Empowering Enterprise: Unleashing 10.8TB of Relentless Performance with HPE’s SAS-12Gbps M.2 Hard Drive Bundle for MSA 1060/2060

HPE 10.8TB SAS-12Gbps Enterprise M.2 Hard Drive Bundle for Modular Smart Array 1060/2060

The HPE 10.8TB (1.8TB x6) 10kRPM 2.5inch SFF 6-pack (R0Q56A x6) SAS-12Gbps Enterprise M.2 Hard Drive Bundle is a high-performance storage solution tailored for enterprise environments. Designed specifically for compatibility with HPE Modular Smart Array (MSA) 1060 and 2060 storage systems, this bundle delivers robust, reliable, and efficient storage for mission-critical applications. This article provides a detailed exploration of the key features, technical specifications, compatibility, benefits, and use cases of this enterprise-grade hard drive bundle.

Overview of the HPE 10.8TB Hard Drive Bundle

Product Description

The HPE R0Q66A bundle comprises six HPE R0Q56A 1.8TB SAS-12Gbps Enterprise M.2 hard drives, offering a total capacity of 10.8TB. These drives are built for Small Form Factor (SFF) 2.5-inch bays and operate at a spindle speed of 10,000 RPM, ensuring rapid data access and transfer. The bundle is engineered for seamless integration with HPE MSA 1060 and 2060 storage arrays, making it an ideal choice for businesses requiring scalable and dependable storage solutions.

Purpose and Applications

This hard drive bundle is optimized for enterprise workloads, such as database management, virtualization, and high-performance computing. The SAS-12Gbps interface ensures fast data transfer rates, while the enterprise-grade design guarantees reliability for continuous 24/7 operations in data centers and IT environments.

Technical Specifications

Drive Capacity and Configuration

Total Bundle Capacity: 10.8TB (1.8TB x 6 drives)

Individual Drive Capacity: 1.8TB per R0Q56A drive

Packaged Quantity: 6 units of R0Q56A

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

Carrier Type: HPE Standard MSA Carrier (hot-plug compatible)

Performance Metrics

Interface: SAS-12Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI, 12 Gb/s)

Spindle Speed: 10,000 RPM

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/s (external)

Workload Type: Enterprise, designed for high-performance and mission-critical applications

Interfaces: 1 x SAS 12 Gb/s per drive

Physical and Compatibility Details

Compatible Bay: 2.5-inch SFF

Device Type: Hard drive (HDD)

Supported Systems: HPE Modular Smart Array 1060, 2060

Hot-Plug Support: Yes, enabling drive replacement without system downtime

Dimensions (per drive): Standard 2.5-inch SFF (specific dimensions vary based on carrier)

Weight (per drive): Approximately 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg) with carrier

Key Features and Benefits

High Performance

The 10,000 RPM spindle speed and SAS-12Gbps interface provide exceptional performance for read- and write-intensive applications. This makes the bundle suitable for environments requiring low latency and high throughput, such as transactional databases and virtualized workloads.

Enterprise-Grade Reliability

These drives are built for 24/7 operation, offering advanced error correction, wear leveling, and robust data integrity features. The enterprise-grade design minimizes downtime and ensures consistent performance under heavy workloads.

Scalability and Flexibility

The 10.8TB bundle allows businesses to scale storage capacity within MSA 1060/2060 arrays. The hot-plug capability enables easy drive replacement or expansion without interrupting operations, enhancing system flexibility.

Compatibility with HPE MSA Systems

The bundle is specifically designed for HPE MSA 1060 and 2060 storage arrays, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. The drives are pre-configured with HPE firmware, reducing setup complexity and ensuring compatibility.

Use Cases

Database Management

The high-speed performance and large capacity make this bundle ideal for database applications, such as SQL Server or Oracle, where rapid data access and reliable storage are critical.

Virtualization

In virtualized environments, such as VMware or Hyper-V, the bundle supports multiple virtual machines with its high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and low latency, ensuring smooth operation of virtual workloads.

High-Performance Computing

For compute-intensive tasks like data analytics or scientific simulations, the bundle provides the necessary speed and capacity to handle large datasets efficiently.

Backup and Archiving

The 10.8TB capacity is well-suited for backup and archiving solutions, providing ample space for storing critical data while maintaining fast access times.

Installation and Configuration

Installation Process

Verify Compatibility: Ensure the MSA 1060/2060 array is powered down or supports hot-plug operations.

Insert Drives: Place each R0Q56A drive into an available 2.5-inch SFF bay in the MSA array.

Secure Drives: Ensure the drives are properly seated and locked in the HPE Standard MSA Carrier.

Power On: If not hot-plugging, power on the MSA array and verify drive recognition.

Configure RAID: Use the HPE MSA Storage Management Utility to configure RAID levels (e.g., RAID 5, RAID 6) for optimal performance and redundancy.

Best Practices

Firmware Updates: Ensure the drives and MSA array are running the latest HPE firmware to maximize performance and compatibility.

RAID Configuration: Choose a RAID level based on the balance of performance, capacity, and redundancy required for your workload.

Monitoring: Utilize HPE’s management tools, such as HPE Systems Insight Manager, to monitor drive health and performance.

Maintenance and Support

Drive Maintenance

Regularly monitor drive health using HPE’s diagnostic tools to detect potential issues early. The hot-plug capability allows for drive replacement without system downtime, reducing maintenance disruptions.

Comparison with Alternatives

HPE SAS vs. SATA Drives

Compared to SATA-based drives, the SAS-12Gbps interface in this bundle offers higher performance, better reliability, and dual-port connectivity, making it preferable for enterprise applications requiring high availability.

Other HPE Drive Bundles

The R0Q66A bundle is one of several HPE MSA drive options. Alternatives include higher-capacity 3.5-inch LFF drives or SSD-based bundles for applications prioritizing speed over capacity. The 10.8TB SAS bundle strikes a balance between capacity and performance for most enterprise needs.

Conclusion

The HPE 10.8TB (1.8TB x6) 10kRPM 2.5inch SFF 6-pack (R0Q56A x6) SAS-12Gbps Enterprise M.2 Hard Drive Bundle is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE MSA 1060 and 2060 arrays. With its high performance, enterprise-grade reliability, and seamless compatibility, it meets the demands of modern data centers running mission-critical applications. Whether for databases, virtualization, or high-performance computing, this bundle offers the scalability and flexibility required to support growing business needs.