Empowering Enterprise: Unleashing Speed and Security with the HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use SSD

Introduction to the HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps SSD

In the dynamic landscape of enterprise computing, storage solutions must deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and security to meet the demands of modern data centers. The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-24Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a cutting-edge storage solution designed for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Engineered to handle mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines high speed, robust endurance, and advanced features to support mission-critical applications such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SSD’s features, technical specifications, compatibility, benefits, and ideal use cases, offering valuable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Key Features of the HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps SSD

High-Performance SAS-24Gbps Interface

The HPE 800GB SSD leverages a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface with a 24Gbps data transfer rate, doubling the bandwidth of its 12Gbps predecessors. This high-speed interface ensures rapid data access and transfer, reducing latency and enhancing performance for demanding enterprise workloads. The dual-port connectivity provides redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring uninterrupted data availability even in the event of a port failure.

Digitally Signed Firmware

Security is paramount in enterprise environments, and the HPE 800GB SSD incorporates digitally signed firmware to protect against unauthorized access and firmware tampering. This feature ensures data integrity and compliance with stringent industry security standards, making it ideal for organizations with strict regulatory requirements.

Smart Carrier Design

The SSD is equipped with HPE’s Smart Carrier (SC), which includes LED indicators for real-time status and health monitoring. Integrated with HPE’s Intelligent Lights-Out (iLO) management tools, the Smart Carrier simplifies maintenance and diagnostics, enabling IT administrators to proactively monitor drive health and minimize downtime.

Mixed-Use Workload Optimization

Designed for mixed-use workloads, the SSD balances read and write performance with an endurance rating of 3.0 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) over 30 days, equivalent to 4280 terabytes written. This makes it suitable for applications requiring both high read and write operations, such as transactional databases and virtualized environments.

Hot-Swap Capability

The hot-pluggable design allows for drive replacement without powering down the server, ensuring continuous operation in critical environments. This feature enhances operational efficiency and reduces downtime during maintenance.

Technical Specifications

Storage and Form Factor

Capacity: 800GB

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

Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)

Weight: Approximately 23.98 oz

Performance Metrics

Interface: SAS-24Gbps, Dual Port

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

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1080 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 1035 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 150,000

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

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

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 130,000 @ Q4

Random Read Average Latency: 95 µs (4KiB, Q1)

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

Endurance and Power

Endurance DWPD: 3.0 (4280 TB over 30 days)

Power Consumption: Maximum 9.00 W

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware, Hot-Pluggable, Smart Carrier

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

Supported Server Models

The HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as select HPE Synergy compute modules and storage arrays. Below is a non-exhaustive list of supported models:

DL Series: DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9/Gen10, DL360 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10

ML Series: ML110 Gen9/Gen10, ML150 Gen9/Gen10, ML350 Gen9/Gen10

BL Series: BL420c Gen8, BL460c Gen8/Gen9, BL660c Gen8/Gen9

XL Series: XL190r Gen9/Gen10, XL230a Gen9, XL270d Gen10

Synergy: 480 Gen10, 660 Gen10 Compute Modules

Storage Arrays: D3940, StoreVirtual systems

Compatibility Considerations

While the SSD is designed for broad compatibility, IT administrators should verify support for specific server configurations using HPE’s compatibility matrix. Some older Gen8 or Gen9 servers may require firmware updates or specific RAID controller configurations to support the SAS-24Gbps interface fully. For optimal performance, ensure the server’s storage controller supports SAS-24Gbps.

Benefits of the HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps SSD

Enhanced Performance

With sequential read and write throughputs of up to 1080 MiB/s and 1035 MiB/s, respectively, and high IOPS for random operations, the SSD accelerates data access and processing, improving application performance in data-intensive environments.

Robust Reliability

The SSD’s endurance rating of 3 DWPD ensures long-term reliability for mixed-use workloads. The dual-port SAS interface and hot-swap capability further enhance uptime and fault tolerance, making it suitable for mission-critical applications.

Scalable and Space-Efficient

The 2.5-inch SFF design maximizes storage density, allowing organizations to scale their storage infrastructure efficiently within limited rack space. This compact form factor is ideal for data centers aiming to optimize physical space.

Energy Efficiency

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

Simplified Management

The Smart Carrier design, combined with HPE iLO integration, enables proactive monitoring and maintenance, reducing the risk of unexpected failures and improving IT operational efficiency.

Ideal Use Cases

Transactional Databases

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency make it an excellent choice for transactional databases, where rapid read and write operations are critical for performance.

Virtualization

Virtualized environments benefit from the SSD’s ability to handle multiple virtual machines and their associated workloads, ensuring smooth operation and reduced latency.

Big Data Analytics

The high-speed SAS-24Gbps interface and robust endurance support real-time processing of large datasets, making the SSD ideal for big data analytics applications.

Content Delivery Networks

For content delivery networks (CDNs), the SSD’s fast data access and high throughput enhance content delivery performance, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Deployment and Maintenance Considerations

Installation Steps

Verify Compatibility: Confirm that the SSD is compatible with your HPE ProLiant server model and storage controller using HPE’s documentation.

Prepare the Server: For non-hot-swap bays, power down the server. For hot-swap bays, proceed without powering down.

Install the SSD: Slide the SSD into an available 2.5-inch SFF bay, ensuring it is securely seated in the Smart Carrier.

Configure RAID: Use HPE’s RAID configuration tools to set up the SSD for optimal performance.

Update Firmware: Regularly update the SSD’s firmware using HPE iLO tools to leverage performance improvements and security enhancements.

Maintenance Tips

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

Optimize Workloads: Deploy the SSD in mixed-use environments to maximize its performance and endurance benefits.

Source Reliably: Purchase from reputable vendors like StoragePartsDirect or Global One Technology to ensure authenticity and warranty coverage.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

SAS-12Gbps vs. SAS-24Gbps

Compared to the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD (e.g., P19913-B21), the SAS-24Gbps version offers double the bandwidth (24 Gb/s vs. 12 Gb/s) and improved performance metrics (e.g., 1080 MiB/s vs. 950 MiB/s sequential read). However, the SAS-24Gbps SSD may not be fully compatible with older Gen8 or Gen9 servers without updated controllers.

SAS vs. SATA

The SAS-24Gbps SSD outperforms SATA-6Gbps SSDs (e.g., HPE P13808-001) in bandwidth and latency, making it better suited for high-performance workloads. SATA SSDs, however, are more cost-effective for less demanding applications.

Mixed Use vs. Write Intensive

For write-heavy workloads, the HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps Write Intensive SSD (e.g., P26372-B21) offers higher endurance (up to 25 DWPD) but at a higher cost. The Mixed Use SSD provides a balanced solution for environments requiring both read and write performance.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-24Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and secure storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its advanced features, including a high-speed SAS-24Gbps interface, digitally signed firmware, and Smart Carrier design, make it an ideal choice for enterprise workloads such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. With robust performance metrics, broad compatibility, and energy-efficient operation, this SSD empowers organizations to optimize their storage infrastructure while minimizing downtime and operational costs. By following HPE’s compatibility guidelines and leveraging iLO tools for maintenance, IT administrators can ensure seamless deployment and long-term reliability, making this SSD a strategic investment for modern data centers.