HPE 1.6TB LFF Value Endurance SSD: The Cost-Savvy Powerhouse for ProLiant Gen8 & Gen9 Read Warriors

HPE 1.6TB 3.5inch LFF Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Converter Enterprise Value SSD: Empowering ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 Servers

Introduction

In today’s data-driven enterprise landscape, storage solutions must deliver reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency to support critical business operations. The HPE 1.6TB 3.5inch Large Form Factor (LFF) Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Converter Enterprise Value Solid State Drive (SSD) is tailored for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers, offering a robust solution for read-intensive and value-focused workloads. With features like Power Loss Protection (PLP), a Smart Carrier Converter (SCC), and a SATA-6Gbps interface, this SSD strikes an optimal balance between performance and affordability. This article explores the SSD’s specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and practical applications, providing a detailed guide for IT administrators and businesses.

Product Overview

The HPE 1.6TB LFF Value Endurance SSD is a hot-swappable, enterprise-grade storage device designed for ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers. Featuring a 3.5-inch form factor and a Smart Carrier Converter, it ensures seamless integration and manageability within HPE server environments. The SSD leverages Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory, optimized for value endurance (VE) workloads, which prioritize read-intensive tasks such as web servers, read caching, and boot/swap applications. Its 6Gbps SATA interface delivers dependable performance, while enterprise features like PLP enhance data integrity.

Key Specifications

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 1.6TB

Form Factor: 3.5-inch Large Form Factor (LFF)

Interface: SATA-6Gbps

NAND Flash Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Workload Type: Value Endurance (VE)

Carrier Type: Smart Carrier Converter (SCC)

Features: Power Loss Protection (PLP)

Endurance (DWPD): Approximately 0.3 Drive Writes Per Day

Sequential Read Throughput: 485 MB/s

Sequential Write Throughput: 400 MB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 59,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 14,300

Drive Transfer Rate: 6 Gb/s (external)

Height: 15 mm

Compatible Bay: 3.5-inch LFF

Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers

These specifications make the SSD a cost-effective choice for enterprises seeking high-capacity storage with reliable performance for read-heavy workloads.

Features and Technologies

1. Value Endurance Optimization

The SSD is engineered for value endurance workloads, offering low drive writes per day (DWPD) of approximately 0.3, ideal for read-intensive applications. This makes it suitable for environments where write operations are minimal, such as web hosting, content delivery networks (CDNs), and archival storage.

2. Smart Carrier Converter (SCC)

HPE’s Smart Carrier Converter enhances ease of use and manageability. Equipped with LED indicators for drive status and activity, the SCC simplifies monitoring and maintenance. Its hot-swap capability allows drive replacement without server downtime, ensuring continuous operation in enterprise settings.

3. Power Loss Protection (PLP)

PLP safeguards data integrity during unexpected power outages. By utilizing onboard capacitors, the SSD completes in-flight write operations, reducing the risk of data corruption and enhancing reliability for business-critical applications.

4. SATA-6Gbps Interface

The 6Gbps SATA interface provides a cost-efficient, widely compatible connection for ProLiant servers. While not as fast as SAS or NVMe, it delivers sufficient bandwidth for read-intensive workloads, making it an economical choice for budget-conscious IT departments.

5. MLC NAND Flash

The use of Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash ensures a balance between performance, endurance, and cost. MLC provides higher durability than Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND, making it suitable for enterprise environments with moderate write demands.

Benefits

1. Cost-Effective Performance

With sequential read speeds of 485 MB/s and random read IOPS of 59,000, the SSD outperforms traditional HDDs, accelerating data access for read-intensive applications. Its competitive pricing makes it an attractive option for enterprises seeking SSD benefits without premium costs.

2. High Reliability

The SSD’s MLC NAND, PLP, and HPE’s rigorous testing ensure exceptional reliability. With a high mean time between failures (MTBF) and low annualized failure rate, it is built to withstand the demands of 24/7 enterprise operations.

3. Simplified Deployment and Management

The Smart Carrier Converter integrates with HPE’s management tools, such as Smart Storage Administrator and Intelligent Provisioning, enabling easy configuration, monitoring, and firmware updates. This reduces administrative overhead and enhances operational efficiency.

4. Energy Efficiency

Compared to HDDs, the SSD consumes less power, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint. This is particularly beneficial for data centers scaling out storage capacity.

5. Broad Compatibility

The SSD supports a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers, including:

DL Series: DL120 Gen9, DL160 Gen9, DL180 Gen9, DL360 Gen9, DL380 Gen9, DL560 Gen9

ML Series: ML110 Gen9, ML150 Gen9, ML350 Gen9

SL Series: SL230s Gen8/Gen9, SL250s Gen8/Gen9, SL270s Gen8/Gen9

XL Series: XL170r Gen9, XL190r Gen9, XL230a Gen9

Storage Arrays: D3700, StoreEasy 1830/1840

This compatibility ensures flexibility for diverse server configurations.

Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB LFF Value Endurance SSD excels in scenarios requiring high read performance and cost efficiency, including:

1. Web Servers

Web hosting environments benefit from the SSD’s fast read speeds and high random read IOPS, ensuring quick delivery of static content and improved user experience for websites and applications.

2. Read Caching

In tiered storage setups, the SSD serves as a caching layer, accelerating access to frequently read data. This enhances performance for applications like content management systems and analytics platforms.

3. Boot/Swap Applications

The SSD’s value endurance and reliability make it ideal for boot drives or swap space in ProLiant servers, supporting operating systems and virtualization hypervisors with minimal write demands.

4. Archival and Backup Storage

For archival systems or backup servers, the SSD’s 1.6TB capacity and read-intensive optimization provide cost-effective, high-speed storage for infrequently modified data.

Compatibility and Installation

Compatibility

The SSD is designed for HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers with 3.5-inch LFF bays. Verify compatibility using HPE’s part numbers (e.g., 757382-001, 757342-B21) and the HPE compatibility matrix, available through resellers like StoragePartsDirect.com. Ensure the server’s RAID controller supports SATA-6Gbps and that firmware is up to date for optimal performance.

Installation

Prepare Server: For non-hot-swap setups, power down the server and follow safety guidelines.

Insert SSD: Align the SSD with the 3.5-inch LFF bay and secure it using the Smart Carrier Converter’s latch.

Connect: For hot-swap bays, the server automatically detects the drive upon insertion.

Configure: Use HPE Smart Storage Administrator to initialize the drive, create RAID arrays, or update firmware.

Configuration Tips

RAID Settings: Configure RAID for redundancy (e.g., RAID 5 or 6) in mission-critical applications.

Cache Optimization: Adjust the RAID controller’s cache to prioritize read performance (e.g., 80/20 read/write ratio).

Firmware Updates: Regularly update SSD firmware via HPE’s Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) to ensure compatibility and security.

Comparison with Alternatives

HPE 1.6TB SAS-12Gbps Value Endurance SSD

HPE’s 1.6TB SAS-12Gbps SSD offers higher bandwidth (12Gbps) and better write performance, suitable for mixed-use workloads. However, it is more expensive and may not be necessary for read-intensive tasks, where the SATA SSD provides comparable value.

HPE 1.6TB Mixed Use SATA SSD

The mixed-use version of the 1.6TB SATA SSD (e.g., part number P07930-B21) supports higher write endurance (approximately 3.0 DWPD), making it better for write-intensive applications like databases. However, it comes at a higher cost, which may not be justified for read-heavy workloads.

Third-Party SATA SSDs

Third-party SSDs (e.g., Intel, Samsung) may offer similar capacities at lower prices but lack HPE’s Smart Carrier Converter and optimized firmware, potentially leading to compatibility issues or reduced manageability in ProLiant servers.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 3.5inch LFF Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Converter Enterprise Value SSD is a reliable, cost-effective storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers. Its value endurance design, coupled with features like Power Loss Protection and Smart Carrier Converter, makes it ideal for read-intensive workloads such as web servers, caching, and archival storage. With broad compatibility, energy efficiency, and enterprise-grade reliability, this SSD empowers businesses to optimize their data centers without breaking the budget.

For IT professionals seeking a high-capacity, read-optimized SSD that integrates seamlessly with HPE infrastructure, the 1.6TB LFF Value Endurance SSD is a compelling choice. By leveraging its performance and manageability, enterprises can enhance operational efficiency and prepare for future data growth.