Powering the Future: Unleashing Enterprise Performance with the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

HPE 3.2TB 2.5inch SFF MLC Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise computing, storage solutions play a critical role in ensuring high performance, reliability, and scalability. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is designed to meet the demanding needs of modern data centers. Compatible with HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, this SSD delivers exceptional performance for mixed-use workloads, making it an ideal choice for applications such as big data analytics, cloud computing, and database management. This article explores the features, technical specifications, benefits, and compatibility of this SSD, providing a comprehensive overview for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Key Features

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is engineered with advanced features to optimize performance and reliability in enterprise environments. Below are its standout characteristics:

High Capacity: With a storage capacity of 3.2 terabytes, this SSD provides ample space for data-intensive applications, enabling organizations to store large datasets efficiently.

Mixed Use Workload: Designed for mixed-use (MU) workloads, the SSD balances read and write operations, making it suitable for applications with varying I/O patterns, such as virtualization, databases, and cloud services.

SAS-12Gbps Interface: The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface operating at 12 gigabits per second ensures high-speed data transfer, reducing latency and improving system responsiveness.

Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash: MLC technology offers a balance of performance, endurance, and cost, providing reliable storage for enterprise applications.

Digitally Signed Firmware: The SSD includes digitally signed firmware, enhancing security by ensuring that only authenticated firmware updates are applied, protecting against unauthorized modifications.

Smart Carrier (SC): The HPE Smart Carrier provides a user-friendly, hot-pluggable design with status LEDs and a "do not remove" button, simplifying maintenance and reducing the risk of accidental drive removal.

Hot-Pluggable Design: The SSD supports hot-swapping, allowing administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the server, minimizing downtime.

High Endurance: With an endurance rating of 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) and lifetime writes of 17,500 terabytes, the SSD is built to handle intensive workloads over its lifespan.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is designed to deliver robust performance and reliability. Below are its detailed technical specifications:

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 3.2 TB

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

Interface: SAS 12Gb/s

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

Carrier Type: Smart Carrier (SC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inches)

Endurance DWPD: 3 Drive Writes Per Day

Lifetime Writes: 17,500 TB

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/s (external)

Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1,095 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 1,045 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 140,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 210,000 @ Q32

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 123,000

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 124,000 @ Q16

Random Read Average Latency: 100 µs

Random Write Average Latency: 34 µs

Power Consumption:

Idle: 3.2 W

Random Read/Write: 6.11 W

Sequential Read: 5.45 W

Sequential Write: 9.31 W

Maximum: 9.31 W

Compatible Bay: 2.5" SFF

Interfaces: 1 x SAS 12 Gb/s

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to deliver high performance and efficiency, making it a reliable choice for enterprise workloads.

Benefits for Enterprise Workloads

The HPE 3.2TB SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for organizations running HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. These benefits include:

1. Enhanced Performance

The SSD’s SAS-12Gbps interface and MLC NAND flash technology enable high IOPS and low latency, ensuring fast data access and processing. With up to 140,000 random read IOPS and 123,000 random write IOPS, it excels in mixed-use scenarios, such as virtualized environments and real-time analytics.

2. Reliability and Security

The digitally signed firmware enhances security by preventing unauthorized firmware updates, reducing the risk of malware or tampering. Additionally, the SSD’s high endurance (3 DWPD) and lifetime writes of 17,500 TB ensure long-term reliability for demanding workloads.

3. Energy Efficiency

With a maximum power consumption of 9.31 watts and an idle power draw of just 3.2 watts, the SSD is energy-efficient, helping organizations reduce operational costs and minimize their environmental footprint.

4. Ease of Maintenance

The Smart Carrier design simplifies drive installation and removal, while the hot-pluggable feature allows for seamless upgrades or replacements without interrupting server operations. The HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge compatibility enables administrators to monitor drive health and predict end-of-life, preventing unexpected failures.

5. Versatility

The SSD’s mixed-use profile makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including big data analytics, cloud computing, active archiving, database applications, and data warehousing. Its compatibility with both Gen9 and Gen10 servers provides flexibility for organizations with mixed server environments.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is designed for seamless integration with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, as well as select HPE Synergy compute modules. Below is a list of compatible server models:

HPE ProLiant DL Series

DL160 Gen9, DL160 Gen10

DL180 Gen10

DL325 Gen10

DL360 Gen9, DL360 Gen10

DL380 Gen9, DL380 Gen10

DL385 Gen10

DL560 Gen10

DL580 Gen9, DL580 Gen10

HPE ProLiant ML Series

ML110 Gen9, ML110 Gen10

ML150 Gen9

ML30 Gen10

ML350 Gen9, ML350 Gen10

HPE ProLiant XL Series

XL170r Gen9

XL450 Gen10

HPE Synergy

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

660 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, Premium)

680 Gen9 (4S-EX Base, Performance)

Organizations should verify compatibility with their specific server or storage array configurations, as some models may require additional adapters or firmware updates to support the SSD.

Use Cases

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications due to its high performance, reliability, and mixed-use capabilities. Key use cases include:

Big Data Analytics:

The SSD’s high IOPS and low latency enable rapid data processing, making it ideal for analytics platforms that require real-time insights.

Cloud Computing:

Its mixed-use profile supports the diverse I/O patterns of cloud environments, ensuring consistent performance for virtual machines and containerized applications.

Database Applications:

The SSD’s fast read and write speeds enhance database performance, reducing query times and improving user experience.

Virtualization:

With support for high IOPS and low latency, the SSD is perfect for virtualized environments running VMware, Hyper-V, or other hypervisors.

Data Warehousing:

The large capacity and endurance make it suitable for storing and accessing large datasets in data warehousing applications.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

To provide context, the HPE 3.2TB SSD can be compared with other HPE SSDs in terms of workload type and capacity:

HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD (P09090-B21):

Offers lower capacity (800GB) but similar mixed-use performance. Suitable for smaller workloads or cost-sensitive environments.

HPE 6.4TB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD (P06583-001):

Provides double the capacity (6.4TB) with comparable performance, ideal for organizations needing larger storage pools.

HPE 3.84TB SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive SSD (872394-B21):

Optimized for read-heavy workloads with slightly higher capacity, but less suited for write-intensive applications.

The 3.2TB SSD strikes a balance between capacity, performance, and cost, making it a versatile choice for mixed-use scenarios.

Installation and Maintenance Considerations

Installing the HPE 3.2TB SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-pluggable Smart Carrier design. Below are key considerations for installation and maintenance:

Verify Compatibility:

Ensure the SSD is compatible with your server model and firmware version. Consult HPE’s QuickSpecs or support team for confirmation.

Firmware Updates:

Use HPE Smart Update Manager (SUM) to apply the latest digitally signed firmware updates, ensuring optimal performance and security.

RAID Configuration:

Configure the SSD in a RAID array (e.g., RAID 10) using an HPE Smart Array Controller (e.g., P408i-a) to maximize data availability and performance.

Monitoring:

Leverage HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge in management tools to monitor drive health and predict wear-out, enabling proactive replacements.

Hot-Swap Procedures:

Follow HPE’s guidelines for hot-swapping to avoid data loss or system disruption. Ensure the Smart Carrier’s “do not remove” button is not illuminated before removing the drive.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch SFF MLC Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its combination of high capacity, fast SAS-12Gbps interface, and mixed-use capabilities makes it an excellent choice for enterprises running data-intensive applications. With features like digitally signed firmware, hot-pluggable design, and energy efficiency, this SSD addresses the needs of modern data centers while ensuring security and ease of maintenance. Whether deployed for big data analytics, cloud computing, or virtualization, the HPE 3.2TB SSD delivers the performance and reliability required to drive business success.

For organizations seeking to upgrade their HPE ProLiant servers, this SSD offers a compelling balance of performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness, making it a worthy investment for future-proofing enterprise storage infrastructure.