Empowering Enterprise Performance: The HPE 800GB Write Intensive SSD for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

Overview of the HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SATA-6Gbps Write Intensive SSD

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Write Intensive (WI-3) Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Engineered for write-intensive workloads, this SSD delivers exceptional speed, durability, and reliability, making it ideal for enterprise environments with demanding applications such as databases, virtualization, and high-performance computing (HPC). This article explores its technical specifications, key features, compatibility, benefits, and optimal use cases, providing a comprehensive guide for IT professionals.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 800GB SSD is designed to meet the rigorous demands of enterprise environments. Below are its key technical specifications:

Device Type: Solid State Drive (SSD) - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 800 GB

Interface Type: SATA 6Gbps

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

Flash Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Plug Type: Hot Plug

Carrier Type: Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Write Intensive (WI-3)

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 10

Drive Transfer Rate: 6 Gb/sec (external)

Sequential Read Throughput (Max): 510 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput (Max): 475 MiB/s

Random Read Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 110 µs

Random Write Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 37 µs

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 62,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 51,500

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 69,000 (Q32)

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 51,500 (Q4)

4KiB Random 70% Read / 30% Write, Queue 32 (IOPS): 61,000

4KiB Random 50% Read / 50% Write, Queue 32 (IOPS): 60,000

Power Consumption: Approximately 9.00 W (maximum)

These specifications highlight the SSD’s capability to handle high-performance write-intensive tasks with low latency and robust endurance.

Key Features

The HPE 800GB SSD is equipped with advanced features that enhance its performance, security, and manageability:

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS): Ensures data integrity and security by preventing unauthorized firmware modifications, critical for regulated industries.

Smart Carrier (SC): Facilitates easy installation and provides real-time drive health monitoring through HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools, reducing downtime.

Write Intensive (WI-3) Design: Optimized for workloads with frequent write operations, offering an endurance rating of 10 DWPD, ensuring long-term reliability for write-heavy applications.

Hot-Swap Capability: Allows for seamless drive replacement without powering down the server, ensuring high availability in mission-critical environments.

SATA-6Gbps Interface: Provides reliable data transfer speeds suitable for enterprise applications, balancing performance and cost compared to higher-cost NVMe drives.

These features make the SSD a robust choice for enterprise-grade performance and operational efficiency.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, as well as select HPE Synergy compute modules. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible server models:

ProLiant ML Series

ML10 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

ML10 Gen9 Entry (2.5 inch)

ML10 Gen9 Performance (2.5 inch)

ML30 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

ML30 Gen9 Base (2.5 inch)

ML30 Gen9 Performance (2.5 inch)

ML110 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

ML110 Gen9 Base (2.5 inch)

ML110 Gen9 Entry (2.5 inch)

ML350 Gen10 (2.5 inch)

ML350 Gen10 Base (2.5 inch)

ML350 Gen10 Entry (2.5 inch)

ML350 Gen10 Performance (2.5 inch)

ProLiant DL Series

DL20 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

DL20 Gen9 Base (2.5 inch)

DL20 Gen9 Entry (2.5 inch)

DL20 Gen9 Performance (2.5 inch)

DL360 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

DL360 Gen9 Base (2.5 inch)

DL360 Gen9 Performance (2.5 inch)

DL380 Gen9 (2.5 inch)

DL380 Gen9 Base (2.5 inch)

DL380 Gen10 (2.5 inch)

DL385 Gen10 (2.5 inch)

Synergy Compute Modules

Synergy 480 Gen10 Base Compute Module (2.5 inch)

Synergy 480 Gen10 Entry Compute Module (2.5 inch)

Synergy 480 Gen10 Performance Compute Module (2.5 inch)

Synergy 660 Gen10 Base Compute Module (2.5 inch)

Synergy 660 Gen10 Entry Compute Module (2.5 inch)

Synergy 660 Gen10 Performance Compute Module (2.5 inch)

IT administrators should verify compatibility with specific server models and RAID controllers using HPE’s official documentation or by consulting with a vendor, as some configurations may require firmware updates. The SSD is also compatible with select HPE storage arrays, such as the D3940 and StoreVirtual systems.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 800GB SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for enterprise storage upgrades:

High Performance

With sequential read speeds of up to 510 MiB/s and random write IOPS of 51,500, the SSD delivers fast data access and low latency, ideal for write-intensive applications like transactional databases and real-time analytics.

Enhanced Reliability

The MLC flash technology and 10 DWPD endurance rating ensure long-term durability, reducing the need for frequent drive replacements in high-write environments.

Energy Efficiency

With a maximum power draw of 9.00 W, the SSD supports energy-efficient operations, lowering operational costs and environmental impact in data centers.

Simplified Management

The Smart Carrier and iLO integration enable proactive monitoring and predictive analytics, allowing IT teams to anticipate and address potential issues, ensuring high availability.

Security

Digitally Signed Firmware enhances data security by ensuring the drive’s firmware is authentic and untampered, critical for compliance with industry regulations.

Optimal Use Cases

The HPE 800GB SSD is tailored for write-intensive workloads, making it suitable for a variety of enterprise applications:

Transactional Databases

The SSD’s high random write IOPS and low latency make it ideal for databases used in e-commerce, financial services, or ERP systems, ensuring fast query execution and reliable data access.

Virtualization

For virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V, the SSD supports multiple virtual machines with consistent performance, making it suitable for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server consolidation.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

The SSD’s high endurance and write performance make it a strong candidate for HPC applications, such as scientific simulations and data analytics, where frequent data writes are common.

Big Data and Analytics

The SSD’s ability to handle write-intensive workloads supports real-time analytics and big data processing, enabling faster insights from large datasets.

Deployment Considerations

To maximize the benefits of the HPE 800GB SSD, consider the following deployment best practices:

Verify Compatibility: Confirm compatibility with your ProLiant Gen9 or Gen10 server 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 for Write-Intensive Workloads: Deploy the SSD in environments with high write demands to fully utilize its WI-3 design. For read-intensive or mixed workloads, consider alternative HPE SSD models.

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

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Write Intensive SSD is a high-performance, reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its robust specifications, including high IOPS, low latency, and 10 DWPD endurance, make it ideal for write-intensive enterprise workloads such as databases, virtualization, and HPC. The inclusion of Digitally Signed Firmware, Smart Carrier technology, and hot-swap capability ensures security, manageability, and operational continuity. By deploying this SSD in compatible server environments and following best practices, IT teams can enhance data center performance, reduce operational costs, and support mission-critical applications effectively. For further details or to verify compatibility, consult HPE’s official documentation or trusted vendors like StoragePartsDirect or Global One Technology.