HPE 800GB MLC SAS-12G SSD: Igniting ProLiant Servers with Stellar Speed and Durability

HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SAS-12Gbps SSD: A Robust Storage Solution for ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution tailored for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Designed to handle demanding mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines speed, durability, and advanced features like Power Loss Protection (PLP) and Smart Carrier technology. It is an excellent choice for enterprise applications requiring reliable and efficient storage, such as virtualization, transactional databases, and high-performance computing. This article explores the SSD’s specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and ideal use cases, providing a comprehensive guide for IT professionals.

Technical Specifications

Core Specifications

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 800 GB

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

Interface: SAS 12Gbps

Flash Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3.5

Height: 15 mm (0.60 inch)

Weight: Approximately 24 oz

Performance Metrics

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/sec (external)

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1,000 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 600 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 115,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 210,000 @ Q256

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 105,000

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 110,000 @ Q16

Total Writes (30 Days): 4,800 TB

Power Consumption

Idle: 3.40 Watt

Random Read/Write: 6.10 Watt

Sequential Read: 6.80 Watt

Sequential Write: 10.20 Watt

These specifications demonstrate the SSD’s capability to deliver high-speed performance and endurance for enterprise-grade mixed-use applications.

Key Features

Power Loss Protection (PLP)

The HPE 800GB SSD includes Power Loss Protection, a vital feature that ensures data integrity during sudden power failures. By using onboard capacitors, PLP preserves data in flight, writing it to non-volatile memory, which is critical for maintaining data reliability in enterprise environments.

Smart Carrier Technology

Equipped with HPE’s Smart Carrier, the SSD simplifies drive management with integrated LED indicators for status and health monitoring. It seamlessly integrates with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) tools, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of unplanned downtime.

Digitally Signed Firmware

To enhance security, the SSD features digitally signed firmware, protecting against unauthorized modifications and ensuring secure operation. This is particularly important for organizations with strict compliance and security requirements.

SAS-12Gbps Interface

The 12Gbps SAS interface provides superior bandwidth compared to SATA drives, supporting faster data transfers and lower latency. This makes the SSD ideal for high-throughput applications requiring rapid data access.

Hot-Swap Support

The hot-swap capability allows for drive replacement or upgrades without shutting down the server, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing disruptions in data center environments.

Mixed-Use Optimization

Optimized for mixed-use workloads, the SSD balances read and write performance with an endurance rating of 3.5 DWPD. This makes it suitable for applications with moderate write demands, such as virtualization and database processing.

Benefits for Enterprise IT

Superior Performance

With high IOPS (115,000 read and 105,000 write) and low latency, the SSD excels in performance-sensitive applications like databases and virtualized environments. Its fast data access speeds enhance application responsiveness and user experience.

Enhanced Data Center Efficiency

The 2.5-inch SFF form factor enables high-density storage configurations, maximizing storage capacity within limited rack space. Its energy-efficient design, with low power consumption, reduces operational costs in large-scale deployments.

Robust Reliability

The combination of MLC flash, Power Loss Protection, and digitally signed firmware ensures long-term reliability and data integrity. The SSD’s endurance rating supports consistent performance under demanding workloads, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Streamlined Management

Smart Carrier technology and iLO integration simplify drive monitoring and maintenance. IT teams can leverage predictive analytics to anticipate and address potential issues, ensuring high availability and operational continuity.

Versatility Across Workloads

The SSD’s mixed-use profile makes it adaptable to a variety of enterprise applications, from transactional processing to analytics, providing flexibility for diverse IT environments.

Compatibility with ProLiant Servers

Supported Server Models

The HPE 800GB SSD is compatible with a broad range of HPE ProLiant servers, including:

ProLiant DL Series: DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9, DL360 Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen10

ProLiant ML Series: ML110 Gen9, ML150 Gen9, ML350 Gen9/Gen10

ProLiant BL Series: BL460c Gen8/Gen9, BL660c Gen9

ProLiant XL Series: XL170r Gen9, XL190r Gen10

HPE Synergy: Select Synergy compute modules

Compatibility Notes

Administrators should verify compatibility with specific server models and RAID controllers using HPE’s official documentation or vendor support. Firmware updates may be required for optimal performance, particularly in older Gen8 servers. The SSD’s support for Gen8 through Gen10 ensures it can be deployed in both legacy and modern infrastructures.

Ideal Use Cases

Enterprise Databases

The SSD’s high random IOPS and low latency make it ideal for transactional databases, such as those used in e-commerce, financial services, or ERP systems. It ensures fast query execution and reliable data access under heavy workloads.

Virtualized Environments

For virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V, the SSD’s balanced performance supports multiple virtual machines, delivering consistent speed and reliability for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server consolidation.

Big Data and Analytics

The SSD’s high throughput and scalability are well-suited for big data analytics, enabling rapid processing of large datasets. Its mixed-use design supports the read/write demands of analytics workloads.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

In HPC environments, the SSD’s SAS-12Gbps interface and high IOPS provide the performance needed for compute-intensive tasks, such as simulations, modeling, and scientific research.

Installation and Maintenance Guidelines

Installation Process

The SSD’s hot-swap design simplifies installation in compatible ProLiant servers. Ensure the server’s RAID controller firmware is updated to support the SAS-12Gbps interface. The Smart Carrier ensures proper alignment and secure connection during installation.

Maintenance Recommendations

Health Monitoring: Use HPE iLO and Smart Carrier indicators to monitor drive health and performance in real time.

Firmware Updates: Regularly apply HPE-provided firmware updates to maintain security and compatibility.

Proactive Maintenance: Leverage predictive analytics to schedule drive replacements before failures occur, minimizing disruptions.

Procurement

Purchase from trusted vendors like ServerPartsDirect or HPE-authorized resellers to ensure authenticity. Prices vary based on condition (new, refurbished, or bulk) and warranty duration. Always verify part number compatibility with your server model before ordering.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. With features like Power Loss Protection, Smart Carrier technology, and a high-performance SAS-12Gbps interface, it delivers exceptional speed, durability, and manageability for enterprise workloads. Its versatility makes it ideal for databases, virtualization, analytics, and HPC applications. By leveraging HPE’s management tools and ensuring compatibility, IT teams can deploy this SSD to enhance data center performance and efficiency, making it a valuable asset for modern enterprise environments.