Cisco DC P4500 8 TB NVMe SSD — 2.5" Internal U.2 (SFF-8639) Solid State Drive

The Cisco DC P4500 8 TB Solid State Drive is a purpose-built, enterprise-grade storage solution engineered to meet the exacting demands of modern data centers. This 2.5-inch internal NVMe drive leverages the efficiency of the U.2 (SFF-8639) interface to deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and endurance for mission-critical workloads. Designed for data centers, hyper-converged infrastructure, database servers, and virtualization platforms, the P4500 is built to maximize throughput while preserving data integrity in multi-drive arrays and dense storage configurations.

• Performance optimized for enterprise workloads: The P4500 delivers high sustained throughput and low latency across mixed workloads, making it ideal for virtualization, databases, analytics, and large-scale data processing. Its NVMe interface reduces queueing and accelerates I/O-intensive tasks, enabling faster application response times and improved user experiences in data centers.
• Reliability and data integrity you can trust: Enterprise-grade reliability features, including robust error correction, power loss protection, and advanced data path protection, minimize risk during peak operations. Built to handle continuous, 24/7 workloads, it supports consistent performance under sustained load with strong endurance characteristics for long-term use.
• Dense capacity in a familiar form factor: At 8 TB in a compact 2.5-inch enclosure, it fits into standard servers and storage arrays with U.2 connectors, enabling scalable capacity expansion without requiring larger drive bays or redesigned enclosures. This makes it a practical choice for dense data centers and upgrade projects.
• Flexible deployment for diverse environments: The drive is compatible with a wide range of Cisco storage solutions and can be integrated into data-center deployments, private clouds, and hyper-converged infrastructures. Its design supports hot-swapping in supported systems, helping teams reduce downtime during maintenance and expansion.
• Management-friendly and compatible: With support for common enterprise management workflows, the P4500 works with standard monitoring tools and Cisco’s storage management ecosystem. This simplifies firmware updates, health monitoring, and capacity planning, while delivering predictable performance and easy integration with existing IT operations.

Technical Details of Cisco DC P4500 8 TB Solid State Drive

• Capacity: 8 TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch internal
• Interface: NVMe over U.2 (SFF-8639)
• Application: Enterprise data center storage, high-performance workloads, virtualization, databases, and analytics

How to install Cisco DC P4500 8 TB NVMe SSD

Before installation, ensure your server or storage array supports 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe drives and has available U.2/SFF-8639 bays. Power down the system and follow standard safety procedures for handling hot-swappable components.

Step 1: Remove the server chassis cover or access panel to reveal the drive bays. Identify an available U.2 NVMe slot compatible with 2.5-inch drives.

Step 2: Align the P4500 drive with the U.2 connector, ensuring the connector pins and the drive’s edge are properly seated. Do not apply lateral force; guide the drive gently into position.

Step 3: Secure the drive with the appropriate retention mechanism or screws as required by the server chassis. Reconnect any cables or backplanes if applicable and ensure air flow around the drive bay for cooling.

Step 4: Replace the chassis cover and power on the system. Use your server’s hardware management interface or storage management software to detect the new NVMe drive and begin the initialization process.

Step 5: Initialize and format the drive according to your storage policy. Update firmware if warranted by Cisco’s guidance, and integrate the drive into the desired storage pool or RAID/No-RAID configuration as appropriate for your environment.

Step 6: Monitor drive health and performance through your preferred management tools. Set alerts for temperature, write endurance, and error rates to maintain proactive maintenance and avoid unplanned downtime.

Tip: For best results, plan firmware updates during maintenance windows and verify full system compatibility with the Cisco storage management stack. In data-center deployments, consider pairing the P4500 with other NVMe devices to maximize parallelism and I/O throughput across the array.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What workloads is the Cisco DC P4500 8 TB NVMe SSD best suited for?

A: It is designed for enterprise-grade workloads that require high IOPS, low latency, and reliable performance. Ideal applications include virtualization platforms, databases, analytics, and scale-out storage architectures in data centers and private clouds.

Q: What interface does this drive use, and will it fit in my server?

A: The drive uses NVMe over U.2 (SFF-8639) and a standard 2.5-inch form factor. It fits servers and storage systems with U.2 NVMe bays, making it compatible with many rack-mounted servers and storage controllers that support NVMe drives.

Q: How do I manage and monitor this drive?

A: Management typically involves your existing storage management tools and Cisco’s ecosystem for monitoring health, performance, and firmware status. Regular health checks, temperature monitoring, and event logging help ensure consistent performance and reliability in data-center deployments.

Q: Is firmware update required for optimal operation?

A: Firmware updates are recommended as part of routine maintenance to ensure compatibility, performance improvements, and bug fixes. Follow Cisco guidance and use supported management utilities to apply updates during a planned maintenance window.

Q: What is the expected reliability and warranty?

A: Cisco enterprise SSDs are designed for reliability in 24/7 data-center environments. They typically include a manufacturer warranty and enterprise-grade endurance appropriate for sustained workloads. Always refer to the official warranty terms provided by Cisco for precise details and coverage duration.