HPE 960GB SAS-12Gbps SFF ReadRocket SSD: Supercharge Your MSA 2050 SAN

HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive Solid State Drive for Modular Storage Array 2050 SAN Storage

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of enterprise storage, solid-state drives (SSDs) have become indispensable for organizations seeking to balance high performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency. The HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive Solid State Drive (SSD), specifically designed for the HPE Modular Smart Array (MSA) 2050 SAN Storage, exemplifies Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) commitment to delivering optimized storage solutions for modern data centers. This drive, available under part numbers such as P13010-001 and R0Q35A, targets read-intensive workloads like virtualization, databases, and content delivery networks, where rapid data retrieval is paramount over frequent writes.

The MSA 2050 is a versatile, entry-level SAN storage array that supports both SAS and Fibre Channel connectivity, offering scalability for small to medium-sized businesses. By integrating this 960GB SSD, users can accelerate application performance, reduce latency, and enhance overall system responsiveness without the power and heat drawbacks of traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Backed by HPE's rigorous testing—over 3.35 million hours of qualification—this drive ensures enterprise-grade durability, making it a strategic choice for hybrid storage environments.

Key Specifications

The HPE 960GB Read Intensive SSD is engineered for precision and compatibility within the MSA ecosystem. Below is a detailed breakdown of its technical specifications:

Capacity and Form Factor

• Storage Capacity: 960 GB, providing ample space for high-volume read operations in virtualized or cloud environments.
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), ideal for dense storage configurations in rack-mounted systems.
• Carrier Type: Standard MSA Carrier, ensuring hot-swappable installation and seamless integration with the MSA 2050's drive bays.

Interface and Performance

• Interface: SAS 12Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI), enabling transfer rates up to 12 Gb/s for superior bandwidth compared to SATA alternatives.
• Workload Rating: Read Intensive (RI), optimized for applications with up to 70% read operations, delivering high random read IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) for transactional workloads.
• Endurance: Rated for 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) over a 5-year lifespan, balancing cost with longevity for read-heavy use cases.

Physical and Environmental Attributes

• Dimensions: Height: 0.63 inches, Width: 3.10 inches, Depth: 5.45 inches.
• Weight: Approximately 1.50 lbs, facilitating easy handling during deployment.
• Power Consumption: Low power draw typical of SSDs, contributing to energy-efficient data centers.
• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Over 2 million hours, underscoring HPE's focus on reliability.

These specs position the drive as a high-value upgrade for the MSA 2050, which supports up to 240 drives in expanded configurations.

Features and Benefits

What sets the HPE 960GB SSD apart is its blend of advanced features tailored for enterprise demands. This section explores the core capabilities and their practical advantages.

High-Performance Read Optimization

Designed for read-intensive scenarios, the SSD leverages HPE's Value SAS technology to achieve roughly twice the IOPS of comparable SATA SSDs. This translates to faster query responses in databases and virtual desktop infrastructures (VDI), reducing wait times from seconds to milliseconds. In benchmarks, similar HPE RI SSDs handle up to 100,000 read IOPS, significantly boosting throughput in multi-user environments.

Enhanced Data Protection and Security

HPE incorporates full data-path error detection and digitally signed firmware (in select variants like 875682-001) to safeguard against corruption and unauthorized access. Power-loss protection ensures data integrity during outages, while optional FIPS encryption models (e.g., R0R53A series) comply with stringent regulatory standards. These features minimize downtime risks, offering peace of mind for mission-critical applications.

Scalability and Compatibility

Seamlessly compatible with the MSA 2050 SAN Dual Controller SFF Storage, 2050 SAS Dual Controller, and 2052 variants, the drive supports hybrid tiers—pairing SSDs with HDDs for tiered storage. Its M.2-based architecture in newer iterations (e.g., P13236-001) allows for future-proofing, accommodating up to 24 SFF drives in a 2U enclosure. This modularity enables organizations to scale from 12 to 240 drives without forklift upgrades.

Cost-Effective Efficiency

With a 3-year limited warranty and low total cost of ownership (TCO), the drive delivers ROI through reduced server footprints and energy savings—up to 50% less power than HDDs. HPE's qualification process ensures consistent performance, avoiding the variability seen in consumer-grade SSDs.

Compatibility and Integration

Integration is straightforward for IT administrators familiar with HPE ecosystems. The drive slots into the MSA 2050's SFF bays via the standard carrier, requiring no additional adapters. Supported configurations include:

• MSA 2050 Models: SAN Dual Controller SFF, SAS Dual Controller SFF, SAS NEBS SFF.
• MSA 2052 Models: SAN Dual Controller SFF, SAS Dual Controller SFF.
• Expansion Options: Compatible with 2060/2062 arrays for larger deployments.

Firmware updates via HPE's Storage Management Utility ensure optimal performance, while tools like HPE OneView simplify monitoring. For multi-vendor environments, the SAS interface bridges legacy systems, though HPE recommends verifying compatibility through their support portal.

Use Cases

This SSD shines in scenarios prioritizing read speed and reliability:

Virtualization and VDI

In VMware or Hyper-V setups, it accelerates VM boot times and snapshot operations, supporting up to 1,000 virtual desktops per array.

Database and Analytics

For SQL Server or Oracle databases, high read IOPS handle complex queries, enabling real-time analytics without performance bottlenecks.

Content Delivery and Archiving

Media streaming services benefit from low-latency access to large datasets, while archival systems leverage its endurance for infrequent writes.

Edge Computing

In NEBS-certified setups (e.g., MSA 2050 SAS NEBS), it powers telco edge nodes with compact, reliable storage.

Conclusion

The HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive SSD for the MSA 2050 SAN Storage represents a pinnacle of entry-level enterprise storage innovation. By combining robust specifications, intelligent features, and effortless integration, it empowers businesses to future-proof their infrastructure affordably. Whether refreshing an existing array or building anew, this drive delivers the performance edge needed to stay competitive in data-driven markets. For procurement or detailed quotes, consult HPE's official channels or authorized resellers.