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Powering Tomorrow’s Data Centers: Unleashing Performance with the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD

Powering Tomorrow’s Data Centers: Unleashing Performance with the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD

HPE 3.2TB 2.5inch SFF MLC Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive for ProLiant Generation 9 and Generation 10 Servers

Introduction

In today’s data-driven world, enterprise storage solutions must deliver high performance, reliability, and security to meet the demands of modern data centers. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Generation 9 (Gen9) and Generation 10 (Gen10) servers. This SSD combines a robust 3.2TB capacity, fast Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface, and advanced features like digitally signed firmware and HPE Smart Carrier technology to address the needs of enterprise applications requiring a balance of read and write performance.

This article provides a detailed exploration of the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD, covering its technical specifications, key features, performance metrics, compatibility, and benefits for enterprise environments. By understanding the capabilities of this SSD, IT administrators and decision-makers can make informed choices to optimize their server infrastructure.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD is engineered to deliver enterprise-grade performance and reliability. Below are its key technical specifications:

Capacity: 3.2 Terabytes (TB)

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

Interface: Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12Gbps

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

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

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Height: 0.6 inches (15 mm)

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Lifetime Writes: 17,500 TB

Drive Transfer Rate (External): 12 Gb/sec

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 (MiB/s): 1,095

Max Sequential Write Throughput (MiB/s): 1,045

Part Numbers:

Option Part Number: P09094-B21

Spare Part Number: P09925-001

Model Number: MO003200JWUGA

Assembly Number: P07442-004

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to handle demanding workloads while maintaining high reliability and performance in enterprise environments.

Key Features

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD is packed with advanced features that make it a standout choice for enterprise storage. Below are the primary features that contribute to its performance, security, and ease of use:

1. High-Capacity Storage

With a 3.2TB capacity, this SSD provides ample storage for large datasets, making it ideal for applications such as databases, virtualization, and data analytics. Its high storage density in a compact 2.5-inch SFF design allows for efficient use of space in server environments.

2. SAS-12Gbps Interface

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface, operating at 12Gbps, ensures rapid data transfer rates and low latency. SAS is the logical evolution of SCSI, offering superior performance compared to SATA SSDs, with roughly twice the Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS). This makes the SSD suitable for I/O-intensive workloads, such as transactional systems and enterprise databases.

3. Mixed Use (MU) Workload Optimization

The SSD is designed for Mixed Use workloads, meaning it efficiently handles a balance of read and write operations. With an endurance rating of 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) and lifetime writes of 17,500 TB, it is well-suited for applications with varied data access patterns, including online transaction processing (OLTP), virtualization, and business intelligence.

4. Digitally Signed Firmware

Security is a critical concern in enterprise storage. The HPE 3.2TB SSD incorporates Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), which verifies the authenticity and integrity of the drive’s firmware. This cryptographic seal protects against unauthorized modifications, ensuring that the firmware comes from a trusted source and safeguarding data from malicious attacks.

5. HPE Smart Carrier Technology

The SSD is equipped with HPE’s Smart Carrier, which enhances management and monitoring capabilities. The Smart Carrier includes:

LED Indicators: System status LEDs and a spinning activity ring provide real-time information about the drive’s status and data-writing process.

Remote Guidance: A blue LED can be activated remotely to guide technicians to a specific drive tray.

Do-Not-Remove Button: This feature prevents accidental removal of the drive, reducing the risk of data loss due to human error.

6. Hot-Swap Capability

The SSD supports hot-swapping, allowing administrators to replace drives without shutting down the system. This feature ensures high availability and minimizes downtime, which is crucial for enterprise data centers that require continuous operation.

7. HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge

The SSD is compatible with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, a management tool that monitors the lifespan of the drive. This allows administrators to proactively identify drives at risk of failure, enabling timely replacements to prevent data loss.

8. Rigorous Testing and Reliability

HPE SSDs undergo over 3.35 million hours of testing and qualification to ensure reliability and performance. The drive is designed to tolerate high operating shock and vibration levels, making it suitable for various environments. Additionally, it maintains data accuracy with full data-path error detection and includes power loss protection to safeguard data during unexpected power outages.

Performance Metrics

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD delivers exceptional performance, making it a top choice for enterprise applications. Its key performance metrics include:

Random Read/Write IOPS:

With 140,000 random read IOPS and 123,000 random write IOPS at a queue depth of 16, the SSD excels in handling high-concurrency workloads. It can achieve up to 210,000 read IOPS and 124,000 write IOPS at higher queue depths, ensuring robust performance for demanding applications.

Sequential Throughput:

The SSD offers maximum sequential read throughput of 1,095 MiB/s and write throughput of 1,045 MiB/s, enabling fast access to large datasets.

Low Latency:

The solid-state design, combined with the 12Gbps SAS interface, ensures low latency, improving system responsiveness for applications requiring rapid data access.

These metrics make the SSD ideal for workloads that require high random read and write performance, such as enterprise databases, virtualized environments, and transactional systems.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

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

HPE ProLiant ML Series:

ML110 Gen10 (Entry, Performance, Solution)

ML350 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, Solution, Sub-Entry)

HPE ProLiant XL Series:

XL170r Gen10

XL190r Gen10

XL270d Gen10

HPE Synergy:

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

660 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, Premium)

680 Gen9 4S-EX Compute Module

Administrators should verify compatibility with their specific server or storage array to ensure optimal performance. The SSD’s design ensures compatibility with HPE controllers, maintaining consistent performance across ProLiant server series.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD offers several benefits that make it an excellent choice for enterprise data centers:

1. Enhanced Performance

The combination of the 12Gbps SAS interface, MLC NAND flash, and high IOPS ensures fast data access and transfer rates. This improves system responsiveness and supports performance-critical applications, such as real-time analytics and high-transaction databases.

2. Robust Security

Digitally signed firmware protects against unauthorized firmware modifications, enhancing data security. This is particularly important in environments handling sensitive or regulated data, where data breaches and cyber threats are significant concerns.

3. High Reliability and Availability

With over 3.35 million hours of testing, hot-swap capability, and power loss protection, the SSD ensures high reliability and minimal downtime. The SmartSSD Wear Gauge further enhances reliability by enabling proactive maintenance.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

The 3.2TB capacity and SAS interface provide scalability to meet growing storage demands. The SSD’s compact SFF design allows for efficient space utilization, making it suitable for dense server configurations.

5. Ease of Management

The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators and remote guidance features simplify drive monitoring and maintenance. The do-not-remove button reduces the risk of human error, while compatibility with HPE management tools streamlines storage administration.

6. Cost-Effective Performance

HPE Value SAS SSDs offer a significant performance boost over SATA SSDs at an affordable price point. This enables organizations to optimize transactional database workloads without exceeding budget constraints.

Use Cases

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications, including:

Enterprise Databases:

High IOPS and low latency support transactional databases with heavy read/write workloads, such as SQL Server or Oracle.

Virtualization:

The SSD’s mixed-use optimization and high performance make it ideal for virtualized environments running VMware, Hyper-V, or other hypervisors.

Data Analytics:

Fast sequential throughput enables rapid processing of large datasets for business intelligence and real-time analytics.

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP):

The SSD’s ability to handle mixed workloads supports high-transaction systems, such as e-commerce platforms and financial applications.

High-Performance Computing (HPC):

The combination of high capacity and performance supports compute-intensive workloads in scientific research and engineering.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5inch SFF MLC Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its 3.2TB capacity, 12Gbps SAS interface, and mixed-use optimization make it ideal for enterprise applications requiring high performance and endurance. Advanced features like digitally signed firmware, HPE Smart Carrier technology, and SmartSSD Wear Gauge enhance security, manageability, and reliability, while hot-swap capability ensures high availability.

For organizations seeking to optimize their server infrastructure, this SSD offers a compelling combination of performance, security, and scalability. By investing in the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD, businesses can enhance the efficiency and reliability of their data centers, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the demands of modern enterprise workloads.

May 12th 2025 Mike Anderson

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