Server SSDs

Server SSDs are solid-state drives for servers, workstations and storage systems, mostly 2.5" SATA models with some SAS, M.2 and PCI Express drives. They suit anyone replacing a failed drive, adding capacity or speeding up a database or virtualisation host. Brands in our range include HP Enterprise, Lenovo, IBM and Dell.

How to choose a server SSD

Interface. The drive must match what your server's backplane or controller supports. Our range includes Serial ATA III drives running at 6 Gbit/s, SAS drives at 12 Gbit/s, and PCI Express 4.0 and 5.0 models for systems with NVMe support. SATA drives are generally the easiest way to add capacity, while PCI Express drives suit workloads that need very low latency.

Form factor. Many drives here are 2.5" hot-swap models, which fit standard server drive bays, usually in a caddy or tray. Some are M.2, often used for boot drives, and a few are 1.8" or 3.5". Check the bay type in your server's documentation before ordering, and confirm whether you also need a carrier.

Endurance and workload. Enterprise SSDs are rated for how much data can be written over their life, often given as drive writes per day. Read-intensive drives are enough for web servers, file servers and boot volumes. Databases, logging and virtualisation with heavy write activity are better served by mixed-use or write-intensive models.

Capacity. Our range runs from small boot-sized drives, such as 240 GB and 480 GB, up to 3.84 TB and larger. Smaller drives are enough for operating systems and hypervisors, while 1.92 TB and 3.84 TB drives make more sense for data volumes. In a RAID array, remember that usable space is lower than the total of the drives.

Server compatibility. Drives sold for a specific server brand often carry its own part number and firmware, and some systems only report health status correctly with those drives. Match the part number or the server generation where you can. Some listings are marked for PCs or laptops rather than servers, so read the product details.

Server SSD brands we carry

• HP Enterprise: HPE supplies drives for its ProLiant servers, and many of its SSDs are listed by the server generation they were validated for.
• Lenovo: Lenovo took over IBM's x86 server business in 2014, so its ThinkSystem and older System x drives are the usual options for those machines.
• IBM: IBM drives are mainly relevant to its Power Systems and older System x servers, which makes them a common choice for maintaining existing installations.
• Dell: Dell sells SSDs for its PowerEdge servers, and these usually arrive in the correct hot-swap tray for that range.

Also in our range: Fujitsu and Cisco.

Server SSD FAQ

Can I use a normal desktop SSD in a server?

Sometimes, but it is not recommended for production use. Desktop SSDs are usually built for lighter, shorter bursts of activity and often lack power-loss protection. Server SSDs are designed for continuous operation, steady performance and the RAID controllers found in servers.

What is the difference between SATA and SAS server SSDs?

SAS drives run at up to 12 Gbit/s, while SATA III drives run at 6 Gbit/s. SAS also supports dual-port connections and is more common in enterprise storage. Many SAS backplanes accept SATA drives, but a SATA-only backplane will not accept SAS drives.

What does read-intensive or mixed-use mean?

These terms describe how much writing a drive is designed to handle. Read-intensive drives suit workloads that mostly read data, such as web serving and archives. Mixed-use drives handle a balance of reads and writes, so they are the usual pick for databases and virtual machines.

Will a server SSD work in any server?

No, compatibility depends on the interface, form factor and in many cases the server manufacturer. A 2.5" SAS drive will not work in an M.2 slot, and some servers expect branded firmware. Check your server model and the drive part number before buying.