UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV Cisco 480GB SSD SATA 6Gbps SFF

Cisco UCS Enterprise SSDs: Optimized Storage for Data Center

Cisco UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV represents a class of storage solutions engineered specifically for enterprise environments where reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency converge. These 480GB SATA 6Gbps solid-state drives deliver the perfect balance of capacity, speed, and endurance for a wide range of data center applications while maintaining the stringent quality standards expected from Cisco Unified Computing System components.

Understanding Enterprise Value SSDs in Modern Infrastructure

Enterprise Value SSDs occupy a strategic position in the storage hierarchy, bridging the gap between consumer-grade solid-state drives and premium enterprise models. These drives incorporate enterprise-level features like power-loss protection, enhanced error correction, and higher endurance ratings while offering a more accessible price point than their performance-optimized counterparts.

Key Differentiators of Enterprise Value Drives

Unlike consumer SSDs, Enterprise Value models like the UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV include advanced features such as end-to-end data path protection, thermal throttling with enterprise temperature ranges, and specialized firmware optimized for 24/7 operation. These characteristics make them ideal for read-intensive applications and mixed-use workloads where consistent performance matters more than peak throughput.

The Role of SATA Interface in Contemporary Data Centers

While NVMe technology garners significant attention for high-performance applications, SATA SSDs continue to play a vital role in enterprise environments. The ubiquitous SATA 6Gbps interface offers excellent compatibility with existing infrastructure, simplified deployment, and cost-effective storage expansion without requiring specialized controllers or infrastructure changes.

Technical Specifications and Architecture

Form Factor and Physical Dimensions

The UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV utilizes the industry-standard 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) with a height of 15mm, making it compatible with most enterprise server and storage enclosures. This universal form factor ensures seamless integration into existing Cisco UCS systems as well as third-party infrastructure with appropriate drive bays.

Hot-Swap Capability and Tray Inclusion

Each drive ships with a dedicated tray that facilitates tool-less installation and hot-swap functionality. This design enables system administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the entire system, significantly improving serviceability and reducing maintenance windows for critical infrastructure.

Performance Characteristics and Capabilities

With sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s and write speeds up to 500MB/s, the UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV delivers responsive performance for a variety of workloads. The drive's random I/O performance, typically measured in input/output operations per second (IOPS), ensures snappy response times for applications requiring frequent access to small blocks of data.

Endurance and Write Amplification Factors

Enterprise Value SSDs are engineered with endurance specifications that far exceed consumer models. The UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV features a specified drive writes per day (DWPD) rating that ensures reliable operation under consistent write workloads, supported by advanced wear-leveling algorithms that distribute write operations evenly across all available NAND cells.

Use Cases and Application Scenarios

Virtualization and Hypervisor Storage

The UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV excels as boot storage for hypervisors like VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix Hypervisor. The 480GB capacity provides ample space for the hypervisor installation, logs, and core system files while delivering the fast boot times and responsive management interface that system administrators require.

Virtual Machine Staging and Template Storage

Beyond hypervisor boot drives, these SSDs serve effectively as repository storage for virtual machine templates, ISO files, and staging areas for new VM deployments. The combination of capacity and performance accelerates provisioning workflows while maintaining reliable access to critical deployment assets.

Read-Intensive Application Support

Enterprise Value SATA SSDs are particularly well-suited for read-intensive applications where the majority of operations involve data retrieval rather than writing. Common scenarios include web server content delivery, database query operations, and file serving workloads where read performance directly impacts user experience.

Caching and Tiering Implementations

Many storage systems implement automated tiering that moves frequently accessed data to faster storage media. The UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV serves as an excellent tier 1 storage component in such architectures, providing a performance boost over traditional hard drives while remaining more cost-effective than premium NVMe solutions.

Comparative Analysis Within Storage Tiers

Enterprise Value vs. Performance SSDs

While Performance-tier SSDs offer higher throughput and lower latency, Enterprise Value models provide the essential reliability features at a more accessible price point. For many workloads, the performance difference is negligible compared to the cost savings, making Enterprise Value SSDs the practical choice for budget-conscious deployments.

Total Cost of Ownership Considerations

When evaluating storage options, organizations should consider not just the acquisition cost but also factors like power consumption, cooling requirements, and support overhead. The UCS-SD480G6I1X-EV offers favorable TCO compared to both high-performance SSDs and traditional hard drives when balanced against performance requirements.

SSD vs. HDD in Modern Infrastructure

Even Enterprise Value SSDs dramatically outperform traditional hard disk drives in virtually every performance metric, particularly in random I/O operations where HDDs struggle due to physical seek limitations. The elimination of mechanical components also translates to higher reliability and lower power consumption.