HPE MSA 1050
The HPE MSA 1050 is an entry-level 2U dual-controller SAN storage platform designed to bring affordable shared storage and automated tiering to small businesses. With factory-configured host interfaces (Fibre Channel, iSCSI, or SAS) and support for high-capacity enterprise hard disks and SSD read caches, the MSA 1050 delivers significant performance improvements over the predecessor 1040 while keeping setup simple.
Specifications
| Brand | HPE |
|---|---|
| Family | MSA |
| Form factor | 2U rack entry SAN |
| Released | Jul 2017 |
| End of sale | Mar 2021 |
| End of support | Mar 2026 |
| Form factor | 2U rack mount (12 LFF or 24 SFF drives) |
| Controllers | Dual active-active controllers with 6GB total cache |
| Host ports | 2 ports per controller (8Gb FC, 10GbE iSCSI, 1GbE iSCSI, or 12G SAS) |
| Max drives | Up to 96 SFF or 48 LFF drives with three disk shelves |
| Max capacity | Over 600TB raw storage |
| Data protection | Snapshots, volume copy, and remote asynchronous replication |
Generations
- Previous generation: HPE MSA 1040
- Next generation: HPE MSA 1060
Works together
How the HPE MSA 1050 connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
HPE Superdome Flex Superdome Flex 5U chassis, 4 sockets each, up to 8 chassis
HPE Synergy 660 Gen10 Compute Module full-height compute module
HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 1U rack
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 2U rack
HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 2U rack
HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 2U rack
Adapters for the server
P9D94A HPE StoreFabric SN1200E 16Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
P9M76A HPE StoreFabric SN1600Q 32Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Q0L13A HPE StoreFabric SN1600E 32Gb 1-port Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Q0L14A HPE StoreFabric SN1600E 32Gb 2-port Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Switches
HPE StoreFabric SN3600B 1U rack
HPE StoreFabric SN6600B 1U rack
HPE StoreFabric SN6700B 1U rack
Brocade G-Series G610 1U
Optics
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16Gb Shortwave SFP+ Optical Transceiver
57-1000333-01 Brocade 32Gb Longwave 10km SFP28 Optical Transceiver
57-1000487-01 Brocade 32Gb Shortwave SFP28 Optical Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
- What an hour of downtime costs outagecost.org
- HPE SPOCK (HPE storage compatibility) hpe.com
Check compatibility with HPE
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that HPE has tested with the HPE MSA 1050.
- Compatibility HPE SPOCK (storage, SAN and host compatibility)
- Part lookup HPE PartSurfer (spare and option part numbers)
- Support HPE Support Center
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
Does the MSA 1050 support automated tiering?
The 1050 supports read caching with SSDs out of the box; full sub-LUN automated tiering can be enabled with an optional Advanced Data Services license.
Can MSA 1050 controllers mix different interface cards?
No, each MSA 1050 system comes with fixed factory controller types (either all FC, all iSCSI, or all SAS).
Buying or selling MSA 1050?
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 MSA 1050 QuickSpecs (MSA 1050 Storage System QuickSpecs), checked 2026-10-27
- HPE MSA 1050 Overview and Technical Specifications, checked 2026-10-27