Powering Tomorrow: Unleashing Enterprise Performance with the HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD

HPE 3.2TB 2.5-Inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In today's data-driven enterprise landscape, high-performance storage solutions are critical for meeting the demands of mission-critical applications, virtualization, and large-scale data analytics. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is engineered to deliver exceptional speed, reliability, and endurance for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Generation 9 (Gen9) and Generation 10 (Gen10) servers. With its robust feature set, including a high-capacity 3.2TB storage, SAS-12Gbps interface, and advanced Smart Carrier technology, this SSD is a cornerstone for enterprises seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SSD’s specifications, features, performance metrics, compatibility, and benefits for enterprise environments.

Key Features

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is packed with advanced features tailored for enterprise-grade performance and reliability. Below are its standout characteristics:

High Capacity: Offers 3.2TB of storage, ideal for data-intensive applications such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics.

SAS-12Gbps Interface: Delivers high-speed data transfer rates of up to 12 Gb/s, ensuring low latency and rapid access to data.

Mixed Use (MU) Workload: Balances read and write performance, making it versatile for applications with varied I/O demands.

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS): Enhances security by preventing unauthorized firmware modifications, protecting data integrity.

Smart Carrier (SC): Features intuitive LED indicators for real-time drive status and health monitoring, simplifying maintenance.

Hot-Swappable Design: Enables seamless installation and replacement without server downtime, critical for 24/7 operations.

Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash: Provides a balance of performance, capacity, and cost, with high endurance for enterprise workloads.

HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge: Monitors drive lifespan, allowing proactive maintenance to prevent failures.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is designed to meet the rigorous demands of enterprise environments. Below are its detailed technical specifications:

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

Capacity: 3.2TB

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

Interface: SAS-12Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI)

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

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inches)

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Lifetime Writes: 17,500TB

Drive Transfer Rate (External): 12 Gb/s

Performance Metrics:

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

Max Sequential Read Throughput: 1,095 MiB/s

Max Sequential Write Throughput: 1,045 MiB/s

Random Read Average Latency: 100 µs

Random Write Average Latency: 34 µs

Power Consumption:

Idle: 3.20 W

Random Read/Write: 6.11 W

Sequential Read: 5.45 W

Sequential Write: 9.31 W

Maximum: 9.31 W

Interfaces: 1 x SAS 12 Gb/s

Compatible Bay: 2.5-inch SFF

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to handle high-performance workloads while maintaining energy efficiency and reliability.

Performance and Workload Optimization

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is optimized for Mixed Use (MU) workloads, striking a balance between read-intensive and write-intensive operations. This makes it ideal for a wide range of enterprise applications, including:

Transactional Databases:

High random read and write IOPS (140,000 and 123,000, respectively) ensure rapid query processing and data retrieval.

Virtualization:

Low latency (100 µs read, 34 µs write) supports virtual machine performance in VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and other platforms.

Big Data Analytics:

High sequential throughput (1,095 MiB/s read, 1,045 MiB/s write) enables fast processing of large datasets.

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP):

Robust endurance (3 DWPD, 17,500TB lifetime writes) ensures reliability under heavy write loads.

The SAS-12Gbps interface provides roughly twice the IOPS of SATA SSDs, making it a superior choice for performance-critical applications. Additionally, the SSD’s hot-swappable design minimizes downtime during maintenance, ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments.

Security and Reliability

Security and reliability are paramount in enterprise storage solutions, and the HPE 3.2TB SSD excels in both areas:

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS):

Prevents unauthorized firmware modifications, protecting against malware and ensuring data integrity. This feature is critical for compliance with stringent security standards.

HPE Smart Carrier (SC):

Includes a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental drive removal, reducing the risk of data loss. LED indicators provide real-time status updates, simplifying diagnostics.

HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge:

Monitors the SSD’s lifespan and wear levels, enabling IT administrators to schedule replacements proactively and avoid unexpected failures.

Extensive Testing:

Backed by over 3.35 million hours of HPE testing and qualification, ensuring high reliability and performance under demanding conditions.

These features collectively enhance the SSD’s dependability, making it a trusted choice for enterprise data centers.

Compatibility

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is designed for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, as well as HPE Synergy platforms. Below is a list of compatible server models:

HPE ProLiant DL Series:

DL180 Gen10, DL325 Gen10, DL360 Gen10, DL380 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen10, DL580 Gen10

HPE ProLiant ML Series:

ML110 Gen10, ML30 Gen10, ML30 Gen9, ML350 Gen10

HPE ProLiant XL Series:

XL190r Gen10, XL230k Gen10, XL270d Gen10

HPE Synergy:

480 Gen10, 660 Gen10, 680 Gen9

For specific compatibility, IT administrators should consult HPE’s documentation or contact HPE support to verify configuration requirements. The SSD is also supported by operating systems such as Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and VMware vSphere, with the latest HPE SAS drivers.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD offers numerous benefits that make it a compelling choice for enterprise IT environments:

High Performance:

Delivers exceptional IOPS and throughput, reducing latency and accelerating application performance.

Scalability:

The 3.2TB capacity and 2.5-inch SFF design enable high-density storage configurations, maximizing server chassis utilization.

Reliability:

Hot-swappable design, extensive testing, and wear monitoring ensure minimal downtime and long-term durability.

Security:

Digitally Signed Firmware and Smart Carrier features protect data integrity and prevent unauthorized access.

Cost-Effectiveness:

Balances performance and capacity with MLC NAND, offering a cost-efficient solution compared to write-intensive SSDs.

Ease of Management:

Smart Carrier’s LED indicators and HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge simplify monitoring and maintenance.

These benefits empower businesses to optimize their IT infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and meet the demands of modern workloads.

Use Cases

The versatility of the HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD makes it suitable for a variety of enterprise use cases:

Enterprise Data Centers:

Supports high-performance computing and storage for critical applications.

Cloud Service Providers:

Enables scalable, reliable storage for virtualized environments and cloud-based services.

Financial Institutions:

Powers low-latency transaction processing for banking and trading platforms.

Healthcare:

Handles large datasets for medical imaging and electronic health records.

Media and Entertainment:

Facilitates rapid access to large media files for rendering and streaming.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a high-performance, reliable, and secure storage solution designed for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. With its 3.2TB capacity, SAS-12Gbps interface, and advanced features like Digitally Signed Firmware and Smart Carrier technology, it delivers the speed, endurance, and scalability required for modern enterprise workloads. Whether powering transactional databases, virtualized environments, or big data analytics, this SSD ensures optimal performance and minimal downtime. For businesses seeking to enhance their IT infrastructure, the HPE 3.2TB SSD is a future-ready investment that balances performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.