P49273-B21 HPE PM1653 3.84TB SAS 24GBPS RI SFF SSD

Highlights of HPE P49273-B21 3.84TB SSD

The HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 3.84TB SAS 24Gbps RI SFF SSD is a high-performance solid-state drive designed for enterprise environments. It delivers reliable storage, rapid data transfer speeds, and advanced encryption features for secure operations.

Manufacturer Details

• Brand Name: HPE
• Part Number: P49273-B21
• Device Type: Solid State Drive – Hot-Swap

Technical Highlights

Device Attributes

• Storage Capacity: 3.84TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor
• Interface: SAS 24Gb/s
• Data Security: Hardware Encryption Enabled
• Included: HPE SmartDrive Carrier

Expansion & Connectivity

Interface Details

• 1 x SAS 24Gb/s port
• Compatible with 2.5-inch SFF bays

Supported HPE Server Families

HPE ProLiant DL Series (Rackmount)

• DL325 Gen10 / Gen10 Plus / Gen10 Plus v2
• DL345 Gen10 Plus
• DL360 Gen10 / Gen10 Plus
• DL365 Gen10 Plus
• DL380 Gen10 / Gen10 Plus
• DL385 Gen10 / Gen10 Plus / Gen10 Plus v2

HPE ProLiant ML Series (Tower)

• ML350 Gen10

HPE Synergy

• Synergy 480 Gen10 / Gen10 Plus Compute Modules

HPE Apollo 

• Apollo 4200 Gen10

Enterprise-Class PM1653 3.84TB SAS SSD Category Overview

The HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 3.84TB SAS 24Gbps Read Intensive 2.5-inch Smart Carrier Hot Swap Solid State Drive belongs to a specialized category of enterprise storage solutions engineered for mission-critical data center workloads. This category focuses on high-performance Serial Attached SCSI solid state drives designed to deliver predictable latency, sustained throughput, and enterprise-grade reliability for read-heavy applications. Within modern server environments, SAS SSDs continue to play a vital role due to their dual-port capability, advanced error handling, and compatibility with enterprise backplanes and controllers.

This category emphasizes consistency and endurance over consumer-oriented peak performance metrics. Drives like the HPE PM1653 series are optimized for scenarios where data is read frequently but written less often, such as online transaction processing, virtual desktop infrastructure, analytics databases, content delivery systems, and enterprise caching layers. By combining high-capacity NAND with a robust SAS interface, this class of storage enables organizations to scale storage performance without compromising uptime or data integrity.

SAS 24GBPS Interface and Its Role in Enterprise Storage

The 24Gbps SAS interface represents a major evolution in serial storage connectivity, doubling the bandwidth of previous 12Gbps SAS generations. In this category, the interface is not solely about raw speed but about delivering stable, low-latency data access across multiple drives in dense server and storage arrays. The HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 leverages this interface to ensure that read-intensive workloads are not bottlenecked by bus limitations.

SAS technology is widely adopted in enterprise environments due to its support for dual-port connections. This feature allows the drive to be accessed by two independent paths, significantly improving fault tolerance and availability. In clustered or high-availability systems, dual-port SAS SSDs ensure continuous access to data even if one controller path fails. This capability distinguishes SAS-based storage categories from SATA-based alternatives, especially in environments where downtime is not acceptable.

Bandwidth Efficiency and Latency Optimization

Within this category, the 24Gbps SAS interface is paired with advanced controller logic that optimizes queue depth handling and command prioritization. The result is consistent performance under heavy load, even when multiple virtual machines or applications are accessing the drive simultaneously. Read-intensive drives such as the PM1653 are tuned to deliver high input/output operations per second for random read workloads while maintaining efficient sequential read throughput.

Backward Compatibility and Infrastructure Flexibility

Another defining characteristic of this category is backward compatibility. Although the HPE PM1653 supports 24Gbps SAS, it is also compatible with existing 12Gbps SAS infrastructure. This allows organizations to adopt next-generation storage devices without requiring immediate, large-scale infrastructure upgrades. The ability to integrate seamlessly into mixed-generation environments makes this category particularly appealing for gradual data center modernization strategies.

Read Intensive SSD Classification and Workload Alignment

The read intensive classification is central to understanding this category of enterprise SSDs. Read intensive drives are engineered to prioritize read endurance and sustained read performance over high write cycles. In practical terms, this means the NAND flash, firmware algorithms, and wear-leveling mechanisms are optimized for environments where the majority of operations involve data retrieval rather than frequent data modification.

For the HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 3.84TB SAS SSD, this classification translates into an ideal fit for workloads such as data warehousing queries, reporting platforms, search indexing, media streaming repositories, and virtualization boot volumes. These workloads benefit from rapid access times and consistent read performance, while the write endurance profile remains sufficient for background operations, metadata updates, and periodic data refreshes.

Endurance Design and Data Longevity

Within this category, endurance is measured in drive writes per day and total bytes written over the lifespan of the drive. Read intensive SAS SSDs are designed to balance cost efficiency with long-term reliability. The PM1653 series integrates enterprise-grade NAND and advanced error correction to ensure data remains intact over extended deployment periods. This makes the category well-suited for organizations seeking predictable lifecycle management and lower total cost of ownership.

Performance Consistency Under Load

A defining feature of read intensive enterprise SSD categories is performance stability. Unlike consumer drives that may exhibit performance drops during sustained workloads, enterprise SAS SSDs are engineered to maintain consistent throughput and latency. This is particularly important in multi-tenant environments where workload spikes are common. The PM1653 architecture supports sustained performance even during peak demand periods.

3.84TB Capacity Tier and Storage Density Advantages

The 3.84TB capacity tier occupies a strategic position within enterprise storage categories. It offers a balance between high storage density and manageable cost per gigabyte, making it a popular choice for data centers seeking to maximize usable capacity within limited rack space. In the context of the HPE P49273-B21 PM1653, this capacity enables consolidation of datasets and reduction of drive count without sacrificing performance.

Higher capacity drives reduce the number of physical devices required to meet storage needs, which in turn lowers power consumption, cooling requirements, and overall system complexity. This category is particularly advantageous for dense server configurations where space efficiency and thermal management are critical considerations.

Scalability in Enterprise Arrays

Within enterprise storage arrays, 3.84TB SAS SSDs allow administrators to scale performance and capacity simultaneously. By deploying fewer, higher-capacity drives, organizations can simplify RAID configurations and improve rebuild times. The PM1653 category supports these objectives by offering predictable performance across the entire capacity range of the drive.

Data Placement and Tiering Strategies

This category also supports sophisticated data tiering strategies. The 3.84TB read intensive SSD tier is often positioned between ultra-high-performance NVMe tiers and high-capacity HDD tiers. This enables organizations to place frequently accessed data on fast, reliable SAS SSDs while reserving more expensive NVMe resources for latency-critical workloads.

2.5-Inch Form Factor and Smart Carrier Integration

The 2.5-inch form factor is a cornerstone of modern enterprise storage design. This category leverages the compact size of 2.5-inch drives to enable high-density configurations in rack-mounted servers and storage enclosures. The HPE PM1653 2.5-inch SAS SSD is designed to fit seamlessly into HPE ProLiant servers and supported storage systems.

The Smart Carrier design adds an additional layer of functionality and management efficiency. Smart Carrier technology integrates status indicators and management features directly into the drive carrier, providing real-time visibility into drive health, activity, and failure states. This is a critical feature for large-scale deployments where rapid identification of issues can significantly reduce maintenance time.

Hot Swap Capability and Operational Continuity

Hot swap support is a defining feature of this category. The ability to replace drives without powering down the system ensures continuous operation and minimizes service disruptions. In environments where uptime is paramount, such as financial services, healthcare systems, and cloud service providers, hot swap capability is essential.

Data Protection Features

Enterprise SAS SSD categories place a strong emphasis on firmware intelligence. The firmware within the HPE PM1653 series is designed to monitor drive health, manage wear leveling, and ensure data integrity throughout the drive’s lifecycle. Advanced error correction codes and data path protection mechanisms are integral to this category.

These drives continuously monitor internal conditions such as temperature, NAND wear, and error rates. By proactively managing these factors, the firmware helps prevent data loss and unexpected failures. This proactive approach is a key differentiator between enterprise-grade SSD categories and lower-tier alternatives.

Power Loss Protection Mechanisms

Power loss protection is another critical feature within this category. The PM1653 SAS SSD includes capacitors and firmware logic that ensure in-flight data is safely written to non-volatile memory in the event of a sudden power interruption. This capability is essential for maintaining data consistency in enterprise environments.

Secure Data Handling and Compliance

Data security is an increasingly important consideration in enterprise storage categories. SAS SSDs like the PM1653 support secure data handling practices that align with industry compliance requirements. While the primary focus of this category is performance and reliability, secure erase and controlled data access features contribute to overall data governance strategies.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant and Enterprise Ecosystems

This category is specifically validated for use within HPE enterprise ecosystems. The HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 is tested and certified for compatibility with a wide range of HPE ProLiant servers and supported storage controllers. This ensures predictable behavior, optimal performance, and full integration with HPE management tools.

Compatibility validation reduces deployment risk and simplifies procurement decisions. Organizations adopting this category benefit from a cohesive hardware and software ecosystem where components are designed to work together seamlessly.

Integration with HPE Management Tools

HPE Smart Carrier SSDs integrate with management platforms that provide detailed insights into drive health and performance. This enables proactive monitoring and predictive maintenance, helping organizations avoid unplanned downtime. Within this category, management integration is as important as raw hardware specifications.

Use Case Alignment Across Enterprise Workloads

The HPE P49273-B21 PM1653 3.84TB SAS 24Gbps Read Intensive SSD category aligns with a broad range of enterprise use cases. Its design caters to environments that demand reliable read performance, consistent latency, and high availability. From virtualization platforms hosting hundreds of virtual machines to analytics engines processing large datasets, this category provides a dependable storage foundation.

In cloud and hosting environments, read intensive SAS SSDs are frequently used for boot volumes, template libraries, and shared read-heavy resources. Their predictable performance characteristics make them well-suited for multi-tenant architectures where fairness and stability are critical.

Virtualization and VDI Environments

Virtual desktop infrastructure and virtualization clusters benefit significantly from this category. The ability to handle high volumes of random read operations ensures fast boot times, responsive user sessions, and efficient resource utilization. The PM1653’s read-optimized design supports these outcomes without excessive wear.

Database and Analytics Platforms

Read-intensive databases and analytics platforms also align well with this category. Query-heavy workloads that scan large datasets benefit from the high throughput and low latency of SAS SSDs. The 3.84TB capacity tier allows for larger datasets to reside on fast storage, improving query performance and user experience.