HPE 960GB SAS-24Gbps SSD: Igniting ProLiant Gen10 Plus with Stellar Read Performance and Fortified Security

HPE 960GB SAS-24Gbps SSD: Turbo-Charging ProLiant Gen10 Plus Servers with Read-Intensive Prowess

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of enterprise computing, where data demands grow exponentially, storage solutions must deliver speed, reliability, and security without compromise. The HPE 960GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-24Gbps Basic Carrier (BC) Read Intensive Solid State Drive (SSD) is purpose-built for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers. Tailored for read-heavy workloads such as web hosting, content delivery, and virtualization, this SSD leverages the cutting-edge SAS-24Gbps interface to provide exceptional throughput, low latency, and robust security. With a capacity of 960GB and a focus on cost-effective performance, it’s a strategic choice for organizations optimizing their data center infrastructure.

Featuring Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND flash memory and a read-intensive endurance rating of up to 1 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD), this SSD—often listed under part numbers like P10440-B21 or related SKUs—ensures high performance for applications where read operations dominate. As businesses embrace cloud, edge, and hybrid IT environments, this drive stands out for its ability to accelerate data access while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability.

Key Specifications

To fully appreciate the capabilities of this SSD, a detailed look at its technical specifications is essential. These are sourced from HPE’s official documentation and compatibility resources for ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers.

Form Factor and Capacity

• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), with a 7 mm height, ideal for high-density server configurations.
• Capacity: 960GB, striking a balance between cost and storage for boot drives, databases, or caching applications.

Interface and Performance Metrics

• Interface: SAS-24Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI at 24 gigabits per second), offering superior bandwidth compared to 12Gbps predecessors. It achieves sequential read speeds up to 2,100 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s.
• Workload Rating: Read Intensive (RI), optimized for workloads with high random read IOPS (up to 145,000 IOPS for 4K QD32 reads). It excels in read-heavy scenarios with a 10:1 read-to-write ratio.
• Flash Type: TLC NAND, delivering a cost-effective blend of capacity, speed, and endurance, rated for ~1 DWPD over 5 years.

Security and Firmware Features

• Digitally Signed Firmware (DS): Ensures firmware authenticity through cryptographic signatures, protecting against unauthorized updates or malware during boot and operation.
• Encryption Support: Supports self-encrypting drive (SED) standards like TCG Opal, safeguarding data-at-rest in compliance with enterprise security policies.

Carrier and Compatibility

• Carrier Type: Basic Carrier (BC), a hot-pluggable design with simplified status indicators for drive health and activity, suitable for straightforward deployments.
• Power Consumption: Approximately 7W during active read/write operations and 3W at idle, enhancing energy efficiency in dense server racks.
• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Exceeds 2 million hours, validated through HPE’s rigorous testing protocols spanning over 3.35 million hours.

These specifications make the SSD a versatile and reliable component for mission-critical environments.

Design and Build Quality

HPE’s engineering excellence is evident in the SSD’s physical and firmware design, tailored for seamless integration into ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers.

Hardware Construction

The drive is encased in a durable aluminum chassis, optimized for thermal management in multi-drive environments. The Basic Carrier simplifies installation with a hot-plug design, featuring minimalistic LED indicators for operational status (green for active, amber for alerts). Its 2.5-inch SFF form factor and 7 mm height support up to 24 drives in larger chassis like the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus, maximizing rack space efficiency.

Firmware and Software Integration

The digitally signed firmware ensures secure boot and update processes, aligning with standards like NIST SP 800-147 to counter supply chain vulnerabilities. Integrated with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, the drive provides real-time endurance tracking, enabling proactive maintenance. It seamlessly interfaces with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management suite, offering administrators insights into drive health, performance, and predictive failure alerts.

HPE’s testing regimen—encompassing vibration (10G), shock (2,000G), and temperature extremes (-40°C to 85°C)—ensures the drive withstands the rigors of enterprise data centers.

Performance and Use Cases

This SSD is engineered to excel in read-intensive scenarios, delivering consistent performance under demanding conditions.

Benchmark Insights

Benchmarks highlight the SAS-24Gbps interface’s superiority, with sequential read speeds reaching 2,100 MB/s and random 4K read IOPS up to 145,000, significantly outpacing SATA-based SSDs. Its low latency and power loss protection (PLP) ensure data integrity during unexpected power events. Compared to mixed-use SSDs, this read-intensive model sacrifices some write endurance (1 DWPD vs. 3-10 DWPD) for a lower cost per GB, making it ideal for read-dominant workloads.

Ideal Applications

• Virtualization: Accelerates virtual machine (VM) boot times and desktop delivery in VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V environments.
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Powers rapid content retrieval for streaming platforms or e-commerce websites.
• Database Query Processing: Enhances performance in read-heavy SQL or NoSQL databases, reducing query response times.
• Edge Deployments: Its low power draw and hot-plug capability make it suitable for remote sites with limited maintenance access.

HPE case studies report up to 40% faster application response times in virtualization and web-serving scenarios, underscoring its real-world impact.

Compatibility and Installation

The SSD is designed for effortless integration into ProLiant Gen10 Plus ecosystems, ensuring broad compatibility and simplified deployment.

Supported Servers

This drive is validated for ProLiant Gen10 Plus models, including:

• DL Series: DL325 Gen10 Plus, DL360 Gen10 Plus, DL380 Gen10 Plus.
• ML Series: ML350 Gen10 Plus.
• Synergy Platforms: Select Synergy compute modules like the 480 Gen10 Plus.

It may offer partial backward compatibility with Gen10 servers, but the full 24Gbps bandwidth requires Gen10 Plus controllers. Check HPE’s QuickSpecs for specific firmware and controller requirements.

Installation Guidelines

1. Power off the server and identify an available SFF bay.
2. Insert the SSD into the Basic Carrier, ensuring the SAS connector aligns.
3. Slide the drive into the bay until it locks; the hot-plug system auto-detects the drive.
4. Use HPE iLO to verify firmware versions and apply DS-signed updates for optimal performance.

The drive integrates with existing backplanes, requiring no additional cabling. For RAID setups, pair with HPE Smart Array controllers (e.g., E208i-a or P408i-a) for enhanced data protection.

Benefits and Advantages

This SSD delivers a compelling mix of performance, security, and cost efficiency, making it a standout choice for enterprise storage.

Robust Security

The DS firmware provides a cryptographic shield against unauthorized modifications, ensuring compliance with stringent security standards. This is critical for industries like finance and healthcare, where data integrity is non-negotiable.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

Priced competitively (typically $300-500, depending on the reseller), the SSD offers strong total cost of ownership (TCO) with a 3-year warranty and next-business-day replacement. Its 960GB capacity can be paired with higher-capacity drives (e.g., 1.92TB or 3.84TB) in the same family for tiered storage architectures.

Reliability and Support

With an MTBF exceeding 2 million hours and HPE’s Smart Path technology optimizing data placement, the SSD ensures consistent performance. Customer feedback praises its reliability, with minimal reported failures in production environments.

Comparison with Alternatives

To highlight its value, here’s a comparison with similar HPE SSDs:

The SAS-24Gbps model offers unmatched speed for read-intensive Gen10 Plus deployments, balancing cost and performance better than SATA or mixed-use alternatives.

Conclusion

The HPE 960GB 2.5-inch SFF DS SAS-24Gbps BC Read Intensive SSD is a powerhouse for ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers, delivering blazing-fast read performance, ironclad security, and seamless integration. Its SAS-24Gbps interface and TLC NAND make it a cost-effective solution for read-heavy workloads, from virtualization to edge computing. With robust firmware protections and HPE’s legendary reliability, this SSD empowers businesses to stay ahead in data-driven environments. For deployment, consult HPE’s configurator or authorized resellers to confirm compatibility and unlock its full potential.