HPE 696736-B21: The 10K SAS Storage Engine Built for ProLiant Performance

HPE 696736-B21 300GB 10000RPM SAS-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Hard Drive for ProLiant Servers

The HPE 696736-B21 300GB 10000RPM 2.5inch Small Form Factor SAS-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Hard Drive is a compact enterprise storage solution designed for HPE ProLiant server environments. Combining a 300GB storage capacity, 10,000RPM rotational speed, SAS-6Gbps connectivity, and a 2.5-inch Small Form Factor design, this hard drive is built for server infrastructures that require dependable storage and efficient access to frequently used data.

The drive uses an HPE Smart Carrier and is identified with the model number EG0300FBLSE. Available documentation identifies 696736-B21 as the option part number, with 696739-001 listed as the spare part number and 619286-001 as the assembly number.

Designed for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, the HPE 696736-B21 can be suitable for organizations maintaining existing enterprise server infrastructure and looking to expand or replace storage without moving to an entirely different drive architecture.

HPE 696736-B21 Key Specifications

Core Drive Specifications

The HPE 696736-B21 provides a balanced combination of capacity, rotational speed, interface technology, and physical size for enterprise server storage.

Product specifications from available listings identify the drive as a 300GB 10K RPM SAS-6Gbps 2.5-inch SFF hard drive with a Smart Carrier, 512n format, hot-swap functionality, and dual-port SAS connectivity.

300GB Storage Capacity for Enterprise Servers

Practical Capacity for Server Workloads

With 300GB of storage, the HPE 696736-B21 is designed for environments where storage performance, server compatibility, and compact deployment are important considerations.

A 300GB enterprise HDD can be used for a variety of server storage roles, depending on the configuration of the server, RAID controller, operating system, and application environment. It can provide storage for operating systems, applications, databases, virtual machines, business files, and other frequently accessed server data.

The capacity also makes the drive suitable for organizations maintaining established ProLiant systems where matching the existing drive configuration is more important than moving to a larger-capacity storage platform.

10000RPM Performance

Faster Rotational Access

The 10000RPM spindle speed is one of the key characteristics of the HPE 696736-B21. A higher rotational speed allows the drive platters to rotate rapidly, helping reduce rotational waiting time when compared with slower enterprise HDDs.

HPE's current HDD documentation continues to classify 10,000RPM drives within its Mission Critical HDD portfolio, where 10K RPM storage is positioned for workloads requiring higher I/O performance.

For compatible applications, a 10K RPM enterprise HDD can therefore provide a useful balance between traditional hard-drive capacity and responsive storage access.

Suitable for Active Server Environments

The HPE 696736-B21 can be considered for workloads that regularly access stored information. Depending on the overall server configuration, it may be used for application data, database workloads, virtualization storage, operating-system volumes, and other enterprise applications.

Actual performance will depend on factors such as the RAID configuration, SAS controller, server architecture, workload characteristics, queue depth, and software environment.

SAS-6Gbps Enterprise Connectivity

Serial Attached SCSI Interface

The HPE 696736-B21 uses a SAS-6Gbps interface, providing a server-oriented storage connection designed for enterprise environments.

Serial Attached SCSI, commonly known as SAS, is widely used in servers and storage systems because it is designed around enterprise storage requirements and controller-based architectures. The 696736-B21 is listed with a 6Gbps SAS interface and dual-port connectivity.

The interface makes the drive appropriate for compatible HPE server configurations that use SAS storage controllers and backplanes.

Dual-Port SAS Design

Available specifications identify the HPE 696736-B21 as a dual-port SAS drive.

Dual-port SAS is particularly relevant in enterprise storage architectures where storage connectivity and redundancy requirements can involve multiple paths. The exact functionality available to the drive depends on the server, controller, backplane, and storage architecture in which it is installed.

2.5-Inch Small Form Factor Design

Space-Efficient Server Storage

The 2.5-inch Small Form Factor, commonly abbreviated as SFF, allows the HPE 696736-B21 to fit compact server drive bays designed for SFF storage devices.

Compared with larger 3.5-inch LFF drives, SFF storage can help server manufacturers and data-center operators accommodate more drives within appropriately designed chassis. HPE identifies SFF as a standard form factor within its enterprise HDD portfolio.

For businesses operating HPE ProLiant servers with SFF drive bays, using the correct physical form factor is essential for proper installation.

HPE Smart Carrier Technology

Designed for HPE Server Integration

The HPE 696736-B21 comes with an HPE Smart Carrier, an important part of the drive assembly. The Smart Carrier is designed to work with compatible HPE server chassis and provides the physical mounting and drive-management features associated with supported HPE platforms.

HPE explains that its HDD carriers house the drive and help provide the appropriate chassis fit across its server and storage product families.

This makes the carrier an important consideration when replacing an existing HPE drive. The storage device itself is only one part of the installation equation. The carrier and server bay must also be compatible.

Hot-Swap Storage for Easier Maintenance

Minimize Storage Maintenance Disruption

The HPE 696736-B21 is identified as a hot-swap hard drive, making it appropriate for supported server configurations that provide hot-plug drive functionality.

Hot-swap storage can simplify maintenance because compatible server configurations may allow a failed or replacement drive to be removed and installed without shutting down the entire server. The exact procedure depends on the server, RAID configuration, operating system, and storage controller.

For organizations managing production infrastructure, this type of serviceability can be particularly useful when maintaining storage hardware across multiple server systems.

Enterprise-Class Storage Architecture

Designed for Server Environments

The HPE 696736-B21 belongs to the enterprise hard drive category and is designed around HPE server storage requirements. Enterprise HDDs are intended for environments where storage availability, compatibility, and predictable operation are important considerations.

HPE describes its enterprise HDD portfolio as supporting demanding workloads, including mission-critical and high-I/O applications.

The 696736-B21 combines that enterprise-oriented architecture with a compact 2.5-inch form factor and Smart Carrier design.

512n Sector Format

Native 512-Byte Sector Structure

The HPE 696736-B21 is specified with a 512n sector format. Available product specifications identify the drive as using 512 bytes per sector, with 512n explicitly listed for this model.

Sector format is an important consideration when replacing an existing enterprise HDD because storage controllers, RAID configurations, operating systems, and applications may have specific format requirements.

For this reason, administrators should verify the existing drive's sector format before replacing it with another storage device.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10

Broad ProLiant Server Support

The HPE 696736-B21 is marketed for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Available compatibility information includes multiple ProLiant families, including BL, DL, ML, XL, and SL systems, as well as selected HPE Synergy and storage products.

Examples of listed compatible systems include:

ProLiant BL Series: BL420c, BL460c, BL465c, and BL660c models across applicable generations.

ProLiant DL Series: DL20, DL60, DL80, DL120, DL160, DL180, DL320e, DL360, DL360e, DL360p, DL380, DL380e, DL380p, DL385, DL388, DL560, and DL580 models across applicable generations.

ProLiant ML Series: ML30, ML110, ML150, ML310e, ML350, ML350e, and ML350p models across applicable generations.

ProLiant XL Series: XL170r, XL190r, XL220a, XL230a, XL230k, and XL250a models across applicable generations.

Compatibility listings also include selected HPE Synergy systems and storage products.

Because server configurations can vary by controller, backplane, drive bay, firmware, and chassis configuration, compatibility should always be verified against the exact server model before installation.

Storage Array and Enterprise Infrastructure Applications

Supporting Existing HPE Infrastructure

One of the advantages of a drive such as the HPE 696736-B21 is its relevance to organizations that maintain older or established HPE infrastructure.

Rather than replacing an entire storage architecture, an organization may need to replace a failed HDD, add capacity to an existing RAID set, or maintain consistent drive configurations across multiple servers.

The drive has also been listed for selected HPE storage products, including D3700, D2220sb, and StoreEasy 1830 and 1840 systems.

Administrators should confirm the exact storage enclosure and configuration before purchasing replacement drives.

Why the 10K SAS and SFF Combination Matters

A Balanced Enterprise Storage Configuration

The combination of 300GB capacity, 10000RPM speed, SAS-6Gbps connectivity, and a 2.5-inch SFF form factor gives the HPE 696736-B21 a configuration aimed at performance-oriented server storage.

Each specification serves a different purpose:

The 300GB capacity provides usable storage for applications and server data.

The 10000RPM speed supports faster rotational access than lower-speed HDDs.

The SAS-6Gbps interface provides enterprise-oriented connectivity.

The 2.5-inch SFF design supports compact server configurations.

The Smart Carrier helps integrate the drive with compatible HPE server hardware.

The hot-swap design supports easier serviceability in compatible systems.

Together, these characteristics make the drive particularly relevant to organizations maintaining HPE ProLiant server infrastructure.

Potential Enterprise Workloads

Database Applications

Database environments often involve frequent storage operations. A 10K RPM SAS HDD can be considered for compatible database workloads where traditional enterprise HDD storage remains appropriate.

Actual database performance depends heavily on the database engine, RAID configuration, memory, controller, workload, and application architecture.

Virtualization Environments

Virtualized server environments can generate significant storage activity because multiple virtual machines may access storage simultaneously.

The HPE 696736-B21 can be considered for compatible virtualization infrastructure, particularly where an existing HPE ProLiant environment is already configured around SAS HDD storage.

Business Applications

Enterprise applications, internal business platforms, file services, and other server workloads can also use HDD storage depending on their performance and capacity requirements.

The 300GB capacity can be useful for workloads where the priority is maintaining a particular existing storage configuration rather than maximizing raw storage capacity.

Installation and Replacement Considerations

Verify the Server Before Installation

Before installing the HPE 696736-B21, administrators should confirm the exact HPE ProLiant model, generation, drive bay type, SAS controller, backplane, RAID configuration, firmware requirements, and existing drive specifications.

HPE provides server-specific documentation and troubleshooting resources covering ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 systems.

Check the Existing Drive Configuration

When replacing a drive in an existing RAID array, matching important characteristics is essential. Administrators should check capacity, interface, sector format, rotational speed, carrier type, and controller requirements.

In particular, the 512n sector format and Smart Carrier should be considered when replacing an existing drive.

HPE 696736-B21 vs. Modern SSD Storage

HDD Advantages

Modern SSDs can provide substantially different storage performance characteristics, but enterprise HDDs remain relevant in many established server environments.

The HPE 696736-B21 can be useful when an organization needs to maintain compatibility with an existing SAS-based infrastructure, preserve a consistent storage configuration, or replace a failed HDD without redesigning the storage platform.

Why Compatibility Still Matters

Storage upgrades are not always about choosing the newest technology. In enterprise environments, compatibility with existing controllers, drive bays, RAID arrays, firmware, and applications can be equally important.

For an organization operating compatible ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, or Gen10 hardware, the HPE 696736-B21 can provide a storage option that matches the existing SAS and SFF architecture.

Conclusion

The HPE 696736-B21 300GB 10000RPM 2.5inch Small Form Factor SAS-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Hard Drive is a compact SAS storage solution designed for compatible HPE ProLiant server environments.

Its combination of 300GB capacity, 10000RPM rotational speed, SAS-6Gbps interface, 2.5-inch SFF form factor, 512n sector format, dual-port connectivity, Smart Carrier, and hot-swap design makes it a practical option for maintaining compatible enterprise server infrastructure.

For organizations running HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, or Gen10 systems, the drive can be considered for storage replacement, server maintenance, RAID configurations, and other compatible enterprise storage applications. As with any server HDD replacement, the exact server model, controller, backplane, RAID configuration, and firmware should be verified before installation.