HPE 703241-001 450GB 10K RPM SAS 6GBPS Hard Disk Drive.

HPE 703241-001 450GB 10K RPM SAS 6Gbps HDD

The HPE 703241-001 450GB 10K RPM SAS 6Gbps 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) hard disk drive belongs to a class of enterprise-grade storage components designed for mix-and-match deployment in rack and blade servers, storage enclosures, and hyperconverged infrastructures. This category page description focuses on the drive’s defining attributes — capacity, rotational speed, interface, form factor, and enterprise credentials — while expanding into related subcategories, technical considerations, deployment scenarios, and buyer-oriented guidance. Treat each subsection below as a searchable piece of content optimized for long-tail queries such as “HPE 703241-001 450GB SAS 6Gbps drive specifications”, “2.5-inch 10K SAS HDD performance in HPE servers”, and “enterprise SFF HDD compatibility and lifecycle maintenance.”

Key technical attributes and what they mean

450GB native capacity

The drive’s 450GB nominal capacity positions it as a mid-range enterprise HDD option: denser than legacy 300–400GB high-performance drives yet focused on predictable I/O rather than large bulk storage. For many server-use cases this capacity balances usable storage per bay with the throughput and latency characteristics demanded by databases, virtual machines, and transactional applications. When planning capacity on multi-bay servers, think in multiples — e.g., eight bays of 450GB drives deliver 3.6TB raw capacity (before RAID or parity overhead).

10,000 RPM rotational speed — performance implications

10K RPM is the classic enterprise rotational velocity that reduces average seek time and rotational latency versus 7.2K rotational drives, while remaining more cost-effective (and often energy-efficient) than 15K RPM drives. The result is lower I/O wait times for random reads and writes, noticeably improving transaction-heavy workloads such as OLTP databases, virtualization boot storms, and mixed read/write application servers. In storage arrays where mixed workloads are common, 10K drives provide a sweet spot: higher IOPS per spindle than nearline SATA at a lower cost-per-IOPS than ultra-high-speed offerings.

SAS interface at 6Gbps — enterprise connectivity

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface running at 6Gbps (SAS-2) is the standard for enterprise HDDs where reliability, command queuing, and multipath connectivity matter. SAS supports dual-port designs (where available), predictable error handling, and advanced management features that are critical for hot-plug server environments. The 6Gbps link delivers sustained transfer rate headroom to make the most of the drive’s rotational performance, particularly under RAID rebuild or heavy sequential transfer conditions.

2.5-inch small form factor (SFF)

The 2.5-inch SFF design maximizes rack density and improves cooling dynamics inside modern server chassis. SFF drives reduce the physical footprint per TB (on denser models) and allow for higher spindle counts in high-density servers and arrays. In practice, using SFF 10K SAS drives enables administrators to increase available compute/storage density without resorting to hybrid or flash-only configurations for every workload.

Subcategories and related product lines

Enterprise SAS 10K HDDs — comparing capacities and cache sizes

Within the enterprise SAS 10K family there are multiple capacity tiers that share the same rotational speed and interface: lower-capacity (e.g., 300–600GB) options for highest performance-per-spindle scenarios and higher-capacity models when density is prioritized. Cache buffer size (often 64MB, 128MB or larger on contemporaneous models) affects burst throughput and short-duration sequential performance. When comparing subcategory alternatives, consider:

• Capacity vs. spindle count tradeoffs — higher capacity can lower the number of physical drives needed for raw TB targets but may change rebuild times and failure exposure.
• Cache size — influences transient throughput and can improve RAID write-back burst performance.
• Dual-port vs single-port SAS — dual-port is preferable for SAN or dual-controller array environments.

HPE-branded compatibility and validated server models

The HPE part number designation identifies a drive configuration that is validated for use in HPE ProLiant servers, HPE storage enclosures, and rackmount server platforms. When choosing drives for an HPE environment, validated part numbers such as this one reduce compatibility risk: backplane and firmware mismatches are less likely, and HPE system management tools (iLO, SSA, or Smart Array controllers) can report drive health and attributes cleanly.

Performance characteristics in real-world workloads

IOPS and latency expectations

Enterprise 10K SAS drives are optimized for random I/O workloads. Typical random 4KB read IOPS per spindle are higher than 7.2K models due to lower rotational latency; this results in improved application responsiveness under concurrent access. While exact IOPS numbers depend on model firmware and test conditions, general expectations are:

• Measurably lower average seek and rotational latency compared to 7.2K SATA HDDs.
• Better small-block random read and write performance, making them a common choice for VM datastore spindles and tier-2 database storage.
• Moderate sequential throughput suitable for backups, but not as high as nearline 7.2K or dedicated sequential-focused drives for pure throughput tasks.

Impact on RAID rebuild and resiliency

Rebuild times are driven by spindle speed, capacity, and array load. The 10K rotational speed helps shorten rebuild windows compared with slower disks by enabling faster sustained reads from remaining members of a RAID set. However, rebuild time is also heavily influenced by capacity — larger-capacity spindles typically require more time to read and re-silver. Proper RAID choices (RAID 6, RAID 10, or erasure-coded architectures in modern arrays) and spare-drive strategies are essential to manage the trade-off between usable capacity and resiliency.

Use cases and deployment scenarios

Virtualization hosts and mixed-VM workloads

For virtualization hosts that house mixed workloads — small to medium databases, application servers, and development/test VMs — a bank of 10K SAS drives provides consistent IOPS and latency with manageable cost. Often organizations deploy tiered storage where OS images and hot VMs use the 10K pool while archival or infrequently accessed VMs use nearline storage or object-based tiers.

Database servers and transaction-heavy applications

Databases with frequent random reads/writes benefit from 10K rotational speeds. Use the drives in RAID groups sized to balance rebuild risk and I/O parallelism. In many cases, placing database logs and index files on separate RAID groups or dedicated spindles further improves transaction efficiency.

Edge servers and telco infrastructure

In constrained or physically remote deployments, 2.5-inch 10K drives offer a blend of performance and power efficiency suitable for edge servers and telecommunication hardware. The SFF footprint reduces chassis size, while SAS reliability simplifies remote management and diagnostics.

Compatibility, firmware, and system management considerations

Firmware alignment and HPE Smart Array controllers

Firmware version can affect drive behavior, SMART reporting, and interaction with RAID controllers. HPE often ships firmware bundles for validated part numbers to ensure predictable performance and to enable controller-level enhancements (error recovery controls, timeout tuning). When integrating drives into existing systems, verify firmware compatibility with your server’s storage controller and apply vendor-recommended updates during maintenance windows.

Hot-swap and hot-plug handling

Enterprise SAS drives are typically hot-pluggable. Follow HPE and server vendor guidance for safe insertion and removal procedures. Use system management consoles (iLO or equivalent) to mark drives for removal, evacuate data, and avoid surprise rebuilds.

SMART monitoring and predictive failure analysis

Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) attributes are essential for proactive maintenance. Integrate drive health alerts into your monitoring stack and set threshold-based notifications for reallocated sectors, media errors, or abnormal temperature trends. In HPE environments, combining SMART with controller-level health reporting improves early fault detection and reduces unplanned downtime.

Thermal, power, and physical installation guidance

Cooling strategies for dense deployments

Dense SFF arrays generate concentrated heat. Ensure adequate chassis airflow with proper drive caddy orientation, unobstructed air channels, and functioning fans. Place drives in bays according to vendor guidance to maintain predictable thermal balance; many chassis have front-to-back airflow optimized for specific drive bay arrangements.

Power draw and data center planning

Compared to 3.5-inch nearline drives, 2.5-inch 10K HDDs often have lower peak and idle power, but total rack-level draw should still be budgeted. When planning rack power provisioning and UPS sizing, include peak spin-up currents and sustained power under RAID rebuild scenarios.

Vibration and shock considerations

High-density server racks are susceptible to vibrational coupling; enterprise-grade SFF drives are engineered to tolerate operational vibration within specifications, but proper rack mounting and anti-vibration features on drive caddies reduce long-term wear. If your environment has above-normal vibration (industrial or mobile deployments), consider shock-rated enclosures or additional damping.

Integration tips for HPE environments

Using HPE system management tools effectively

HPE management platforms (e.g., iLO, SSA, OneView) provide drive health metrics, firmware management workflows, and event logs. Configure alerting to route disk health notifications to operations teams and integrate with your monitoring/incident platform for automated ticketing.

RAID controller considerations

Match drive selection to the controller’s capabilities. If you plan to mix 10K SAS with other drive types, understand controller cache policies and migration limitations. For highest resilience, uniform spindle type within RAID arrays reduces performance variability during rebuilds and under load.

Content blocks for product pages derived from this category

Short spec snippet (for product listing cards)

• Capacity: 450GB
• RPM: 10,000 RPM
• Interface: SAS 6Gbps
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch SFF
• HPE Part Number: 703241-001

Long-form feature expansion (for product detail pages)

Expand the card content with paragraphs covering endurance attributes, workload suitability, mounting guidance, and warranty. Provide explicit links to firmware resources, HPE server compatibility lists, and step-by-step installation guides. Add a section for benchmark summaries (e.g., random 4K IOPS ranges under typical controller cache settings) and a brief note on expected rebuild considerations.

Content marketing and merchandising ideas for retailers

Cross-sell and upsell strategies

When merchandising the HPE 703241-001 450GB 10K SAS drive, consider cross-selling related items that improve the buyer’s post-purchase experience:

• Compatible HPE SFF drive carriers and caddies
• Controller battery or cache modules for RAID controllers
• Hot spare kits and pre-configured RAID arrays
• Firmware update services and installation support

Bundling with service offerings

Offer optional installation services, extended warranty coverage, or staging services where drives are pre-flashed with recommended firmware and tested in validated enclosures. These value-added services reduce friction for buyers without in-house storage teams.

Legal, warranty, and RMA considerations

Understanding warranty conditions

Warranty coverage varies by seller and whether drives are new, refurbished, or used. For enterprise purchases, confirm the warranty period, whether HPE honors the warranty when purchased through resellers, and the RMA turnaround time. For critical deployments, choose sellers offering rapid replacement SLAs to minimize downtime.

Data sanitation and end-of-life procedures

When decommissioning drives, implement NIST or industry-accepted data sanitization practices appropriate to your data sensitivity. For drives leaving your premises, consider secure erase utilities or physical destruction depending on compliance requirements.