P49736-001 HPE 3.84TB SAS SSD 12GBPS Read Intensive SFF Server

Overview of the HPE 3.84TB SAS Read Intensive SFF SC SSD

The HPE 3.84TB SAS 12G Read Intensive SSD is a high-performance storage option designed for HPE Gen10 and Gen10 Plus servers. Offering exceptional reliability, strong read efficiency, and fast data throughput, this solid-state drive ensures smooth enterprise operations with consistent performance under demanding workloads.

Key Manufacturer and Product Specifications

• Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model Number: P49736-001
• Product Category: Enterprise Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Compatibility: Supports HPE Gen10 & Gen10 Plus server systems
• Usage Type: Ideal for read-intensive enterprise environments

 Technical Features

• Storage Capacity: 3.84 Terabytes
• Physical Height: 15 mm
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
• Interface Type: SAS 12Gb/s dual-port
• Flash Memory: TLC NAND technology for durability and endurance
• Plug Design: Hot-pluggable for seamless maintenance
• Carrier Format: Smart Carrier (SC) for secure installation

Performance Metrics

• Random Read Speed: Up to 110,000 IOPS
• Random Write Speed: Up to 78,000 IOPS
• Sequential Read Throughput: Reaches up to 1,080 MB/s
• Sequential Write Throughput: Up to 1,030 MB/s

Advanced Read-Intensive Optimization

Built with read-focused architecture, this SSD is engineered for applications where rapid access to large datasets is essential. It significantly reduces latency for analytics, virtualization, and database management systems, ensuring smooth data retrieval with lower operational overhead.

Reliability, Endurance, and Operational Excellence

The HPE 3.84TB SAS SSD ensures consistent data integrity through enterprise-grade error correction and wear-leveling algorithms. These technologies extend the drive’s lifespan, making it a dependable choice for continuous operation in enterprise environments that demand high uptime and dependable storage performance.

Enterprise Benefits

• Designed for long-term reliability in 24/7 enterprise workloads
• Supports read-intensive applications, improving system responsiveness
• Enhanced endurance with triple-level cell (TLC) flash memory
• Advanced error correction for optimal data protection
• Reduced downtime due to hot-plug compatibility

Ideal Use Cases

• Data-intensive analytics and business intelligence platforms
• Virtualization environments requiring high IOPS
• Content delivery networks (CDNs) and large-scale database servers
• Enterprise-level storage arrays seeking improved performance efficiency

Compatibility and Integration

The HPE P49736-001 SSD integrates seamlessly into Gen10 and Gen10 Plus architectures, ensuring optimized performance with HPE server ecosystems. Its multi-vendor support capability allows deployment across various server setups, making it a flexible and scalable storage solution for expanding IT infrastructures.

Integration Highlights

• Fully compatible with HPE ProLiant Gen10/Gen10+ systems
• Multi-vendor validation for wider deployment flexibility
• Hot-swap support for maintenance without system downtime
• Secure carrier design for fast and stable installation

Highlights at a Glance

• 3.84TB high-capacity SAS SSD designed for read-intensive performance
• Enterprise-grade TLC NAND for improved durability
• Up to 1,080 MB/s read speed and 110,000 IOPS performance
• Seamless integration with Gen10 & Gen10 Plus servers
• Reliable hot-plug design for quick servicing and upgrades

HPE P49736-001 3.84tb SAS product profile and targeted applications

The HPE P49736-001 3.84tb SAS 12g Read Intensive SFF SC multi-vendor SSD is engineered for enterprise environments that demand consistent read-heavy throughput, low latency, and high availability in Gen10 and Gen10 Plus server platforms. This small form factor (SFF) single connector (SC) SAS 12G device delivers a blend of performance and endurance optimized for read-intensive workloads such as virtualization boot images, web and application servers, content delivery, caching layers, and analytical query engines.

Who benefits from this category

Organizations that gain the most from this category include:

• Data centers running mixed virtualized workloads with heavy read patterns.
• Cloud service providers needing compact, dense storage with consistent I/O response.
• Database and analytics clusters where read latency determines query speed.
• Enterprises seeking multi-vendor SSDs certified for HPE Gen10 and Gen10 Plus servers.
• IT teams planning incremental storage upgrades without replacing server platforms.

Key Features

• Capacity: 3.84 TB raw capacity (usable capacity varies with provisioning and over-provisioning settings).
• Interface: SAS 12Gb/s (12G) for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity.
• Form Factor: Small Form Factor (SFF) — optimized for dense server and storage arrays.
• Workload class: Read Intensive (RI) — engineered for workloads with a high read-to-write ratio.
• Compatibility: Qualified for HPE Gen10 and Gen10 Plus servers; multi-vendor interoperability for mixed OEM environments.
• Connector type: SFF-8643 or equivalent backplane-compatible connector (verify server backplane).

Architecture and controller technologies

SSD controller design

Enterprise-grade SSDs like the P49736-001 rely on high-performance controllers that manage flash translation layers (FTL), wear-leveling algorithms, garbage collection, and power-loss protection. The controller’s firmware is tuned to prioritize read performance and to reduce write amplification — a crucial characteristic for read-intensive classifications.

Flash memory and endurance

Read-intensive SSDs commonly use higher-density NAND (such as TLC or QLC variants) paired with firmware strategies that extend usable life for read-heavy use cases. Endurance is expressed as drive writes per day (DWPD) or total bytes written (TBW) over warranty period; for RI-class drives, endurance is balanced to support heavy read operations while still tolerating moderate write bursts.

Power loss protection and data integrity

Enterprise SSDs often include capacitors or other power-loss mitigation to flush volatile caches to non-volatile media during unexpected power events. Additional integrity features include end-to-end data path protection, CRC checks, and robust error correction code (ECC) to maintain data fidelity at enterprise scale.

Compatibility with HPE Gen10 & Gen10 Plus servers

Certified interoperability

One of the selling points for multi-vendor HPE-qualified SSDs is certification for specific server generations. The P49736-001 designation indicates compatibility with server firmware, drive cages, and RAID controllers commonly found in HPE ProLiant Gen10 and Gen10 Plus models. Certification minimizes integration risk and ensures server management tools (such as HPE iLO and Smart Storage Administrator) can monitor drive health and firmware updates effectively.

Backplane and tray considerations

When deploying SFF drives, ensure the server’s drive backplane and hot-swap trays support the SAS 12G interface and form factor. Some enclosures may require firmware updates to the backplane or BIOS/UEFI to ensure stable operation with newer SSD models.

Multi-vendor deployment strategy

Enterprises often mix drives from different vendors for cost optimization or supply resiliency. Multi-vendor SSDs designed for HPE platforms maintain compatibility with HPE management and monitoring but may have vendor-specific firmware attributes. It’s recommended to document firmware levels and validate mixed-drive RAID arrays in a staging environment prior to large-scale production deployment.

Typical deployment scenarios and use cases

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

VDI environments have high read demands at boot storms and login peaks. Read-intensive SSDs offer fast boot times and consistent performance when many virtual desktops draw identical base images.

Web and application servers

Serving static content, caching database query results, or delivering application assets benefits from fast read throughput and low latency. The P49736-001 is appropriate for read-heavy front-end and caching layers.

Content delivery and streaming

High-density storage arrays composed of SFF read-optimized SSDs reduce space, power, and cooling costs while delivering required throughput for content distribution and media streaming services.

Analytics and reporting

Analytical queries often read large datasets and require consistent I/O. Read-optimized SSDs accelerate query response times and shorten reporting cycles.

Endurance, lifecycle, and reliability

Understanding endurance metrics

Read-intensive SSDs trade higher capacity density for moderate write endurance. Evaluate drives by DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day), TBW (Total Bytes Written), and warranty terms. Factor endurance into lifecycle planning and expected replacement timelines.

Wear-leveling and firmware resilience

Effective wear-leveling spreads writes evenly across NAND to prevent premature hotspots. Enterprise firmware implements scrubbing, bad-block management, and remediation routines to extend usable life.

Cooling, power and physical deployment considerations

Thermal management

SFF SSDs pack a lot of performance into a compact envelope, so airflow and chassis cooling substantially affect reliability and performance headroom. Maintain recommended inlet temperatures and avoid mounting drives in constrained airflow zones.

Power budgeting

While SSDs consume less power than spinning media, peak power draw during sustained activity and power-protection capacitor events should be included in datacenter power planning. Validate that power supplies and backplanes can tolerate peak inrush when multiple drives are active.

Security features and data protection

Self-encrypting drive (SED) capabilities

Some enterprise SSDs include hardware-based encryption (SED) supporting AES-based encryption and TCG Opal standards. If data-at-rest security is required, confirm the drive’s encryption and key-management support and integrate with your KMS or server security stack.

Secure erase and sanitization

Use vendor-specified secure erase procedures to sanitize drives prior to decommissioning or redeployment. For drives using encryption, cryptographic erase is a fast method when supported, but verify the method meets your organization’s compliance requirements.

Firmware lifecycle and multi-vendor interoperability

Firmware compatibility across vendors

Multi-vendor drives designed for HPE servers will typically maintain compatibility in function and management, but firmware variations may result in slightly different performance characteristics. Maintain a matrix of vendor firmware versions and test cross-vendor arrays to ensure expected behavior in mixed environments.

Updating firmware safely

Follow HPE and drive vendor guidance: update firmware using vendor-provided utilities, during maintenance windows, and after full data backups. Consider staggered rollouts to limit potential impact from a problematic firmware release.

Capacity planning and scaling strategies

When to choose 3.84 TB RI SSDs

Select 3.84 TB read-optimized SSDs when:

• Capacity density per bay is important and you have predominantly read workloads.
• You need a cost-efficient mix of capacity vs. endurance for caching and hot datasets.
• You want standardized drive sizes for predictable rack-level capacity planning.

Scaling in racks and clusters

Design storage tiers with a blend of high-capacity RI SSDs for hot data and higher-endurance devices for write-heavy logs or persistent write caches. Use scale-out file systems or hyperconverged approaches to distribute datasets across many SSDs for both performance and resiliency.

Lifecycle management, warranty, and support

Warranty expectations

Enterprise SSDs generally carry limited warranties tied to TBW or years in service. Confirm warranty terms, RMA procedures, and whether the drive vendor or HPE will manage replacements under warranty for multi-vendor certified devices.

End-of-life (EOL) and proactive replacement

Document each drive’s in-service date and track cumulative writes to plan phased replacements before the warranty expiry or predicted wear-out. Doing so avoids surprise failures and maintains consistent service levels.

Comparison with other drive classes

Read Intensive SSDs vs Mixed Use SSDs

Read Intensive (RI) SSDs prioritize read throughput and capacity density, offering moderate write endurance. Mixed Use (MU) drives provide higher endurance suitable for heavier write workloads (database logs, hyperconverged write traffic). Choose RI for read-heavy caching and MU for balanced read/write needs.

SSD vs HDD for similar capacity

SSDs deliver orders-of-magnitude lower latency and higher random IOPS compared to HDDs. For workloads sensitive to latency (databases, VM boot latency), SSDs justify the premium by improving application responsiveness and reducing overall infrastructure complexity.

Operational playbook: deployment to decommission

Step-by-step deployment recommendations

1. Validate server firmware and backplane compatibility in a staging environment.
2. Install drives in the correct SFF trays; verify electrical/firmware recognition during POST.
3. Configure RAID or host software volumes consistent with workload needs (stripe size, cache, write-through vs write-back).
4. Run baseline benchmarks and capture telemetry to compare against expected performance.
5. Document serial numbers, firmware, and assignment to logical volumes for lifecycle tracking.

Decommissioning and secure disposal

Before disposal or redeployment, follow industry-standard sanitization methods. For drives supporting encryption, cryptographic erase reduces time for secure decommissioning; otherwise, use vendor-approved secure erase procedures or physical destruction according to regulatory needs.