872971-001 HPE DL38X NVMe 8SFF Express Enablement Kit SSD Backplane Board

HPE 872971-001 DL38X NVMe 8 Express Enablement Kit SSD

The HPE 872971-001 DL38X NVMe 8 Express Enablement Kit is a purpose-built storage solution designed to enable high-throughput, low-latency NVMe storage on compatible HPE server platforms. Engineered for enterprise-class data centers, virtualization clusters, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments, this enablement kit provides the hardware and firmware integration necessary to unlock the full potential of NVMe drives in HPE DL38X servers. The following sections explain the technical architecture, compatibility, deployment considerations, performance characteristics, and real-world applications of the kit in depth.

Reliable Build Quality

NVMe technology and why it matters for DL38X servers

Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a storage protocol designed from the ground up for solid-state media connected via PCI Express (PCIe). When deployed in servers like the HPE DL38X, NVMe dramatically reduces I/O overhead and latency compared with legacy SAS/SATA interfaces. NVMe drives communicate using a streamlined command set and parallel submission/completion queues, which improves multi-core efficiency and scales better in virtualized environments.

Compatibility and configurations

Compatibility is a critical consideration for enterprise procurement. The HPE 872971-001 enablement kit is designed specifically around the DL38X family architecture—ensure your server's service tag, existing backplane configuration, and BIOS revision match the kit's supported matrix before purchase. Typical compatibility details include:

Server models

The kit targets HPE DL38X series servers—verify exact sub Models (DL380 Genx, DL385, etc.) that share the DL38X platform family designation. Official compatibility matrices list exact chassis SKUs and processor families that are supported.

Detailed performance characteristics and benchmarks

When deployed correctly, NVMe drives enabled via the HPE 872971-001 kit deliver predictable, enterprise-grade performance. Below are the performance metrics and testing considerations typically used in benchmarking NVMe-enabled DL38X servers.

Configuration, and deployment guidance

Installing NVMe drives with the HPE 872971-001 kit requires careful attention to mechanical, electrical, and firmware details. Proper planning reduces deployment risk and avoids downtime.

Firmware management

To ensure consistent performance and avoid unexpected failures, plan for ongoing maintenance and firmware lifecycle management of NVMe drives and server firmware. Maintain a test environment where firmware updates for SSDs and server components are validated against representative workloads. Follow these practices:

• Review vendor release notes carefully for bug fixes, performance changes, and compatibility notes.
• Stagger firmware updates across devices to prevent simultaneous failures or service interruptions.
• Use manufacturer-recommended tools for firmware application to avoid unsupported update paths.
• Keep a rollback plan and backup images where feasible.

Health monitoring and predictive maintenance

• Integrate NVMe health reporting into HPE One View or other data center monitoring platforms to capture SMART and telemetry data.
• Establish thresholds for alerting on key metrics such as media wear indicators, temperature, and uncorrectable error counts.
• Implement routine non-disruptive checks that do not interfere with production I/O patterns.

Data protection considerations

NVMe SSDs and their interfaces introduce specific security considerations—particularly around secure erase, encryption, and secure boot when used as OS volumes in server environments.

Use cases and target workloads

The HPE 872971-001 DL38X NVMe enablement kit supports a broad set of enterprise workloads that benefit from NVMe characteristics. Typical use cases include:

Virtualization and VDI

NVMe's high IOPS and low latency are ideal for dense virtualization hosts and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) farms where many small, random I/O operations dominate.

Databases and transaction-heavy applications

OLTP databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle) and in-memory databases paired with NVMe storage benefit from dramatic reductions in transaction latency and improved throughput under high concurrency.

Analytics, caching, and CDN edge nodes

NVMe SSDs excel for cache tiers, content delivery edge nodes, and real-time analytics where both sequential and random throughput matter.

High-performance computing (HPC) and AI/ML

Workloads that require fast scratch storage and rapid data staging (e.g., model training checkpoints, large dataset reads) will see improved job turnaround times when leveraging NVMe-enabled servers.

Buying and procurement guidance

Procuring the correct enablement kit and compatible NVMe SSDs requires planning to avoid incompatible combinations and unnecessary returns. Use the following procurement checklist:

Enhanced Storage Flexibility

Cost versus value analysis

NVMe SSDs command a premium over SATA/SAS alternatives but may deliver substantial total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) savings by shortening job runtimes, reducing server densities required to meet performance targets, and enabling consolidation. When calculating ROI.

NVMe drive with the HPE 872971-001 kit

Not necessarily. While many NVMe drives adhere to common electrical and protocol standards, enterprise compatibility requires checking HPE's compatibility list. Some consumer or datacenter drives may be electrically compatible but lack validated firmware behavior for enterprise management, thermal control, or iLO reporting