Unleashing Enterprise Power: The HPE 1.6TB SAS SSD – A Smart Drive for a Smarter Data Center

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch SFF MLC SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers: A Comprehensive Overview

In the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise computing, storage solutions play a critical role in ensuring performance, reliability, and scalability. Among the standout options available today is the HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Multi-Level Cell (MLC) Digitally Signed Firmware (DS) SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) designed specifically for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. This SSD combines high performance, durability, and advanced features to meet the demands of modern data centers. In this article, we’ll dive deep into its specifications, benefits, compatibility, and use cases, providing a thorough understanding of why this drive is a valuable asset for enterprise IT environments.

Introduction to the HPE 1.6TB SSD

Solid State Drives have revolutionized enterprise storage by offering superior speed, lower latency, and greater reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). The HPE 1.6TB SSD is a high-capacity, mixed-use storage solution engineered to deliver a balance of read and write performance, making it ideal for a variety of workloads. Built with Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash technology, a 12Gbps SAS interface, and HPE’s Smart Carrier design, this drive is tailored for ProLiant servers across three generations—Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10—ensuring broad compatibility and long-term usability.

Key Specifications

Let’s break down the technical details of this SSD to understand its capabilities:

- Capacity: 1.6TB

- Offers substantial storage for applications requiring significant data handling.

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

- Compact design fits seamlessly into HPE ProLiant server bays, optimizing space in dense configurations.

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

- MLC provides a balance between cost, performance, and endurance, storing two bits per cell for efficient data management.

- Interface: SAS-12Gbps

- A high-speed Serial Attached SCSI interface delivering up to 12 gigabits per second, doubling the bandwidth of 6Gbps SATA SSDs.

- Carrier Type: HPE Smart Carrier (SC)

- Features intuitive status icons and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental data loss during operation.

- Workload Type: Mixed Use (MU)

- Designed for workloads with a mix of read and write operations, offering versatility across applications.

- Firmware: Digitally Signed (DS)

- Ensures security and authenticity, protecting against unauthorized firmware modifications.

- Compatibility: HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 Servers

- Supports a wide range of server models, including rack, tower, and blade systems.

- Endurance: Approximately 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)

- Capable of handling intensive workloads with a lifespan suited for enterprise environments.

- Performance Metrics:

- Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 1075 MiB/s
- Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 1025 MiB/s
- Random Read IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Approximately 120,000
- Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Approximately 80,000

These specifications position the HPE 1.6TB SSD as a robust solution for businesses seeking high performance and reliability.

Design and Technology Highlights

1. Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash

MLC NAND stores two bits of data per cell, striking a balance between the cost-effectiveness of Triple-Level Cell (TLC) drives and the high endurance of Single-Level Cell (SLC) drives. This makes it well-suited for mixed-use applications where both performance and durability are critical. While newer SSDs may leverage TLC or QLC (Quad-Level Cell) technology for higher capacities, MLC remains a reliable choice for enterprise environments with demanding write cycles.

2. SAS-12Gbps Interface

The 12Gbps SAS interface provides double the bandwidth of SATA-6Gbps SSDs, enabling faster data transfers and improved I/O performance. Unlike SATA, SAS supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous read and write operations. This is particularly beneficial for transactional databases and virtualization workloads where low latency and high throughput are essential.

3. Smart Carrier Design

HPE’s Smart Carrier enhances usability with features like status LEDs for quick drive health monitoring and a “do not remove” button to prevent accidental removal during operation. This design minimizes human error and ensures operational continuity in busy data centers.

4. Digitally Signed Firmware

Security is a top priority in enterprise storage. The digitally signed firmware ensures that the drive’s software originates from HPE and has not been tampered with, safeguarding data integrity and protecting against potential vulnerabilities.

5. Mixed Use Workload Optimization

Classified as a Mixed Use (MU) SSD, this drive is engineered for applications requiring a balanced mix of read and write operations. With an endurance rating of around 3 DWPD, it can handle approximately 4.8TB of writes daily over a 3-year warranty period, making it suitable for moderate to intensive workloads.

Compatibility with ProLiant Servers

The HPE 1.6TB SSD is designed for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant servers across three generations:

- Gen8: Introduced in 2012, these servers marked a shift toward improved energy efficiency and management features.
- Gen9: Released in 2014, Gen9 servers brought enhanced performance with Intel Xeon E5 processors and DDR4 memory support.
- Gen10: Launched in 2017, Gen10 servers offer advanced security, scalability, and support for Intel Xeon Scalable processors.

This SSD is compatible with a wide range of ProLiant models, including:

- DL Series (e.g., DL360, DL380, DL560, DL580)
- ML Series (e.g., ML350)
- BL Series (e.g., BL460c, BL660c)
- XL and SL Series (select models)

Its versatility ensures it can be deployed in rack, tower, or blade configurations, supporting diverse IT infrastructures from small businesses to large enterprises.

Benefits for Enterprise Use

1. High Performance

With sequential read speeds up to 1075 MiB/s and random read IOPS of 120,000, this SSD accelerates data access for applications like databases, virtualization, and big data analytics. The SAS-12Gbps interface further enhances throughput, reducing bottlenecks in high-demand environments.

2. Reliability and Endurance

Backed by over 3.35 million hours of testing and qualification, HPE SSDs are built for reliability. The 3 DWPD endurance rating ensures the drive can withstand mixed workloads over an extended period, minimizing the risk of failure.

3. Cost-Effective Performance

Compared to Write Intensive (WI) SSDs, this Mixed Use SSD offers a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing significant performance. It provides roughly twice the IOPS of SATA SSDs at a competitive price point, making it an economical choice for transactional workloads.

4. Enhanced Security

The digitally signed firmware protects against unauthorized access, ensuring that firmware updates come from a trusted source. This is crucial for maintaining data integrity in security-conscious environments.

5. Space Efficiency

The 2.5-inch SFF design allows for higher storage density in server chassis, enabling organizations to maximize capacity within limited rack space.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB SSD excels in scenarios requiring a blend of read and write performance. Some key applications include:

- Transactional Databases:

High IOPS and low latency support rapid query processing and data updates.

- Virtualization:

Fast data access improves virtual machine performance in VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM environments.

- Big Data Analytics:

Efficient handling of large datasets accelerates insights for business intelligence.

- Cloud Computing:

Reliable storage enhances performance in hybrid or private cloud deployments.

- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):

Quick read speeds ensure fast content delivery to end users.

Comparison to Alternatives

vs. SATA SSDs

While SATA SSDs are more affordable, the HPE 1.6TB SAS SSD offers superior performance with its 12Gbps interface and higher IOPS. SATA’s 6Gbps bandwidth limits its scalability in high-throughput environments, making SAS the better choice for enterprise-grade applications.

vs. Write Intensive SSDs

Write Intensive (WI) SSDs, with higher DWPD ratings (e.g., 10), are designed for write-heavy workloads like logging or caching. The HPE 1.6TB Mixed Use SSD, with 3 DWPD, provides a cost-effective middle ground for mixed workloads, avoiding the higher expense of WI drives where unnecessary.

vs. Read Intensive SSDs

Read Intensive (RI) SSDs prioritize read performance with lower write endurance (e.g., 0.3–1 DWPD). The Mixed Use classification of this SSD makes it more versatile, supporting applications with moderate write demands that RI drives can’t handle efficiently.

Installation and Management

Installing the HPE 1.6TB SSD is straightforward thanks to its hot-pluggable Smart Carrier design, allowing for drive swaps without powering down the server. HPE’s management tools, such as HPE SmartSSD Wear Gauge, enable administrators to monitor drive health and lifespan, ensuring proactive maintenance. Compatibility with HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) further simplifies remote management and diagnostics.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF MLC SAS-12Gbps Smart Carrier Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, and Gen10 servers. With its high performance, robust endurance, and enterprise-grade features like digitally signed firmware and the Smart Carrier design, it meets the needs of modern data centers running diverse workloads. Whether you’re managing databases, virtualized environments, or cloud infrastructure, this SSD delivers the reliability and efficiency required to keep your operations running smoothly.

For IT professionals seeking a balance of cost, performance, and durability, this HPE SSD stands out as a top-tier choice. Its broad compatibility ensures it remains a relevant investment as organizations upgrade their server fleets, making it a cornerstone of enterprise storage strategy in 2025 and beyond.