility from the operating systems.
• Step 6: Integrate with virtualization platforms and backup tools. Register the MSA 2070 with your virtualization platform (VMware, Hyper-V) and configure storage profiles, datastores, or iSCSI targets accordingly. Connect backup software to the array to enable snapshots, replication, and disaster recovery workflows.
• Step 7: Validate performance and health. Run baseline I/O tests, monitor latency and throughput, and review health dashboards to confirm the array meets your service level expectations. Plan a regular maintenance schedule for firmware checks and capacity planning to sustain performance over time.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the HPE MSA 2070 SAN Storage System best for? It is an entry- to mid-range SAN designed for small to mid-sized businesses and remote offices. It is well-suited for consolidating databases, virtual machines, backups, and shared file services, while offering a balance of performance, capacity, and cost efficiency.
• What connectivity options does it support? The MSA 2070 is configured for iSCSI connectivity over Ethernet, with optional Fibre Channel support for environments that require FC fabrics or higher performance per I/O. This gives you flexibility to leverage existing networks or plan for future upgrades.
• How much capacity can I expect with 12 x 1.92 TB drives? With 12 drives at 1.92 TB each, the raw capacity is up to 23.04 TB. Net usable capacity depends on the RAID level chosen and storage efficiency features, but the configuration provides ample headroom for diverse workloads and growth.
• What kind of data protection features are included? The array supports standard RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 6, 10), plus data protection features such as snapshots and cloning to assist with data protection, quick provisioning, and testing without impacting production data.
• How is management performed? Management is performed through a web-based interface with guided wizards, along with integration options for standard monitoring and backup tools. This simplifies daily operations, capacity planning, and firmware maintenance, helping IT teams deliver reliable storage services with less complexity.