HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD: High-Performance, Secure Storage for ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch SFF SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use Self-Encrypting FIPS SSD for ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of enterprise computing, storage performance, security, and reliability are critical for businesses managing data-intensive workloads. The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-24Gbps Basic Carrier Mixed Use Self-Encrypting FIPS Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers. With its robust feature set, including a 24Gbps SAS interface, self-encrypting capabilities, and compliance with Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), this SSD is tailored for applications requiring high random read and write IOPS, such as big data analytics, cloud computing, and virtualization.

This article provides a detailed exploration of the HPE 1.6TB SSD, covering its technical specifications, key features, compatibility, performance metrics, security capabilities, and ideal use cases. By understanding the capabilities of this SSD, IT professionals can make informed decisions about integrating it into their data center infrastructure.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is engineered to deliver exceptional performance and reliability. Below is a comprehensive overview of its technical specifications:

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

Capacity: 1.6TB

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

Interface: SAS-24Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI)

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

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Connectivity: Dual-Port

Encryption Algorithm: FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards)

Carrier Type: Basic Carrier (BC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

Bundled With: HPE Basic Carrier

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack

Height: 15.00 mm

Endurance:

30 Days Writes (TB): 8,760

Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3

Performance Metrics:

Drive Transfer Rate: 24Gbps (external)

Maximum Sequential Read Throughput (MiB/s): 1,080

Maximum Sequential Write Throughput (MiB/s): 1,035

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

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

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 145,000

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

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

Maximum Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 130,000 @ Q16

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to handle demanding workloads while maintaining high performance and data integrity.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is packed with advanced features that make it a standout choice for enterprise environments. Below are the key features that define its value proposition:

1. High-Speed SAS-24Gbps Interface

The SSD leverages a 24Gbps SAS interface, which provides a significant performance boost over traditional SATA SSDs. With approximately twice the IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) of SATA SSDs, the SAS interface ensures rapid data access and transfer rates, making it ideal for transactional database workloads and other IOPS-intensive applications.

2. Mixed Use (MU) Workload Optimization

Designed for Mixed Use (MU) workloads, this SSD strikes a balance between read and write performance, making it versatile for applications with varying I/O patterns. With an endurance rating of 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) and a total of 8,760 TB written over 30 days, the SSD is built to handle sustained workloads in environments like virtualization, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC).

3. Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) with FIPS Compliance

Security is a top priority in enterprise storage, and the HPE 1.6TB SSD incorporates self-encrypting drive (SED) technology with FIPS-compliant encryption. This ensures that data is protected at rest, safeguarding sensitive information against unauthorized access. The FIPS certification makes this SSD suitable for government and regulated industries that require stringent security standards.

4. Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The SSD features Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), which prevents unauthorized firmware modifications and ensures that the drive operates with trusted software. This enhances data security and protects against potential vulnerabilities, providing peace of mind for IT administrators.

5. Hot-Swap Capability

As a hot-swappable drive, the SSD can be replaced or upgraded without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation. This feature is critical for mission-critical applications where uptime is paramount.

6. HPE Smart Carrier

The SSD is bundled with an HPE Basic Carrier (BC), which includes intuitive icons to display the drive’s status and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental removal during operation. This reduces the risk of human error and simplifies maintenance tasks.

7. HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge

The SSD supports HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge, a monitoring tool that tracks the drive’s lifespan and alerts administrators if the SSD is at risk of failure. This proactive feature enables better maintenance planning and reduces the likelihood of unexpected downtime.

8. Rigorous Testing and Qualification

HPE SSDs undergo over 3.35 million hours of testing and qualification, ensuring reliability and performance under demanding conditions. This rigorous testing process makes the SSD a trusted component for enterprise-grade deployments.

Compatibility

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is designed for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers. Below is a list of compatible server models:

HPE ProLiant DL Series:

DL325 Gen10 Plus V2 (2.5-inch)

DL325 Gen10 Plus V2 Base (2.5-inch)

DL325 Gen10 Plus V2 for Weka Base Tracking (2.5-inch)

DL325 Gen10 Plus V2 Performance (2.5-inch)

DL360 Gen10 Plus (2.5-inch)

DL360 Gen10 Plus All-NVMe Server for Software Defined Storage (2.5-inch)

DL360 Gen10 Plus for Weka Base Tracking (2.5-inch)

DL360 Gen10 Plus Network Choice (2.5-inch)

DL365 Gen10 Plus (2.5-inch)

DL385 Gen10 Plus V2 (2.5-inch)

DL385 Gen10 Plus V2 Base (2.5-inch)

DL385 Gen10 Plus V2 Entry (2.5-inch)

HPE ProLiant ML Series:

ML30 Gen10 Plus (2.5-inch)

ML30 Gen10 Plus Entry (2.5-inch)

ML30 Gen10 Plus Performance (2.5-inch)

Note: Compatibility should always be verified with the specific server or storage array configuration, as some models may have additional requirements. Contacting an HPE representative or consulting the server’s QuickSpecs is recommended for confirmation.

Performance Analysis

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD delivers exceptional performance, making it suitable for a wide range of enterprise applications. Below is a breakdown of its performance metrics:

Sequential Throughput:

Read: 1,080 MiB/s

Write: 1,035 MiB/s
These high sequential throughput rates ensure fast data transfers for large files and streaming workloads.

Random IOPS:

Read (4KiB, Q=16): 145,000 IOPS

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

Maximum Read (4KiB, Q64): 173,000 IOPS

Maximum Write (4KiB, Q16): 130,000 IOPS
The SSD’s high IOPS performance is ideal for random access workloads, such as databases and virtualized environments.

Latency:

Random Read (4KiB, Q1): 95 µs

Random Write (4KiB, Q1): 32 µs
Low latency ensures quick response times, enhancing application performance in latency-sensitive environments.

These metrics demonstrate the SSD’s ability to handle both sequential and random workloads with high efficiency, making it a versatile choice for mixed-use scenarios.

Security Features

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD prioritizes data security through the following features:

Self-Encrypting Drive (SED): Encrypts data at rest using hardware-based encryption, ensuring that data remains secure even if the drive is removed from the server.

FIPS Compliance: Meets Federal Information Processing Standards, making it suitable for industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as government, healthcare, and finance.

Digitally Signed Firmware: Protects against firmware tampering, ensuring that the SSD operates with authentic and secure firmware.

HPE Smart Carrier: Includes a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental drive removal, reducing the risk of data loss due to human error.

These security features make the SSD an excellent choice for organizations that prioritize data protection and compliance.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is designed for a variety of enterprise applications, including:

Big Data Analytics: The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency enable rapid data processing for analytics workloads, helping organizations derive insights from large datasets.

Cloud Computing: Its mixed-use optimization and high endurance make it suitable for cloud environments with diverse workloads, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

Database Applications: The SSD’s high random IOPS performance supports transactional and analytical databases, ensuring fast query execution and data retrieval.

Virtualization: With its ability to handle mixed workloads and high IOPS, the SSD is ideal for virtualized environments running multiple virtual machines.

High-Performance Computing (HPC): The SSD’s fast sequential throughput and low latency support compute-intensive workloads in scientific research and simulations.

Benefits of Choosing HPE SSDs

By selecting the HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD, organizations can unlock several benefits:

Enhanced Performance: The 24Gbps SAS interface and high IOPS deliver superior performance compared to SATA SSDs, improving application responsiveness.

Robust Security: Self-encrypting capabilities, FIPS compliance, and digitally signed firmware ensure data protection and regulatory compliance.

Reliability: Backed by over 3.35 million hours of testing, the SSD offers dependable operation in mission-critical environments.

Ease of Maintenance: Hot-swap support, HPE Smart Carrier, and SmartSSD Wear Gauge simplify drive management and reduce downtime.

Scalability: The SSD’s compatibility with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers allows organizations to scale their storage infrastructure as needed.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-24Gbps Basic Carrier Mixed Use Self-Encrypting FIPS SSD is a powerful and secure storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers. With its high-speed SAS-24Gbps interface, mixed-use optimization, FIPS-compliant encryption, and robust reliability, this SSD is well-suited for demanding enterprise applications, including big data analytics, cloud computing, databases, virtualization, and high-performance computing.

By combining cutting-edge performance with advanced security features and seamless integration with HPE servers, this SSD empowers organizations to achieve greater efficiency, scalability, and data protection in their data centers. For IT professionals seeking a reliable and high-performing storage solution, the HPE 1.6TB SAS-24Gbps SSD is an excellent choice that delivers exceptional value.