Turbocharging Data Centers: Unleashing the HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD for ProLiant Gen9 & Gen10

HPE 1.6TB 2.5inch Small Form Factor NVMe PCIe Light Endurance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of enterprise computing, storage performance is a critical factor in ensuring efficient data processing and application performance. The HPE 1.6TB 2.5inch Small Form Factor (SFF) NVMe PCIe Light Endurance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is designed to meet the demanding needs of HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. This high-performance SSD delivers a balance of speed, reliability, and endurance, making it an ideal choice for mixed-use workloads in data centers and enterprise environments. This article provides a detailed overview of the HPE 1.6TB NVMe SSD, covering its specifications, features, compatibility, performance metrics, and use cases.

Overview of the HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD is a 2.5-inch SFF drive engineered for high Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS) performance and low latency. It utilizes the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) protocol over a PCIe interface, offering superior data transfer speeds compared to traditional SAS or SATA SSDs. The drive is categorized as a Mixed Use (MU) SSD, meaning it is optimized for workloads that require a balanced combination of read and write operations, such as databases, virtualization, and cloud computing.

The "Light Endurance" designation indicates that the drive is designed for applications with moderate write intensity, providing a cost-effective solution for enterprises that need reliable performance without the higher endurance requirements of write-intensive workloads. The Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN) design ensures seamless integration with HPE ProLiant servers, enhancing manageability and reliability.

Key Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD is packed with advanced features and specifications that make it a robust storage solution for enterprise environments. Below are the key technical details:

• Capacity: 1.6TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
• Interface: PCIe NVMe
• Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)
• Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)
• NAND Flash Memory Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
• Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable
• Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)
• Performance Metrics:
  • Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 140,000
  • Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 67,000
  • Sequential Read Throughput: 8.76 Watt
  • Sequential Write Throughput: 17.56 Watt
• Power Consumption:
  • Idle: 4.00 Watt
  • Random Read: 11.04 Watt
  • Random Write: 9.41 Watt
  • Random Read/Write: 6.95 Watt
  • Maximum: 17.56 Watt
• Features:
  • Power Loss Protection
  • HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge for lifespan monitoring
  • Digitally Signed Firmware for security
• Platform Compatibility: HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers, including Rack, Tower, BladeSystem, and Synergy platforms

These specifications highlight the drive’s ability to deliver high performance while maintaining energy efficiency and reliability.

Features and Benefits

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD is equipped with a range of features that enhance its suitability for enterprise applications. Below are the key features and their benefits:

1. High Performance with NVMe PCIe Interface

The NVMe protocol, combined with the PCIe interface, enables the SSD to achieve significantly higher data transfer rates and lower latency compared to SAS or SATA SSDs. This makes it ideal for applications requiring rapid data access, such as transactional databases and virtualized environments. The drive’s random read and write IOPS performance (140,000 and 67,000, respectively) ensures efficient handling of mixed-use workloads.

2. Mixed Use Workload Optimization

As a Mixed Use SSD, the drive is designed to handle a balanced mix of read and write operations. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

• Database management systems
• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
• Cloud computing platforms
• Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)
  The Light Endurance rating ensures cost-effectiveness for workloads with moderate write demands.

3. HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

The Smart Carrier NVMe design provides a user-friendly interface for drive status monitoring. It includes self-describing icons and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental data loss. The carrier also supports the HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge, which allows administrators to monitor the drive’s lifespan and predict potential failures, enhancing system reliability.

4. Power Loss Protection

The SSD includes power loss protection to safeguard data integrity during unexpected power interruptions. This feature is critical for enterprise environments where data consistency is paramount.

5. Digitally Signed Firmware

HPE’s Digitally Signed Firmware ensures that the drive’s firmware is sourced from a trusted provider, protecting against unauthorized access and firmware tampering. This enhances the security of the storage infrastructure.

6. Hot-Pluggable Design

The hot-pluggable nature of the drive allows for seamless installation and removal without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

7. Energy Efficiency

With a maximum power consumption of 17.56 Watts and an idle power draw of 4.00 Watts, the SSD is designed to operate efficiently, reducing energy costs in data centers.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD is specifically designed for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. It is compatible with a variety of server models, including:

• HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10: Supports up to 10x 15.36TB SSDs with NVMe drives, ideal for high-density storage configurations.
• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: Supports up to 20x 15.36TB NVMe SSDs, offering a maximum capacity of 307.2TB. The drive is compatible with various chassis types, including 8 Bay SFF, 16 Bay SFF, and 24 Bay SFF.
• HPE Synergy Compute Modules: Compatible with models such as Synergy 480 Gen10 and 660 Gen10.

The SSD is supported in both PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 configurations, depending on the server model, and is compatible with 2.5-inch SFF bays. HPE recommends using a single type of SSD (NVMe, SAS, or SATA) to maintain consistent performance, as mixing drive types may lead to inconsistent speeds.

Performance Metrics

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD delivers impressive performance metrics, making it a strong contender for enterprise storage solutions. Key performance highlights include:

• Random Read IOPS: 140,000 (4KiB, Q=16), ensuring fast access to data for read-heavy workloads.
• Random Write IOPS: 67,000 (4KiB, Q=16), providing reliable performance for write-intensive tasks.
• Power Efficiency: The drive’s power consumption is optimized for enterprise environments, with low idle power usage and efficient operation during read/write operations.

These metrics make the SSD suitable for applications requiring high IOPS and low latency, such as real-time analytics and virtualized workloads.

Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD is versatile and can be deployed in various enterprise scenarios. Some common use cases include:

1. Database Management

The drive’s high IOPS and low latency make it ideal for database applications, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, where rapid data retrieval and transaction processing are critical.

2. Virtualization

In virtualized environments, the SSD supports multiple virtual machines with consistent performance, ensuring smooth operation for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and server virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V.

3. Cloud Computing

The drive’s mixed-use capabilities and high performance make it suitable for cloud service providers, enabling fast data access and efficient resource allocation for cloud-based applications.

4. Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)

For OLTP systems, the SSD’s balanced read/write performance ensures quick processing of transactional data, improving customer experiences in e-commerce and financial applications.

5. Data Analytics

The drive’s high read performance supports data analytics workloads, enabling faster processing of large datasets for business intelligence and reporting.

Considerations and Best Practices

To maximize the performance and longevity of the HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD, consider the following best practices:

Avoid Mixing SSD Types

HPE recommends using a single SSD type (NVMe, SAS, or SATA) to ensure consistent performance across the server.

Monitor Drive Health

Use the HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge to track the drive’s lifespan and schedule replacements proactively.

Ensure Proper Cooling

Adequate airflow and cooling are essential to maintain optimal performance and prevent thermal throttling.

Verify Firmware Updates

Regularly check for firmware updates to ensure security and performance enhancements.

Plan for Workload Requirements

Select the SSD based on your workload’s read/write intensity. For write-intensive applications, consider a Mainstream Endurance SSD instead.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5inch SFF NVMe PCIe Light Endurance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its high performance, energy efficiency, and robust feature set make it an excellent choice for mixed-use workloads in enterprise environments. With features like power loss protection, digitally signed firmware, and the HPE Smart Carrier NVMe, the drive ensures data integrity, security, and ease of management. Whether you’re running databases, virtualized environments, or cloud applications, this SSD delivers the speed and reliability needed to drive business success.

For organizations looking to upgrade their HPE ProLiant servers, the HPE 1.6TB NVMe PCIe SSD offers a cost-effective and high-performance storage solution that meets the demands of modern data centers. Contact your preferred vendor or HPE sales representative to explore compatibility and pricing options for your specific server configuration.