HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 PCIe SSD: Unleashing Turbo-Charged Performance for ProLiant Gen10 Powerhouses

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Introduction

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Engineered to meet the demands of data-intensive applications, this SSD delivers exceptional speed, reliability, and endurance for mixed-use workloads. With its NVMe U.3 interface, digitally signed firmware, and Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN) design, it is an ideal choice for enterprises seeking to enhance server performance in environments such as big data analytics, high-performance computing (HPC), virtualization, and transactional databases.

This article provides a detailed overview of the HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD, covering its technical specifications, key features, performance metrics, compatibility, and benefits for ProLiant Gen10 servers. It also explores its applications and use cases, making it a comprehensive guide for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD is built to deliver high performance and reliability. Below are its key technical specifications:

• Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap
• Capacity: 1.6 TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
• Interface: U.3 PCIe 4.0 (NVMe)
• Plug Type: Hot Pluggable
• Carrier Type: Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)
• Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)
• NAND Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)
• Connectivity: Single Port or Dual Port (model-dependent)
• Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)
• Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)
• Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers/Synergy
• Endurance:
  • 30 Days Writes: 8,561–11,512 (model-dependent)
  • Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3.0–3.8
• Performance Metrics:
  • Max Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 7,000 MiB/s
  • Max Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 2,800 MiB/s
  • Random Read Avg. Latency (4KiB, Q1): 77–105 µs
  • Random Write Avg. Latency (4KiB, Q1): 24–30 µs
  • Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 155,000–210,000
  • Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 87,000–270,000
  • Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): Up to 950,000 @ Q256
  • Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): Up to 275,000 @ Q256
• Interfaces: 1 x PCI Express (NVMe)
• Compatible Bay: 2.5-inch SFF

These specifications highlight the SSD’s capability to handle high I/O workloads with low latency and high throughput, making it suitable for demanding enterprise environments.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD is equipped with advanced features that enhance its performance, security, and manageability:

1. NVMe U.3 Interface

The SSD utilizes the NVMe U.3 interface, which supports PCIe Gen4 in select servers, providing significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency compared to traditional SAS or SATA SSDs. The U.3 interface ensures compatibility with NVMe U.2 backplanes on HPE ProLiant servers, offering flexibility and backward compatibility.

2. Digitally Signed Firmware

HPE’s Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) prevents unauthorized access and protects data by ensuring that the drive’s firmware originates from a trusted source. This feature is critical for maintaining security in enterprise environments where data integrity is paramount.

3. Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

The Smart Carrier NVMe design provides an intuitive interface for monitoring drive status. It includes system status LED icons, a spinning activity ring to indicate data writing, and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental data loss. A remotely activated blue LED helps locate specific drives in large server arrays, simplifying maintenance tasks.

4. Hot-Swap Capability

The hot-swap design allows the SSD to be replaced or upgraded without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments.

5. Mixed Use Workload Optimization

Designed for mixed-use workloads, the SSD balances high random read and write IOPS performance, making it ideal for applications requiring both read and write operations, such as databases, virtualization, and analytics. Its endurance rating of 3.0–3.8 DWPD ensures reliability over extended periods.

6. High Performance and Low Latency

With sequential read speeds up to 7,000 MiB/s and write speeds up to 2,800 MiB/s, the SSD delivers exceptional performance. Its low latency (as low as 77 µs for random reads) ensures rapid data access, critical for time-sensitive applications.

7. Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND

The use of TLC NAND flash memory provides a balance of performance, capacity, and cost, making the SSD a cost-effective solution for enterprises without sacrificing reliability.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD is designed for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers and Synergy compute modules. Compatible server models include:

HPE ProLiant ML Series

ML350 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, Performance, SMB, Solution, Special Server, Sub-Entry)

HPE Synergy

480 Gen10 Compute Module (including Premium Backplane and w/o Drives)

660 Gen10 Compute Block

The SSD is also compatible with other HPE ProLiant Rack, Tower, and BladeSystem servers, as well as select Gen9 servers in some cases. For example, it supports the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10, which can accommodate up to 307.2TB of NVMe storage using a configuration of 20 x 15.36TB drives.

To ensure compatibility with specific server configurations, HPE recommends verifying the SSD model with the server or storage array. This can be done by contacting HPE support or authorized resellers like StoragePartsDirect or Cloud Ninjas.

Performance Benefits

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD offers several performance benefits that make it a valuable addition to ProLiant Gen10 servers:

1. Enhanced Application Performance

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency significantly improve application performance, particularly for workloads involving random read/write operations. This is critical for transactional databases, virtualized environments, and real-time analytics.

2. Faster Data Transfers

With sequential read and write throughputs of up to 7,000 MiB/s and 2,800 MiB/s, respectively, the SSD accelerates data transfers, reducing wait times and improving overall system efficiency.

3. Improved Server Uptime

The hot-swap capability and Smart Carrier design minimize downtime during maintenance, ensuring continuous operation for mission-critical applications.

4. Energy Efficiency

Compared to traditional HDDs, the SSD consumes less power while delivering superior performance, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint.

5. Scalability

The SSD’s 1.6TB capacity, combined with its compatibility with high-capacity configurations (e.g., 307.2TB in DL380 Gen10), supports scalable storage solutions for growing enterprise needs.

Applications and Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications, including:

Big Data Analytics

The SSD’s high throughput and low latency enable rapid processing of large datasets, making it ideal for analytics platforms.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Its performance capabilities support compute-intensive workloads in scientific research, simulations, and modeling.

Virtualization

The SSD’s balanced read/write performance ensures smooth operation of virtual machines and containers in virtualized environments.

Transactional Databases

Low latency and high IOPS make the SSD perfect for database applications requiring fast query responses.

Web Servers

The SSD’s read-intensive performance optimizes content delivery for web hosting and content management systems.

Cloud Computing

Its scalability and reliability support cloud infrastructure, enabling efficient data storage and retrieval.

Reliability and Warranty

HPE SSDs undergo rigorous testing, with up to 3.35 million hours of qualification to ensure reliability and performance. The HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD comes with a standard 1-year warranty for new sealed spares, with some refurbished models offering 30–90 days of warranty coverage. The SmartSSD Wear Gauge feature allows administrators to monitor the drive’s lifespan, providing insights into potential failure risks and enabling proactive maintenance.

Considerations and Best Practices

When deploying the HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD, consider the following:

Consistency in SSD Types

For optimal performance, avoid mixing SSD types (e.g., NVMe, SAS, SATA) in the same server, as this can lead to inconsistent speeds.

Firmware Updates

Regularly update the SSD firmware to maintain security and performance, leveraging HPE’s digitally signed firmware for protection.

Cooling and Power

Ensure adequate cooling and power supply in the server, as NVMe SSDs can generate heat during high-performance operations.

Compatibility Verification

Confirm compatibility with your specific server model, especially for non-standard configurations or older Gen9 servers.

Workload Alignment

Match the SSD’s mixed-use profile to workloads requiring balanced read/write performance to maximize its lifespan and efficiency.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Its advanced features, including the NVMe U.3 interface, digitally signed firmware, and Smart Carrier design, make it an excellent choice for enterprises seeking to optimize performance for mixed-use workloads. With high IOPS, low latency, and robust endurance, this SSD supports a wide range of applications, from big data analytics to virtualization and transactional databases.

By integrating this SSD into ProLiant Gen10 servers, organizations can achieve faster data transfers, improved application performance, and enhanced scalability while maintaining security and reliability. For IT professionals looking to upgrade their server infrastructure, the HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD offers a compelling combination of performance, durability, and manageability, making it a cornerstone of modern enterprise storage solutions.