Empowering Enterprise Excellence: Unleashing Performance with the HPE 800GB SAS SSD

Introduction to the HPE 800GB SAS SSD

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF Multi-level Cell (MLC) SAS-6Gbps Standard Carrier Enterprise Mainstream Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution engineered for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers from Generation 2 (Gen2) to Generation 7 (Gen7). Designed to meet the rigorous demands of enterprise environments, this SSD combines substantial storage capacity with robust reliability and speed, making it an ideal choice for data centers running mission-critical applications. This article explores the technical specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and use cases of this SSD, providing IT professionals with a comprehensive guide to optimizing their server infrastructure.

Overview of Enterprise Storage Needs

Modern enterprises rely heavily on efficient, high-performance storage to handle data-intensive workloads such as databases, virtualization, and online transaction processing (OLTP). The HPE 800GB SAS SSD addresses these needs by leveraging Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash technology and a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface, delivering a balance of speed, endurance, and cost-efficiency. Its compatibility with older ProLiant server generations makes it a versatile option for organizations maintaining legacy systems while seeking to enhance performance.

Technical Specifications

Capacity and Form Factor

The HPE 800GB SSD offers a substantial 800GB storage capacity, providing ample space for enterprise applications, including large databases, media files, and virtual machine storage. Its 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) design optimizes space within server chassis, allowing for higher storage density in rack-mounted or blade server environments. The compact form factor is particularly beneficial for organizations aiming to maximize storage within limited physical space.

Interface and Performance

Equipped with a SAS-6Gbps interface, this SSD delivers data transfer rates of up to 6 gigabits per second, ensuring fast and reliable data access. The drive achieves impressive performance metrics, including:

Random Read IOPS: Approximately 51,700 input/output operations per second (IOPS), ideal for applications requiring frequent data retrieval.

Random Write IOPS: Approximately 13,000 IOPS, supporting write-intensive workloads.

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 422 MiB/s, enabling rapid access to large datasets.

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 175 MiB/s, facilitating efficient data writes.

These performance characteristics make the SSD suitable for workloads demanding high IOPS and low latency, significantly outperforming traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).

NAND Flash Technology

The drive utilizes Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory, which strikes a balance between performance, endurance, and cost compared to Single-Level Cell (SLC) or Triple-Level Cell (TLC) alternatives. MLC technology allows the SSD to store two bits per cell, offering higher storage density and cost-efficiency while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability.

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Dimensions: 11.80 inches (height) x 7.90 inches (width) x 5.90 inches (depth)

Weight: 1.35 lbs

Operating Temperature: 32°F to 158°F

Shock Tolerance: 1000 g @ 0.5 ms (both operating and non-operating)

These specifications ensure the drive can withstand the rigors of enterprise environments, including high temperatures and physical shocks, making it suitable for continuous operation in data centers.

Key Features

Hot-Swap Capability

The HPE 800GB SSD is designed as a hot-swappable drive, allowing administrators to replace or install the drive without powering down the server. This feature minimizes downtime and enhances operational efficiency, particularly in environments where continuous availability is critical.

Standard Carrier Design

The SSD is bundled with HPE’s Standard Carrier, which simplifies installation and ensures compatibility with a wide range of ProLiant servers and storage systems. The carrier design facilitates secure mounting and easy integration into existing server bays.

Enterprise Mainstream Workload

Classified as an Enterprise Mainstream SSD, this drive is optimized for workloads with balanced read and write operations. It is well-suited for applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and virtualized environments, where consistent performance is essential.

Reliability and Durability

HPE SSDs undergo rigorous testing, with over 3.35 million hours of validation to ensure reliability in demanding environments. The drive includes full data-path error detection to maintain data accuracy and prevent data loss. Its robust shock tolerance (1000 g @ 0.5 ms) further enhances durability, making it capable of withstanding significant physical stress.

Compatibility

Supported ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers from Gen2 to Gen7, including:

DL Series: DL1000, DL120 (Gen6, Gen7), DL160 (Gen6, Gen7), DL160se (Gen6, Gen7), DL165 (Gen6, Gen7), DL170e/h (Gen6, Gen7), DL180 (Gen6, Gen7), DL320 (Gen6, Gen7), DL360 (Gen4p, Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), DL365 (Gen1, Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), DL370 (Gen6, Gen7), DL380 (Gen4, Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), DL385 (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, Gen4, Gen5/Gen5p, Gen6, Gen7), DL580 (Gen3, Gen4, Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), DL585 (Gen2, Gen3, Gen4, Gen6, Gen7), DL785 (Gen6).

ML Series: ML110 (Gen7), ML350 (Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), ML370 (Gen5, Gen6, Gen7), ML570 (Gen3, Gen4, Gen5).

Supported Storage Systems

The SSD is also compatible with various HPE storage systems, including:

D2700, MSA50, MSA60, MSA70

X1500 (Gen2), X16000 (Gen2), X1800 (Gen2), X3400 (Gen2), X3800 (Gen2)

Administrators should verify firmware compatibility and consult HPE’s documentation to ensure seamless integration with their specific server or storage array.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

Enhanced Performance

Compared to traditional HDDs, the HPE 800GB SSD offers significantly lower latency and higher IOPS, resulting in faster application response times and improved system performance. This is particularly beneficial for data-intensive applications such as databases and virtualization.

Power Efficiency

SSDs consume less power than HDDs, reducing operational costs in data centers. The HPE 800GB SSD’s energy-efficient design helps organizations lower their power consumption while maintaining high performance, contributing to a greener IT infrastructure.

Cost-Effective Storage Solution

The use of MLC NAND flash technology provides a cost-effective alternative to SLC-based SSDs, offering a compelling balance of performance and affordability. This makes the HPE 800GB SSD an attractive option for organizations looking to upgrade their storage infrastructure without significant capital expenditure.

Simplified Maintenance

The hot-swappable design and Standard Carrier ensure easy installation and maintenance, reducing the need for specialized tools or expertise. This simplicity enhances operational efficiency and minimizes downtime during upgrades or replacements.

Use Cases

Database Management

The high random read and write IOPS make this SSD ideal for database applications, where rapid data access and transaction processing are critical. It can handle large-scale SQL or NoSQL databases, ensuring low latency and high throughput.

Virtualization

In virtualized environments, the SSD’s performance characteristics support multiple virtual machines running concurrently, reducing bottlenecks and improving user experience. Its 800GB capacity provides ample storage for virtual machine images and snapshots.

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)

The HPE 800GB SSD excels in OLTP environments, where frequent read and write operations are common. Its enterprise mainstream workload rating ensures reliable performance for applications such as e-commerce platforms and financial systems.

Media and Content Storage

For organizations managing large media files or content libraries, the SSD’s substantial capacity and sequential throughput capabilities enable efficient storage and retrieval of videos, images, and other large datasets.

Considerations for Deployment

Firmware and Compatibility

Before deploying the HPE 800GB SSD, ensure that the server’s firmware is up to date to avoid compatibility issues. HPE’s Systems Insight Manager and other management tools can assist with drive configuration, monitoring, and maintenance.

Refurbished vs. New Units

Many available HPE 800GB SSDs are refurbished (Grade A), often coming with a 30-day or 6-month warranty, depending on the supplier. New bulk pack units may offer a 1-year warranty. Organizations should weigh the cost savings of refurbished drives against the potential benefits of new units, depending on their budget and reliability requirements.

Comparison with SAS-12Gbps SSDs

While the SAS-6Gbps interface provides robust performance, newer SAS-12Gbps SSDs (e.g., HPE part number 741234-001) offer higher bandwidth for mission-critical applications. However, for Gen2 to Gen7 servers, the SAS-6Gbps interface is typically sufficient and more cost-effective.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SAS-6Gbps Standard Carrier Enterprise Mainstream SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen2 to Gen7 servers. Its combination of high capacity, enterprise-grade performance, and robust compatibility makes it an excellent choice for organizations seeking to enhance their data center infrastructure. Whether used for databases, virtualization, OLTP, or media storage, this SSD delivers the speed, reliability, and efficiency needed to meet the demands of modern enterprise workloads. By leveraging its hot-swappable design, power efficiency, and cost-effective MLC technology, IT administrators can optimize their server performance while maintaining operational flexibility and scalability.