HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Write Intensive SSD: Powering ProLiant Gen10 Servers with Unmatched Performance and Reliability

Introduction

In today’s data-driven enterprise environments, high-performance storage solutions are critical for managing demanding workloads and ensuring operational efficiency. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Write Intensive Solid State Drive (SSD) is a premium storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers. Engineered for write-intensive applications, this SSD combines high capacity, speed, and reliability to meet the needs of mission-critical enterprise workloads. This article explores the key features, technical specifications, benefits, compatibility, and ideal use cases for this SSD, providing a comprehensive overview for IT decision-makers and system administrators.

Key Features

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Write Intensive SSD is packed with advanced features that make it a standout choice for enterprise storage:

High Capacity

With a 3.2TB storage capacity, this SSD offers ample space for large datasets, databases, and transactional applications, making it ideal for enterprises with growing storage demands.

SAS-12Gbps Interface

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface delivers a high-speed data transfer rate of up to 12 Gb/s, providing superior performance compared to SATA SSDs, with full-duplex, bidirectional data transfer to reduce bottlenecks.

Write Intensive Workload Optimization

Designed for write-intensive applications, this SSD supports high write endurance with a Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) rating of 10, ensuring durability for workloads with frequent write operations.

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The SSD features digitally signed firmware, which enhances security by preventing unauthorized firmware modifications, protecting data integrity, and ensuring compliance with enterprise security standards.

Smart Carrier Technology

HPE’s Smart Carrier design includes intuitive LED indicators for real-time status, activity, and health monitoring, simplifying drive management and reducing downtime.

Hot-Swappable Design

The hot-pluggable feature allows for seamless drive replacement without powering down the server, ensuring uninterrupted operation in 24x7 data center environments.

Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND Flash

The SSD uses TLC NAND flash memory, balancing performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness for write-intensive workloads.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is engineered for performance and reliability. Below are its key technical specifications:

Device Type

Solid State Drive (SSD) – Hot-Swap

Capacity

3.2TB

Form Factor

2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)

Interface

SAS-12Gbps

NAND Flash Memory Type

Triple-Level Cell (TLC)

Carrier Type

Smart Carrier (SC)

Plug Type

Hot-Pluggable

Workload Type

Write Intensive

Endurance DWPD

10 Drive Writes Per Day

Lifetime Writes

15,000 TB

Drive Transfer Rate (External)

12 Gb/s

Sequential Read Throughput

Up to 1,095 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput

Up to 1,045 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16)

130,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16)

120,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB)

210,000 @ Q32

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB)

120,000 @ Q16

Random Read Average Latency

100 µs

Random Write Average Latency

33 µs

Power Consumption

Idle: 3.2 W

Random Read/Write: 6.11 W

Sequential Read: 5.45 W

Sequential Write: 9.31 W

Maximum: 9.31 W

Height

15 mm (0.6 inches)

Compatibility

HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

Part Numbers

• Option Part: P09100-B21
• Spare Part: P09100-H21, P09100-K21, P09100-X21 (varies by region and vendor)

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to deliver high performance, low latency, and robust endurance for demanding enterprise applications.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 3.2TB Write Intensive SSD offers several advantages for businesses running HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers:

Enhanced Performance

With a SAS-12Gbps interface and high IOPS (130,000 read and 120,000 write at Q=16), the SSD delivers exceptional performance for write-intensive workloads, such as databases, transactional systems, and virtualized environments. Its low latency (100 µs read, 33 µs write) ensures rapid data access and processing.

High Endurance

The 10 DWPD rating and 15,000 TB lifetime writes make this SSD ideal for applications with frequent write operations, ensuring long-term reliability and reduced replacement costs.

Improved Security

The digitally signed firmware protects against unauthorized modifications, safeguarding data integrity and enhancing trust in enterprise storage solutions.

Space Efficiency

The 2.5-inch SFF design allows for high-density storage configurations, enabling more drives to be installed in a single server chassis, optimizing data center space.

Simplified Management

The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators provide real-time insights into drive status, making it easier for IT teams to monitor and maintain storage systems.

Energy Efficiency

With a maximum power consumption of 9.31 W and an idle power draw of 3.2 W, the SSD contributes to lower energy costs in data centers.

Seamless Integration

Designed for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers, the SSD ensures compatibility and optimized performance within HPE’s trusted server ecosystem.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers, including:

Supported Server Models

HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL160 Gen10, DL180 Gen10, DL20 Gen10, DL325 Gen10, DL360 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen10, DL580 Gen10

HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML350 Gen10

HPE Synergy Series: 480 Gen10, 660 Gen10

Backward Compatibility

This SSD is also backward compatible with select HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers, making it a versatile option for organizations with mixed server generations.

Installation Notes

Before installation, ensure that the server’s firmware is updated to the latest version and that the RAID controller supports SAS SSDs. For optimal performance, avoid mixing SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives in the same server to maintain consistent speeds.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 3.2TB Write Intensive SSD is tailored for workloads that demand high write performance, low latency, and robust endurance. Key use cases include:

Databases

Ideal for transactional databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle) that require frequent write operations and low-latency data access.

Virtualization

Supports virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) with high I/O demands, ensuring smooth performance for virtual machines.

Big Data Analytics

Accelerates data processing for analytics platforms, enabling faster insights from large datasets.

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)

Perfect for financial systems, e-commerce platforms, and other transaction-heavy applications requiring rapid write operations.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Suitable for compute-intensive workloads, such as scientific simulations and modeling, where high IOPS and low latency are critical.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

To provide context, the HPE 3.2TB Write Intensive SSD can be compared to other HPE SSDs:

Read Intensive SSDs

HPE’s Read Intensive SSDs (e.g., 3.84TB SAS-12Gbps RI SSD) are optimized for read-heavy workloads like web servers and read caching, with lower DWPD (typically 0.5–1). They are less suited for write-intensive applications due to lower write endurance.

Mixed Use SSDs

HPE’s Mixed Use SSDs (e.g., 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps MU SSD, P09094-B21) balance read and write performance with a DWPD of around 3, making them versatile for mixed workloads but less durable for write-heavy tasks compared to the Write Intensive model.

NVMe SSDs

HPE NVMe SSDs offer higher performance (up to 15.36TB capacity and faster speeds via PCIe) but are more expensive and require compatible PCIe slots. The SAS-12Gbps SSD is a cost-effective alternative for SAS-based systems.

The Write Intensive SSD’s high DWPD and optimized write performance make it the best choice for applications with heavy write demands.

Installation and Maintenance Considerations

To maximize the performance and longevity of the HPE 3.2TB SSD, consider the following:

Firmware Updates

Regularly update the server and SSD firmware to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

RAID Configuration

Verify that the RAID controller (e.g., HPE Smart Array P408i-a) supports SAS SSDs. Configure RAID settings to align with workload requirements (e.g., RAID 5 or 6 for data redundancy).

Thermal Management

The SSD’s advanced thermal management ensures stable performance under heavy workloads, but ensure proper server airflow to prevent overheating.

Drive Monitoring

Use HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools to monitor SSD health, performance, and wear levels via the Smart Carrier’s LED indicators.

Compatibility Check

Confirm compatibility with your specific ProLiant Gen10 server model using HPE’s compatibility documentation or by contacting HPE support.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Write Intensive SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and secure storage solution designed for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers. With its 3.2TB capacity, SAS-12Gbps interface, high write endurance, and advanced features like digitally signed firmware and Smart Carrier technology, this SSD is ideal for write-intensive workloads such as databases, virtualization, and OLTP. Its compatibility with a wide range of ProLiant servers, energy efficiency, and robust warranty make it a smart investment for enterprises seeking to enhance performance and future-proof their IT infrastructure. By choosing this SSD, businesses can achieve faster data processing, improved reliability, and simplified storage management, all while meeting the demands of modern data-driven applications.