Server SAS SSDs are enterprise solid state drives with a SAS interface, made for servers, storage arrays and workstations with a SAS controller or backplane. The range covers over 50 models, mainly from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP, plus drives from Samsung and Kioxia.
Most buyers are replacing failed drives or adding capacity to a server already in service.
How to choose a server SAS SSD
Server compatibility. Start with the server model and generation, then match the drive part number or spare number. Servers from HPE, Lenovo and Fujitsu may not fully support drives from another vendor, so a matching part number is the safest route.
Endurance. Enterprise drives are rated in drive writes per day (DWPD). Read-intensive models suit file servers and boot volumes, while mixed-use and write-intensive models suit databases and virtualisation hosts.
Interface speed. Most SAS SSDs run at 12 Gb/s (SAS-3), and faster 24G SAS-4 drives exist. The link runs at the speed of the slowest component, so check the controller and backplane before paying for bandwidth the server cannot use.
Capacity and form factor. Work out usable capacity after RAID, since mirroring halves raw capacity and RAID 5 gives up one drive's worth. Most server SAS SSDs are 2.5-inch, and hot-swap bays usually need the correct tray or caddy, so check whether one is included.
Server SAS SSD brands we carry
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): the largest group in our range, listed under both the HP Enterprise and HPE names, with drives made for ProLiant servers.
- HP: listed under HP and HP Inc., a reminder that HP's server drives date back to before the 2015 split into HP Inc. and HPE.
- Samsung: makes its own NAND flash and designs its own controllers, which is unusual among drive suppliers.
- Kioxia: the former Toshiba Memory, a flash manufacturer with a long record in enterprise SAS SSDs.
- Lenovo and IBM: Lenovo took over IBM's x86 server business in 2014, so drives under both names can relate to the same server lineage. Always confirm the part number.
Also in our range: Fujitsu.
Server SAS SSD questions
What is the difference between SAS and SATA SSDs?
SAS SSDs use a faster interface with deeper command queues, and many support two ports for redundant connections. SATA SSDs top out at 6 Gb/s and are usually cheaper. SAS is the usual choice in enterprise servers and arrays where uptime matters.
Can I use a SAS SSD in a SATA-only server?
Generally no. A SATA controller cannot drive a SAS drive, and the connectors differ. A SAS controller or backplane can normally run SATA drives, but the reverse does not work.
Can I mix different SAS SSDs in one RAID array?
Many controllers allow it, but identical models are better. In a mixed array, every drive is usually treated as the size of the smallest one, and different speeds or endurance ratings can make performance uneven.
What does DWPD mean on a server SSD?
DWPD stands for drive writes per day: how many times the full capacity can be written each day during the warranty period. A higher figure suits write-heavy work such as databases, while a lower figure is enough for mostly read-based workloads.
