HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD: Powering ProLiant Performance with Unmatched Reliability

HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD: A High-Performance Storage Solution for ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Triple-Level Cell (TLC) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a robust and versatile storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Engineered to handle demanding mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines high performance, reliability, and advanced features to meet the needs of enterprise environments. With its compact form factor, Power Loss Protection (PLP), and Smart Carrier technology, it is an ideal choice for applications such as transactional databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SSD’s specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and use cases, offering valuable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Technical Specifications

Key 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: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Height: 15 mm (0.60 inch)

Weight: 23.98 oz

Performance Metrics

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/sec (external)

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 950 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 113,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 205,000 @ Q256

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 120,000

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 124,000 @ Q16

30 Days Writes: 4,280 TB

Power Consumption

Idle: 3.58 Watt

Random Read/Write: 5.99 Watt

Sequential Read: 6.47 Watt

Sequential Write: 9.84 Watt

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to deliver high performance and reliability for enterprise workloads, with a focus on mixed-use applications requiring a balance of read and write operations.

Key Features

Power Loss Protection (PLP)

The HPE 800GB SSD incorporates Power Loss Protection, a critical feature that safeguards data integrity during unexpected power interruptions. PLP ensures that data in transit is written to non-volatile memory, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption, which is essential for mission-critical applications.

Smart Carrier Technology

The SSD is bundled with HPE’s Smart Carrier, which enhances drive management and maintenance. The Smart Carrier includes LED indicators for drive status and health, as well as integration with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools for real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. This feature simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime by enabling proactive issue resolution.

Digitally Signed Firmware

Security is a priority with the HPE 800GB SSD, which features digitally signed firmware to protect against unauthorized access and firmware tampering. This ensures that the drive operates securely, making it suitable for environments with stringent security requirements.

SAS-12Gbps Interface

The SAS-12Gbps interface provides twice the bandwidth of SATA-6Gbps drives, enabling faster data transfers and lower latency. This high-speed interface is ideal for data-intensive applications, ensuring efficient performance in high-throughput environments.

Hot-Swap Capability

The SSD supports hot-swap functionality, allowing IT administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the server. This feature minimizes downtime and enhances operational efficiency in data center environments.

Mixed-Use Workload Optimization

Designed for mixed-use workloads, the SSD offers a balanced performance profile for both read and write operations. With an endurance rating of 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD), it is well-suited for applications with moderate write demands, such as databases and virtualization.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

High Performance and Low Latency

The HPE 800GB SSD delivers exceptional performance, with high IOPS (120,000 read and 100,000 write) and low latency, making it ideal for transactional databases and virtualization environments. Its ability to handle frequent small data accesses ensures fast query processing and improved application performance.

Scalability and Flexibility

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 critical for businesses with growing storage needs, while the SSD’s compatibility with Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers ensures flexibility across diverse server environments.

Enhanced Reliability

With features like Power Loss Protection and digitally signed firmware, the SSD offers robust reliability and data integrity. Its endurance rating of 3 DWPD ensures long-term performance under demanding workloads, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Energy Efficiency

Despite its high performance, the SSD is designed for energy efficiency, with low power consumption during idle and active states. This reduces operational costs in data centers, where power efficiency is a key consideration.

Simplified Management

Integration with HPE iLO tools and Smart Carrier technology simplifies drive monitoring and management. IT administrators can leverage predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they occur, ensuring maximum uptime and operational efficiency.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

Supported Server Models

The HPE 800GB SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as HPE Synergy systems. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible models:

ProLiant DL Series: DL120 Gen9, DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9, DL360 Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen9/Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen10, DL580 Gen8/Gen10

ProLiant ML Series: ML150 Gen9, ML350 Gen9/Gen10

ProLiant BL Series: BL420c Gen8, BL460c Gen8/Gen9

ProLiant XL Series: XL190r Gen9/Gen10, XL270d Gen9/Gen10

ProLiant WS Series: WS460c Gen8/Gen9

Compatibility Considerations

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’s backward compatibility with Gen8 and Gen9 servers ensures it can be deployed in mixed server environments, while full support for Gen10 servers makes it future-ready.

Ideal Use Cases

Transactional Databases

The SSD’s high random read and write IOPS make it ideal for transactional databases, where frequent small data accesses are common. It ensures low latency and fast query processing, improving database performance for applications like customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Virtualization

In virtualized environments, the SSD’s balanced performance and high IOPS support multiple virtual machines running concurrently. Its reliability and low latency ensure smooth operation for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server virtualization.

Big Data Analytics

The SSD’s high throughput and scalability make it suitable for big data analytics, where large volumes of data must be processed quickly. Its ability to handle mixed-use workloads ensures efficient performance for data-intensive applications.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

For HPC workloads, the SSD’s SAS-12Gbps interface and high IOPS deliver the speed and reliability needed for compute-intensive tasks, such as scientific simulations and financial modeling.

Installation and Maintenance

Installation Guidelines

The HPE 800GB SSD is designed for easy installation in compatible ProLiant servers. Its hot-swap capability allows for seamless integration without powering down the server. IT administrators should ensure the server’s RAID controller and firmware are up to date to maximize performance and compatibility.

Maintenance Best Practices

Monitor Drive Health: Use HPE iLO tools to monitor drive health and performance, leveraging Smart Carrier’s LED indicators for real-time status updates.

Firmware Updates: Regularly update the SSD’s firmware to ensure security and optimal performance. HPE provides digitally signed firmware updates to protect against vulnerabilities.

Proactive Replacement: Leverage predictive analytics to identify potential drive failures and replace drives proactively, minimizing downtime.

Procurement Options

Procurement Considerations

The SSD is available in new, refurbished, or bulk pack conditions, with warranties ranging from 30 days to 3 years depending on the vendor and part number. IT administrators should source from reputable vendors like StoragePartsDirect or Global One Technology to ensure authenticity and reliability. Prices vary based on condition and warranty, so comparing options is recommended.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and secure storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. With its Power Loss Protection, Smart Carrier technology, and digitally signed firmware, it offers robust data integrity and ease of management. Its high IOPS, low latency, and scalability make it ideal for enterprise applications like transactional databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. By verifying compatibility and leveraging HPE’s management tools, IT administrators can deploy this SSD to enhance performance and efficiency in modern data centers. Whether upgrading existing infrastructure or building new server environments, the HPE 800GB SSD is a strategic investment for enterprises seeking to optimize their storage solutions.