Unleashing Enterprise Speed: The HPE 800GB NVMe U.2 SSD Powerhouse for ProLiant Gen10 Servers

Introduction to the HPE 800GB NVMe U.2 PCIe SSD

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.2 PCIe Mainstream Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is a high-performance storage solution designed for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Engineered to deliver robust performance, reliability, and security, this SSD is ideal for mixed-use workloads such as databases, virtualization, analytics, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of its specifications, features, performance metrics, compatibility, and benefits, offering insights into its role in modern enterprise data centers.

Solid State Drives have revolutionized enterprise storage by providing superior speed, lower latency, and enhanced reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD leverages the NVMe protocol and PCIe interface to deliver exceptional performance, making it a strategic choice for businesses seeking to optimize their server infrastructure.

Key Specifications

Hardware Specifications

Capacity: 800 GB

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

Interface: PCI Express (NVMe)

Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

NAND Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)

Connectivity: Dual Port

Height: 15.00 mm (0.60 inch)

Plug Type: Hot Pluggable

Performance Metrics

Endurance DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day): 3

Lifetime Writes: 4280 TB

Maximum Sequential Read Throughput: 5200 MiB/s

Maximum Sequential Write Throughput: 1250 MiB/s

Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 180,000

Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): 140,000

Maximum Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 530,000 @ Q256

Maximum Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 145,000 @ Q4

Random Read Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 85 µs

Random Write Average Latency (4KiB, Q1): 30 µs

Power Consumption

Idle Time: 3.22 Watt

Random Read: 6.40 Watt

Random Write: 10.70 Watt

Sequential Read: 6.72 Watt

Sequential Write: 6.85 Watt

Random Read/Write: 6.89 Watt

Features and Technologies

Digitally Signed Firmware

The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD incorporates digitally signed firmware (DS), ensuring that the drive’s firmware originates from a trusted source. This feature protects against unauthorized modifications and firmware-based attacks, enhancing data security—a critical requirement for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

The Smart Carrier design simplifies drive management with the following features:

Status LEDs: Display drive health and activity for quick diagnostics.

Do-Not-Remove Indicator: Prevents accidental removal during operation, reducing the risk of data loss.

Remote Activation: A blue LED can be triggered remotely to locate the drive in a server rack.

Hot-Pluggable Functionality

The hot-pluggable design allows administrators to install or replace drives without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Dual Port Connectivity

Dual port support enhances redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring continuous data access even if one path fails, which is essential for mission-critical applications.

HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge

Integrated with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, this SSD enables administrators to monitor drive lifespan and plan replacements proactively, reducing the risk of unexpected failures.

Performance and Workload Suitability

Mixed-Use Workload Optimization

The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD is optimized for mixed-use (MU) workloads, which require a balance of read and write operations. With a DWPD rating of 3, it supports up to three full drive writes per day over its lifespan, making it suitable for applications such as:

Databases: High IOPS and low latency improve query response times.

Virtualization: Rapid data access enhances virtual machine performance.

Analytics: Fast sequential reads support data-intensive processing.

ERP and CRM: Mixed read/write operations ensure smooth operation of business-critical applications.

Performance Benchmarks

The SSD delivers impressive performance, with sequential read speeds up to 5200 MiB/s and random read IOPS up to 180,000 (4KiB, Q=16). Its low latency (85 µs for random reads and 30 µs for random writes at Q1) ensures responsive performance under heavy workloads. These metrics make it a significant upgrade over SATA or SAS SSDs, offering faster data transfers and improved application responsiveness.

Compatibility

The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD is designed for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers and HPE Synergy platforms. It is compatible with a wide range of models, including:

HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL360 Gen10, DL380 Gen10, DL580 Gen10

HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML350 Gen10 (Base, High Performance, SMB, Solution, Special Server)

HPE Synergy: 480 Gen10 Compute Module, 660 Gen10 Compute Block

The SSD supports NVMe U.2 backplanes and is compatible with PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 slots, though performance may be limited to Gen3 speeds on older configurations. For maximum compatibility, administrators should verify the server’s backplane and PCIe slot specifications.

Benefits for Enterprises

Enhanced Performance

With high sequential read/write speeds and robust IOPS, the SSD reduces application load times and improves server responsiveness, enabling businesses to handle demanding workloads efficiently.

Reliability and Endurance

Backed by over 3.35 million hours of HPE testing and qualification, the SSD ensures reliable operation in enterprise environments. Its endurance rating of 3 DWPD supports long-term use without performance degradation.

Security

Digitally signed firmware prevents unauthorized access, safeguarding data integrity and protecting against cyber threats, which is crucial for compliance with industry regulations.

Cost-Effective Capacity

The 800GB capacity offers a balance between storage needs and cost, allowing businesses to scale storage without overspending on larger drives.

Operational Efficiency

The Smart Carrier NVMe design, hot-pluggable functionality, and dual port connectivity streamline drive installation, monitoring, and replacement, reducing administrative overhead and minimizing downtime.

Use Cases

The HPE 800GB NVMe SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications, including:

Transactional Databases: High IOPS and low latency support rapid query processing.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Fast data access improves user experience in virtual environments.

Big Data Analytics: High sequential read speeds accelerate data processing.

High-Performance Computing (HPC): Robust performance supports compute-intensive workloads.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Low latency ensures fast content delivery to end users.

Conclusion

The HPE 800GB 2.5-inch SFF Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.2 PCIe Mainstream Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and reliable storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Its combination of high performance, enterprise-grade reliability, and advanced features like digitally signed firmware and Smart Carrier NVMe design makes it an ideal choice for mixed-use workloads. By delivering superior speed, low latency, and robust security, this SSD empowers businesses to optimize their server infrastructure, enhance application performance, and achieve operational efficiency.