HPE P42473-001 Msa 18TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12GBPS Hard Disk Drive.

HPE P42473-001 SAS Midline Hard Disk Overview

The HPE P42473-001 is a high-capacity enterprise storage drive engineered for Modular Smart Array environments. Designed for reliability and scalability, this midline hard disk supports demanding workloads while maintaining cost efficiency for growing storage infrastructures.

Core Product Details

• Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model / SKU: P42473-001
• Drive Category: Enterprise Hard Disk Drive
• Deployment Type: Hot-swappable midline storage

Storage Capacity & Performance Metrics

Optimized for Large-Scale Data Retention

• Total Capacity: 18TB for extensive data repositories
• Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM ensuring balanced performance
• Drive Class: Midline HDD for nearline workloads

Data Transfer & Interface Specifications

• Interface Technology: SAS (Serial Attached SCSI)
• Interface Speed: 12Gbps SAS connectivity
• Maximum Transfer Rate: Up to 1.2Gbps externally
• Interface Ports: Single SAS 12Gbps channel

Physical Design & Form Factor

Enterprise-Grade Build

• Drive Size: 3.5-inch Large Form Factor (LFF)
• Installation: Hot-plug / hot-swap capable
• Compatible Bay: 3.5-inch LFF drive bays

Included Components

• Pre-installed hot-plug drive tray
• Factory-mounted for seamless MSA integration

Extended Technical Characteristics

• Device Type: Enterprise hot-swap hard drive
• Workload Suitability: Archive, backup, and bulk storage
• Reliability Focus: Designed for continuous operation in MSA systems
• Scalability: Ideal for expanding storage pools

Compatibility with HPE Modular Smart Array Systems

Supported Storage Platforms

• HPE Modular Smart Array 2062 10Gb iSCSI LFF Storage
• HPE Modular Smart Array 2062 12Gb SAS LFF Storage
• HPE Modular Smart Array 2062 16Gb Fibre Channel LFF Storage

HPE P42473-001 MSA 18TB 7200RPM SAS 12GBPS HDD

The HPE P42473-001 MSA 18TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12Gbps LFF 3.5inch Midline Hot Swap Hard Disk Drive with tray is positioned within the enterprise midline storage category, engineered specifically for HPE Modular Smart Array 2062 environments that demand high-capacity, dependable, and scalable disk-based storage. This category of large form factor SAS hard disk drives focuses on delivering optimal balance between capacity, cost efficiency, and reliability for organizations managing expanding datasets, file repositories, and application workloads that require consistent throughput without the expense of high-performance SSD tiers.

Midline SAS drives occupy a critical role in modern data centers, particularly where structured and unstructured data growth continues at scale. With 18TB of raw capacity in a single 3.5-inch enclosure, this category enables administrators to consolidate storage footprints while maintaining enterprise-grade connectivity and manageability. These drives are engineered to integrate seamlessly with HPE MSA architectures, ensuring firmware compatibility, predictable behavior, and long-term operational stability.

High-Capacity Storage Design for Data Growth and Consolidation

The defining characteristic of this storage category is its emphasis on high-capacity disk design. An 18TB large form factor hard disk drive significantly reduces the number of spindles required to achieve target capacity levels in Modular Smart Array systems. This consolidation directly impacts rack space utilization, power efficiency, and cooling requirements, allowing data centers to store more data within the same physical footprint.

High-capacity midline SAS drives are particularly well suited for environments that manage backup datasets, archival repositories, compliance records, multimedia libraries, and general-purpose file shares. By leveraging fewer drives with larger capacities, storage architects can simplify array configurations, reduce cable complexity, and streamline expansion planning while still benefiting from the reliability standards expected from enterprise-class hardware.

Large Form Factor Advantages in Modular Storage Arrays

The 3.5-inch large form factor design remains highly relevant for capacity-driven workloads within modular storage arrays. Larger platters allow for higher areal density, translating into increased storage per drive without sacrificing durability. This category of drives is optimized for sustained operation within densely populated enclosures, where vibration tolerance, thermal stability, and predictable performance are essential.

When deployed in HPE MSA 2062 systems, large form factor drives contribute to efficient capacity scaling. Administrators can populate fewer slots to achieve multi-petabyte configurations, leaving room for future expansion or tiered storage strategies. This design flexibility makes large form factor midline drives a foundational component of scalable storage architectures.

SAS 12Gbps Interface for Enterprise Connectivity and Reliability

The Serial Attached SCSI 12Gbps interface is a defining feature of this category, providing a robust and reliable connection between the drive and the storage controller. Unlike SATA-based alternatives, SAS delivers enterprise-grade command queuing, dual-port connectivity, and enhanced error handling, all of which are critical in shared storage environments where uptime and data integrity are paramount.

SAS 12Gbps connectivity ensures sufficient bandwidth for concurrent access patterns common in modular array deployments. Even at a rotational speed of 7.2K RPM, the interface supports efficient data transfer and minimizes bottlenecks during sequential read and write operations. This makes the category ideal for workloads that prioritize capacity and sustained throughput over ultra-low latency.

Dual-Port SAS Architecture for High Availability

One of the most important advantages of SAS-based hard disk drives in this category is dual-port capability. Each drive can connect to redundant controllers within the Modular Smart Array, enabling continuous access paths even in the event of a controller, cable, or port failure. This architecture enhances overall system availability and aligns with enterprise requirements for fault tolerance.

In mission-critical storage environments, dual-port SAS drives reduce the risk of single points of failure. When integrated into HPE MSA 2062 systems, this capability supports multipath configurations and seamless failover, ensuring that applications and users maintain access to data during maintenance or unexpected hardware events.

Enterprise Command Handling and Data Integrity Features

SAS drives in this category support advanced command sets and error recovery mechanisms designed for enterprise workloads. Tagged command queuing allows the drive to optimize the order of read and write operations, improving efficiency under mixed workloads. Enhanced error detection and correction mechanisms further ensure that data remains accurate and consistent over long operational lifecycles.

These features distinguish SAS midline drives from consumer-grade alternatives, making them suitable for deployment in shared storage arrays where multiple hosts and applications rely on predictable and stable disk behavior.

7200 RPM Performance Profile for Balanced Workloads

The 7.2K RPM rotational speed defines the performance profile of this category, positioning it as an optimal solution for balanced workloads that require reliable throughput without the cost or power consumption of higher-RPM drives. This speed is well suited for sequential access patterns, such as backups, media streaming, and large file transfers, as well as moderate random access scenarios.

Within HPE Modular Smart Array environments, 7.2K RPM midline drives deliver consistent performance that aligns with the expectations of capacity-centric storage tiers. When combined with intelligent caching, RAID configurations, and controller optimizations, these drives can support a wide range of enterprise applications effectively.

Optimized for Read-Heavy and General-Purpose Storage

This category is particularly effective for read-heavy workloads and general-purpose storage use cases. Data repositories that experience frequent reads but relatively infrequent writes benefit from the balance of performance and capacity provided by 7.2K RPM SAS drives. Examples include content delivery platforms, virtual machine repositories, and shared departmental storage.

By deploying these drives in appropriate RAID levels, administrators can further enhance read performance and data protection, tailoring the storage environment to specific workload requirements while maintaining cost efficiency.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Stability Considerations

Compared to higher-speed enterprise drives, 7.2K RPM midline hard disks typically consume less power and generate less heat. This characteristic is particularly valuable in densely populated Modular Smart Array enclosures, where thermal management and energy efficiency directly impact operational costs.

The reduced power draw contributes to lower total cost of ownership over the lifespan of the storage system, making this category attractive for organizations seeking sustainable and cost-effective data center operations.

Hot Swap Capability and Preinstalled Tray Integration

Hot swap functionality is a critical requirement in enterprise storage categories, and the HPE P42473-001 drive is designed to support non-disruptive maintenance within Modular Smart Array systems. Administrators can replace or add drives without powering down the array, ensuring continuous availability for connected applications and users.

The inclusion of a compatible drive tray simplifies installation and ensures proper alignment, airflow, and connectivity within the MSA 2062 enclosure. This integration reduces deployment time and minimizes the risk of installation errors, contributing to smoother operational workflows.

Minimized Downtime and Simplified Maintenance

Hot swap capability allows IT teams to perform routine maintenance, capacity upgrades, and drive replacements without service interruptions. In environments where uptime is critical, this feature supports proactive hardware management strategies, enabling administrators to address potential issues before they impact system performance or data availability.

The tray-based design ensures that each drive is securely mounted and easily accessible from the front of the enclosure, streamlining maintenance tasks and reducing mean time to repair.

Enterprise Serviceability and Lifecycle Management

This category of drives is engineered for long service life and predictable behavior within enterprise storage systems. Firmware alignment with HPE MSA platforms ensures consistent monitoring, accurate health reporting, and seamless integration with management tools. These characteristics support effective lifecycle management, from initial deployment through expansion and eventual replacement.

By using vendor-qualified drives with integrated trays, organizations can maintain support compliance and ensure optimal performance throughout the storage system’s operational lifespan.

Midline Hard Disk Drives in Tiered Storage Architectures

Midline SAS hard disk drives play a central role in tiered storage strategies, where different storage media are aligned with workload requirements. In such architectures, high-capacity 7.2K RPM drives serve as capacity tiers, complementing performance tiers built on SSDs or higher-speed disks.

This category enables organizations to allocate frequently accessed data to faster tiers while storing less active or archival data on cost-efficient high-capacity drives. The result is a balanced storage environment that maximizes performance where needed while controlling overall costs.

Supporting Backup, Archive, and Compliance Workloads

Backup and archival workloads are among the most common use cases for midline SAS drives. The large capacity and reliable SAS interface make this category ideal for storing backup images, snapshots, and long-term retention data required for compliance and regulatory purposes.

In HPE MSA environments, these drives can be configured into dedicated disk groups optimized for sequential write and read operations, ensuring efficient backup windows and reliable data recovery processes.

Scalability for Future Data Demands

As data volumes continue to grow, scalability becomes a critical consideration. High-capacity midline drives provide a straightforward path to scale storage without major architectural changes. By adding additional drives or expanding existing disk groups, organizations can incrementally increase capacity to meet evolving requirements.

The compatibility of this category with Modular Smart Array systems ensures that future expansions remain consistent with existing infrastructure, protecting investments and simplifying long-term planning.

Enterprise Reliability and Workload Rating Expectations

Reliability is a cornerstone of enterprise storage categories, and midline SAS hard disk drives are designed to meet stringent workload rating expectations. These drives are engineered for continuous operation in data center environments, with components selected to withstand sustained workloads and environmental stresses.

When deployed in supported HPE MSA configurations, these drives benefit from validated firmware, rigorous testing, and compatibility assurance, all of which contribute to predictable performance and reduced risk of unexpected failures.

Designed for Continuous Operation in Shared Storage Systems

Unlike desktop-class drives, enterprise midline hard disks are intended for 24x7 operation in shared storage arrays. They are built to handle the vibration, temperature fluctuations, and access patterns typical of multi-drive enclosures, ensuring consistent behavior over extended periods.

This durability makes the category suitable for organizations that rely on always-on access to data, including businesses, institutions, and service providers operating mission-critical applications.

Alignment with HPE Support and Management Ecosystem

Using HPE-qualified drives within Modular Smart Array systems ensures full compatibility with HPE management and support tools. This alignment enables accurate monitoring, proactive alerts, and streamlined troubleshooting, reducing administrative overhead and improving overall system reliability.

The integration of hardware, firmware, and management capabilities within this category supports a cohesive storage experience that aligns with enterprise operational standards and best practices.