HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD: Powering ProLiant Servers with Performance and Reliability

HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Triple-Level Cell (TLC) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Engineered to handle mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines reliability, speed, and advanced features to meet the demands of enterprise environments. This article provides a detailed overview of its features, specifications, compatibility, benefits, and ideal use cases, offering valuable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Overview of the HPE 800GB SSD

The HPE 800GB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is tailored for enterprise applications requiring a balance of read and write performance. With its 2.5-inch form factor and SAS-12Gbps interface, it ensures seamless integration into HPE ProLiant servers, delivering robust performance for mission-critical workloads such as databases, virtualization, and transactional systems. The drive’s Digitally Signed Firmware and Smart Carrier technology enhance security and ease of maintenance, making it a reliable choice for data centers.

Key Features

Capacity: 800GB, suitable for storing substantial datasets while maintaining high performance.

Interface: SAS-12Gbps, providing a high-speed data transfer rate for enterprise applications.

Form Factor: 2.5-inch SFF, optimizing space in high-density server configurations.

NAND Flash Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC), balancing cost, performance, and endurance.

Digitally Signed Firmware: Ensures security and authenticity, protecting against unauthorized firmware modifications.

Smart Carrier: Features LED indicators for real-time drive status monitoring and supports hot-swappable functionality.

Workload Type: Mixed Use, designed for applications with balanced read and write requirements.

Endurance: 3.0 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) over 30 days, with a lifetime write capacity of approximately 4500 TB.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 800GB SSD is engineered for high performance and reliability, with specifications that make it suitable for demanding enterprise environments.

Performance Metrics

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1050 MiB/s, enabling rapid data access for read-intensive tasks.

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 1010 MiB/s, supporting efficient data writes.

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 120,000, ideal for transactional workloads with frequent small data accesses.

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 100,000, ensuring robust performance for write-heavy applications.

Maximum Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 170,000 at Q64, delivering high performance under heavy loads.

Maximum Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 100,000 at Q16, maintaining consistency for mixed workloads.

Random Read Latency (4KiB, Q1): 105 µs, minimizing delays for read operations.

Random Write Latency (4KiB, Q1): 35 µs, ensuring low latency for write operations.

Power Consumption

Idle Power: 3.58 W, contributing to energy efficiency in data centers.

Random Read/Write: 5.99 W, optimizing power usage during mixed operations.

Sequential Read: 6.47 W, efficient for read-heavy tasks.

Sequential Write: 9.84 W, higher due to write-intensive operations.

Maximum Power: 9.84 W, maintaining efficiency under peak loads.

Physical Specifications

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inches), compact for high-density server deployments.

Weight: Approximately 23.98 oz, lightweight for easy handling.

Interface: 1 x SAS 12 Gb/s, ensuring high-speed connectivity.

Hot-Pluggable: Supports seamless drive replacement without server downtime.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB SSD is designed for broad compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, making it a versatile option for organizations with mixed server generations. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible models:

HPE ProLiant DL Series

• DL120 Gen9, DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9, DL360 Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen9/Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen10, DL580 Gen8/Gen10.

HPE ProLiant ML Series

• ML150 Gen9, ML350 Gen9/Gen10.

HPE ProLiant XL Series

• XL190r Gen9/Gen10, XL270d Gen9/Gen10.

HPE ProLiant BL and WS Series

• BL420c Gen8, BL460c Gen8/Gen9, WS460c Gen8/Gen9.

For precise compatibility, IT administrators should consult HPE’s documentation or contact their vendor, as some models may require specific firmware updates or RAID controller configurations. The SSD also supports HPE Synergy systems, enhancing its applicability in converged infrastructure environments.

Benefits of the HPE 800GB SSD

This SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for enterprise storage upgrades:

High Performance

The SAS-12Gbps interface provides twice the bandwidth of SATA-6Gbps drives, ensuring faster data transfers and reduced latency. With sequential read and write speeds of up to 1050 MiB/s and 1010 MiB/s, respectively, and high IOPS for random operations, the SSD accelerates performance for mixed-use workloads.

Reliability and Security

The Digitally Signed Firmware ensures the drive’s firmware is authentic and secure, protecting against potential vulnerabilities. The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators provide real-time insights into drive health, simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime. The hot-pluggable design allows for seamless drive replacement, enhancing system uptime.

Energy Efficiency

With an idle power consumption of 3.58 W and a maximum of 9.84 W, the SSD contributes to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional HDDs. This efficiency is critical for data centers aiming to optimize power usage.

Scalability and 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. This scalability is ideal for growing businesses requiring flexible storage solutions.

Broad Compatibility

Backward compatibility with Gen8 and Gen9 servers, in addition to full support for Gen10, makes this SSD a versatile option for organizations with diverse server environments. Its integration with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools further enhances monitoring and management capabilities.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 800GB SSD is optimized for mixed-use workloads, making it suitable for a variety of enterprise applications:

Transactional Databases

The high random read and write IOPS (120,000 and 100,000, respectively) make this SSD ideal for transactional databases, where frequent small data accesses are common. It ensures low latency and fast query processing, improving database performance.

Virtualization

The balanced read/write performance supports virtualized environments, enabling smooth operation of multiple virtual machines with minimal latency. The SSD’s high IOPS and throughput are well-suited for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server virtualization.

Big Data Analytics

With an 800GB capacity and high sequential throughput, the SSD supports rapid data processing for analytics platforms, enabling faster insights from large datasets. Its reliability ensures consistent performance under demanding workloads.

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)

The SSD’s endurance (3.0 DWPD) and low latency make it suitable for OLTP systems, where high transaction rates require robust read and write performance. It ensures efficient handling of real-time transactions in e-commerce and financial applications.

Deployment and Maintenance Considerations

To maximize the performance and longevity of the HPE 800GB SSD, consider the following:

Compatibility Verification

Before deployment, verify compatibility with your specific ProLiant server model using HPE’s compatibility documentation or by contacting HPE support. Ensure that the server’s firmware and RAID controllers are up to date to avoid integration issues.

Monitoring with HPE iLO

Use HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools to monitor SSD health, performance, and wear levels via the Smart Carrier’s LED indicators. Regular monitoring helps proactively address potential issues, ensuring system reliability.

Sourcing from Reputable Vendors

Purchase the SSD from trusted vendors like StoragePartsDirect or Global One Technology to ensure authenticity and warranty coverage. Verify whether the drive is new or refurbished, as warranty terms may vary (e.g., 3 years for new, 30 days for refurbished).

RAID Configuration

Configure the SSD with an appropriate RAID level based on your workload requirements. For mixed-use applications, RAID 5 or 6 can provide a balance of performance and data protection. Ensure the RAID controller supports SAS-12Gbps for optimal performance.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

The HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD can be compared to other HPE SSDs to determine the best fit for specific needs:

HPE 800GB SAS-24Gbps Mixed Use SSD

The SAS-24Gbps version (e.g., HPE P26290-K21) offers higher bandwidth (24 Gb/s) and improved performance (up to 1080 MiB/s sequential read, 173,000 random read IOPS), making it suitable for Gen10 servers with advanced storage requirements. However, it may not be compatible with older Gen8 or Gen9 servers.

HPE 800GB SATA-6Gbps Mixed Use SSD

The SATA-6Gbps version (e.g., HPE P13808-001) provides lower bandwidth (6 Gb/s) and slightly reduced performance but is more cost-effective for environments with less demanding workloads. It is also compatible with a broader range of servers, including Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10.

HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Write Intensive SSD

For write-heavy workloads, the 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Write Intensive SSD offers higher capacity and endurance but at a higher cost. It is better suited for applications like databases and virtualization with intensive write operations.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD is a versatile and high-performance storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. With its robust performance metrics, including high IOPS and low latency, it excels in mixed-use workloads such as transactional databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. The Digitally Signed Firmware and Smart Carrier technology enhance security and ease of maintenance, while the energy-efficient design and broad compatibility make it a cost-effective choice for enterprises. By verifying compatibility, leveraging HPE iLO tools, and sourcing from reputable vendors, IT administrators can ensure optimal deployment and performance, making this SSD a strategic investment for modern data centers.