Turbocharging Write-Heavy Workloads for ProLiant Gen8 to Gen10 Servers with HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD

HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD: A High-Performance Storage Solution

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier (SC) Write Intensive (WI) Solid State Drive (SSD) is a robust storage solution tailored for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Designed to excel in write-intensive enterprise environments, this SSD delivers exceptional speed, durability, and manageability. This article explores its technical specifications, key features, compatibility, benefits, and optimal use cases, providing IT professionals with a comprehensive guide to its capabilities.

Overview and Purpose

This article details the HPE 800GB SAS-12Gbps SSD’s specifications, performance, and practical applications, emphasizing its role in enhancing server performance for write-heavy workloads. It also covers compatibility with ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, deployment considerations, and its value in modern data centers.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 800GB SSD is engineered for high performance and endurance, making it ideal for enterprise applications. Below are its core technical specifications.

Hardware Details

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 800 GB

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

Interface: SAS-12Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI, 12 Gb/s)

NAND Flash Type: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inches)

Sector Size: 512 bytes

Performance Characteristics

Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 25.0

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/s (external)

Sequential Read Throughput (Max): 1000 MiB/s

Sequential Write Throughput (Max): 580 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 92,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 82,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 134,000 @ Q64

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 82,000 @ Q16

Random Read Latency: 120 μs

Random Write Latency: 45 μs

Mixed Workload IOPS (70% Read / 30% Write, 4KiB, Q=32): 103,000

Mixed Workload IOPS (50% Read / 50% Write, 4KiB, Q=32): 87,000

Power Requirements

Idle Power: 2.07 W

Random Read/Write Power: 3.40 W

Sequential Read Power: 5.63 W

Sequential Write Power: 8.59 W

Maximum Power: 9.00 W

Key Features

The HPE 800GB SSD is equipped with advanced features that enhance its performance, reliability, and ease of management in enterprise settings.

Digitally Signed Firmware

The SSD includes Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), ensuring protection against unauthorized modifications and enhancing security for compliance-sensitive environments.

HPE Smart Carrier Design

The Smart Carrier features LED indicators for real-time status and health monitoring, integrating with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management tools for streamlined maintenance and diagnostics.

Write-Intensive Endurance

With a DWPD of 25.0, the SSD is optimized for write-intensive workloads, offering exceptional durability for applications requiring frequent data writes.

Hot-Swap Functionality

The hot-pluggable design enables drive replacement without server downtime, ensuring continuous operation in critical environments.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 800GB SSD is compatible with a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, offering flexibility for diverse server deployments.

Supported Server Models

The SSD supports numerous ProLiant models, including:

DL Series: DL160 Gen8/Gen9, DL180 Gen9/Gen10, DL360 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL380 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, DL560 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10

ML Series: ML110 Gen9/Gen10, ML150 Gen9/Gen10, ML350 Gen9/Gen10

BL Series: BL460c Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, BL660c Gen8/Gen9

Apollo Series: Apollo 2000 Gen9/Gen10, Apollo 4500 Gen9/Gen10

Additional Compatibility

The SSD is also compatible with select HPE Synergy compute modules and storage arrays, such as the D3940 and StoreVirtual systems. Always consult HPE’s compatibility matrix to confirm support for specific configurations.

Benefits for Enterprise Data Centers

The HPE 800GB SSD offers significant advantages for organizations seeking high-performance storage solutions.

Exceptional Performance

The SAS-12Gbps interface delivers superior bandwidth compared to SATA drives, with high IOPS and low latency, ideal for write-intensive applications.

High Reliability and Endurance

MLC NAND flash and a DWPD of 25.0 ensure long-term reliability, while Digitally Signed Firmware enhances data security and integrity.

Energy Efficiency

With a maximum power draw of 9.00 W, the SSD supports energy-efficient operations, reducing costs and environmental impact in data centers.

Simplified Management

The Smart Carrier and iLO integration enable proactive monitoring and maintenance, minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Optimal Use Cases

The HPE 800GB SSD is designed for write-intensive workloads, making it suitable for a variety of enterprise applications.

Database Applications

The SSD’s high random write IOPS (82,000) and low write latency (45 μs) make it ideal for transactional databases used in financial systems, e-commerce platforms, or CRM applications.

Big Data Analytics

In big data environments, the SSD supports high-speed data processing and logging, ensuring efficient handling of large datasets.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

The SSD’s performance and endurance make it suitable for caching in CDNs, enabling fast content delivery and reduced latency for end users.

Virtualization and VDI

While optimized for write-intensive tasks, the SSD’s balanced performance supports virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and virtualized environments with demanding I/O requirements.

Deployment Considerations

To ensure optimal performance and longevity, consider the following when deploying the HPE 800GB SSD.

Compatibility Checks

Verify compatibility with your ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, or Gen10 server using HPE’s official documentation or by consulting with a vendor to avoid integration issues.

Firmware Management

Regularly update the SSD’s firmware to leverage performance improvements and security enhancements, using HPE’s iLO tools for efficient management.

Workload Alignment

Deploy the SSD in write-intensive environments to maximize its DWPD and performance benefits. For read-intensive or mixed workloads, consider alternative HPE SSD models.

Health Monitoring

Use HPE Smart Carrier and iLO tools to monitor drive health and performance, enabling proactive maintenance to prevent unexpected failures.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Write Intensive SSD is a high-performance, reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its robust specifications, advanced features, and compatibility make it an excellent choice for write-intensive enterprise workloads. By aligning deployments with its strengths and leveraging HPE’s management tools, organizations can enhance data center performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Future Considerations

As enterprises upgrade their infrastructure, the HPE 800GB SSD remains a valuable solution for Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 environments. For newer deployments, exploring HPE’s latest SSD offerings for Gen10 Plus or Gen11 servers may provide additional performance and feature enhancements.