AW556A HPE 2TB SATA 3GBPS 3.5" Midline Hard Drive with Tray

HPE AW556A 2TB 7.2K RPM SATA Hard Drive Overview

The HPE AW556A 2TB Midline Hard Drive is a dependable internal storage solution designed for enterprise environments requiring consistent performance and large storage capacity. Built with a 3.5-inch large form factor (LFF), this SATA drive delivers reliable data handling and efficient operation for business-critical applications.

General Details

• Brand: HPE
• Part Number: AW556A
• Spare Number: 601778-001
• Model: ST32000644NS
• Assembly Number: 507631-003
• Device Type: Internal Hard Drive
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch LFF

Technical Specifications

• Capacity: 2TB
• Spindle Speed: 7200 RPM
• Interface: SATA 3Gbps
• External Transfer Rate: Up to 300 MB/s
• Average Seek Time: 9.0 ms
• Average Latency: 4.17 ms

Design and Build

• Drive Technology: Air-filled
• Carrier Type: Standard Carrier
• Plug Type: Hot Plug
• Workload Type: Midline (ideal for moderate workloads)

Connectivity Options

• Interface Ports: 1 x SATA 3Gb/s
• Compatible Bay: 3.5-inch LFF drive bay

Compatibility and Supported Systems

• P2000 3.5-inch Drive Bay Chassis
• P2000 DC-power LFF Chassis
• P2000 Dual I/O LFF Drive Enclosure
• P2000 G3 10GbE iSCSI Dual Controller LFF Array
• P2000 G3 FC Dual Controller LFF Array System
• P2000 G3 SAS Dual Controller LFF Array

HPE StorageWorks MSA Solutions

• P2000 G3 FC/iSCSI Dual Combo Controller LFF Array
• P2000 G3 iSCSI Dual Controller LFF Array
• P2000 G3 SAS MSA Dual Controller LFF Array System
• P2000 G3 FC Small Business SAN Starter Kit

HPE AW556A 2TB 7.2K RPM SATA Midline Hard Drive

The HPE AW556A 2TB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5-inch midline hard drive with tray represents a highly reliable and cost-efficient storage solution engineered for enterprise environments that demand consistent performance, scalable capacity, and long-term operational stability. Designed specifically for compatibility with HPE ProLiant servers and storage systems, this midline hard drive strikes a balance between performance and affordability, making it ideal for businesses managing growing data workloads without requiring premium high-speed storage tiers.

Optimized Capacity for Growing Data Demands

With a storage capacity of 2TB, the HPE AW556A hard drive offers ample space for a wide range of business applications, including data archiving, backup storage, file sharing, and application hosting. As organizations continue to generate increasing volumes of structured and unstructured data, having a dependable storage infrastructure becomes critical. This drive provides the scalability necessary to accommodate evolving storage needs without compromising efficiency.

The 2TB capacity is particularly well-suited for mid-sized deployments where cost-per-gigabyte is a key consideration. It enables IT administrators to expand storage pools without incurring the higher costs associated with enterprise-class high-RPM drives or solid-state solutions. This makes it an excellent option for secondary storage tiers, data replication systems, and disaster recovery environments.

Reliable Performance with 7.2K RPM

Operating at 7,200 revolutions per minute, this midline hard drive delivers dependable performance for general-purpose workloads. While it may not match the speed of 10K or 15K RPM enterprise drives, it provides sufficient throughput for applications such as file serving, backup operations, and bulk data storage. The rotational speed ensures steady read and write operations, supporting consistent data access without introducing significant latency.

The drive’s performance characteristics make it particularly effective in environments where data access patterns are sequential rather than random. Workloads such as media storage, log management, and archival systems benefit from this optimized performance profile. Businesses can achieve a balance between speed and cost, ensuring efficient resource allocation across their IT infrastructure.

SATA 3Gbps Interface Efficiency

The SATA 3Gbps interface provides a stable and widely compatible connection standard that integrates seamlessly with a broad range of server and storage configurations. While newer interfaces offer higher bandwidth, SATA 3Gbps remains a reliable and cost-effective solution for many enterprise use cases, particularly those focused on capacity rather than maximum throughput.

This interface ensures smooth data transfer rates suitable for midline applications, enabling consistent performance across various workloads. Its widespread adoption also simplifies deployment and maintenance, as IT teams can easily integrate the drive into existing systems without requiring specialized hardware or extensive configuration.

3.5-Inch Form Factor

The 3.5-inch large form factor design of the HPE AW556A hard drive aligns with industry standards for enterprise storage systems. This form factor is commonly used in server environments due to its ability to support higher capacities and efficient cooling characteristics. The larger physical size allows for better heat dissipation, contributing to enhanced reliability and longer operational life.

Designed to fit seamlessly into HPE server drive bays, this hard drive ensures optimal compatibility and ease of installation. The included tray further simplifies deployment, allowing for quick insertion and removal without the need for additional tools. This feature is particularly valuable in data center environments where minimizing downtime and streamlining maintenance processes are critical priorities.

Capability and Tray Integration

The integrated tray design supports hot-plug functionality, enabling IT administrators to replace or upgrade drives without shutting down the system. This capability is essential for maintaining continuous operations in mission-critical environments where uptime is paramount. The tray also ensures secure mounting and proper alignment within the server chassis, reducing the risk of connectivity issues or physical damage.

Hot-plug support enhances operational efficiency by allowing maintenance tasks to be performed quickly and safely. It also contributes to improved system availability, as failed drives can be replaced immediately without disrupting ongoing processes or impacting end users.

Enhanced Reliability

Reliability is a key consideration in enterprise storage, and the HPE AW556A hard drive is engineered to deliver dependable performance over time. It incorporates advanced error correction technologies and rigorous quality testing to ensure data integrity and minimize the risk of data loss. These features are essential for maintaining the accuracy and availability of critical business information.

The drive is designed for continuous operation, making it suitable for 24/7 server environments. Its robust construction and adherence to enterprise standards contribute to a lower failure rate compared to consumer-grade drives. This reliability translates into reduced maintenance costs and improved overall system stability.

Firmware Optimization and Compatibility

The firmware of the HPE AW556A hard drive is optimized for integration with HPE server systems, ensuring seamless compatibility and performance consistency. This optimization includes features such as enhanced error handling, improved drive management, and compatibility with HPE monitoring tools. These capabilities enable IT administrators to monitor drive health and performance effectively, facilitating proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime.

Compatibility with HPE systems also ensures that the drive meets strict quality and performance standards, providing peace of mind for businesses that rely on their storage infrastructure for mission-critical operations.

Scalability and Storage Expansion

The HPE AW556A hard drive enables organizations to scale their storage infrastructure efficiently. Its compatibility with HPE server systems allows for seamless integration into existing storage arrays, facilitating incremental expansion as data requirements grow. This scalability is essential for businesses that need to adapt to changing workloads and increasing data volumes.

By deploying multiple drives within a storage system, organizations can create flexible and resilient storage architectures. The drive’s reliability and performance characteristics support various configurations, including RAID setups that enhance data protection and availability. This flexibility ensures that businesses can tailor their storage solutions to meet specific operational needs.

Enterprise

The HPE AW556A hard drive is designed to integrate seamlessly into enterprise IT ecosystems. Its compatibility with HPE management tools allows administrators to monitor performance, track health metrics, and manage storage resources effectively. These capabilities are essential for maintaining optimal system performance and ensuring the reliability of critical applications.

Integration with enterprise management platforms also simplifies administrative tasks, reducing the complexity of storage management. This efficiency enables IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance, improving overall productivity and operational effectiveness.