: Requires a valid license key and a Flash Backed Write Cache (FBWC) module. How to Unlock Advanced Features
During the POST screen, watch for the prompt for the . Press F8 to enter the ORCA utility. Select Manage License Keys from the main menu. Choose Add License Key . Type in your 25-digit activation key and press Enter . Method 2: Using HP Smart Storage Administrator (HP SSA)
If you manage the server remotely, you can apply the license directly through the Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) console. Log into your . Navigate to Administration > Licensing in the left sidebar. Paste the 25-character key into the Activation Key fields. hp smart array p420i license key
—which uses SSDs to accelerate read performance—still requires a separate license for permanent use. HPE often provides a 60-day free trial for SmartCache to evaluate its performance benefits. How to Activate or Manage Keys
HPE’s EULA states licenses are non-transferable. However, HPE rarely enforces this for end users. As long as the key is not being resold by a mass distributor, you are likely safe for homelab use. : Requires a valid license key and a
Click , enter your code, and apply the changes. Method 3: Via HPE iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) Command Line
Simply entering a license key will not activate features if your hardware does not meet the basic physical prerequisites. Select Manage License Keys from the main menu
Before applying a license, check your firmware version. On Gen8 servers, HP updated the firmware (version ) to natively support RAID 6 and 60 without requiring a separate license key. You can download the latest firmware directly from the HPE Support Center. How to Install the License Key You can install the key using one of the following methods: HP Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) :