Empowering Enterprise Excellence: Unleashing Performance with the HPE 800GB SAS-6Gbps SSD for ProLiant Servers

Overview of the HPE 800GB 2.5-Inch SFF MLC SAS-6Gbps SSD

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) SAS-6Gbps Standard Carrier Enterprise Mainstream Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers from Generation 2 (Gen2) to Generation 7 (Gen7). Engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and efficiency, this SSD is tailored for enterprise environments with demanding workloads such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. Leveraging MLC NAND flash technology and a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 6Gbps interface, it offers a robust balance of capacity, speed, and endurance, making it a strategic choice for data centers seeking to optimize server infrastructure.

Key Features and Benefits

This SSD combines advanced technology with enterprise-grade features to meet the needs of modern IT environments. Its key attributes include high input/output operations per second (IOPS), low latency, and power efficiency, all of which contribute to enhanced application performance and reduced operational costs.

Technical Specifications

Capacity and Form Factor

Capacity: 800GB, providing substantial storage for enterprise applications requiring high data throughput.

Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), optimizing space in server chassis while maintaining high storage density.

Height: 0.6 inches (15 mm), ensuring compatibility with standard SFF drive bays.

Interface and Performance

Interface: SAS-6Gbps, delivering a data transfer rate of up to 6 gigabits per second for reliable performance.

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

Performance Metrics:

Random Reads: Approximately 51,700 IOPS.

Random Writes: Approximately 13,000 IOPS.

Sequential Reads: Up to 422 MiB/s.

Sequential Writes: Up to 175 MiB/s.

Endurance and Reliability

Workload Type: Enterprise Mainstream, designed for balanced read and write operations.

Endurance: Mainstream Endurance, suitable for mixed workloads with moderate write demands.

Features: Includes HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge for monitoring drive lifespan and preventing data loss.

Carrier Type

Carrier: Standard Carrier, compatible with HPE ProLiant Gen2 to Gen7 servers.

Hot-Swap Capability: Supports hot-pluggable installation, allowing drive replacement without server downtime.

Compatibility

Supported Servers

The HPE 800GB SAS-6Gbps SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers, including:

ProLiant DL Series: DL1000, DL120 (Gen6, Gen7), DL160 (Gen6, Gen7), DL160se (Gen6, Gen7), DL165 (Gen6, Gen7), DL170e (Gen6, Gen7), DL170h (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).

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

Supported Storage Systems

HP Storage Systems: D2700, MSA50, MSA60, MSA70, X1500 (Gen2), X16000 (Gen2), X1800 (Gen2), X3400 (Gen2), X3800 (Gen2).

Part Numbers

Common part numbers for this SSD include:

632506-B21

632430-003

690823-B21

690811-003

MO0800FBRWD

632639-001

691024-001

MO0800FCTRQ

Administrators should verify compatibility with their specific server or storage array, as firmware updates may be required for optimal performance.

Performance and Use Cases

Enterprise Workload Optimization

The HPE 800GB SAS-6Gbps SSD is optimized for workloads requiring high random read and write IOPS, making it ideal for:

Databases: Accelerates data retrieval and transaction processing for SQL and NoSQL databases.

Virtualization: Enhances virtual machine performance by reducing latency and improving IOPS.

Big Data Analytics: Supports rapid data processing for analytics platforms handling large datasets.

Cloud Computing: Provides reliable storage for cloud-based applications with mixed read/write demands.

Comparison with Other Storage Solutions

Compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), this SSD offers:

Higher Performance: Significantly faster random and sequential read/write speeds.

Lower Latency: Improves application responsiveness for time-sensitive workloads.

Power Efficiency: Consumes less power, reducing data center operational costs.

While SAS-12Gbps SSDs (e.g., HPE P09090-B21) offer higher bandwidth for newer ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, the SAS-6Gbps interface remains sufficient for Gen2 to Gen7 environments, balancing performance and cost. Similarly, SATA-based SSDs (e.g., HPE 691868-B21) are more affordable but may lack the bandwidth and reliability of SAS for mission-critical applications.

Key Features

HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge

The SSD integrates with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, a management tool that monitors drive lifespan and predicts wear, helping prevent unexpected data loss. This feature is accessible through HPE Systems Insight Manager and other compatible management tools, ensuring proactive maintenance.

Hot-Swap Design

The hot-swappable Standard Carrier design simplifies maintenance by allowing administrators to replace drives without powering down the server, minimizing downtime in enterprise environments.

SAS-6Gbps Interface

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface provides a robust, high-performance connection compared to SATA, with better error handling and support for dual-port configurations, ensuring data integrity and availability in enterprise settings.

Installation and Management

Installation Process

The SSD’s 2.5-inch SFF design fits seamlessly into compatible HPE server drive bays. To install:

Power down the server (if not using hot-swap).

Insert the SSD into an available 2.5-inch SFF bay.

Secure the drive using the Standard Carrier’s locking mechanism.

Power on the server and verify recognition via the server’s BIOS or HPE management tools.

Update server firmware to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

Management Tools

HPE provides tools like HPE Systems Insight Manager and HPE Smart Storage Administrator for configuring, monitoring, and managing the SSD. These tools enable administrators to:

Monitor drive health and wear levels.

Configure RAID arrays for enhanced performance or redundancy.

Receive alerts for potential issues, such as nearing end-of-life conditions.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

Enhanced Performance

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency improve application performance, reducing bottlenecks in data-intensive workloads. This is particularly beneficial for enterprises running mission-critical applications where speed is paramount.

Reliability and Data Protection

With MLC NAND technology and HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, the drive ensures long-term reliability and data integrity, critical for enterprise environments where data loss is unacceptable.

Cost Efficiency

By consuming less power than traditional HDDs and offering a balance of performance and cost, the SSD helps reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) for data centers, particularly for legacy Gen2 to Gen7 servers.

Scalability

The 800GB capacity and compatibility with a wide range of ProLiant servers and storage systems make this SSD a scalable solution for growing enterprise needs, supporting upgrades without requiring significant infrastructure changes.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SAS-6Gbps Standard Carrier Enterprise Mainstream SSD is a reliable and high-performance storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen2 to Gen7 servers. Its combination of 800GB capacity, SAS-6Gbps interface, and MLC NAND technology delivers the speed, endurance, and efficiency required for modern enterprise workloads. With features like hot-swap capability, SmartSSD Wear Gauge, and broad compatibility, it remains a strategic choice for organizations seeking to enhance their legacy server infrastructure. Whether powering databases, virtualization, or analytics, this SSD provides a cost-effective, reliable, and scalable storage solution for data centers in 2025 and beyond.