HPE 741140-B21 400GB SAS-12GBPS ME G7 SFF Hot-Swap SSD

HPE 741140-B21 400GB SAS-12GBPS SSD Overview

The HPE 741140-B21 400GB SAS-12GBPS Mainstream Endurance Enterprise G7 SFF Hot-Swap Internal Solid State Drive represents a class of server-grade SSDs engineered for data center reliability, consistent performance, and simplified maintenance. Built to meet the demands of mixed enterprise workloads, this drive combines SAS 12Gb/s interface compatibility, mainstream endurance MLC or enterprise-grade flash, and a small form factor (SFF) 2.5" hot-swap design. It targets HPE ProLiant and other enterprise server platforms where high IOPS, low latency, and predictable endurance characteristics are required.

Key Technical Attributes

Interface and Form Factor

The drive supports Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) at 12Gb/s, providing backward compatibility with 6Gb/s SAS and SATA environments through proper controller support. The SFF (2.5-inch) profile ensures high-density server and storage chassis compatibility and enables hot-swap convenience in rack-mounted servers.

Capacity and Endurance Class

With a 400GB nominal capacity, the HPE 741140-B21 is targeted at balanced capacity/performance use cases—database logs, operating system volumes, caching, and virtual machine boot volumes. The "Mainstream Endurance" designation indicates a balance between endurance and cost, making it appropriate for read-intensive and mixed workloads rather than the highest write-intensive scenarios. Expected drive write per day (DWPD) figures and total terabytes written (TBW) ratings vary by manufacturing batch; refer to vendor documentation for precise endurance numbers for a specific lot.

Performance Characteristics

Enterprise G7-class SSDs emphasize consistent I/O under sustained workloads. Typical characteristics include high random 4K read/write IOPS, low and predictable latency (sub-millisecond for reads in most configurations), and steady-state behavior under long-running workloads. Performance depends on controller, RAID level, and firmware, but this family is engineered for enterprise-grade queue depths, multi-tenant virtualization, and transactional database activity.

Hot-Swap Design and Serviceability

The hot-swap 2.5" design permits live replacement without server shutdown when supported by the host. Color-coded carrier trays, drive health indicators, and compatibility with HPE Smart Array controllers simplify service workflows and reduce mean time to repair (MTTR) in production environments.

In-Depth Technical Breakdown

Controller and Firmware

Enterprise SSD controllers handle wear-leveling, error correction (ECC), power-loss protection, and firmware managed background tasks. The G7-class firmware typically includes enterprise features such as advanced power-loss data protection (PLP), consistent garbage collection policies tuned for server workloads, and telemetry (SMART attributes) that integrates with HPE management tools for proactive failure detection.

Flash Type and Data Integrity

The "Mainstream Endurance" family often employs enterprise-grade MLC or high-quality eMLC variants engineered for endurance and data retention. Error-correcting algorithms (LDPC/ECC) and firmware-level bad-block management maintain data integrity over prolonged service life. These drives may also expose enhanced SMART attributes tailored for predictive analytics.

Power and Thermal Considerations

Power budgets and thermal profiles are critical in dense server deployments. The HPE 741140-B21 series is designed to operate within HPE-specified thermal envelopes, but administrators should verify power draw under sustained activity and ensure adequate airflow in blade or rack configurations. Proactive thermal management reduces throttling and prolongs device lifespan.

Compatibility

HPE Server Compatibility

These drives are commonly listed on HPE's compatibility matrix for ProLiant servers and Synergy modules. When deployed in HPE servers, they work seamlessly with Smart Array controllers and HPE iLO for monitoring. Always check the server's firmware and controller firmware revision compatibility matrix before mass deployment.

Use Cases and Deployment Patterns

Virtualization and VDI

In virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server virtualization clusters, the HPE 741140-B21 provides low-latency boot and profile drives, improving login storm handling and VM responsiveness. When paired with tiering strategies, these drives can act as a performance tier for hot data.

Database and Transactional Workloads

This SSD fits read-heavy and mixed database workloads—such as analytics query acceleration, log volumes, and index storage—where deterministic latency benefits application SLAs. For write-heavy OLTP workloads, higher endurance variants may be preferable.

Cache and Tiering in Hybrid Arrays

As an intermediate-performance tier, mainstream endurance SSDs are ideal for caching layers or automated storage tiering within hybrid arrays. They can significantly reduce I/O to spinning media and increase throughput for frequently accessed datasets.

Comparisons and Alternatives

Vs. HPE High-Endurance SSDs

Compared with HPE high-endurance models, the 741140-B21 trades some write endurance for lower cost per GB. High-endurance drives are recommended for consistent heavy write workloads (e.g., caching with heavy write amplification, database rollback segments), while mainstream endurance strikes a balance for many enterprise applications.

Vs. Consumer or Client SSDs

Unlike consumer SSDs, this enterprise-grade product is built for 24/7 operation, higher sustained IOPS, strict error correction, and firmware tailored for multi-tenant server environments. Consumer drives lack the same level of telemetry, endurance guarantees, or hot-swap/service features.