The Turbocharged Heartbeat of ProLiant Performance: HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor NVMe U.2 SSD: A Comprehensive Overview for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor NVMe U.2 Digitally Signed Firmware PCIe x4 Mainstream Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a high-performance storage solution designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers, including Generation 8 (Gen8), Generation 9 (Gen9), and Generation 10 (Gen10). This SSD delivers exceptional speed, reliability, and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for businesses requiring robust storage for mixed-use workloads such as virtualization, databases, and data analytics. In this article, we will explore the technical specifications, features, benefits, compatibility, and use cases of this SSD, providing a detailed guide for IT professionals and decision-makers.

Introduction to the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD

Solid State Drives (SSDs) have revolutionized enterprise storage by offering superior performance over traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD leverages Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) technology and a PCIe x4 interface to deliver low-latency, high-throughput storage. Its 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) design ensures compatibility with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers, while its Mixed Use (MU) workload classification makes it versatile for applications requiring a balance of read and write operations.

This SSD is equipped with Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), ensuring security and compatibility with HPE’s server ecosystem. It is bundled with an HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN), which simplifies installation and enhances manageability. Whether upgrading legacy infrastructure or deploying new servers, this SSD offers a compelling solution for modern data centers.

Technical Specifications

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is engineered to meet the demands of enterprise environments. Below are its key technical specifications:

- Device Type: Solid State Drive (SSD) – Hot-Swap

- Capacity: 1.6TB

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

- Interface: NVMe U.2 PCIe x4

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

- Plug Type: Hot-Pluggable

- Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

- Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

- Features: Digitally Signed Firmware (DS), x4 Lanes

- Platform Supported: HPE ProLiant Rack/Tower/BladeSystem Servers and Synergy

- Height: 7 mm

- Endurance:

- Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 3.0

- 30 Days Writes: 9,900TB

- Performance:

- Maximum Sequential Read Throughput: 2,400 MiB/s

- Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Up to 142,000

- Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Up to 150,000

- Power Consumption:

- Idle: 4.00 Watt

- Random Read: 11.04 Watt

- Random Write: 9.69 Watt

- Sequential Read: 13.57 Watt

- Sequential Write: 8.80 Watt

- Maximum: 20.10 Watt

- Compatibility:

HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers, including DL and ML series, as well as Synergy compute modules

These specifications highlight the SSD’s ability to handle demanding workloads while maintaining energy efficiency and compatibility with HPE’s server infrastructure.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is packed with features that enhance its performance, reliability, and usability in enterprise environments. Below are the standout features:

1. NVMe U.2 Interface

The NVMe U.2 interface, combined with a PCIe x4 connection, provides significantly faster data transfer rates compared to traditional SATA or SAS SSDs. NVMe reduces latency and maximizes throughput, making it ideal for applications requiring rapid data access.

2. Mixed Use (MU) Workload Optimization

Designed for mixed-use workloads, this SSD supports a balanced mix of read and write operations. With a Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) rating of 3.0, it can handle up to 9,900TB of writes over 30 days, making it suitable for databases, virtualization, and transactional applications.

3. Digitally Signed Firmware (DS)

The inclusion of Digitally Signed Firmware ensures that the SSD’s firmware is authentic and secure, protecting against unauthorized modifications. This feature enhances compatibility with HPE servers and provides peace of mind in security-conscious environments.

4. Hot-Swap Capability

The hot-swap design allows administrators to replace or upgrade the SSD without powering down the server, minimizing downtime and improving serviceability in mission-critical environments.

5. HPE Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN)

The SSD comes bundled with an HPE Smart Carrier NVMe, which includes status LEDs and integration with HPE’s Intelligent Provisioning and iLO management tools. This carrier simplifies installation and provides real-time monitoring of drive health and performance.

6. High Endurance and Reliability

Built with Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory, the SSD offers robust endurance and reliability. Its power loss protection feature safeguards data integrity during unexpected power outages, ensuring consistent performance in enterprise settings.

7. Compact 2.5-Inch SFF Design

The 2.5-inch Small Form Factor allows for high-density storage configurations, enabling data centers to maximize storage capacity within limited rack space.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD delivers numerous benefits that make it a valuable addition to HPE ProLiant servers. These benefits include:

1. Enhanced Performance

With sequential read speeds of up to 2,400 MiB/s and high IOPS for random read/write operations, this SSD accelerates application performance, reducing latency and improving user experience in data-intensive environments.

2. Versatility for Mixed Workloads

The Mixed Use classification ensures that the SSD can handle a wide range of workloads, from read-heavy analytics to write-intensive transactional databases, making it a flexible solution for diverse IT needs.

3. Improved Energy Efficiency

Compared to traditional HDDs and even some SATA SSDs, the HPE NVMe SSD consumes less power, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint in data centers.

4. Seamless Integration with HPE Ecosystem

The SSD is rigorously tested for compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers, as well as Synergy compute modules. This ensures plug-and-play functionality and optimal performance within HPE’s infrastructure.

5. Reduced Downtime

The hot-swap capability and robust endurance minimize disruptions, allowing businesses to maintain continuous operations even during maintenance or upgrades.

6. Cost-Effective Scalability

With a capacity of 1.6TB, this SSD provides a balance of performance and affordability, enabling organizations to scale storage without significant capital investment.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers, including:

- ProLiant DL Series:

- DL360 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, Performance, SMB, Solution)

- DL380 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, Network Choice, Performance, SMB, Solution)

- DL388 Gen9, DL388 Gen10

- DL580 Gen8, DL580 Gen9 (Base, High Performance, Database, SAP HANA Configurations)

- ProLiant ML Series:

- ML350 Gen10 (Base, Entry, High Performance, Performance, SMB, Solution, Special Server, Sub-Entry)

- Synergy Compute Modules:

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

- Synergy 660 Gen10 (Base, Entry, Performance, Premium)

- Synergy 680 Gen9 (4S-EX)

This broad compatibility ensures that the SSD can be deployed across various server models, from entry-level to high-performance configurations, supporting both rack and tower setups.

Note: Before upgrading, ensure that the server’s firmware and BIOS are up to date, as HPE regularly releases updates to enhance SSD compatibility and performance. Additionally, verify RAID controller support if the SSD is used in a RAID configuration.

Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise applications due to its performance, reliability, and versatility. Key use cases include:

1. Virtualization

Virtualized environments, such as those running VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V, benefit from the SSD’s high IOPS and low latency, enabling faster virtual machine performance and improved resource utilization.

2. Databases

Transactional and analytical databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, require rapid read and write operations. The SSD’s Mixed Use profile ensures consistent performance for both data retrieval and updates.

3. Data Analytics

Big data and analytics workloads, including Hadoop and Spark, demand high-throughput storage to process large datasets. The SSD’s NVMe interface delivers the speed needed for real-time insights.

4. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

CDNs rely on fast storage to serve content to users with minimal latency. This SSD’s sequential read performance makes it ideal for caching and delivering media files.

5. AI and Machine Learning

AI and ML workloads require rapid data access to train models and process complex datasets. The SSD’s high performance supports these compute-intensive tasks, enabling faster iteration cycles.

6. Enterprise Applications

Business-critical applications, such as ERP and CRM systems, benefit from the SSD’s reliability and endurance, ensuring uninterrupted access to data and smooth operations.

Installation and Management

Installing the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is straightforward, thanks to its hot-swap design and HPE Smart Carrier NVMe. Follow these steps for installation:

1. Verify Compatibility:

Confirm that the target server supports NVMe U.2 SSDs and has an available 2.5-inch SFF bay.

2. Update Firmware:

Ensure the server’s BIOS and firmware are up to date using HPE’s Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP).

3. Power Down (if necessary):

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

4. Insert the SSD:

Slide the SSD into the drive bay until it clicks into place. The Smart Carrier’s LEDs will indicate status.

5. Configure the Drive:

Use HPE’s iLO or Intelligent Provisioning to configure the SSD, including RAID setup if applicable.

6. Monitor Performance:

Leverage HPE’s management tools, such as iLO or Smart Storage Administrator, to monitor drive health and performance.

The HPE Smart Carrier NVMe integrates with HPE’s management ecosystem, providing real-time diagnostics and wear-level monitoring to prevent unexpected failures.

Considerations for Deployment

When deploying the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD, keep the following considerations in mind:

- RAID Configuration:

Verify that your RAID controller supports NVMe SSDs. HPE offers compatible controllers for seamless integration.

- Data Migration:

Plan for data migration from existing storage devices to avoid data loss. HPE provides tools to assist with this process.

- Workload Matching:

Ensure that the Mixed Use workload profile aligns with your application requirements. For read-intensive or write-intensive workloads, HPE offers alternative SSDs tailored to those needs.

- Cooling Requirements:

NVMe SSDs generate heat during high-performance operations. Ensure adequate airflow in the server chassis to maintain optimal temperatures.

- Warranty and Support:

The SSD typically comes with a warranty (e.g., 1 year for new sealed spares, 90 days for bulk packs). Contact HPE or your vendor to confirm support terms.

Comparison with Other HPE SSDs

HPE offers a range of SSDs for ProLiant servers, categorized by workload type: Read Intensive (RI), Mixed Use (MU), and Write Intensive (WI). Here’s how the 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD compares:

- Read Intensive (RI) SSDs:

Designed for read-heavy workloads (e.g., analytics, CDNs), RI SSDs have lower endurance (e.g., DWPD of 0.3–1.0) and are more cost-effective. Example: HPE 1.92TB NVMe U.2 RI SSD.

- Mixed Use (MU) SSDs:

The 1.6TB SSD falls into this category, offering a balance of read and write performance with a DWPD of 3.0. It’s ideal for versatile workloads like virtualization and databases.

- Write Intensive (WI) SSDs:

Optimized for write-heavy applications (e.g., OLTP), WI SSDs have higher endurance (e.g., DWPD of 10) but are more expensive. Example: HPE 400GB NVMe WI SSD.

The 1.6TB MU SSD strikes a balance between performance, endurance, and cost, making it a popular choice for organizations with diverse storage needs.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor NVMe U.2 Digitally Signed Firmware PCIe x4 Mainstream Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive is a powerful and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. Its NVMe U.2 interface, Mixed Use workload optimization, and robust feature set make it ideal for modern enterprise applications, from virtualization and databases to AI and analytics. With seamless integration, high reliability, and energy efficiency, this SSD empowers businesses to enhance performance, reduce latency, and scale storage efficiently.

For organizations looking to upgrade their server infrastructure or deploy new workloads, the HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD offers a compelling combination of speed, durability, and compatibility. By leveraging HPE’s management tools and support ecosystem, IT teams can maximize the value of this SSD and ensure long-term success in their data centers.

Apr 15th 2025 Mike Anderson