HPE 873888-001 1.2TB SAS 6GBPS 10K 2.5inch 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Internal HDD

HPE 873888-001 Product category overview

The HPE 873888-001 is a 1.2TB, 2.5-inch SAS hard disk drive specifically assigned to HPE 3PAR StoreServ enterprise arrays such as the 7000 series. It is a 10,000 RPM small-form-factor (SFF) rotating media drive with a 6 GBPS SAS interface and is commonly offered in standard, self-encrypting (SED) and FIPS-validated variants to meet diverse performance and security needs.

Key technical identifiers and part numbers

Several retailers and parts databases list identical and cross-referenced part numbers for this model. Common references include HPE part number 873888-001, various 3PAR drive model codes (for example STHB1200S5x variants), and vendor SKUs used by resellers for refurbished and new stock. When procuring drives for a 3PAR StoreServ system, always match the exact SKU and firmware family to ensure compatibility with your enclosure and controller firmware.

Detailed specifications

Capacity, rotational speed and form factor

The drive provides 1.2 terabytes (1,200 GB) of raw capacity in a 2.5-inch SFF package and spins at 10,000 RPM. This combination of high spindle speed and compact form factor makes the drive a fit for tiered storage within all-flash arrays and hybrid 3PAR configurations where performance density matters.

Interface and transfer rates

Interface: SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) 6.0 GBPS. Typical external transfer ratings published by vendors indicate the SAS 6 GBPS link enables up to ~600 MB/s theoretical transfer, though real-world sustained throughput will be lower and depends on RAID configuration, controller, and workload. The 6 GBPS SAS interface is a long-established standard on HPE enterprise arrays of this generation. :

Encryption and FIPS options

Some listings for the 873888-001 identify it as a Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) with AES-256 encryption support and versions that claim FIPS 140-2 validated modules. These secure variants are intended for use in environments with regulatory or compliance requirements where data-at-rest protection is required. Confirm the exact sub-model (for example FIPS-labeled SKUs) if encryption is a purchasing requirement.

Performance characteristics

With a 10K spindle speed, typical enterprise mechanical characteristics include lower average latency than 7.2K drives, better random IOPS for mid-tier workloads, and improved seek response. While SSDs now dominate very high IOPS workloads, 10K SAS drives like the 873888-001 remain useful for dense, cost-effective capacity tiers that still need modest latency and throughput. Measured average seek times and response figures are commonly published by resellers and technical spec sheets — expect average seek times in the sub-5 ms range on drives of this class.

Compatibility and intended systems

3PAR StoreServ family compatibility

The 873888-001 is explicitly listed for HPE 3PAR StoreServ platforms (notably the 7000 series and compatible enclosures). These drives are commonly used as factory or field replacements in 3PAR enclosures and may also be supported for certain M-series enclosures when the firmware and tray assembly match the array's hardware revision. Always verify compatibility via HPE's spare/part cross-reference or your vendor's compatibility guide before mixing drives.

Tray and caddy considerations

Many reseller listings show the drive delivered either as a bare drive or pre-mounted in an HPE hot-swap tray/caddy. For hot-swap arrays like 3PAR, installing a drive in the correct OEM tray ensures proper mechanical retention, identify LEDs, and carrier connections. If you receive a bare drive, ensure you have the right caddy for the specific chassis model.

Firmware, mix-and-match, and best practices

Mixing drives with different firmware revisions or security features (SED vs non-SED) in the same RAID set is not recommended: firmware mismatches can cause the array to report inconsistent SMART data or, in worst cases, prevent drive online behavior. When replacing failed drives, match the original drive's firmware family if possible, and allow the array to perform automatic reconstruction using supported spare drive policies.

Conscious environments

For regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government) the SED/FIPS options for the 873888-001 allow encryption of data at rest without the overhead of host-side encryption. When used with HPE’s management tooling and array key management, SEDs reduce the complexity of data scrubbing and decommissioning drives by ensuring that data can be instantly made inaccessible by destroying or retiring keys. Confirm the drive’s FIPS certification status for your jurisdiction before relying on it for compliance. 

Physical and electrical characteristics

Size, weight and power

The drive conforms to the 2.5-inch SFF form factor and will draw typical power consistent with enterprise 10K SAS drives (nominal idle and active power figures vary by manufacturer and firmware). Power and thermal impact should be factored into rack calculations — high density of mechanical drives increases cooling and power demands relative to flash. Vendor spec listings provide exact power/thermal numbers for capacity planning.

SMART attributes and monitoring

Proactive health monitoring through SMART attributes and the array controller’s reporting tools remains essential. HPE 3PAR controllers expose drive health metrics (reallocated sectors, CRC errors, spin-up attempts) that should be monitored to anticipate failure. Reseller pages typically report average MTBF and supported SMART features — treat those as planning guides and use controller telemetry for operational decisions.

Procurement, condition types and lifecycle

New, refurbished and used market

The 873888-001 is widely available across new, refurbished and used markets. Refurbished or open-box drives are commonly offered by specialized resellers with short warranties (for example 90 days) while new OEM stock often carries longer manufacturer warranties. Price variance across channels is significant; balance total cost of ownership (warranty, testing, return policy) against upfront savings when buying non-OEM units.

End-of-life considerations

Given the age of 3PAR 7000 generation hardware and the increasing adoption of SSDs in modern arrays, drives like the 873888-001 should be treated as mature inventory: plan for eventual upgrade cycles, data migration strategies and secure end-of-life wipe or key destruction procedures for SEDs. HPE’s product lifecycle documentation or vendor advisories indicate support timelines; cross-check before making long-term procurement commitments.

Resources and references

For authoritative product datasheets, firmware advisories and compatibility matrices consult HPE and specialized reseller product pages that list the 873888-001 and the various 3PAR-model cross-references. A number of server parts vendors maintain live stock listings, spec summaries and pricing for the 873888-001; when using those pages, double-check that the displayed SKU reflects the exact drive variant you require (for example FIPS/SED labeling). 

Product photography and visual references

Product imagery commonly shows the drive both as a bare 2.5" unit and mounted in OEM HPE drive caddies used by 3PAR systems. If your storefront uses images, include both the bare drive top-label view and the tray-mounted front view so buyers know whether they will receive a drive with or without a carrier. Example imagery and gallery entries for this SKU appear on multiple reseller pages.

Operational notes for administrators

Integrate array-level drive alerts into your monitoring stack and configure notifications for pre-failure SMART conditions, CRC errors or degraded redundancy states. HPE 3PAR management tools expose these metrics, and many resellers outline the SMART attributes typical for the product class.

Backup and reconstruction strategy

Maintain verified 873888-001 backups and a clear rebuild policy: although modern arrays perform background reconstruction automatically, rebuilds on mechanical drives increase wear and can extend exposure windows for failure. Consider staggered firmware and replacement schedules for large arrays to avoid multiple simultaneous rebuilds after maintenance.

Legal and compliance

The 873888-001 purchase FIPS-labeled drives for regulated workloads, ensure you retain certification documentation and validate that the specific drive serial number or production batch falls under the certified range. For secure disposal of SED media, follow key destruction, deprovisioning or crypto-erase procedures recommended by HPE and your compliance framework.