P05946-B21 HPE 3.84TB SATA-6GBPS Read Intensive SSD.

HPE P05946-B21 3.84TB SATA 6GBPS Read Intensive SSD

Elevate your server's data storage capabilities with the HPE P05946-B21, a high-capacity 3.84TB solid state drive engineered for read-centric workloads. This robust storage solution is designed to deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and seamless integration within HPE server environments.

Essential Product Details

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model Number: P05946-B21
• Replacement Part ID: P08575-001
• Device Classification: Hot-Swap Solid State Drive

Critical Technical Specifications

Storage Capacity and Physical Attributes

• Total Memory: 3.84 Terabytes
• Physical Size: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
• Profile Height: 7mm
• Flash Technology: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)
• Included Mount: HPE Smart Carrier

Interface and Connectivity

• Host Connection: SATA 6 Gb/s
• Installation Bay: 2.5-inch SFF
• Hot-Plug Support: Yes

Workload and Endurance Characteristics

• Optimized Workload: Read Intensive
• 30-Day Write Volume: 13,100 GB
• Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 1.90
• Security Feature: Digitally Signed Firmware

Impressive Performance Metrics

Sequential Data Transfer Velocity

• Peak Sequential Read Speed: 525 MiB/s
• Peak Sequential Write Speed: 480 MiB/s
• Maximum Interface Speed: 600 MB/s

Random Input/Output Operations

• Random Read IOPS (4KB, Q16): 69,000
• Random Write IOPS (4KB, Q16): 32,800
• Maximum Random Read IOPS: 76,000 @ QD32
• Maximum Random Write IOPS: 30,500 @ QD32

Data Access Latency

• Average Read Latency (4KB): 110 µs
• Average Write Latency (4KB): 65 µs

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Energy Consumption

• Idle State: 1.11 Watts
• Sequential Read: 2.47 Watts
• Sequential Write: 3.88 Watts
• Peak Power Draw: 4.00 Watts

Operating Temperature Range

• Minimum Temperature: 32°F (0°C)
• Maximum Temperature: 140°F (60°C)

Physical Dimensions and Weight

• Unit Weight: 0.50 kg (1.10 lbs)
• Package Dimensions: 12.70 cm x 22.86 cm x 17.78 cm (5.00" x 9.00" x 7.00")

Compatible HPE Server Systems

This SSD is validated for use in a wide array of HPE Gen10 server platforms, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

ProLiant DL Series Servers

• HPE ProLiant DL120 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 & DL380 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 & DL388 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 & DL580 Gen10

ProLiant ML Series Servers

• HPE ProLiant ML110 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant ML30 Gen10
• HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen10

Additional Compatible Systems

• HPE ProLiant DX380 Gen10

HPE P05946-B21 3.84TB SSD SATA 6GBPS SFF Read Intensive Overview

The HPE P05946-B21 3.84TB SATA-6GBPS SFF 2.5 Inch Read Intensive Multi-Level Cell SSD represents the next generation of enterprise-grade storage solutions designed for high-performance data centers. Engineered by HPE, this SSD addresses the increasing demand for rapid access to large datasets while maintaining high reliability, endurance, and efficiency. Its 3.84TB storage capacity provides ample room for growing datasets and mission-critical applications.The HPE P05946-B21 is not merely a storage device; it is a purpose-built solution defined by a specific set of performance and form factor characteristics. Understanding these specifications is crucial to appreciating its role in an IT infrastructure.

Form Factor and Interface

This drive utilizes the Small Form Factor (SFF) 2.5-inch design, a standard that has become ubiquitous in modern server and storage array deployments. The 2.5-inch footprint allows for high-density configurations, enabling organizations to maximize storage capacity within a limited physical chassis space. The interface of choice is SATA-6Gbps (SATA III), providing a reliable and widely supported connectivity standard. With a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 600 MB/s, the SATA interface offers a robust and cost-efficient path for data transfer, making it ideal for a wide array of applications where the extreme speed of SAS or NVMe is not a primary requirement but where a significant performance uplift over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) is essential.

NAND Flash Technology: Multi-Level Cell (MLC)

At the heart of the P05946-B21 lies Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. MLC technology stores two bits of data per memory cell, positioning it strategically between the high-endurance but expensive Single-Level Cell (SLC) and the high-density but lower-endurance Triple-Level Cell (TLC) or Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND. This MLC implementation is specifically tuned for read-intensive workloads. It offers a superior balance of write endurance and performance compared to TLC/QLC alternatives, ensuring a longer operational lifespan and greater data integrity under sustained read-heavy operations, while remaining more affordable than SLC-based solutions.

Defining the "Read-Intensive" Workload Profile

The classification "Read-Intensive" is not merely a marketing term but a precise descriptor of the drive's optimized design and intended use case. This designation informs the types of applications where the HPE P05946-B21 will deliver the greatest value and performance.

Characteristics of Read-Intensive Applications

Read-intensive workloads are characterized by a high ratio of read operations to write operations. In these environments, data is frequently accessed and retrieved, but updated or rewritten less often. The drive's internal controller, firmware, and wear-leveling algorithms are all calibrated to excel in this specific scenario. This focus allows HPE to optimize the component selection and firmware logic to deliver maximum performance and reliability for the target use case, without incurring the cost overhead of components designed to handle relentless write cycles.

Contrasting with Mixed-Use and Write-Intensive Drives

It is critical to distinguish read-intensive drives from their mixed-use and write-intensive counterparts. Write-intensive SSDs are built with ultra-high-endurance NAND, such as eMLC or SLC, and robust controllers to withstand the constant data writes found in transactional databases, write-caching, and high-frequency logging. Mixed-use drives offer a balance, designed for environments with a more even split between read and write operations, like general-purpose server workloads or email hosting. The HPE P05946-B21, by focusing on read-intensive tasks, provides a more cost-effective solution for workloads where its specific strength can be fully leveraged.

Integration and Compatibility within the HPE Ecosystem

A significant advantage of the HPE P05946-B21 is its seamless integration into the broader HPE server and storage landscape. It is not a generic third-party drive but an HPE-engineered solution, ensuring deep compatibility and enhanced management.

HPE ProLiant and Apollo Server Compatibility

This SSD is rigorously tested and certified for use across a wide range of HPE ProLiant Gen8, Gen9, Gen10, and Gen10 Plus servers, as well as HPE Apollo systems. This guarantees that the drive will be recognized immediately by the server's Intelligent Provisioning and UEFI System Utilities. It ensures optimal performance tuning and eliminates the potential compatibility issues that can arise with non-HPE qualified drives. When installed in a compatible HPE server, the drive becomes a managed component within a larger, cohesive system.

HPE Smart Storage and Management

The drive is designed to work in concert with HPE Smart Array controllers and HPE HBA controllers. When paired with a Smart Array controller, it can leverage advanced features such as smart caching and performance acceleration. More importantly, it fully supports the HPE Smart Storage Administrator (SSA) utility. Through HPE SSA, IT administrators can monitor the drive's health, view detailed S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) data, check remaining drive life, perform firmware updates, and configure arrays with confidence, all through a unified, intuitive interface.

Firmware and Predictive Analytics

HPE provides specialized firmware for the P05946-B21 that is optimized for stability and performance within HPE hardware. This firmware is accessible through the HPE support portal and can be easily deployed via HPE SSA or iLO. Furthermore, as part of the HPE ecosystem, the drive contributes to the predictive analytics capabilities of HPE InfoSight. By analyzing telemetry data across the infrastructure, HPE InfoSight can proactively identify potential drive failures or performance degradation, enabling preemptive resolution before it impacts business operations.

Performance, Endurance, and Reliability Metrics

The value of an enterprise SSD is quantified by its performance benchmarks, endurance ratings, and mechanisms for ensuring data integrity. The HPE P05946-B21 is built to meet the stringent standards expected in a data center environment.

Sustained Performance and IOPS

While specific performance figures can vary based on system configuration and workload, a drive of this class is engineered to deliver high, consistent input/output operations per second (IOPS). For read-intensive random I/O, it is capable of delivering significantly higher IOPS than any HDD, reducing application latency and improving user experience. Its sequential read performance will saturate a significant portion of the SATA-6Gbps bandwidth, enabling fast data transfers for large files. The consistency of this performance is key; unlike HDDs, which can suffer from seek time latency, the SSD delivers low, predictable latency across virtually all data access patterns.

Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) and TBW

Endurance is typically measured by two interrelated metrics: Terabytes Written (TBW) and Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD). The TBW rating signifies the total amount of data that can be written to the drive over its warranty period. DWPD describes how many times the entire drive capacity can be written to per day over its warranty period. As a read-intensive model, the HPE P05946-B21 has a DWPD rating that is lower than a write-intensive drive but is perfectly suited for its target workloads. For example, a typical rating might be 1 DWPD or less, meaning over its 5-year warranty, you could write the entire 3.84TB capacity once every day. This is more than adequate for the vast majority of read-centric applications.

Power Loss Protection and Data Integrity

Enterprise SSDs must guard against data corruption in the event of an unexpected power loss. The HPE P05946-B21 incorporates advanced power loss protection circuits. These circuits include capacitors that provide just enough hold-up power to complete any in-progress writes from the volatile DRAM cache to the non-volatile NAND flash memory in the event of a power failure. This critical feature ensures data that the host system believes has been written is actually committed to persistent storage, preventing data loss and filesystem corruption.

The Strategic Advantage in Modern IT Infrastructure

Deploying the HPE P05946-B21 3.84TB SSD is a strategic decision that impacts not just storage performance, but overall datacenter efficiency and total cost of ownership.

Accelerating Legacy and Cost-Sensitive Workloads

For organizations with existing server infrastructure based on the SATA interface, this drive offers a straightforward and dramatic performance upgrade. It allows businesses to extend the life and utility of their current hardware by eliminating the storage I/O bottleneck without requiring a costly and complex migration to an all-NVMe or all-SAS infrastructure. It provides a compelling price-to-performance ratio, enabling the acceleration of more workloads within a constrained budget.

Enabling High-Density Storage Tiers

With a capacious 3.84TB in a 2.5-inch form factor, this SSD enables the creation of high-density all-flash or hybrid-flash storage pools. This is particularly valuable in software-defined storage (SDS) solutions, hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) platforms like vSAN, or traditional storage arrays where maximizing capacity per U of rack space is a key objective. The combination of high capacity and solid-state performance allows for the consolidation of workloads and a reduction in the physical server footprint.

Optimizing Total Cost of Ownership

The total cost of ownership for the HPE P05946-B21 extends beyond its initial purchase price. Its low power consumption and lack of moving parts result in significant energy savings compared to HDDs, reducing datacenter power and cooling costs. Its high reliability and integration with HPE's predictive analytics tools lower administrative overhead and minimize the risk and cost of unplanned downtime. By matching the drive's "read-intensive" specification to the appropriate workload, organizations avoid over-provisioning and paying for expensive write-endurance that their applications will never utilize.