Unlock Peak Server Performance with HPE’s High-Speed 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD – Designed for Gen10 Power Users

HPE 1.6TB 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 High Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD for ProLiant Gen10 Servers: A Comprehensive Overview

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) Digitally Signed Firmware NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 High Performance SCN Mixed Use Solid State Drive (SSD) is engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and endurance for enterprise workloads on HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. With its advanced NVMe technology, high-speed PCIe x4 interface, and mixed-use capabilities, this SSD is designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern data centers. This article provides a detailed and structured exploration of its features, specifications, benefits, compatibility, and ideal use cases.

Introduction

Solid State Drives have become the backbone of enterprise storage, offering superior speed and reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is a high-performance storage solution tailored for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers, delivering a balance of read and write performance for mixed-use workloads. Its NVMe U.2 interface, PCIe x4 connectivity, and digitally signed firmware ensure low latency, high throughput, and robust security, making it an ideal choice for data-intensive applications in enterprise environments.

This SSD is part of HPE’s portfolio of NVMe drives, designed to leverage the high bandwidth of PCIe technology to accelerate data transfers and reduce bottlenecks. Whether deployed in virtualization, databases, or high-performance computing, this drive offers a compelling combination of capacity, speed, and durability.

Key Features

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is packed with features that make it a standout choice for enterprise storage:

- NVMe U.2 Interface:

Utilizes the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) protocol over a U.2 connector, enabling direct communication with the server’s PCIe bus for lower latency and higher bandwidth compared to SAS or SATA SSDs.

- PCIe x4 Connectivity:

Leverages a PCIe Gen3 or Gen4 x4 interface (depending on the server) for maximum data transfer rates, ensuring optimal performance for demanding workloads.

- 1.6TB Capacity:

Provides ample storage for enterprise applications, balancing cost and capacity for mid-sized workloads.

- Mixed Use (MU) Workload:

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

- Digitally Signed Firmware (DS):

Enhances security by ensuring firmware authenticity, protecting against unauthorized modifications and potential data breaches.

- Smart Carrier NVMe (SCN):

Features HPE’s Smart Carrier design with a “do not remove” button and status indicators to prevent accidental drive removal and simplify maintenance.

- Hot-Pluggable Design:

Allows for seamless drive replacement without powering down the server, minimizing downtime.

- Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND:

Uses TLC NAND flash memory for a cost-effective balance of performance, capacity, and endurance.

- High Endurance:

Rated for up to 3 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) over its lifespan, ensuring durability for write-intensive applications.

Performance Metrics

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD delivers impressive performance tailored for mixed-use workloads. Below are typical performance metrics (actual values may vary by model and firmware):

- Sequential Read Throughput: Up to 6,500 MiB/s

- Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 2,700 MiB/s

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

- Random Write IOPS (4KiB, Q=16): Up to 220,000

- Maximum Random Read IOPS (4KiB): Up to 950,000 at Q256

- Maximum Random Write IOPS (4KiB): Up to 220,000 at Q256

- Random Read Latency (4KiB, Q1): ~93 µs

- Random Write Latency (4KiB, Q1): ~25 µs

These metrics highlight the SSD’s ability to handle high-throughput and low-latency operations, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid data access and processing.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is designed specifically for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers and HPE Synergy platforms. It is compatible with a wide range of models, including but not limited to:

- 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 is backward compatible with NVMe U.2 backplanes on Gen10 servers and supports PCIe Gen3 and Gen4 slots (performance may be limited to Gen3 speeds on older configurations). For optimal performance, ensure the server firmware and drivers are up to date. Always verify compatibility with specific server models, as configurations may vary.

Benefits for Enterprise Environments

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD offers several advantages for enterprise data centers:

- Enhanced Performance:

NVMe and PCIe x4 deliver significantly faster data transfers than SAS or SATA SSDs, reducing application latency and improving throughput.

- Balanced Workload Support:

Mixed-use design ensures reliable performance for both read- and write-intensive tasks, making it versatile for diverse applications.

- High Reliability:

Backed by HPE’s rigorous testing (up to 3.35 million hours), the SSD ensures dependable operation in mission-critical environments.

- Security:

Digitally signed firmware protects against unauthorized access and firmware tampering, safeguarding sensitive data.

- Ease of Maintenance:

Hot-pluggable design and Smart Carrier features simplify drive management, minimizing downtime during upgrades or replacements.

- Cost-Effective Capacity:

1.6TB offers a sweet spot for enterprises needing substantial storage without the higher costs of larger-capacity drives.

- Energy Efficiency:

NVMe SSDs consume less power than HDDs, contributing to lower operational costs in large-scale deployments.

Ideal Use Cases

The HPE 1.6TB NVMe U.2 SSD is well-suited for a variety of enterprise workloads, including:

- Database Management:

Accelerates transactional and analytical databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle) with high IOPS and low latency.

- Virtualization:

Supports virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) with fast storage access for multiple VMs.

- Big Data Analytics:

Enables rapid processing of large datasets for real-time insights in Hadoop, Spark, or other analytics platforms.

- High-Performance Computing (HPC):

Meets the storage demands of compute-intensive applications in scientific research or financial modeling.

- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):

Improves caching and content delivery with fast read performance for media streaming or web services.

- Enterprise Applications:

Enhances performance for ERP, CRM, and other business-critical applications requiring mixed read/write operations.

Digitally Signed Firmware: Security and Reliability

One of the standout features of this SSD is its Digitally Signed Firmware (DS). This ensures that the drive’s firmware is authentic and sourced from HPE, reducing the risk of malware or unauthorized modifications. Key benefits include:

- Data Protection:

Prevents firmware-based attacks that could compromise data integrity or availability.

- Compliance:

Meets stringent security requirements for industries like finance, healthcare, and government.

- Trust Assurance:

Provides confidence that the drive operates as intended, maintaining performance and reliability.

Additionally, the SSD integrates with HPE’s SmartSSD Wear Gauge, allowing administrators to monitor drive lifespan and plan replacements proactively.

Key Takeaways:

- NVMe vs. SAS/SATA:

The NVMe U.2 SSD offers superior speed and lower latency, ideal for performance-critical applications.

- Mixed Use vs. Read Intensive:

Unlike read-intensive SSDs, this drive handles write-heavy workloads effectively, offering greater flexibility.

- Cost Consideration:

While NVMe SSDs are more expensive, their performance justifies the investment for high-demand environments.

Conclusion

The HPE 1.6TB 2.5-inch SFF NVMe U.2 PCIe x4 High Performance SCN Mixed Use SSD is a powerful and versatile storage solution for HPE ProLiant Gen10 servers. Its combination of high capacity, blazing-fast NVMe performance, and enterprise-grade reliability makes it an excellent choice for data centers tackling mixed-use workloads. From databases and virtualization to analytics and HPC, this SSD delivers the speed, endurance, and security needed to drive business success.

With features like digitally signed firmware, hot-pluggable design, and compatibility with HPE’s Smart Carrier, it ensures both operational efficiency and peace of mind. For enterprises seeking to optimize their ProLiant Gen10 servers, this SSD represents a strategic investment in performance and scalability.

Apr 13th 2025 Mike Anderson