Empowering Enterprise Performance: HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Introduction

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use SSD (SKU examples: P26358-B21, P26358-X21, P37173-001) is engineered to deliver a balance of high read and write performance, making it ideal for mixed-use workloads that require both intensive read and write operations. With a 2.5-inch small form factor, a blazing-fast SAS-24Gbps interface, and HPE’s Smart Carrier technology, this SSD is optimized for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, ensuring seamless integration, enhanced reliability, and robust security features like digitally signed firmware. This SSD is particularly suited for mission-critical applications such as big data analytics, high-performance computing (HPC), virtualization, and transactional databases.

Key Features

1. High-Capacity Storage

The HPE 3.2TB SSD offers substantial storage capacity, making it suitable for enterprise applications that handle large datasets. This capacity allows businesses to store critical data efficiently while maintaining high performance.

2. SAS-24Gbps Interface

The SSD utilizes a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface with a 24Gbps data transfer rate, providing quadruple the bandwidth of 6Gbps SATA drives and twice that of 12Gbps SAS drives. The dual-port connectivity ensures full-duplex (bidirectional) data transfer, reducing bottlenecks and improving I/O performance for demanding workloads.

3. Mixed Use (MU) Workload Optimization

Designed for mixed-use applications, the SSD delivers a balanced performance for workloads requiring high random read and write IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). It is ideal for environments where both read and write operations are critical, such as databases, virtualization, and analytics.

4. Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Security is paramount in enterprise environments. The SSD features digitally signed firmware, which prevents unauthorized access and ensures that the firmware originates from a trusted source. This protects data integrity and safeguards against potential vulnerabilities.

5. HPE Smart Carrier

The SSD is equipped with HPE’s Smart Carrier, which simplifies installation and maintenance. The carrier includes LED indicators for real-time status monitoring and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental data loss. The Smart Carrier also integrates with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, enabling administrators to monitor the drive’s lifespan and predict potential failures.

6. Hot-Swap Capability

The SSD supports hot-swappable functionality, allowing IT administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the server. This feature minimizes downtime and ensures continuous operation in 24x7 data center environments.

7. Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND Flash

The SSD leverages Triple-Level Cell (Tstat Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND flash memory, which provides a balance of performance, endurance, and cost-efficiency. TLC NAND enables the SSD to deliver high endurance with a Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) rating of 3.0, meaning the drive can be written to its full capacity three times per day for its warranted lifespan.

8. Extensive Compatibility

The SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, including the DL, ML, and XL series, as well as HPE Synergy systems. Supported models include DL360 Gen10, DL380 Gen10, ML350 Gen10, XL170r Gen10, and many others, ensuring broad applicability across various enterprise environments.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is packed with advanced technical specifications that make it a standout choice for enterprise storage:

Device Type: Solid State Drive – Hot-Swap

Capacity: 3.2 TB

Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)

Interface: SAS-24Gbps

NAND Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)

Connectivity: Dual Port

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Carrier Type: Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inch)

Endurance DWPD: 3.00

Lifetime Writes: 17,121 TB

Drive Transfer Rate: 24 Gb/sec (external)

MAX Sequential Reads Throughput: 1,080 MiB/s

MAX Sequential Writes Throughput: 1,035 MiB/s

Random Read Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 108 µs

Random Write Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 32 µs

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 135,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 125,000

MAX Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 173,000 @ Q64

MAX Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 130,000 @ Q16

Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers/Synergy

Performance and Reliability

Performance

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is engineered for high performance, delivering exceptional read and write speeds that significantly outperform traditional SATA SSDs. With maximum sequential read and write throughputs of 1,080 MiB/s and 1,035 MiB/s, respectively, the SSD ensures rapid data access and transfer. Its random read and write IOPS performance (up to 173,000 and 130,000, respectively) makes it ideal for applications requiring low latency and high IOPS, such as transactional databases and virtualized environments.

Reliability

HPE SSDs are backed by over 3.35 million hours of testing and qualification, ensuring high reliability and durability. The SSD’s robust construction and TLC NAND flash technology provide superior endurance, capable of handling sustained workloads in demanding enterprise environments. The inclusion of digitally signed firmware and the SmartSSD Wear Gauge further enhances reliability by protecting against unauthorized access and enabling proactive maintenance.

Benefits for Enterprises

1. Enhanced Performance

The SSD’s SAS-24Gbps interface and high IOPS performance enable faster data processing, reducing latency and improving application responsiveness. This is particularly beneficial for data-intensive workloads like big data analytics and HPC.

2. Cost-Efficiency

By offering high performance at a competitive price point, the HPE 3.2TB SSD provides a cost-effective alternative to NVMe SSDs while delivering superior performance compared to SATA SSDs. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their IT budgets.

3. Improved Reliability and Security

With digitally signed firmware and extensive testing, the SSD ensures data integrity and protection against unauthorized access. The hot-swap capability and Smart Carrier features minimize downtime and simplify maintenance, reducing operational risks.

4. Scalability and Compatibility

The SSD’s compatibility with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers and its 2.5-inch SFF design enable high-density storage configurations, supporting scalable solutions for growing businesses.

5. Reduced Power Consumption

Compared to traditional HDDs, the SSD consumes less power, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint in data centers.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use SSD is versatile and well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications, including:

Big Data Analytics: The SSD’s high IOPS and sequential throughput support rapid data processing for analytics platforms, enabling faster insights from large datasets.

High-Performance Computing (HPC): The SSD’s low latency and high bandwidth make it ideal for HPC workloads, such as scientific simulations and modeling.

Virtualization: The balanced read/write performance ensures smooth operation of virtualized environments, supporting multiple virtual machines with minimal latency.

Transactional Databases: The SSD’s high random IOPS and low latency optimize performance for databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL, ensuring efficient query execution.

Cloud Applications: The SSD’s reliability and performance make it suitable for cloud-based applications requiring consistent data access and high availability.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers

The SSD is designed for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, including:

DL Series: DL360 Gen10, DL380 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL580 Gen10, and more.

ML Series: ML110 Gen10, ML350 Gen10.

XL Series: XL170r Gen10, XL190r Gen10, XL270d Gen10, and others.

Synergy: 480 Gen10, 660 Gen10 Compute Modules.

This broad compatibility ensures that the SSD can be deployed across various HPE server configurations, from rack and tower servers to blade systems and Synergy platforms.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing the HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-swap capability and Smart Carrier design. The carrier’s LED indicators provide real-time status updates, simplifying monitoring and troubleshooting. The SSD is also compatible with HPE’s management tools, such as HPE iLO and SmartSSD Wear Gauge, which allow administrators to monitor drive health and predict potential failures. The “do not remove” button on the Smart Carrier prevents accidental drive removal, further reducing the risk of data loss.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-24Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. With its high-capacity storage, blazing-fast SAS-24Gbps interface, and advanced features like digitally signed firmware and Smart Carrier technology, the SSD delivers exceptional performance, security, and ease of use. Its versatility makes it ideal for a wide range of enterprise applications, from big data analytics to virtualization and transactional databases.

For businesses seeking to enhance their IT infrastructure with a cost-effective, high-performance storage solution, the HPE 3.2TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is an excellent choice. Backed by HPE’s rigorous testing, extensive compatibility, and comprehensive support, this SSD empowers enterprises to achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and scalability in their data centers.