HPE 800GB NVMe SSD: Unleashing High-Performance Storage for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Introduction to the HPE 800GB NVMe SSD

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Engineered to meet the demands of modern data centers, this SSD offers a balance of speed, reliability, and endurance for mixed-use workloads, making it ideal for applications such as databases, virtualization, analytics, and high-performance computing (HPC). This article provides a comprehensive overview of its specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and use cases, highlighting why it’s a strategic choice for enterprise storage needs.

Technical Specifications

Hardware Specifications

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 800 GB

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

Interface: PCI Express (NVMe) U.3

Plug Type: Hot Pluggable

Carrier Type: Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

Workload Type: Mixed Use

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

Connectivity: Dual Port

Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)

Bundled with: HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

Performance Metrics

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Lifetime Writes: 4280 TB

Max Sequential Reads Throughput: 5200 MiB/s

Max Sequential Writes Throughput: 1250 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 180,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 140,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 530,000 @ Q256

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 145,000 @ Q4

Random Read Avg. Latency (4KiB, Q1): 85 µs

Random Write Avg. Latency (4KiB, Q1): 30 µs

Power Consumption

Idle Time: 3.22 Watt

Random Read: 6.40 Watt

Random Write: 10.70 Watt

Sequential Read: 6.72 Watt

Sequential Write: 6.85 Watt

Random Read/Write: 6.89 Watt

Key Features

Digitally Signed Firmware

The SSD incorporates HPE’s Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), ensuring that the firmware is authentic and sourced from a trusted provider. This feature protects against unauthorized firmware modifications, enhancing data security and meeting stringent requirements for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Smart Carrier NVMe Design

The HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN) provides an intuitive interface for drive management, featuring:

Status LEDs: Indicate drive health and activity.

Do-Not-Remove Indicator: Prevents accidental removal during operation, reducing the risk of data loss.

Remote Activation: A blue LED can be remotely triggered to locate the drive in a server rack.

Hot-Pluggable Functionality

The hot-pluggable design allows administrators to replace or install drives without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Dual Port Connectivity

Dual port support enhances redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring continuous data access even if one path fails, which is critical for enterprise environments.

SmartSSD Wear Gauge

Integrated with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, this SSD allows administrators to monitor drive lifespan and plan replacements proactively, reducing the risk of unexpected failures.

Performance and Workload Suitability

High Performance for Mixed-Use Workloads

The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD is optimized for mixed-use (MU) workloads, delivering a balanced performance for both read- and write-intensive tasks. With sequential read speeds up to 5200 MiB/s and random read IOPS up to 180,000 (4KiB, Q=16), it significantly boosts server performance, reducing application load times and improving responsiveness. Its low latency (85 µs for random reads and 30 µs for random writes at Q1) ensures efficient data access for demanding applications.

Ideal Use Cases

This SSD is well-suited for:

Databases: Enhances performance for transactional and analytical databases requiring high IOPS.

Virtualization: Supports virtual machine environments with rapid data access and low latency.

Analytics and HPC: Accelerates data processing for big data analytics and high-performance computing tasks.

Enterprise Applications: Optimizes performance for ERP, CRM, and other business-critical applications.

Compatibility

Supported Platforms

The SSD is designed for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, including:

HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL325, DL345, DL360, DL365, DL380, DL385

HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML350 Gen10 (Base, High Performance, SMB, Solution, Special Server)

HPE Synergy: 480 Gen10 Compute Module, 660 Gen10 Compute Block
It is compatible with NVMe U.3 backplanes and supports PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 slots, though performance may be limited to Gen3 speeds on older configurations. For optimal performance, ensure server firmware and drivers are up to date. Always verify compatibility with specific server models, as configurations may vary.

Backward Compatibility

HPE NVMe U.3 PCIe Gen4 SSDs are 100% backward compatible with NVMe U.2 SSD backplanes on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, providing flexibility for hybrid storage environments.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

Enhanced Performance

The NVMe interface and PCIe connectivity deliver significantly faster data transfers compared to SAS or SATA SSDs, reducing latency and improving throughput for performance-critical applications.

Reliability and Endurance

Backed by over 3.35 million hours of HPE testing and qualification, the SSD ensures reliable operation in demanding environments. Its endurance rating of 3 DWPD supports long-term use without degradation.

Security

Digitally Signed Firmware prevents firmware-based attacks, safeguarding data integrity and ensuring compliance with enterprise security standards.

Scalability

The 800GB capacity strikes a balance between storage needs and cost, allowing businesses to scale storage without overspending on larger drives.

Operational Efficiency

The Smart Carrier design and hot-pluggable functionality streamline drive installation, monitoring, and replacement, reducing administrative overhead and minimizing downtime.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a robust and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Its combination of high performance, enterprise-grade reliability, and advanced features like digitally signed firmware, Smart Carrier design, and dual port connectivity makes it an excellent choice for data centers tackling mixed-use workloads. Whether you’re running databases, virtual machines, or analytics, this SSD delivers the speed, endurance, and security needed to drive business success. For enterprises seeking to optimize their ProLiant Gen10 servers, this SSD represents a strategic investment in performance, scalability, and reliability.