HPE 728768-001 480GB SATA 6G VE LFF SSD

Performance characteristics

Interface and throughput

The SATA III (6Gb/s) interface provides broad compatibility and predictable bandwidth for sequential reads and writes. Though NVMe drives deliver higher IOPS and lower latency, SATA 6G drives remain cost-effective for many applications where extreme low-latency is not required. The HPE 728768-001 is ideal when you need enterprise reliability with a SATA economics profile.

Sequential vs. random performance

• Sequential operations: Strong sequential read/write throughput suitable for large file transfers, backups, and streaming-type workloads.
• Random I/O: Good random read performance for boot volumes and read-heavy virtual machine workloads; random write performance depends on drive internal caching and firmware management.

Firmware: Value Enterprise (VE) tuning

VE firmware balances performance, endurance, and cost. It typically:

• Implements wear-leveling and garbage-collection strategies optimized for mixed workloads.
• Provides predictable performance under consistent I/O patterns.
• Enables compatibility and support paths with HPE servers via HPE management tools (iLO, Smart Storage Administrator).

Firmware and support notes

Always verify the drive firmware level against HPE compatibility matrices. Firmware revisions can affect performance, endurance, and cross-platform interoperability. When buying used or refurbished units, confirm firmware and request records of firmware updates where possible.

Compatibility & integration guidance

Which servers and controllers support HPE 728768-001?

The drive is validated for common HPE ProLiant generations and select HPE storage enclosures that accept LFF SATA devices. For exact server model compatibility and controller support (HPE Smart Array and third-party RAID controllers), consult the HPE QuickSpecs and the server's Compatibility Matrix. Key compatibility considerations:

• Use HPE-approved drive bays and carrier trays to ensure proper mounting and airflow.
• Pair with HPE-qualified RAID controllers for full firmware-level support.
• Check if the server supports SATA drives in LFF slots — some chassis mix 2.5" and 3.5" bays with different backplane wiring.

RAID & storage configuration guidance

Best practices when using enterprise SATA SSDs in RAID arrays:

• Configure RAID level according to performance vs. redundancy needs (RAID 1/10 for high availability; RAID 5/6 or erasure coding for capacity efficiency).
• Avoid mixing drives with significantly different performance characteristics in the same RAID group.
• Ensure array write-cache policies are set appropriately (battery/flash-backed cache for write performance and safety).
• Monitor wear leveling indicators and SMART attributes via HPE management tools to plan replacement.

Use cases & deployment scenarios

Virtualization hosts

For virtual machine boot and read-cache requirements, the HPE 728768-001 provides a reliable SATA-backed cache layer. Use it for:

• Hypervisor boot volumes (multiple hypervisors in distributed infrastructure).
• Read-optimized VM templates or golden images where read throughput matters more than ultra-low latency.

Database read caches and logs

Use the drive for database read caches and log files where sequential throughput and consistent write behavior are important. For write-heavy OLTP workloads, consider higher-endurance or NVMe drives in log tiers.

Edge and remote office servers

The value proposition of LFF SATA SSDs shines in remote or branch office servers where cost-efficiency, reliability, and physical compatibility with existing 3.5" trays matter.

Hybrid storage arrays & tiering

In tiered storage, 480GB LFF SSDs can act as the "performance tier" for frequently accessed data, leaving high-capacity HDDs for cold storage. HPE storage platforms often support automated tiering where SSDs accelerate the overall array.

Installation & maintenance checklist

Pre-installation

1. Confirm server chassis supports LFF 3.5" SATA drives and that you have the correct caddy/tray.
2. Check HPE QuickSpecs for firmware compatibility with your server/controller model.
3. Back up data and ensure maintenance windows if installing into production arrays.

Installation steps

1. Power down the server or use hot-swap capability with proper procedures if supported.
2. Insert the SSD into the correct bay/caddy and ensure it seats firmly on the backplane.
3. Use HPE iLO / Smart Storage Administrator to verify detection and perform any recommended firmware updates.
4. Initialize and format in the OS or storage array according to your deployment plan.

Ongoing maintenance

• Monitor SMART attributes periodically for wear indicators, uncorrectable sector counts, and temperature readings.
• Keep firmware up-to-date using HPE support tools after validating compatibility.
• Plan replacements based on drive endurance and usage profiles rather than fixed calendar intervals for cost-efficiency.

Security, compliance & data integrity

Data protection features

Enterprise SSDs commonly support features that improve data integrity:

• Power-loss data protection (PLDP) or power-fail protection mechanisms — check the drive datasheet to confirm the level of protection offered by the specific part number and firmware.
• SMART reporting and health telemetry for proactive replacement.
• Support for ATA security commands for drive-level encryption if the drive variant supports it.

Compliance considerations

When deploying drives for regulated workloads, confirm that HPE and the drive vendor provide sufficient documentation for asset tracking, secure erasure procedures, and chain-of-custody if required by industry standards.

End-of-life & replacement planning

Plan replacements based on SMART wear indicators and observed endurance consumption. Drives that reach their rated program/erase (P/E) cycles or show elevated error counts should be scheduled for replacement before failure affects availability.

Monitoring & diagnostics — what to watch for in production

Key SMART attributes

• Power-on hours
• Available spare / spare capacity
• Media and data integrity errors
• Uncorrectable sectors
• Percentage of lifetime used (if supported)

Routine monitoring processes

1. Automate SMART checks via HPE tools or your monitoring stack.
2. Alert on temperature thresholds or rising error counts.
3. Schedule non-disruptive firmware validation checks during maintenance windows.

Short headline variant

HPE 728768-001 — 480GB SATA 6G LFF SSD for reliable enterprise storage.

Long description variant for product pages

The HPE 728768-001 480GB SATA 6G VE LFF SSD blends enterprise reliability with value-driven performance. Built for HPE infrastructure, this 3.5" SATA III drive is ideal for boot volumes, tiered arrays and read-optimized application caches where consistent throughput and predictable behavior are essential. Buy with confidence from authorized HPE channels and extend availability with HPE ProSupport options.

Helpful links & resources to include on the product category page

• Link to HPE QuickSpecs for part 728768-001 (validate firmware & endurance figures).
• Compatibility matrix for supported ProLiant server models and Smart Array controllers.
• HPE firmware update and release notes pages (verify before applying).
• Installation guides for the target ProLiant chassis.

Conversion & trust signals

What builds buyer confidence on this category page?

• Clear, accurate technical specs and HPE part number visibility.
• Photos of the actual 3.5" LFF drive in HPE tray (if possible) and high-resolution product shots.
• Verified customer reviews and professional benchmarks for the model or closely related HPE drives.
• Warranty & RMA policy details with links to HPE support resources.