Powering Performance: Unleashing the HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD for ProLiant Gen8 & Gen9 Servers

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Value Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 Servers

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise computing, storage solutions play a pivotal role in ensuring performance, reliability, and efficiency. The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Value Solid State Drive (SSD) is designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers. This SSD offers a compelling combination of high capacity, enterprise-grade features, and cost-effectiveness, making it an ideal choice for read-intensive workloads in data centers. This article provides a detailed exploration of the HPE 1.6TB SSD, covering its specifications, features, compatibility, performance, and applications.

Overview and Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB SATA SSD (part number 757339-B21) is a hot-swappable, 2.5-inch SFF drive designed for enterprise environments. It leverages a SATA-6Gbps interface and Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory to deliver reliable performance for value-conscious organizations. Below are the key specifications:

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

Capacity: 1.6TB

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

Interface: SATA 6Gbps

NAND Flash Memory Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Value Endurance (VE)

Features: Supports Power Loss Protection (PLP)

Drive Transfer Rate: 6 Gb/s (external)

Performance Metrics:

Sequential Reads: 485 MB/s

Sequential Writes: 400 MB/s

Random Reads: 59,000 IOPS

Random Writes: 14,300 IOPS

Compatible Bay: 2.5-inch SFF

Height: 15 mm

Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers and Synergy

Key Features

1. Enterprise Value and Cost-Effectiveness

The HPE 1.6TB SSD is part of HPE’s Enterprise Value SSD lineup, which is engineered to deliver enterprise-grade features at a lower cost compared to high-endurance or mixed-use SSDs. Its cost-per-IOPS is highly competitive with traditional 72GB and 146GB 15K RPM hard disk drives (HDDs), making it an attractive option for organizations transitioning to SSDs for read-intensive workloads.

2. Smart Carrier Technology

The SSD is equipped with HPE’s Smart Carrier, which enhances manageability and reliability. The Smart Carrier includes:

System Status LED Icons: Provide real-time visual feedback on drive health and activity.

Spinning Activity Ring: Indicates data-writing processes, helping administrators monitor drive operations.

“Do Not Remove” Button: Prevents accidental drive removal, reducing the risk of data loss due to human error.

3. Power Loss Protection (PLP)

The inclusion of Power Loss Protection ensures data integrity during unexpected power interruptions. PLP safeguards in-flight data by ensuring that it is written to non-volatile memory, making the SSD suitable for mission-critical applications.

4. Value Endurance Workload

The SSD is optimized for Value Endurance (VE) workloads, which are typically read-intensive applications such as web servers, read caching, and boot/swap operations. While not designed for write-heavy workloads, its endurance is sufficient for environments with moderate write demands.

5. Hot-Swap Capability

As a hot-swappable drive, the HPE 1.6TB SSD can be replaced or upgraded without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation in enterprise environments.

Compatibility

The HPE 1.6TB SSD is fully compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers, as well as select storage arrays. Its compatibility spans multiple server series, including:

ProLiant BL Series (2.5-inch): BL420c, BL460c, BL465c, BL660c (Gen8, Gen9)

ProLiant DL Series (2.5-inch): DL20, DL120, DL160, DL180, DL320e, DL360, DL360e, DL360p, DL380, DL380e, DL380p, DL385p, DL388, DL560, DL580 (Gen8, Gen9)

ProLiant ML Series (2.5-inch): ML110, ML150, ML310e, ML350, ML350e, ML350p (Gen8, Gen9)

ProLiant SL Series (2.5-inch): SL230s, SL250s, SL270s (Gen8, Gen9)

ProLiant XL Series (2.5-inch): XL170r, XL190r, XL220a, XL230a, XL250a (Gen9)

Storage Arrays (2.5-inch): D3700, D2220sb, StoreEasy 1830, StoreEasy 1840

StoreVirtual (VSA): 4130, 4330, 4330(FC), 4335, 4335 (Hybrid SAN), 4530, 4630, 4730, 4730(FC)

Additionally, the SSD is compatible with HPE ProLiant WS Series (e.g., WS460c Gen8 and Gen9) and Synergy platforms. For precise compatibility verification, HPE recommends contacting their support team or authorized resellers.

Performance and Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB SSD is tailored for read-intensive workloads, offering solid performance for enterprise applications. Its performance metrics include:

Sequential Read/Write Speeds:

485 MB/s (read) and 400 MB/s (write), enabling fast data access and transfer.

Random Read/Write IOPS:

59,000 (read) and 14,300 (write), providing excellent performance for random access patterns common in read-heavy environments.

Ideal Use Cases

Web Servers:

The SSD’s high random read IOPS make it suitable for hosting web content, where quick access to static data is critical.

Read Caching:

It can serve as a caching layer to accelerate data retrieval in storage systems.

Boot/Swap Applications:

The SSD’s Value Endurance rating and Power Loss Protection make it reliable for boot drives or swap partitions.

Social Media Platforms:

Read-intensive workloads in social media applications benefit from the SSD’s performance and capacity.

Virtualization:

The SSD supports virtualized environments with moderate I/O demands, improving VM performance for read-heavy tasks.

While the SSD excels in read-intensive scenarios, organizations with write-intensive workloads (e.g., transactional databases) may consider HPE’s Mixed Use (MU) or Write Intensive (WI) SSDs for better endurance and performance.

Benefits for Enterprises

1. Improved Performance Over HDDs

Compared to traditional 15K RPM HDDs, the HPE 1.6TB SSD offers significantly lower latency, higher IOPS, and faster data access, resulting in improved application performance and reduced bottlenecks.

2. Energy Efficiency

SSDs consume less power than HDDs, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced carbon footprint in data centers. The HPE 1.6TB SSD’s low power consumption is particularly beneficial for large-scale deployments.

3. Enhanced Reliability

With no moving parts, SSDs are inherently more reliable than HDDs. The HPE 1.6TB SSD is backed by over 3 million hours of testing and qualification, ensuring dependable performance in enterprise environments.

4. Scalability

The 1.6TB capacity provides ample storage for enterprise applications, and the SSD’s compatibility with a wide range of HPE servers and storage arrays allows organizations to scale their infrastructure seamlessly.

Installation and Maintenance

Installation

The HPE 1.6TB SSD is designed for easy installation in HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers. Its hot-swap capability allows administrators to insert or replace the drive without shutting down the system. The Smart Carrier ensures proper alignment and secure connection in the server bay. HPE provides detailed installation guides and recommends verifying compatibility before deployment.

Maintenance

The Smart Carrier’s status LEDs and activity ring simplify monitoring. HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge utility, integrated with the Smart Carrier, allows administrators to track the drive’s lifespan and predict when replacement may be necessary. Regular firmware updates, available through HPE’s support portal, ensure optimal performance and security.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

To provide context, the HPE 1.6TB Value Endurance SSD can be compared to other HPE SSDs:

HPE 1.6TB SAS-12Gbps Value Endurance SSD (e.g., 762263-B21):

Offers higher performance (1080 MB/s sequential reads, 12 Gb/s interface) but at a higher cost due to the SAS interface. Ideal for environments requiring greater bandwidth.

HPE 1.6TB SATA-6Gbps Mixed Use SSD (e.g., 804631-B21):

Designed for balanced read/write workloads, with higher endurance (3 DWPD) but a higher price point. Suitable for transactional databases and virtualization.

HPE 800GB SATA-6Gbps Value Endurance SSD (e.g., 717973-B21):

Lower capacity but similar performance characteristics, making it a cost-effective alternative for smaller-scale deployments.

Organizations should select the SSD that best matches their workload requirements and budget.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF Value Endurance SATA-6Gbps Smart Carrier Enterprise Value SSD is a robust, cost-effective storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers. Its combination of high capacity, enterprise features (such as Power Loss Protection and Smart Carrier technology), and optimized performance for read-intensive workloads makes it an excellent choice for web servers, read caching, and boot/swap applications. With broad compatibility, energy efficiency, and reliable performance, this SSD enables organizations to enhance their data center operations while controlling costs.

For enterprises seeking to modernize their storage infrastructure, the HPE 1.6TB SSD offers a compelling balance of performance, reliability, and value. To ensure compatibility and optimal performance, organizations should consult with HPE or authorized resellers before purchasing.