P48183-B21: HPE NS204i-u Gen11 NVMe Hot Plug Boot Optimized Storage Device
Also listed as: P48183-001, P50085-001 · made by Marvell
The HPE NS204i-u Gen11 is a dedicated, OS-independent hardware RAID1 boot storage device designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen11 servers. Pre-populated with two 480GB enterprise M.2 NVMe SSDs accessible and hot-pluggable from the server's rear panel, it offloads hypervisor and OS boot drives from front drive bays and RAID controllers without requiring extra software drivers or licensing. When buying used, verify that both 480GB NVMe drive caddies are present and functioning properly in RAID1 mirror state.
Specifications
| Part number | P48183-B21 |
|---|---|
| Brand | HPE |
| Made by | Marvell |
| Type | Boot devices |
| Other numbers | P48183-001, P50085-001 |
| Status | current |
| Capacity (GB) | 960 |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x2 / NVMe hardware RAID1 |
| Form factor | Dedicated rear universal boot bay module |
| Speed | 2x 480GB M.2 NVMe SSDs in hardware RAID1 |
| Generation fit | Gen11 ProLiant servers |
About the P48183-B21
P48183-B21 is HPE's dedicated OS-independent boot-optimized storage device designed specifically for ProLiant Gen11 servers. Built around a hardware RAID controller from Marvell, it integrates two 480GB enterprise M.2 NVMe SSDs enclosed in rear-facing hot-plug drive sleeves. The unit creates an automated hardware RAID1 mirrored boot volume that is completely transparent to the host operating system, requiring zero driver installation or configuration in VMware ESXi, Windows Server, or Linux. It frees all front-chassis drive bays and primary RAID controller ports exclusively for customer data arrays.
Compatibility
This boot device installs into the dedicated rear universal boot bay found in HPE ProLiant Gen11 rack servers, including the DL360 Gen11, DL380 Gen11, DL385 Gen11, DL325 Gen11, and DL560 Gen11, as well as the ML350 Gen11 tower. It requires an internal PCIe connection and dedicated power cabling from the system motherboard. It does not fit ProLiant Gen10 servers (which used PCIe add-in card boot devices like the NS204i-p) or Gen10 Plus chassis without the specialized rear boot cutout. The option part number is P48183-B21, with spare numbers P48183-001 and P50085-001.
How to identify a genuine unit
A genuine P48183-B21 features an external metal casing with an HPE label displaying the option part number, spare part number, and serial barcode on the outer housing. Each of the two removable M.2 drive sleeves features a numbered release lever (Drive 1 and Drive 2) with status LEDs. In iLO 6, the device is recognized under the Storage page as the HPE NS204i-u Gen11 Boot Device with firmware status and individual M.2 NVMe health metrics. Units without proper HPE firmware will trigger unauthenticated hardware warnings in iLO.
Buying used
When buying a used NS204i-u, ensure that both 480GB M.2 NVMe drive cartridges are present, as systems are occasionally stripped of their M.2 SSD modules before resale. Have the seller verify in iLO that the RAID1 virtual disk state is normal, fully synchronized, and shows minimal NAND flash wear. Inspect the locking ejector tabs on both M.2 drive sleeves and verify that the internal blind-mate connector pins are clean and free of physical damage.
Reference prices (last 14 days, updated 2026-10-27)
New: USD 2,600 (1 sighting, Oct 2026)
All sightings
| Seller | Condition | Price | Note | Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| serversupply.com | new | USD 2,600 | new in box with dual 480GB NVMe M.2 | 2026-10-27 |
| cdw.com | quote | quote | request quote on CDW | 2026-10-27 |
Prices seen on public listings on the dates shown, before tax and shipping. Not an offer.
Fits these models
- HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen11
- HPE ProLiant ML110 Gen11
Equivalent part numbers
- Dell BOSS-N1 Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution with dual M.2 NVMe
FAQ
Does the NS204i-u require an OS driver to operate?
No. The NS204i-u provides hardware RAID1 managed transparently by an integrated hardware controller, presenting a single boot volume to VMware ESXi, Windows Server, or Linux.
Are the M.2 SSDs hot-pluggable?
Yes. The NS204i-u is designed with rear-facing hot-plug trays that allow replacing a failed M.2 drive without opening the server chassis or taking the system offline.
Buying or selling P48183-B21?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- HPE NS204i-u Gen11 Boot Optimized Storage Device QuickSpecs, checked 2026-10-27