Igniting High-Performance Storage for ProLiant Gen9 & Gen10 Servers: HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD

HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD: The Turbocharged Heartbeat of ProLiant Performance

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a powerhouse storage solution tailored for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Generation 9 (Gen9) and Generation 10 (Gen10) servers. Engineered for high-performance mixed-use (MU) workloads, this SSD combines the speed of Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) technology, the reliability of digitally signed firmware, and the versatility of a 2.5-inch form factor. It’s an ideal choice for enterprises seeking to optimize performance in applications like virtualization, databases, and real-time analytics. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of its specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and practical applications, offering IT professionals and decision-makers a detailed guide to this cutting-edge storage solution.

Introduction to the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD

In today’s data-driven world, enterprise storage must deliver speed, reliability, and scalability to meet the demands of modern workloads. The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD rises to this challenge by leveraging the NVMe protocol over a PCIe x4 interface, offering significantly faster data transfer rates and lower latency than traditional SATA or SAS drives. Its 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) design ensures compatibility with HPE’s ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, while its Mixed Use classification supports a balanced mix of read and write operations.

Equipped with Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) for enhanced security and bundled with an HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN), this SSD is purpose-built for seamless integration into HPE’s server ecosystem. Whether upgrading existing infrastructure or deploying new systems, this drive delivers the performance and durability needed to power mission-critical applications in dynamic data centers.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is designed to excel in enterprise environments. Below are its key technical specifications:

- Device Type: Solid State Drive (SSD) – Hot-Swap

- Capacity: 1.6TB

- Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)

- Interface: NVMe U.2 PCIe x4

- NAND Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC) or Multi-Level Cell (MLC), depending on model

- Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

- Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

- Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

- Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), PCIe x4 Lanes

- Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers, including DL, ML, and Synergy

- Height: 15 mm (0.60 inch)

- Endurance:

- Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3.0–5.0 (model-dependent)

- 30 Days Writes: 8,760–14,600TB

- Performance (varies by model):

- Maximum Sequential Read Throughput: 3,150–6,500 MiB/s

- Maximum Sequential Write Throughput: 1,500–2,700 MiB/s

- Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 125,000–180,000

- Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 135,000–220,000

- Random Read Latency (4KiB, Q1): 83–125 µs

- Random Write Latency (4KiB, Q1): 18–25 µs

- Power Consumption:

- Idle: ~4.00 Watt

- Random Read: ~11.04 Watt

- Random Write: ~9.69 Watt

- Sequential Read: ~13.57 Watt

- Sequential Write: ~8.80 Watt

- Maximum: ~20.10 Watt

These specifications underscore the SSD’s ability to deliver high performance, endurance, and efficiency for demanding enterprise applications.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is packed with advanced features that enhance its performance, security, and usability. Below are its standout attributes:

1. NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 Interface

The NVMe U.2 interface, paired with a PCIe x4 connection, provides blazing-fast data transfer rates and ultra-low latency. Unlike SATA or SAS SSDs, NVMe communicates directly with the CPU via PCIe, unlocking superior performance for I/O-intensive workloads.

2. Mixed Use (MU) Workload Optimization

With a DWPD rating of 3.0–5.0, this SSD is optimized for mixed-use workloads, balancing read and write operations. It’s ideal for applications like databases and virtualization, where both random and sequential access patterns are common.

3. Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Digitally Signed Firmware ensures the SSD’s firmware is authentic and secure, protecting against unauthorized modifications. This feature is critical for enterprises prioritizing data integrity and compliance in sensitive environments.

4. Hot-Swap Capability

The hot-swap design allows administrators to replace or upgrade the SSD without shutting down the server, ensuring minimal downtime and continuous operation in high-availability environments.

5. HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

Bundled with an HPE Smart Carrier NVMe, the SSD integrates seamlessly with HPE’s management tools, such as iLO and Intelligent Provisioning. The carrier features status LEDs and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental data loss.

6. High Endurance and Reliability

Available with TLC or MLC NAND flash memory, the SSD offers robust endurance for write-intensive tasks. Power loss protection safeguards data during unexpected outages, ensuring reliability in enterprise settings.

7. Compact 2.5-Inch SFF Design

The 2.5-inch form factor maximizes storage density, allowing data centers to pack more capacity into limited rack space while maintaining compatibility with HPE’s server drive bays.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD offers a range of benefits that make it a compelling choice for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers:

1. Unmatched Performance

With sequential read speeds up to 6,500 MiB/s and random IOPS exceeding 180,000, this SSD accelerates application performance, reducing latency and improving responsiveness for data-intensive tasks.

2. Versatile Workload Support

The Mixed Use profile supports diverse workloads, from transactional databases to virtualized environments, making it a flexible solution for enterprises with varied storage needs.

3. Enhanced Security

Digitally Signed Firmware protects against firmware tampering, ensuring data security and compliance with regulatory standards in industries like finance and healthcare.

4. Seamless HPE Integration

Rigorous testing ensures compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, enabling plug-and-play deployment and integration with HPE’s management ecosystem for simplified monitoring and maintenance.

5. Energy Efficiency

Consuming as little as 4 watts at idle and up to 20.1 watts at maximum, the SSD minimizes power usage compared to traditional HDDs, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

6. High Availability

Hot-swap functionality and robust endurance minimize downtime, ensuring continuous operation for mission-critical applications.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, including:

- ProLiant DL Series:

- DL360 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, SMB)

- DL380 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, Network Choice)

- DL385 Gen10, DL388 Gen9

- DL580 Gen9 (Base, High Performance, Database)

- ProLiant ML Series:

- ML350 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, SMB, Solution)

- Synergy Compute Modules:

- Synergy 480 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Premium Backplane)

- Synergy 660 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance)

- Synergy 680 Gen9

Note: Compatibility may require specific firmware or BIOS updates. Verify RAID controller support for NVMe SSDs if used in RAID configurations. Always consult HPE’s compatibility matrix or support team before deployment.

Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD excels in a variety of enterprise scenarios due to its high performance and balanced workload capabilities. Key use cases include:

1. Virtualization

Virtualized environments (e.g., VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V) benefit from the SSD’s high IOPS and low latency, enabling faster virtual machine boot times and improved resource allocation.

2. Transactional Databases

Databases like Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle require rapid read and write performance. The SSD’s Mixed Use profile ensures consistent performance for transactional and analytical queries.

3. Real-Time Analytics

Big data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark) demand high-throughput storage. The SSD’s sequential read speeds support rapid data processing for actionable insights.

4. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

CDNs rely on low-latency storage to serve content efficiently. This SSD’s random read performance makes it ideal for caching and delivering media.

5. High-Performance Computing (HPC)

HPC workloads, such as AI training or scientific simulations, require fast data access. The SSD’s NVMe interface delivers the bandwidth needed for compute-intensive tasks.

6. Enterprise Applications

ERP and CRM systems (e.g., SAP, Salesforce) benefit from the SSD’s reliability and speed, ensuring smooth operation and minimal downtime for business-critical processes.

Installation and Management

Installing the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-swap design and Smart Carrier NVMe. Follow these steps:

1. Confirm Compatibility:

Ensure the server supports NVMe U.2 SSDs and has an available 2.5-inch SFF bay.

2. Update Firmware:

Apply the latest BIOS and firmware updates via HPE’s Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP).

3. Install the SSD:

Insert the SSD into the drive bay until it locks. The Smart Carrier’s LEDs indicate status.

4. Configure the Drive:

Use HPE iLO or Intelligent Provisioning to set up the SSD, including RAID if needed.

5. Monitor Health:

Leverage HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge and iLO for real-time performance and lifespan monitoring.

The Smart Carrier NVMe enhances manageability with features like remote drive identification and wear-level tracking, reducing maintenance overhead.

Considerations for Deployment

When deploying the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD, consider the following:

- RAID Support:

Ensure your RAID controller supports NVMe SSDs. HPE offers compatible controllers for optimal performance.

- Thermal Management:

NVMe SSDs generate heat under heavy loads. Verify adequate airflow in the server chassis.

- Workload Alignment:

The Mixed Use profile suits balanced workloads. For read- or write-intensive tasks, explore HPE’s RI or WI SSDs.

- Data Migration:

Plan data transfers carefully to avoid disruptions. HPE provides migration tools to streamline the process.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

HPE offers SSDs tailored to different workloads:

Read Intensive (RI), Mixed Use (MU), and Write Intensive (WI). Here’s how the 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD compares:

- Read Intensive (RI) SSDs:

Optimized for read-heavy tasks (e.g., caching, web servers) with lower DWPD (0.3–1.0). Example: HPE 1.92TB NVMe RI SSD.

- Mixed Use (MU) SSDs:

This SSD, with a DWPD of 3.0–5.0, balances read/write performance for versatile workloads like databases and virtualization.

- Write Intensive (WI) SSDs:

Designed for write-heavy applications (e.g., OLTP) with higher DWPD (10+). Example: HPE 400GB NVMe WI SSD.

The 1.6TB MU SSD offers a sweet spot for performance, endurance, and cost, ideal for enterprises needing flexibility.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a game-changer for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its NVMe U.2 interface, robust endurance, and seamless integration with HPE’s ecosystem make it a top choice for enterprises tackling mixed-use workloads. From accelerating virtualized environments to powering real-time analytics, this SSD delivers the speed, reliability, and scalability needed to thrive in today’s data-centric landscape.

For IT teams looking to boost server performance without compromising security or manageability, the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is a turbocharged solution that drives results. Pair it with HPE’s management tools and support to unlock its full potential and keep your data center ahead of the curve.

Apr 15th 2025 Mike Anderson