P18438-B21 HPE 3.84TB SSD SATA 6GBPS Mixed Use Hot Plug SFF 2.5 Inch

HPE P18438-B21 3.84TB SSD

The HPE P18438-B21 represents the pinnacle of enterprise solid-state storage technology, specifically engineered for mixed-use workloads in demanding data center environments. This 3.84TB SATA SSD combines high capacity with exceptional performance and reliability, making it an ideal solution for organizations seeking to accelerate their storage infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with existing SATA-based systems.

Capacity and Form Factor

The drive offers a usable capacity of 3.84TB, presented in a standard 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) design. This form factor is compatible with most enterprise server bays and storage enclosures, providing flexibility in deployment scenarios.

Capacity Optimization Technology

HPE employs advanced over-provisioning techniques to ensure consistent performance throughout the drive's lifespan. The 3.84TB capacity represents the user-accessible space after accounting for necessary redundancy and wear-leveling overhead.

Interface and Performance Characteristics

Utilizing the SATA 6Gbps interface, this SSD delivers maximum theoretical transfer speeds of 600MB/s, fully leveraging the SATA III specification while maintaining backward compatibility with previous SATA generations.

Sequential Read/Write Performance

The P18438-B21 delivers exceptional sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 530MB/s, significantly outperforming traditional hard disk drives and entry-level SSDs in sustained transfer operations.

Random I/O Performance Metrics

With random read performance up to 98,000 IOPS and random write performance up to 36,000 IOPS at queue depth 256, this drive excels in mixed workload environments where both read and write operations occur simultaneously.

Mixed Use Workload Capabilities

The "Mixed Use" designation indicates that this SSD is specifically engineered to handle balanced combinations of read and write operations, typically found in enterprise applications where data is both frequently accessed and regularly updated.

Workload Endurance Specifications

Rated for 3 drive writes per day (DWPD) over its 5-year warranty period, the P18438-B21 can withstand intensive write patterns while maintaining data integrity and consistent performance levels.

Mixed Workload Performance Optimization

Advanced wear-leveling algorithms and dynamic thermal throttling ensure that performance remains consistent even during extended periods of heavy mixed I/O operations, preventing performance degradation common in consumer-grade SSDs.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure

For hyper-converged infrastructure and virtualized environments, the drive offers the endurance needed for handling multiple virtual machines with varying I/O patterns simultaneously.

HPE ProLiant Server Compatibility

Fully compatible with HPE ProLiant DL, ML, and BL server families from Gen9 through current generations, with automatic detection and configuration through HPE Smart Storage Administrator. Certified for use in HPE Synergy composable infrastructure and HPE Apollo high-performance computing systems, supporting scalable storage configurations and simplified management through HPE One View.

Hot-Plug Capability and Implementation

The hot-plug feature enables drive replacement and addition without system shutdown, critical for maintaining 24/7 operations in enterprise environments.

Hot-Swap Procedure and Safety

Proper hot-swap procedures involve using HPE Systems Insight Manager or iLO Advanced to prepare the drive for removal, ensuring data integrity and preventing hardware damage during the replacement process.

Reliability

Enterprise storage demands robust data protection mechanisms, and the P18438-B21 incorporates multiple technologies to ensure data integrity and availability.

Capacity Planning Considerations

Maintaining appropriate free space (typically 10-20% for over-provisioning) ensures consistent performance and extends the usable life of the drive under heavy write conditions.

Comparison with Other Storage Tiers

The P18438-B21 occupies a strategic position between read-intensive SATA SSDs and more expensive NVMe solutions, providing an optimal balance of performance, endurance, and cost.

Versus Read-Intensive SATA SSDs

Compared to read-intensive models like the HPE P18437-B21, the mixed-use P18438-B21 offers higher write endurance (3 DWPD vs. 1 DWPD) at a moderate price premium, making it suitable for more balanced workloads.