HPE 960GB SAS-12Gbps SFF SSD: Unleashing Mixed-Use Might for ProLiant Gen10 Plus Powerhouses

HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Basic Carrier Mixed Use Value SAS Multi Vendor Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of enterprise data management, solid-state drives (SSDs) have become indispensable for boosting server performance, ensuring data integrity, and supporting demanding workloads. Among Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) extensive lineup of storage solutions, the HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Basic Carrier Mixed Use Value SAS Multi Vendor Solid State Drive (SSD) stands out as a reliable choice for ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers. Identified by part numbers such as P40510-B21, P40510-K21, and P41535-001, this drive combines high capacity, robust endurance, and enterprise-grade security features to deliver optimal value for mixed-use applications. Designed for environments where read and write operations are balanced, such as virtualization, databases, and content delivery networks, this SSD offers a compelling blend of performance and affordability without compromising on HPE's stringent quality standards.

This article delves into the drive's specifications, features, compatibility, and real-world applications, providing IT professionals and server administrators with a comprehensive guide to integrating this component into their infrastructure.

Key Specifications

The HPE 960GB Mixed Use Value SAS SSD is engineered for precision and efficiency. Below is a detailed breakdown of its core technical attributes.

Form Factor and Interface

• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), measuring 15.00 mm in height, making it ideal for dense server configurations.
• Interface: SAS-12Gbps, supporting sequential data transfer rates of up to 1.2 GB/s for both reads and writes. This dual-port interface ensures high bandwidth and fault-tolerant connectivity in enterprise RAID setups.

Capacity and Endurance

• Capacity: 960 GB of usable storage, utilizing Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND flash memory for a cost-effective balance of density and reliability.
• Endurance Rating: Mixed Use workload type, rated for approximately 2,760 TBW (Terabytes Written) over its lifespan. This makes it suitable for applications with a mix of 70% reads and 30% writes, outperforming read-intensive drives in write-heavy scenarios.

Performance Metrics

• Sequential Read/Write Speeds: Up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write.
• Random Read/Write IOPS: Up to 145,000 IOPS for 4K random reads and 90,000 IOPS for 4K random writes, enabling low-latency responses in transactional environments.
• Power Consumption: Active power draw of around 7-9W, with idle consumption under 3W, promoting energy efficiency in data centers.

These specs position the drive as a mid-tier option that delivers twice the IOPS of comparable SATA SSDs, enhancing overall server throughput.

Advanced Features

What sets this SSD apart is its focus on security, manageability, and reliability—hallmarks of HPE's engineering philosophy.

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The drive features HPE's Digitally Signed Firmware, a critical security measure that verifies the integrity of the firmware during boot and runtime. This prevents unauthorized modifications or malware injections, ensuring that only trusted HPE-signed code executes. In an era of rising cyber threats, DS provides peace of mind for sensitive data environments, reducing the risk of supply-chain attacks.

Basic Carrier (BC) Design

Bundled with HPE's Basic Carrier, the drive supports hot-plug functionality for seamless maintenance without server downtime. The carrier includes status LEDs for quick health checks (e.g., activity, fault indicators) and a "do not remove" button to avert accidental data loss during operations. This plug-and-play design simplifies installation in 2.5-inch bays.

Multi-Vendor (MV) Value SAS

As a Multi-Vendor Value SAS drive, it leverages qualified third-party NAND components while adhering to HPE's rigorous testing protocols. This approach keeps costs down without sacrificing performance, making it an economical upgrade path for legacy systems transitioning to SSDs.

Additional Enhancements

• Power-Loss Protection: Ensures data integrity during unexpected power failures by committing writes to non-volatile memory.
• Full Data-Path Error Detection: Maintains accuracy across the entire I/O pipeline, minimizing corruption risks.
• Warranty: Backed by a 3-year limited warranty for parts, labor, and on-site service, with options for extended coverage through HPE's support programs.

Compatibility and Installation

This SSD is optimized for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers, ensuring seamless integration with HPE's ecosystem.

Supported Servers

The drive is compatible with a wide array of ProLiant models, including:

• DL Series: DL20 Gen10 Plus, DL325 Gen10 Plus V2, DL345 Gen10 Plus, DL360 Gen10 Plus, DL365 Gen10 Plus, DL380 Gen10 Plus.
• ML Series: ML30 Gen10 Plus (Entry, Performance variants).
• Other: Apollo systems and select Synergy compute modules, provided they support 2.5-inch SAS bays.

It requires a SAS controller (e.g., HPE Smart Array series) for full functionality; verify compatibility via HPE's QuickSpecs for your specific server model.

Installation Guidelines

1. Power down the server and locate an available 2.5-inch SFF bay.
2. Insert the drive into the Basic Carrier until it seats firmly.
3. Slide into the bay and secure with the latch; the hot-swap design allows insertion while powered on in supported configurations.
4. Use HPE's iLO management interface to configure RAID arrays and monitor health post-installation.

For multi-drive setups, HPE recommends firmware updates via Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) to ensure optimal performance.

Performance and Use Cases

In benchmarks, the HPE 960GB Mixed Use SSD excels in hybrid workloads, offering up to 2x the IOPS of SATA alternatives for database queries and virtual machine hosting. Its mixed-use endurance supports:

• Virtualization: Accelerating VM boot times and snapshot operations in VMware or Hyper-V environments.
• Databases: Handling OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) with low latency for SQL Server or Oracle.
• Content Delivery: Caching frequently accessed media files in web servers.
• Edge Computing: Providing reliable storage in remote Gen10 Plus deployments like the DL20 or ML30 series.

Users report noticeable improvements in application response times, with reduced CPU wait states in I/O-bound tasks. However, for ultra-high-endurance needs (e.g., logging), consider HPE's Write Intensive variants.

Benefits and Value Proposition

The true strength of this SSD lies in its enterprise-ready features at a value price point. Key benefits include:

• Cost Efficiency: Multi-vendor sourcing lowers acquisition costs while maintaining HPE quality.
• Security Assurance: Digitally signed firmware and error detection safeguard against threats and data loss.
• Scalability: Easily scales in RAID configurations for petabyte-level storage pools.
• Sustainability: Low power draw contributes to greener data centers, aligning with HPE's eco-friendly initiatives.

Compared to competitors like Dell or Lenovo equivalents, HPE's integration with iLO and OneView tools provides superior manageability, reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 20% in mixed environments.

Conclusion

The HPE 960GB 2.5inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Basic Carrier Mixed Use Value SAS Multi Vendor SSD is a powerhouse for ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers, delivering balanced performance, robust security, and effortless deployment. Whether upgrading an existing setup or building a new one, this drive empowers IT teams to handle modern workloads with confidence. For the latest pricing and availability, consult HPE's official store or authorized resellers. As data demands continue to grow, solutions like this ensure your infrastructure remains agile and secure.