HPE 1.6TB SATA-6Gbps Read Intensive SSD: Powering ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers with Reliability and Performance

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch SFF SATA-6Gbps Read Intensive SSD for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In the fast-evolving landscape of enterprise IT infrastructure, storage solutions must deliver high performance, reliability, and security to meet the demands of modern data centers. The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Read Intensive Solid State Drive (SSD) is designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers, including Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 models. This SSD is optimized for read-intensive workloads, offering a robust combination of capacity, speed, and advanced features to support mission-critical applications. This article explores the technical specifications, features, compatibility, and benefits of this SSD, providing a comprehensive overview for IT professionals and data center administrators.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD is engineered to deliver enterprise-grade performance in a compact 2.5-inch SFF form factor. Below are the key technical specifications:

Capacity: 1.6TB

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

Interface: SATA 6Gbps

NAND Flash Memory Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Workload Type: Read Intensive

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), Power Loss Protection (PLP)

Endurance: 0.3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)

Drive Transfer Rate: 6 Gb/sec (external)

Sequential Read Throughput: 480 MB/s

Sequential Write Throughput: 430 MB/s

Random Read IOPS: 61,500

Random Write IOPS: 15,000

Height: 15 mm

Power Consumption:

Idle: 0.75 Watt

Random Read/Write: 2.42 Watt

Sequential Read: 3.10 Watt

Sequential Write: 3.58 Watt

Part Number: VK1600GEYJU-SC (Refurbished - Grade A)

Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers and Synergy

These specifications highlight the SSD’s suitability for high-density storage environments, where performance, reliability, and power efficiency are critical.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD is packed with advanced features that enhance its performance and reliability in enterprise settings:

1. Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The inclusion of digitally signed firmware ensures that the drive’s firmware is authentic and protected from unauthorized modifications. This feature is crucial for enterprises operating in regulated industries, as it enhances data security and integrity by preventing potential firmware-based attacks.

2. Smart Carrier Technology

The HPE Smart Carrier (SC) provides enhanced drive management capabilities, including:

LED Indicators: Real-time status updates for drive health and activity.

Drive Health Monitoring: Proactive alerts to prevent data loss.

Seamless Integration: Designed for compatibility with HPE ProLiant servers, ensuring easy installation and maintenance.

3. Power Loss Protection (PLP)

The SSD supports Power Loss Protection, which safeguards data in the event of an unexpected power failure. This feature ensures that data in transit is written to non-volatile memory, reducing the risk of data corruption and enhancing overall reliability.

4. Read-Intensive Optimization

With an endurance rating of 0.3 DWPD, this SSD is optimized for read-intensive workloads, such as:

Web servers

Read caching

Boot/swap applications

Social media platforms
This makes it an ideal choice for applications that prioritize high read performance over frequent write operations.

5. Hot-Pluggable Design

The hot-pluggable design allows for drive replacement without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments.

6. Energy Efficiency

With low power consumption (e.g., 0.75W at idle and 3.58W during sequential writes), the SSD contributes to reduced operational costs and improved energy efficiency in data centers.

Compatibility

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers and storage systems across Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 generations. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible server models:

HPE ProLiant BL Series:

BL420c Gen8

BL460c Gen8/Gen9/Gen10

BL465c Gen8

BL660c Gen8

WS460c Gen8

HPE ProLiant DL Series:

DL120 Gen9

DL160 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10

DL180 Gen9/Gen10

DL20 Gen10

DL320e Gen8/v2

DL360 Gen9/Gen10

DL360e Gen8

DL360p Gen8

DL380 Gen9/Gen10

DL380e Gen8

DL380p Gen8

DL385 Gen10 Plus

DL385p Gen8

DL388 Gen9

DL560 Gen8/Gen10

DL580 Gen8/Gen10

HPE ProLiant ML Series:

ML110 Gen10

ML150 Gen9

ML310e Gen8/v2

ML350 Gen9/Gen10

ML350e Gen8

ML350p Gen8

HPE ProLiant SL & XL Series:

SL230s Gen8

SL250s Gen8

SL270s Gen8

XL220a Gen8 v2

XL230a Gen9

HPE Synergy:

Various compute modules, including 480 Gen10 and 660 Gen10

For precise compatibility, IT administrators should verify the SSD’s part number (e.g., VK1600GEYJU-SC) with their server’s documentation or contact HPE support, as some configurations may require specific firmware or hardware configurations.

Benefits for Enterprise Workloads

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD offers several advantages for enterprise data centers, making it a compelling choice for a variety of workloads:

1. High Performance for Read-Intensive Applications

With sequential read speeds of 480 MB/s and random read IOPS of 61,500, this SSD delivers fast data access for read-heavy applications. Its performance is well-suited for environments like web hosting, content delivery networks, and read caching, where quick data retrieval is essential.

2. Enhanced Data Security

The digitally signed firmware and Power Loss Protection features ensure that data remains secure and intact, even in the face of unauthorized access attempts or power disruptions. This is particularly valuable for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data integrity is non-negotiable.

3. Scalability and Flexibility

The 1.6TB capacity provides ample storage for enterprise applications, while the 2.5-inch SFF form factor allows for high-density storage configurations. This scalability is ideal for data centers looking to maximize storage capacity without expanding physical infrastructure.

4. Cost-Effective Storage Solution

Compared to SAS or NVMe SSDs, the SATA-6Gbps interface offers a cost-effective balance of performance and affordability. This makes the HPE 1.6TB SSD an attractive option for organizations seeking enterprise-grade storage without the higher costs associated with faster interfaces.

5. Simplified Maintenance

The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators and drive health monitoring capabilities simplify maintenance tasks, allowing IT teams to quickly identify and resolve issues. The hot-pluggable design further reduces downtime during drive replacements.

Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise use cases, including:

Web Servers: Delivers fast read performance for serving web content to users.

Read Caching: Accelerates data access in caching layers for databases or virtualized environments.

Boot/Swap Applications: Provides reliable storage for operating system boot drives or swap partitions.

Social Media Platforms: Supports high read IOPS for delivering dynamic content to users.

Cloud and Virtualization: Offers scalable storage for virtual machines and cloud-based applications.

Considerations

While the HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD is a robust storage solution, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

Read-Intensive Limitation:

With an endurance of 0.3 DWPD, this SSD is not ideal for write-intensive workloads, such as transactional databases with frequent writes. For such applications, HPE offers Mixed Use or Write Intensive SSDs.

SATA vs. SAS/NVMe:

The SATA-6Gbps interface, while cost-effective, has lower performance compared to SAS-12Gbps or NVMe SSDs. Organizations with performance-critical workloads may need to consider these alternatives.

Refurbished Units:

Some suppliers offer refurbished drives (e.g., Grade A with 30-day warranties). Buyers should verify the condition and warranty terms to ensure reliability.

Compatibility Verification: Given the wide range of ProLiant server models, IT teams should confirm compatibility with their specific server configurations to avoid issues.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch SFF SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Read Intensive SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and secure storage solution tailored for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its combination of 1.6TB capacity, digitally signed firmware, Power Loss Protection, and Smart Carrier technology makes it an excellent choice for read-intensive workloads in enterprise data centers. Whether supporting web servers, read caching, or cloud environments, this SSD delivers the performance and scalability needed to meet modern IT demands while maintaining cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance.

For organizations seeking to enhance their storage infrastructure, the HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD offers a compelling balance of features and affordability. To ensure compatibility and optimal performance, IT administrators should consult HPE’s documentation or contact suppliers like Global One Technology or StoragePartsDirect for assistance.