HPE 960GB SAS-24Gbps SSD: Unleashing Turbo-Charged Read Performance for ProLiant Gen10 Powerhouses

HPE 960GB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-24Gbps Smart Carrier (SC) Read Intensive Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of enterprise data management, storage solutions must balance high performance, reliability, and security while meeting the demands of modern workloads. The HPE 960GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-24Gbps Smart Carrier (SC) Read Intensive Solid State Drive (SSD) emerges as a robust choice for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen10 servers. Designed specifically for read-heavy applications such as web servers, content delivery networks, and virtualization environments, this SSD leverages advanced SAS interface technology to deliver exceptional throughput and endurance.

This drive, often referenced under part numbers like P10440-B21 or similar variants in HPE's ecosystem, incorporates Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND flash memory, ensuring cost-effective capacity without compromising on speed. With a focus on read-intensive workloads—rated for up to 1 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)—it provides a reliable foundation for organizations scaling their infrastructure. As data volumes explode in cloud-native and edge computing scenarios, this SSD helps mitigate bottlenecks, enhancing overall system responsiveness and reducing latency.

Key Specifications

Understanding the technical underpinnings of this SSD is crucial for IT administrators evaluating storage upgrades. Below is a detailed breakdown of its core specifications, drawn from HPE's official documentation and compatibility matrices.

Form Factor and Capacity

• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), with a height of 7 mm, making it ideal for dense server configurations.
• Capacity: 960 GB, offering a sweet spot between affordability and substantial storage for boot volumes, databases, or caching layers.

Interface and Performance Metrics

• Interface: SAS-24Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI at 24 gigabits per second), enabling ultra-high bandwidth for enterprise-grade servers. This is a step up from 12Gbps predecessors, supporting sequential reads up to 2,100 MB/s and writes up to 2,000 MB/s (depending on workload).
• Workload Rating: Read Intensive (RI), optimized for applications with high random read IOPS (up to 145,000 IOPS for 4K QD32 reads). It handles mixed workloads efficiently but excels in scenarios where reads outnumber writes by a factor of 10:1 or more.
• Flash Type: TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND, providing a balance of density, performance, and longevity with an endurance rating of approximately 1 DWPD over 5 years.

Security and Firmware Features

• Digitally Signed Firmware (DS): A hallmark of HPE's security-first approach, this feature uses cryptographic signatures to verify firmware integrity during boot and updates, preventing unauthorized modifications or malware injections.
• Encryption Support: Compatible with self-encrypting drive (SED) standards, including TCG Opal and IEEE 1667, for data-at-rest protection.

Carrier and Compatibility

• Carrier Type: Smart Carrier (SC), a hot-swappable design with LED status indicators for health monitoring and predictive failure alerts via HPE's iLO management tools.
• Power Consumption: Active read/write: ~7W; Idle: ~3W, promoting energy efficiency in rack-dense environments.
• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Over 2 million hours, backed by rigorous HPE qualification testing exceeding 3.35 million hours.

These specs position the drive as a versatile component for high-availability setups, where downtime is not an option.

Design and Build Quality

HPE's engineering prowess shines in the physical and architectural design of this SSD, ensuring seamless integration into ProLiant ecosystems.

Hardware Construction

The drive features a robust aluminum housing optimized for thermal dissipation, critical in multi-drive bays where airflow can be constrained. The Smart Carrier includes diagnostic LEDs for quick visual checks—green for normal operation, amber for warnings—and supports tool-free installation, reducing deployment time. At 2.5 inches, it's compatible with standard SFF bays, and its 7 mm height allows for up to 24 drives in larger chassis like the DL380 Gen10.

Firmware and Software Integration

The digitally signed firmware is a key differentiator, ensuring that only authenticated updates from HPE are applied. This mitigates risks from supply chain attacks, a growing concern in enterprise IT. Integrated with HPE's SmartSSD Wear Gauge, it provides real-time endurance monitoring, alerting admins to potential wear before failures occur. For ProLiant Gen10 servers, this SSD pairs effortlessly with HPE's OneView management suite, enabling centralized provisioning and health analytics.

In terms of build, HPE subjects these drives to extreme testing, including vibration (up to 10G), shock (2,000G), and temperature cycling (-40°C to 85°C), guaranteeing reliability in data centers worldwide.

Performance and Use Cases

Performance is where this SSD truly excels, particularly in environments prioritizing read speeds over write endurance.

Benchmark Insights

In real-world benchmarks, the SAS-24Gbps interface shines: expect sustained sequential reads of 2,100 MB/s and random 4K reads at 145,000 IOPS, outperforming SATA equivalents by up to 2x in latency-sensitive tasks. For read-intensive workloads, it maintains consistent performance even under heavy loads, with power loss protection (PLP) safeguarding data integrity during outages.

Compared to mixed-use or write-intensive counterparts, this RI model trades some write endurance (1 DWPD vs. 3-10 DWPD) for lower cost per GB, making it economical for read-dominant applications.

Ideal Applications

• Virtualization and VDI: Accelerates VM boot times and desktop streaming, ideal for VMware or Hyper-V deployments.
• Web and Content Serving: Handles high-traffic sites or media caches where quick data retrieval is paramount.
• Big Data Analytics: Supports Hadoop or Spark clusters for query processing, reducing time-to-insight.
• Edge Computing: In remote sites, its low power draw and hot-swap capability minimize maintenance hassles.

Users report up to 50% faster application response times post-upgrade, based on HPE case studies from sectors like finance and healthcare.

Compatibility and Installation

Seamless compatibility is a cornerstone of HPE's design philosophy, ensuring this SSD slots into existing infrastructure without hitches.

Supported Servers

This drive is validated for a broad array of ProLiant Gen10 models, including:

• DL Series: DL20 Gen10, DL360 Gen10, DL380 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL580 Gen10.
• ML Series: ML110 Gen10, ML350 Gen10.
• Synergy and Apollo: Select compute modules in Synergy 480/660 Gen10 and Apollo 2000/6500 systems.

It also backward-compatible with Gen9 in many cases, though full 24Gbps speeds require Gen10 controllers. Always verify via HPE's QuickSpecs for firmware revisions.

Installation Guidelines

1. Power down the server and locate an available SFF bay.
2. Insert the drive into the Smart Carrier until it clicks, aligning the SAS connector.
3. Slide into the bay and secure with the latch; the system auto-detects via hot-swap.
4. Monitor via iLO for firmware updates—HPE recommends applying the latest DS-signed version for optimal security.

No special cabling is needed, as it leverages the server's backplane. For RAID configurations, pair with HPE Smart Array controllers like the P408i-a for enhanced redundancy.

Benefits and Advantages

Investing in this SSD yields multifaceted returns, from operational efficiency to long-term cost savings.

Enhanced Security

The DS firmware acts as a tamper-evident seal, complying with standards like NIST SP 800-147 for secure boot. In an era of rising cyber threats, this reduces breach risks by validating code authenticity.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

At a competitive price point (typically $300-500, varying by reseller), it offers superior TCO with 3-year warranty coverage, including next-business-day replacement. Scalability is effortless—mix with larger capacities like 1.92TB or 3.84TB in the same family for tiered storage.

Reliability and Support

HPE's pedigree ensures low failure rates, with tools like HPE SSD Smart Path optimizing data placement for peak performance. Customer reviews highlight its "plug-and-play" reliability, with minimal RMA needs.

Comparison with Alternatives

To contextualize its value, here's a quick comparison with similar HPE offerings:

This SAS-24G model stands out for speed-critical Gen10 setups, outpacing SATA while being more affordable than mixed-use variants.

Conclusion

The HPE 960GB 2.5-inch SFF DS SAS-24Gbps SC Read Intensive SSD is more than just storage—it's a strategic enabler for agile, secure data operations in ProLiant Gen10 environments. By combining blistering performance, ironclad security, and effortless integration, it empowers businesses to tackle read-intensive challenges head-on. Whether refreshing legacy systems or building new clusters, this drive delivers enduring value. For procurement, consult HPE's configurator or authorized resellers to ensure compatibility with your setup. As enterprise demands evolve, solutions like this keep HPE at the forefront of innovation.