Powering the Future: The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 SSD – A Speed Symphony for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Unleashing Speed and Reliability: Exploring the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 PCIe SSD for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

In the ever-evolving world of enterprise storage, performance, reliability, and efficiency are non-negotiable. The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) stands as a testament to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for modern data centers. Designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, this SSD combines the blazing speed of NVMe technology with the durability required for mixed-use workloads. In this article, we’ll dive deep into its features, specifications, benefits, and why it’s a game-changer for businesses relying on ProLiant Gen10 infrastructure.

Overview of the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 PCIe SSD

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 PCIe SSD is engineered to meet the demands of high-performance computing environments. With a capacity of 1.6 terabytes and a 2.5-inch small form factor, it’s an ideal fit for ProLiant Gen10 servers, including rack, tower, BladeSystem, and Synergy platforms. This SSD leverages the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol over a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface, offering superior speed and lower latency compared to traditional SAS or SATA drives. Its "Mixed Use" classification means it’s optimized for workloads requiring a balanced mix of read and write operations, making it versatile for a wide range of applications.

The inclusion of Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) ensures security and authenticity, protecting the drive from unauthorized firmware updates—a critical feature in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Paired with the Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN) design, this SSD integrates seamlessly into HPE’s ecosystem, providing ease of use and real-time status monitoring.

Key Specifications

To understand what sets this SSD apart, let’s break down its technical specifications:

Capacity: 1.6TB
Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
Interface: NVMe U.3 PCIe (typically Gen4, though backward compatible with Gen3)
Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)
NAND Flash Memory: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)
Endurance: 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD), translating to 8,760 TBW (Terabytes Written) over 30 days
Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 7,000 MiB/s
Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 2,500 MiB/s
Random Read IOPS: 190,000 (4KiB, Q=16); Max 890,000 (4KiB, Q=256)
Random Write IOPS: 235,000 (4KiB, Q=16); Max 240,000 (4KiB, Q=256)
Latency: Random Read: 85 µs; Random Write: 30 µs (4KiB, Q=1)
Connectivity: Dual Port
Height: 15 mm (0.60 inch)
Features: Digitally Signed Firmware, Hot-Pluggable, Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)
Compatibility: HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers (e.g., ML350 Gen10, Synergy 480 Gen10)
These specs highlight the SSD’s ability to handle intensive workloads while maintaining high performance and reliability.

Why NVMe U.3 Matters

The NVMe U.3 interface is a standout feature of this SSD. Unlike traditional SATA or SAS drives, NVMe uses the PCIe bus to communicate directly with the system, bypassing the bottlenecks of older protocols. The "U.3" designation refers to a universal connector that supports NVMe, SAS, and SATA drives in the same backplane, offering flexibility for IT administrators. This SSD’s U.3 compatibility ensures it can integrate into existing Gen10 server setups while delivering the speed and efficiency of PCIe Gen4 (or Gen3 where applicable).

For ProLiant Gen10 servers, this translates to faster data transfers, reduced latency, and improved I/O performance—crucial for applications like virtualization, databases, and real-time analytics.

Mixed Use Workload Optimization

The "Mixed Use" designation indicates that this SSD is built for environments with a balanced mix of read and write operations. With an endurance rating of 3 DWPD, it can handle approximately 4,800TB of writes over its lifespan (assuming a 5-year warranty period). This makes it suitable for:

Big Data Analytics:

Processing large datasets with frequent read/write cycles.

Virtualization:

Supporting multiple virtual machines with varied I/O demands.

High-Performance Computing (HPC):

Accelerating compute-intensive tasks.

Database Management:

Managing transactional workloads with consistent performance.
Compared to Read Intensive (RI) or Write Intensive (WI) SSDs, the Mixed Use profile offers a versatile middle ground, ensuring longevity and performance across diverse use cases.

Security and Reliability Features

HPE places a strong emphasis on security and reliability with this SSD:

Digitally Signed Firmware:

The firmware is cryptographically signed by HPE, preventing unauthorized modifications and ensuring the drive operates with trusted code. This is vital for protecting sensitive data in enterprise environments.

Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN):

The SCN design includes status LEDs and a "do not remove" button to prevent accidental removal during operation, reducing the risk of data loss. It also integrates with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, allowing administrators to monitor drive health and lifespan.

Extensive Testing:

HPE SSDs undergo up to 3.35 million hours of testing and qualification, ensuring they meet stringent reliability standards.

Hot-Pluggable Design:

Enables maintenance without shutting down the server, minimizing downtime.
These features collectively enhance the SSD’s trustworthiness, making it a dependable choice for mission-critical applications.

Benefits for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.3 SSD is tailor-made for ProLiant Gen10 servers, offering several advantages:

Enhanced Performance:

With sequential read speeds up to 7,000 MiB/s and random write IOPS up to 235,000, it significantly boosts server responsiveness.

Scalability:

The 1.6TB capacity provides ample storage for growing datasets, while the small form factor allows for dense configurations in Gen10 chassis.

Backward Compatibility:

U.3 ensures compatibility with existing NVMe U.2 backplanes, simplifying upgrades.

Energy Efficiency:

NVMe SSDs typically consume less power than spinning drives, contributing to lower operational costs.

Future-Proofing:

Support for PCIe Gen4 prepares businesses for next-generation workloads, even if currently deployed on Gen3 systems.
For IT managers running ProLiant Gen10 servers like the ML350 or Synergy 480, this SSD delivers the performance and reliability needed to stay competitive.

Real-World Applications

Businesses across industries can leverage this SSD’s capabilities:

Financial Services:

Accelerate transaction processing and real-time analytics.

Healthcare:

Manage large patient databases with fast access times.

Media and Entertainment:

Handle high-resolution content editing and streaming.

E-Commerce:

Support high-traffic platforms with rapid data retrieval and updates.

Its versatility ensures it meets the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.3 PCIe High Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a powerhouse for ProLiant Gen10 servers. Its combination of speed, endurance, security, and compatibility makes it an exceptional choice for organizations seeking to optimize their storage infrastructure. Whether you’re running data-intensive applications or preparing for future scalability, this SSD delivers the performance and peace of mind that modern enterprises demand. As of April 10, 2025, it remains a cornerstone of HPE’s storage portfolio, driving efficiency and innovation in data centers worldwide.