Unleashing Enterprise Power: HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD for ProLiant Performance

HPE 3.2TB 2.5-Inch SFF SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

Introduction

In the fast-evolving landscape of enterprise IT, storage solutions must deliver high performance, reliability, and scalability to meet the demands of modern data centers. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Power Loss Protection Triple-Level Cell (TLC) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a cutting-edge storage solution designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. This SSD combines high capacity, robust performance, and advanced features like Power Loss Protection (PLP) and Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) to ensure data integrity, security, and seamless integration in enterprise environments. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SSD’s features, technical specifications, benefits, compatibility, and ideal use cases, making it a valuable resource for IT professionals seeking to optimize their server infrastructure.

Key Features

The HPE 3.2TB SFF SAS-12Gbps SSD is engineered to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for mixed-use workloads. Below are its standout features:

High Capacity:

With a 3.2TB storage capacity, this SSD provides ample space for enterprise applications, databases, and virtualized environments, balancing cost and storage density.

SAS-12Gbps Interface:

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface with a 12Gbps data transfer rate ensures high-speed data access and throughput, reducing latency for mission-critical workloads.

Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND Flash:

The use of TLC NAND flash memory offers a balance of performance, capacity, and cost, making it suitable for mixed-use applications requiring both read and write operations.

Power Loss Protection (PLP):

This feature safeguards data in the event of unexpected power interruptions, ensuring that in-flight data is written to non-volatile memory to prevent data loss.

Digitally Signed Firmware (DS):

The SSD includes digitally signed firmware to verify authenticity and protect against unauthorized modifications, enhancing security in enterprise environments.

Smart Carrier (SC) Design:

The HPE Smart Carrier simplifies drive installation and maintenance with LED indicators for drive status, activity, and health, along with a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental removal.

Hot-Pluggable Design:

The SSD supports hot-swapping, allowing for drive replacement without powering down the server, minimizing downtime in 24/7 environments.

Mixed-Use Workload Optimization:

Designed for workloads requiring a balance of read and write operations, such as databases, virtualization, and analytics.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is built to deliver enterprise-grade performance. Below are its detailed technical specifications, based on available data:

Device Type: Solid State Drive - Hot-Swap

Capacity: 3.2TB

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

Interface: SAS 12Gbps

NAND Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC) or Multi-Level Cell (MLC, depending on model)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Features: Power Loss Protection (PLP), Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

Height: 15 mm (0.60 inch)

Weight: 23.98 oz

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Lifetime Writes: 17,121TB (TLC) or 17,500TB (MLC)

Drive Transfer Rate: 12 Gb/sec (external)

Performance Metrics:

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

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

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 135,000–140,000

Max Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 210,000 @ Q256 (TLC) or 210,000 @ Q32 (MLC)

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 120,000–123,000

Max Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 124,000 @ Q64 (TLC) or 124,000 @ Q16 (MLC)

Random Read Average Latency: 100 µs

Random Write Average Latency: 34 µs

Power Consumption:

Idle: 3.2W

Random Read/Write: 6.11W

Sequential Read: 5.45W

Sequential Write: 9.31W

Maximum: 9.31W

Compatible Bay: 2.5" SFF

Compatibility

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is designed for seamless integration with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers across Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 generations. Below is a partial list of compatible server models:

HPE ProLiant DL Series:

DL160 Gen10, DL180 Gen10, DL20 Gen10, DL325 Gen10, DL360 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen10, DL580 Gen10

Older models: DL360p Gen8, DL380p Gen8, DL560 Gen8, DL580 Gen8

HPE ProLiant ML Series:

ML110 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10, ML350 Gen8/Gen9/Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, SMB, Solution, Special Server)

HPE ProLiant BL Series:

BL420c Gen8/Gen9, BL460c Gen8/Gen9, BL465c Gen8, BL660c Gen8

HPE ProLiant SL & XL Series:

SL230s Gen8, SL250s Gen8, SL270s Gen8, XL220a Gen8, XL230a Gen9

HPE Synergy:

480 Gen10, 660 Gen10 Compute Modules

For precise compatibility, IT administrators should verify the SSD’s part number (e.g., P21135-B21, P09094-B21, 822567-B21, or 822790-001) and server configuration, as some models may require specific firmware or backplane support. Contacting HPE or the vendor is recommended to confirm compatibility.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 3.2TB SSD offers numerous advantages for data centers and enterprise IT environments:

High Performance:

With sequential read/write speeds up to 1,095/1,045 MiB/s and random IOPS up to 210,000, the SSD accelerates data access for demanding applications like databases, virtual machines, and big data analytics.

Data Integrity and Reliability:

Power Loss Protection ensures data is preserved during power failures, while digitally signed firmware protects against security threats, making the SSD ideal for mission-critical workloads.

Scalability:

The 3.2TB capacity and 2.5-inch SFF design allow for high storage density, enabling data centers to scale storage within compact server chassis.

Ease of Maintenance:

The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators and “do not remove” button simplify drive monitoring and replacement, reducing downtime and operational complexity.

Energy Efficiency:

With power consumption as low as 3.2W at idle and a maximum of 9.31W, the SSD helps reduce data center energy costs and heat output.

Versatility:

Optimized for mixed-use workloads, the SSD supports a variety of applications, from transactional databases to virtualized environments, offering flexibility for diverse IT needs.

Proven Reliability:

HPE SSDs undergo rigorous testing (over 3.35 million hours) to ensure high performance and durability, backed by warranties of up to 3 years.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is tailored for mixed-use workloads that require a balance of read and write performance. Key use cases include:

Databases:

High IOPS and low latency make the SSD ideal for transactional and analytical databases, such as SQL Server or Oracle, where rapid data access is critical.

Virtualization:

The SSD supports virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) by providing fast storage for virtual machines, improving VM performance and density.

Big Data Analytics:

The high capacity and throughput enable efficient processing of large datasets for real-time analytics and business intelligence.

Enterprise Applications:

The SSD powers mission-critical applications like ERP systems, CRM platforms, and financial software, ensuring consistent performance under heavy workloads.

Cloud Computing:

In cloud environments, the SSD’s reliability and scalability support multi-tenant workloads with varying read/write demands.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing the HPE 3.2TB SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-pluggable design and Smart Carrier. Follow these steps:

Verify Compatibility:

Confirm the SSD’s part number and server model compatibility using HPE’s documentation or vendor support.

Power Down (if necessary):

For non-hot-plug installations, power down the server and follow safety protocols.

Insert the SSD:

Align the SSD with the 2.5-inch SFF drive bay and insert it into the Smart Carrier slot until it clicks into place.

Monitor Status:

Use the Smart Carrier’s LED indicators to verify drive activity and health. Green indicates normal operation, while amber signals a potential issue.

Configure the Drive:

Use HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) or RAID configuration tools to initialize and configure the SSD for use.

For maintenance, the HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge monitors drive health and lifespan, alerting administrators to potential wear issues. Regular firmware updates are recommended to maintain performance and security.

Comparison with Alternatives

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD competes with other enterprise SSDs, such as NVMe and SATA drives. Here’s how it compares:

Vs. NVMe SSDs:

NVMe SSDs (e.g., HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD) offer higher speeds and lower latency due to their PCIe interface but may require specific backplanes and are costlier. The SAS SSD is better suited for environments prioritizing compatibility and cost-efficiency.

Vs. SATA SSDs:

SATA SSDs are less expensive but offer lower performance (6Gbps interface) and IOPS compared to SAS-12Gbps SSDs. The HPE 3.2TB SAS SSD is ideal for high-performance, mixed-use workloads.

Vs. HDDs:

Compared to traditional hard disk drives (e.g., HPE 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS HDD), the SSD provides significantly faster access times, higher IOPS, and greater reliability due to its lack of moving parts.

Conclusion

The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-Inch SFF Power Loss Protection Triple-Level Cell SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. With its high capacity, fast SAS-12Gbps interface, and advanced features like Power Loss Protection and Digitally Signed Firmware, it delivers exceptional performance, data integrity, and security for enterprise workloads. Whether you’re running databases, virtualized environments, or big data analytics, this SSD provides the speed, scalability, and reliability needed to thrive in today’s data-driven world. For IT administrators seeking to maximize server performance while minimizing downtime and operational costs, the HPE 3.2TB SSD is a strategic investment in enterprise storage excellence.