Unleashing Enterprise Power: The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

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

Introduction

In today’s data-driven enterprise landscape, storage solutions must deliver high performance, reliability, and security to meet the demands of mission-critical applications. The HPE 3.2TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a robust storage solution designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. This SSD combines substantial storage capacity with enterprise-grade performance, making it ideal for workloads requiring a balanced mix of read and write operations. This article explores the features, specifications, benefits, and compatibility of this SSD, providing a comprehensive overview for IT professionals and data center administrators.

Key Features

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

High Capacity:

Offers 3.2 terabytes of storage, ideal for data-intensive applications such as databases, virtualization, and big data analytics.

SAS-12Gbps Interface:

Utilizes a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface with a 12 Gb/s transfer rate, providing superior speed and reliability compared to SATA SSDs.

Mixed Use Workload:

Optimized for applications requiring a balance of read and write operations, with an endurance rating of 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD).

Digitally Signed Firmware:

Enhances security by preventing unauthorized firmware modifications, ensuring data integrity and protection against cyber threats.

Smart Carrier Technology:

Features HPE’s proprietary Smart Carrier, which includes LED indicators for real-time status and health monitoring, simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime.

Hot-Pluggable Design:

Supports hot-swap functionality, allowing for seamless drive replacement without powering down the server.

Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash:

Provides a balance of performance, endurance, and cost-effectiveness, suitable for enterprise environments.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 3.2TB SSD is designed to meet the rigorous demands of enterprise data centers. Below is a detailed breakdown of its technical specifications:

Device Type: Solid State Drive – Hot-Swap

Capacity: 3.2 TB

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

Interface: SAS 12 Gb/s

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

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

Workload Type: Mixed Use

Height: 15 mm (0.6 inches)

Endurance:

Lifetime Writes: 17,500 TB

Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3

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: 3.2 Watts

Random Read/Write: 6.11 Watts

Sequential Read: 5.45 Watts

Sequential Write: 9.31 Watts

Maximum: 9.31 Watts

Compatible Bay: 2.5-inch SFF

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

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for enterprise data centers:

Enhanced Performance:

With high IOPS and low latency, this SSD accelerates data access for demanding applications, reducing bottlenecks and improving system responsiveness.

Robust Reliability:

HPE SSDs undergo over 3 million hours of testing and qualification, ensuring dependable performance in 24/7 enterprise environments. The hot-pluggable design further minimizes downtime during maintenance.

Security:

The digitally signed firmware protects against unauthorized modifications, safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring compliance with enterprise security standards.

Space Efficiency:

The 2.5-inch SFF design allows for higher storage density, enabling data centers to maximize capacity within limited server space.

Simplified Management:

The Smart Carrier’s LED indicators provide real-time insights into drive status and health, streamlining monitoring and diagnostics.

Versatility:

The mixed-use workload profile makes this SSD suitable for a wide range of applications, from virtualization and databases to high-performance computing and analytics.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 Servers

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

HPE ProLiant DL Series:

DL160 Gen9, DL180 Gen10, DL325 Gen10, DL360 Gen10, DL385 Gen10, DL560 Gen10, DL580 Gen9, DL580 Gen10

HPE ProLiant XL Series:

XL170r Gen9, XL450 Gen10

HPE Synergy:

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

660 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, Premium)

680 Gen9 4S-EX (Base, Performance)

HPE Apollo Series:

4200 Gen9, 4200 Gen9 for Google

To ensure compatibility with specific server configurations, IT administrators should verify the SSD’s part number (e.g., P09094-B21, P09925-001, 872386-H21) and consult with HPE or authorized vendors.

Use Cases

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

Big Data Analytics:

High IOPS and sequential throughput support rapid data processing and analysis.

Virtualization:

Low latency and high endurance ensure smooth performance for virtual machines and hypervisors.

Databases:

Balanced read/write performance accelerates transaction processing and query execution.

High-Performance Computing (HPC):

Fast data access and transfer rates support compute-intensive workloads.

Mission-Critical Applications:

Reliable operation and security features meet the demands of 24/7 enterprise environments.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

HPE offers a range of SSDs tailored to different workloads, such as Read Intensive (RI) and Write Intensive (WI) drives. Compared to RI SSDs, the 3.2TB Mixed Use SSD provides higher write endurance (3 DWPD vs. typically 1 DWPD for RI), making it better suited for write-heavy applications. However, WI SSDs may offer even higher endurance (e.g., 10 DWPD) at a higher cost, making the Mixed Use SSD a cost-effective choice for balanced workloads. Additionally, the SAS-12Gbps interface outperforms SATA SSDs in terms of bandwidth and reliability, while NVMe SSDs may offer superior speed for specific use cases but at a higher price point.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing the HPE 3.2TB SAS-12Gbps SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-pluggable design and Smart Carrier. Key steps include:

Verify Compatibility:

Confirm that the SSD is compatible with the target server and storage controller.

Power Down (if necessary):

For non-hot-swap configurations, power down the server to avoid data loss.

Insert the Drive:

Slide the SSD into an available 2.5-inch SFF bay until it locks into place.

Monitor Status:

Use the Smart Carrier’s LED indicators to verify proper installation and operation.

Configure RAID (if applicable):

Use HPE’s Smart Array Controller tools to configure the SSD in the desired RAID setup.

Regular maintenance involves monitoring drive health via HPE’s management tools (e.g., HPE iLO or Smart Storage Administrator) and replacing drives proactively based on wear indicators. The hot-swap capability allows for seamless replacement without interrupting server operations.

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 for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Its combination of substantial capacity, fast SAS-12Gbps interface, mixed-use endurance, and enterprise-grade features makes it an excellent choice for data centers running mission-critical applications. Whether you’re managing databases, virtualized environments, or big data analytics, this SSD delivers the speed, reliability, and efficiency needed to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced IT landscape. By leveraging HPE’s trusted ecosystem and support services, organizations can deploy this SSD with confidence, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime.