Optimizing Enterprise Storage: HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Servers

HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution engineered for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Designed to handle demanding mixed-use workloads, this SSD combines speed, reliability, and advanced features to meet the needs of enterprise environments. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SSD’s specifications, features, compatibility, benefits, and ideal use cases, offering IT professionals and decision-makers valuable insights for optimizing their data center infrastructure.

Overview of the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD

The HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD is tailored for enterprise applications requiring a balance of read and write performance. Its 2.5-inch form factor and SAS-12Gbps interface ensure seamless integration into HPE ProLiant servers, delivering robust performance for mission-critical workloads such as databases, virtualization, and transactional systems. With features like Digitally Signed Firmware and Smart Carrier technology, this SSD enhances security, reliability, and ease of maintenance, making it a strategic choice for modern data centers.

Key Features

Capacity: 800GB, suitable for a wide range of enterprise storage needs.

Interface: SAS-12Gbps, offering high-speed data transfers and low latency.

Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), ideal for high-density server environments.

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

Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU), optimized for balanced read/write operations.

Power Loss Protection (PLP): Ensures data integrity during unexpected power interruptions.

Smart Carrier (SC): Simplifies drive installation and monitoring with integrated status indicators.

Digitally Signed Firmware: Enhances security by protecting against unauthorized firmware modifications.

Target Applications

This SSD is designed for mixed-use workloads, making it ideal for:

Transactional databases requiring fast read/write operations.

Virtualization environments with high I/O demands.

Big data analytics and business intelligence applications.

High-performance computing (HPC) workloads.

Cloud computing infrastructures needing reliable storage.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD delivers impressive performance metrics, making it a competitive choice for enterprise storage solutions. Below are the detailed specifications for key part numbers, such as 846434-B21, 844023-001, and P21131-B21, based on available data.

Performance Metrics

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1080 MiB/s (for MLC models) or 950 MiB/s (for TLC models).

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 580 MiB/s (MLC) or 1035 MiB/s (select models).

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Up to 113,000 (P21131-B21) or 91,500 (846434-B21).

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Up to 120,000 (P21131-B21) or 65,500 (846434-B21).

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): Up to 205,000 at Q256 (P21131-B21) or 120,000 at Q32 (846434-B21).

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): Up to 124,000 at Q16 (P21131-B21) or 67,500 at Q32 (846434-B21).

Random Read Latency: Approximately 125 µs (MLC) or 95 µs (TLC).

Random Write Latency: Approximately 60 µs (MLC) or 32 µs (TLC).

Endurance (Drive Writes Per Day, DWPD): 3.0, ensuring durability for mixed-use workloads.

30 Days Writes: Up to 4280 TB (P21131-B21).

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Form Factor: 2.5-inch SFF.

Height: 15 mm (0.60 inches).

Weight: Approximately 23.98 oz.

Interface: 1 x SAS 12 Gb/s.

Bytes per Sector: 512.

Plug Type: Hot-pluggable.

Operating Temperature: Compatible with standard data center environments (consult HPE documentation for specifics).

Power Consumption: Energy-efficient design, reducing operational costs in data centers.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD is designed for broad compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as HPE Synergy systems. Below is a non-exhaustive list of compatible server models:

ProLiant DL Series

DL120 Gen9, DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9.

DL360 Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen9/Gen10, DL385 Gen10.

DL560 Gen8/Gen10, DL580 Gen8/Gen10.

ProLiant ML Series

ML150 Gen9, ML350 Gen9/Gen10.

ProLiant BL Series

BL420c Gen8, BL460c Gen8/Gen9, BL465c Gen8, BL660c Gen8/Gen9.

ProLiant XL Series

XL190r Gen9/Gen10, XL270d Gen9/Gen10.

ProLiant WS Series

WS460c Gen8/Gen9.

HPE Synergy

Synergy 480 Gen10 (Base, Performance, Premium, Standard, w/o Drives).

Synergy 660 Gen10 (Compute Block, Compute Module, Premium).

Compatibility Considerations

Firmware Updates: Some servers may require specific firmware updates or RAID controller configurations for optimal performance.

HPE Documentation: IT administrators should consult HPE’s compatibility matrix or contact their vendor to confirm support for specific server models.

Synergy Support: The SSD’s compatibility with HPE Synergy systems makes it suitable for converged infrastructure environments.

Benefits of the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD

This SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for enterprise storage upgrades:

High Performance

The SAS-12Gbps interface provides twice the bandwidth of SATA-6Gbps drives, ensuring faster data transfers and reduced latency. With high IOPS and low latency, the SSD excels in mixed-use workloads, delivering consistent performance for demanding applications.

Enhanced Reliability

Power Loss Protection (PLP): Safeguards data integrity during power failures, critical for mission-critical applications.

Digitally Signed Firmware: Protects against unauthorized firmware modifications, enhancing security.

Endurance: A DWPD of 3.0 ensures the drive can handle intensive read/write operations over its lifespan.

Ease of Maintenance

The Smart Carrier (SC) design includes status LEDs and predictive analytics integration with HPE iLO tools, enabling proactive monitoring and maintenance. This reduces downtime and simplifies drive management in large-scale deployments.

Energy Efficiency

The 2.5-inch SFF design and optimized power consumption reduce energy costs compared to larger drives, making it an eco-friendly choice for data centers.

Broad Compatibility

Support for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as Synergy systems, ensures flexibility for organizations with mixed server generations.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

To determine the best fit for specific needs, the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD can be compared to other HPE SSDs:

SAS-24Gbps SSD (e.g., P26290-K21)

Pros: Higher bandwidth (24 Gb/s), improved sequential read (up to 1080 MiB/s), and random read IOPS (up to 173,000 at Q64).

Cons: May not be compatible with older Gen8 or Gen9 servers, higher cost.

Best For: Gen10 servers with advanced storage requirements.

SATA-6Gbps SSD (e.g., P13808-001)

Pros: Lower cost, broader server compatibility.

Cons: Lower bandwidth (6 Gb/s), reduced performance compared to SAS-12Gbps.

Best For: Less demanding workloads or budget-conscious deployments.

Write-Intensive SSD (e.g., 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps)

Pros: Higher capacity and endurance for write-heavy workloads.

Cons: Higher cost, overkill for balanced mixed-use applications.

Best For: Databases and virtualization with intensive write operations.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD is optimized for scenarios requiring a balance of read and write performance. Key use cases include:

Transactional Databases

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency make it ideal for databases handling frequent transactions, such as financial systems or e-commerce platforms.

Virtualization

Virtualized environments benefit from the SSD’s ability to handle multiple virtual machines with high I/O demands, ensuring smooth performance.

Big Data Analytics

The drive’s fast data access and transfer speeds support analytics workloads, enabling faster insights from large datasets.

High-Performance Computing

HPC applications, such as scientific simulations, benefit from the SSD’s high throughput and reliability.

Cloud Infrastructure

The SSD’s energy efficiency and compatibility with converged systems like HPE Synergy make it suitable for cloud computing environments.

Deployment and Maintenance Tips

To maximize the performance and longevity of the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD, consider the following:

Pre-Deployment

Verify Compatibility: Confirm server and RAID controller compatibility using HPE’s documentation.

Firmware Updates: Ensure the server’s firmware and RAID controller are up to date to avoid performance issues.

RAID Configuration: Configure RAID settings based on workload requirements (e.g., RAID 5 for balanced performance and redundancy).

Installation

Hot-Swap Support: The SSD is hot-pluggable, allowing installation without powering down the server.

Smart Carrier: Use the Smart Carrier’s status indicators to verify proper installation and operation.

Monitoring and Maintenance

HPE iLO Tools: Leverage HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) tools for real-time drive health monitoring and predictive failure alerts.

Regular Firmware Updates: Apply firmware updates to maintain security and performance.

Proactive Replacement: Use predictive analytics to replace drives before failures occur, minimizing downtime.

Sourcing

Reputable Vendors: Purchase from trusted suppliers like StoragePartsDirect to ensure authenticity and warranty coverage.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a robust and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its high performance, reliability, and advanced features, such as Power Loss Protection and Digitally Signed Firmware, make it an excellent choice for enterprise workloads like databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. With broad compatibility, energy efficiency, and ease of maintenance, this SSD is a strategic investment for organizations aiming to enhance their data center infrastructure. By verifying compatibility, leveraging HPE iLO tools, and sourcing from reputable vendors, IT administrators can ensure optimal deployment and performance, unlocking the full potential of this high-performance SSD.