Performance Characteristics

The HPE P47824-B21 SSD delivers mainstream performance with consistent low latency, making it suitable for a wide range of enterprise applications. Its NVMe interface significantly reduces I/O overhead compared to traditional SATA or SAS interfaces, enabling faster data access and improved system responsiveness.

Speed and Throughput

With sequential read speeds up to 3,200 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s, this SSD can handle large file transfers and data-intensive operations with ease. The high random read IOPS of 500,000 ensures excellent performance in database and virtualization environments where multiple simultaneous accesses are common.

Latency and Response Times

The NVMe protocol and PCIe interface provide significantly lower latency compared to traditional storage interfaces. This results in faster response times for critical applications, improving overall system performance and user experience.

Design and Form Factor

The HPE P47824-B21 utilizes the U.2 (formerly SFF-8639) form factor in a 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) design. This allows for high-density storage configurations in server environments while maintaining compatibility with existing drive bays and enclosures.

Physical Dimensions and Compatibility

The drive measures 2.75 inches in width, 3.94 inches in length, and 0.59 inches in height, conforming to the standard 2.5-inch form factor. It includes a tray for easy installation in multi-vendor environments, though it's optimized for HPE Gen10 servers.

Cooling and Thermal Management

Enterprise SSDs generate significant heat during operation, and the P47824-B21 incorporates advanced thermal management features. These include temperature monitoring and throttling mechanisms to prevent overheating and ensure consistent performance under heavy workloads.

Advanced Data Protection

The P47824-B21 includes multiple data protection features such as end-to-end data path protection, power-loss protection, and advanced error correction algorithms. These features ensure data integrity and prevent corruption in the event of unexpected power loss or system errors.

Power Efficiency

Despite its high performance, this SSD is designed with power efficiency in mind. It includes multiple power states that allow it to conserve energy during periods of low activity, reducing overall power consumption in data center environments.

Compatibility and System Requirements

The HPE P47824-B21 is designed for compatibility with HPE Gen10 servers but can also work in multi-vendor environments with appropriate hardware support.

Supported HPE Servers

  • HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen10
  • HPE Synergy 480 Gen10
  • HPE Apollo 4200 Gen10
  • HPE Edgeline EL8000 Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant XL170r Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant XL190r Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen10
  • HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10

Required Firmware and Drivers

For optimal performance and compatibility, ensure that your system has the latest HPE NVMe drivers and firmware installed. These can be downloaded from the HPE Support Center website.

Use Cases and Applications

The HPE P47824-B21 3.84TB NVMe SSD is suitable for a wide range of enterprise applications that require high-speed storage and large capacity.

Database Servers

The low latency and high IOPS performance make this SSD ideal for database applications such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, and MySQL, where fast data access is critical for transaction processing and query performance.

Virtualization Environments

In virtualized environments using VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, or KVM, this drive can support a high number of virtual machines with demanding storage requirements, reducing storage bottlenecks and improving VM performance.

High-Performance Computing

For HPC applications that require rapid access to large datasets, such as scientific simulations, financial modeling, and genomic research, this SSD provides the necessary bandwidth and capacity.

Content Delivery Networks

The high sequential read performance makes this drive well-suited for content delivery networks where large files need to be served quickly to multiple users simultaneously.

Technical Architecture

The HPE P47824-B21 utilizes 3D NAND technology, which provides higher density and better reliability compared to planar NAND technology. The drive controller is optimized for the NVMe protocol, reducing command overhead and enabling parallel processing of I/O operations.

NVMe Protocol Advantages

The NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol is designed specifically for flash storage, unlike SATA and SAS which were originally developed for mechanical hard drives. NVMe supports up to 64,000 commands in a single queue and can handle 65,535 commands per queue, significantly reducing I/O latency.

PCIe Interface Benefits

The PCI Express 3.0 x4 interface provides a bandwidth of up to 4GB/s (32Gbps), which is substantially higher than the 600MB/s offered by SATA III or the 1.5GB/s provided by SAS 12Gbps. This high bandwidth ensures that the SSD can operate at its full potential without being bottlenecked by the interface.

Enterprise Features and Management

The P47824-B21 includes several enterprise-grade features that enhance reliability, manageability, and serviceability in data center environments.

SMART Support

The drive supports Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART), which monitors various indicators of drive reliability and predicts potential failures. This allows administrators to proactively replace drives before they fail, reducing the risk of data loss and downtime.

Telemetry and Monitoring

HPE provides comprehensive monitoring tools through its iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) management platform. These tools can track drive health, temperature, performance metrics, and usage statistics, providing valuable insights for capacity planning and maintenance.

End-to-End Data Protection

The drive implements end-to-end data protection, which means that data is protected from the moment it leaves the host system until it is written to the NAND flash, and again when it is read back. This ensures data integrity throughout the entire data path.

Comparison with Other Storage Technologies

Understanding how the P47824-B21 compares to other storage technologies helps in making informed decisions about storage infrastructure.

NVMe vs. SATA SSDs

NVMe SSDs like the P47824-B21 offer significantly higher performance than SATA SSDs. While a high-end SATA SSD might reach 550MB/s read speeds, the P47824-B21 can achieve up to 3,200MB/s - nearly 6 times faster. Additionally, NVMe provides much lower latency and higher IOPS.

NVMe vs. SAS SSDs

Compared to SAS SSDs, which typically max out at around 1,500MB/s, NVMe drives offer more than double the bandwidth. The NVMe protocol also has lower protocol overhead than SAS, resulting in better efficiency, especially for small block random I/O operations.

SSD vs. HDD

Compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), the P47824-B21 offers dramatically faster performance, lower power consumption, better reliability (no moving parts), and silent operation. While HDDs still offer better $/GB for bulk storage, SSDs are superior for performance-sensitive applications.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for optimal performance and longevity of the SSD.

Installation Procedure

To install the P47824-B21, power off the server, locate an available U.2 bay, insert the drive into the tray (if not pre-installed), and slide it into the bay until it clicks into place. Ensure the drive is properly connected to both power and the PCIe interface.

Firmware Updates

Regularly check for firmware updates through the HPE Support Center. Firmware updates can improve performance, fix bugs, and address security vulnerabilities. Always follow HPE's instructions carefully when updating firmware to avoid potential data loss.

Health Monitoring

Regularly monitor the health of the drive using HPE's management tools. Pay attention to metrics such as wear level, temperature, and available spare blocks. Replace the drive if critical thresholds are approached.

Warranty and Support

The HPE P47824-B21 comes with a standard limited warranty. The duration and terms of the warranty may vary by region and distributor. HPE typically offers a 3-year warranty for enterprise SSDs, but it's important to verify the specific terms for your purchase.

Technical Support

HPE provides comprehensive technical support for this product through various channels including phone, email, and online resources. Customers with active warranties or support contracts can access HPE's global support network for assistance with installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Replacement and RMA Process

In the event of a drive failure, HPE's warranty includes replacement services. The RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) process can be initiated through the HPE Support Center. HPE typically offers advanced replacement options for critical systems, where a replacement drive is shipped before the faulty drive is returned.