Empowering Data Centers: Unleashing Performance with the HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps Mixed Use SSD

HPE 800GB 3.5-Inch LFF SATA-6Gbps Mixed Use SSD: A Comprehensive Overview

The HPE 800GB 3.5-inch Large Form Factor (LFF) Digitally Signed Firmware SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Converter (SCC) Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Engineered to handle mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines robust capacity, enterprise-grade reliability, and advanced features to meet the demands of modern data centers. This article provides a detailed exploration of its specifications, features, compatibility, benefits, and ideal use cases, offering valuable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD is tailored for enterprise environments requiring a balance of read and write performance. Below are its key technical specifications:

Capacity: 800GB, providing substantial storage for enterprise applications.

Form Factor: 3.5-inch Large Form Factor (LFF), suitable for server chassis requiring larger drives.

Interface: SATA-6Gbps, delivering a data transfer rate of up to 6 gigabits per second.

NAND Flash Technology: Enhanced Multi-Level Cell (eMLC), offering a balance of performance, endurance, and cost.

Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU), optimized for applications with balanced read and write operations.

Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3, indicating robust endurance for mixed-use workloads.

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 535 MiB/s, ensuring fast data access.

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 500 MiB/s, supporting efficient data writes.

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier Converter (SCC), featuring self-describing icons and a "do not remove" button to prevent human error during maintenance.

Features: Power Loss Protection (PLP) and Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) for enhanced reliability and security.

Height: 15 mm, ensuring compatibility with standard server bays.

Part Numbers: Includes 804628-K21, 804628-B21, 804628-X21, 804628-H21, and model number LK0800GEYMU (Assembly Number: 804612-003, Spare Number: 805382-001).

Warranty: Typically offered with a 90-day warranty for new bulk packs or up to 3 years for brand-new units, depending on the vendor.

These specifications make the SSD a versatile choice for enterprises seeking reliable, high-capacity storage for mixed workloads.

Key Features and Technologies

The HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD incorporates several advanced features that enhance its performance, reliability, and manageability:

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The SSD’s firmware is digitally signed, ensuring authenticity and protection against unauthorized modifications. This feature enhances security by mitigating risks associated with firmware tampering, a critical consideration for enterprise environments handling sensitive data.

Power Loss Protection (PLP)

PLP safeguards data integrity during unexpected power interruptions by ensuring that data in transit is written to the drive. This feature is essential for mission-critical applications where data loss could have significant consequences.

Smart Carrier Converter (SCC)

The Smart Carrier Converter facilitates easy integration into HPE ProLiant servers. It includes LED indicators for real-time status and health monitoring, which integrate with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools for streamlined maintenance and diagnostics. The "do not remove" button prevents accidental drive removal during operation, reducing the risk of downtime.

Hot-Pluggable Design

The SSD supports hot-plugging, allowing drive replacement without shutting down the server. This feature ensures continuous operation in high-availability environments, minimizing disruptions.

Mixed Use Workload Optimization

With a DWPD of 3, the SSD is designed for mixed-use workloads, balancing read and write operations. It is ideal for applications requiring frequent data access, such as transactional databases, virtualization, and big data analytics.

These features collectively ensure that the SSD delivers robust performance, security, and ease of maintenance, making it a strategic asset for enterprise storage solutions.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as select HPE Synergy systems. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible server models:

ProLiant DL Series: DL360 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL580 Gen8/Gen9.

ProLiant ML Series: ML110 Gen9/Gen10, ML150 Gen9/Gen10, ML350 Gen9/Gen10.

ProLiant BL Series: BL420c Gen8, BL460c Gen8/Gen9, BL660c Gen8/Gen9.

Apollo Series: Apollo 2000 Gen9/Gen10, Apollo 4500 Gen9/Gen10.

Synergy Systems: Select compute modules, such as Synergy 480 Gen10 and 660 Gen10.

For precise compatibility, IT administrators should consult HPE’s official documentation or contact their vendor, as some models may require specific firmware updates or RAID controller configurations. The SSD’s broad compatibility makes it suitable for diverse server deployments, including rack, tower, blade, and converged infrastructure environments.

Performance and Use Cases

The HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD is optimized for mixed-use workloads, offering a balance of read and write performance. Its sequential read and write speeds of up to 535 MiB/s and 500 MiB/s, respectively, combined with low latency, make it ideal for the following use cases:

Transactional Databases

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency accelerate data retrieval and updates, making it suitable for databases handling frequent transactions, such as those used in e-commerce or financial systems.

Virtualization

Virtualized environments benefit from the SSD’s ability to handle multiple simultaneous read and write operations, ensuring smooth performance for virtual machines and hypervisors.

Big Data Analytics

The SSD’s high throughput and capacity support big data analytics platforms, enabling faster processing of large datasets for insights and decision-making.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

ERP systems, which require consistent performance for mixed workloads, leverage the SSD’s reliability and speed to ensure seamless operation.

Compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), this SSD offers significantly lower latency and higher IOPS, resulting in faster application responsiveness and improved user experiences. While its SATA-6Gbps interface provides lower bandwidth than SAS-12Gbps alternatives, it remains a cost-effective solution for environments with moderate performance requirements.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for enterprise storage upgrades:

Enhanced Performance

The SSD delivers superior speed and responsiveness compared to HDDs, accelerating data-intensive applications and reducing processing times.

Energy Efficiency

With lower power consumption than traditional HDDs, the SSD contributes to reduced energy costs and a smaller environmental footprint, a critical consideration for large-scale data centers.

Robust Reliability

Features like PLP and eMLC NAND flash technology ensure data integrity and drive longevity, even under demanding workloads.

Simplified Management

The Smart Carrier Converter and iLO integration enable proactive monitoring and maintenance, minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Cost-Effectiveness

The SATA-6Gbps interface offers a balance of performance and cost, making the SSD an economical choice for enterprises seeking to upgrade from HDDs without the higher cost of SAS-based drives.

These benefits make the SSD a strategic investment for organizations aiming to optimize their data center performance in 2025 and beyond.

Deployment Considerations

To maximize the performance and longevity of the HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD, consider the following deployment best practices:

Verify Compatibility: Confirm that the SSD is compatible with your specific ProLiant server model using HPE’s compatibility matrix or by consulting with a vendor.

Update Firmware: Regularly update the SSD’s firmware using HPE’s iLO tools to leverage performance improvements and security enhancements.

Optimize Workloads: Deploy the SSD in mixed-use environments to maximize its DWPD and performance benefits. For read-intensive or write-intensive workloads, consider alternative HPE SSD models.

Monitor Health: Use HPE Smart Carrier and iLO tools to monitor drive health and performance, enabling proactive maintenance to prevent unexpected failures.

Source from Reputable Vendors: Purchase from trusted vendors to ensure authenticity and warranty coverage. Options include new bulk packs (90-day warranty) or brand-new units (up to 3-year warranty).

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

To determine the best fit for specific needs, the HPE 800GB LFF SATA-6Gbps SSD can be compared to other HPE SSD models:

HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD (P09090-B21): Offers higher bandwidth (12 Gb/s) and improved performance (up to 1050 MiB/s sequential read), but its smaller form factor may not suit LFF server bays. It is ideal for high-performance workloads but may be costlier.

HPE 800GB 3.5-inch LFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD (MO000800JWTBR-SCC): Provides twice the bandwidth of SATA-6Gbps drives, making it suitable for performance-critical applications. However, it may not be compatible with older Gen8 servers.

HPE 1.92TB LFF SATA-6Gbps Mixed Use SSD (P07932-B21): Offers higher capacity for data-intensive applications but at a higher cost. It is suitable for environments requiring more storage space.

The choice depends on the specific workload, server compatibility, and budget constraints. The SATA-6Gbps SSD is a cost-effective option for mixed-use workloads in LFF server configurations.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 3.5-inch LFF Digitally Signed Firmware SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Converter Mixed Use SSD is a versatile and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its combination of high capacity, enterprise-grade endurance, and advanced features like Digitally Signed Firmware, Power Loss Protection, and Smart Carrier Converter make it an excellent choice for organizations seeking to enhance their data center performance. Ideal for mixed workloads such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics, this SSD delivers the speed, reliability, and efficiency required for modern enterprise environments. By verifying compatibility, leveraging HPE iLO tools, and sourcing from reputable vendors, IT administrators can ensure optimal deployment and performance, making this SSD a strategic investment for 2025 and beyond.