Cisco DC SN840 3.20 TB NVMe U.2 2.5" Solid State Drive

Meet the Cisco DC SN840 3.20 TB NVMe solid state drive, a purpose-built storage device crafted for data centers, enterprise servers, and high-demand workloads. This 2.5-inch internal drive uses the U.2 (SFF-8639) interface and NVMe protocol to deliver accelerated data access, low latency, and consistent performance under heavy I/O. Engineered for reliability and uptime, the SN840 is designed to fit seamlessly into Cisco server ecosystems and compatible enterprise environments, providing a robust foundation for databases, virtualization, analytics, and large-scale file storage. With its hot-pluggable capability, administrators can swap drives without interrupting critical services, helping to maximize productivity and minimize downtime in busy data centers.

• High-capacity NVMe storage for dense data — The SN840 brings a sizable 3.2 TB of flash to the rack, enabling data-intensive workloads to store more information on a single drive. This capacity is ideal for dense databases, large-scale backups, virtual machines, media libraries, and archival storage, reducing the need for frequent add-ons while streamlining data management and provisioning.
• 2.5-inch U.2 form factor for flexible deployment — The drive is built in a standard 2.5" enclosure with a U.2 (SFF-8639) connector, allowing straightforward integration into Cisco servers and many enterprise storage backplanes. Its compact footprint supports dense server configurations and simplifies hardware compatibility across multiple data-center platforms.
• NVMe performance optimized for data centers — By leveraging the NVMe protocol over PCIe, the SN840 minimizes protocol overhead and boosts input/output operations per second (IOPS) and throughput. This results in quicker data access, faster application response times, and improved performance for mixed workloads such as online transactions, analytics streaming, and virtualized environments.
• Hot-pluggable reliability for uptime — Designed for hot-swapping, the SN840 enables maintenance and drive replacement without complete server downtime in supported configurations. This capability is vital for meeting service-level objectives, keeping critical services online, and sustaining business operations even during routine maintenance or drive failure scenarios.
• Enterprise-grade endurance and compatibility — Built to endure sustained enterprise workloads, the SN840 is tested for compatibility with data-center servers and storage ecosystems. It supports long-term reliability, steady performance under load, and predictable behavior essential for mission-critical applications and storage pools.

Technical Details of Cisco DC SN840

• Capacity: 3.20 TB
• Form Factor: 2.5" internal drive
• Interface: NVMe, U.2 (SFF-8639)
• Protocol: NVMe over PCIe
• Connectivity: SFF-8639/U.2 backplane compatibility for enterprise servers
• Drive Type: Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Hot-Plug Support: Yes
• Designed For: Enterprise data centers, Cisco servers, and compatible storage environments

How to install Cisco DC SN840

Installing the Cisco DC SN840 is a straightforward process when performed with standard server maintenance procedures. Below is a practical guide to help you deploy this NVMe drive in compatible Cisco servers or enterprise storage systems, ensuring proper detection, configuration, and optimal performance.

• Power down the server and disconnect all power sources before handling components to prevent static discharge or hardware damage.
• Identify the correct drive bay or backplane slot within your chassis that supports 2.5" U.2 NVMe drives (SFF-8639) and verify the backplane compatibility.
• Remove any existing drive tray or sled if required by your chassis’ design, then align the SN840 with the slot. Ensure the connector faces the backplane for a smooth mate.
• Carefully insert the drive into the bay until it seats firmly. Secure the drive with the tool-less mechanism or mounting screws supplied with the chassis to prevent movement during operation.
• Connect the U.2 interface to the server’s backplane or NVMe controller using the appropriate data cable or backplane connection. Confirm a solid, locked connection is established.
• Power on the system and access the server management interface or BIOS/UEFI to verify that the SN840 is detected by the firmware and recognized as a storage device.
• Enter the operating system’s disk management utility or your storage controller’s management software to initialize the drive. Partition the drive as needed according to your storage strategy (MBR/GPT, alignment, and stripe size considerations).
• Format the drive with the desired file system and configure any performance policies or storage tiering rules if using a storage controller with tiered storage capabilities.
• If a firmware update is available, apply it through the Cisco or motherboard/ controller vendor’s recommended process to maximize reliability and compatibility with your firmware stack.
• In multi-drive configurations or RAID setups, add the SN840 to the appropriate array, configure redundancy (RAID level), and verify data synchronization and health status across the pool.
• Test the drive with representative workloads to confirm read/write throughput, latency, and error-free operation before deploying in production environments.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary use case for the Cisco DC SN840? A: The SN840 is designed for enterprise data centers to support databases, virtualization, large-scale file storage, backups, analytics, and other high-demand workloads that require high capacity, fast NVMe performance, and reliable uptime.
• Q: What interface and form factor does the SN840 use? A: It uses a 2.5-inch internal form factor with a U.2 (SFF-8639) connector and NVMe protocol, enabling efficient integration into compatible Cisco servers and backplanes.
• Q: Is the SN840 hot-pluggable? A: Yes, the SN840 supports hot-plug operations, allowing drive replacement or maintenance without shutting down the entire server in supported configurations.
• Q: Which workloads benefit most from this drive? A: Workloads requiring high write/read throughput and low latency, such as transactional databases, virtualization hosts, large-scale analytics, content repositories, and media storage, are well-suited for the SN840.
• Q: How does the SN840 fit into a storage array or server ecosystem? A: The SN840 is built for enterprise environments and is compatible with Cisco data center servers and many standard storage ecosystems, enabling seamless integration into RAID arrays, storage pools, and backplanes that support U.2 NVMe drives.
• Q: Are there any maintenance tips to maximize durability? A: Regular firmware updates, clean power delivery, proper thermal management, and proactive monitoring of drive health through the server management interface help maximize endurance and reliability of NVMe SSDs like the SN840.