HPE CM6 3.20 TB Solid State Drive - 2.5" Internal - U.3 (PCI Express NVMe 4.0) - Mixed Use

The HPE CM6 3.20 TB Solid State Drive is an enterprise-class NVMe SSD engineered for Mixed Use (MU) workloads, delivering a compelling blend of speed, reliability, and efficiency for demanding data-center environments. Designed to slot into standard 2.5-inch drive bays and connect through the U.3 interface, this drive takes full advantage of PCI Express 4.0 bandwidth to accelerate data-intensive tasks while maintaining predictable performance across a variety of applications. From big data analytics and cloud infrastructure to high-performance computing, business intelligence, databases, and virtualization, the HPE CM6 MU SSD is built to keep critical workloads moving with minimal latency and sustained throughput. It is purpose-built to work with modern server backplanes and storage controllers, enabling straightforward deployment in HP servers and compatible enterprise platforms while supporting robust management and reliability features that enterprises rely on for 24/7 operations.

With a generous 3.20 TB capacity, the CM6 MU SSD helps consolidate data footprints and reduce the need for tiered storage, while its mixed-use design ensures balanced performance for read-heavy and write-heavy operations alike. This means faster query responses for BI dashboards, accelerated analytics pipelines, and more responsive databases, all within a cost-effective single-drive footprint. The drive’s architecture is optimized for sustained workloads, delivering consistent I/O under heavy concurrency—an essentialCapability for data centers that must scale with evolving workloads and growing user demand. By pairing high throughput with efficient power and thermals, the CM6 MU drives support dense server configurations without compromising reliability or serviceability, keeping maintenance windows tight and uptime high.

• Blazing enterprise performance for mixed workloads: NVMe 4.0 connectivity and a 2.5" form factor provide high sequential and random I/O capabilities, delivering rapid data access and lower latency for analytics pipelines, virtualized environments, and transactional processing. This translates to faster data ingestion, quicker report generation, and improved responsiveness of data-driven applications across the data center.
• Balanced, predictable MU workload optimization: The MU (Mixed Use) designation targets workloads that alternate between read-dominant and write-heavy operations. This delivers balanced throughput and stable latency across databases, data warehouses, BI workloads, and in-memory analytics, reducing the need to overprovision with separate storage tiers.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and durability: Engineered for continuous operation in data centers, the CM6 MU SSD emphasizes data integrity and long-term endurance under demanding conditions. It’s built to withstand the rigors of high-availability deployments, offering consistent performance and robust firmware protection that supports uptime and serviceability across extensive maintenance cycles.
• Seamless HPE interoperability and ecosystem fit: This drive is designed to integrate smoothly with HPE server ecosystems, backplanes, and storage controllers, enabling straightforward deployment in ProLiant and related enterprise platforms. By aligning with standard enterprise interfaces and management paradigms, it simplifies maintenance, firmware updates, and proactive health monitoring.
• Efficient power and thermal characteristics for dense deployments: Optimized for energy-aware operation in rack-dense configurations, the CM6 MU SSD delivers strong performance while maintaining favorable thermal and power profiles. This helps reduce overall data-center power draw and cooling requirements in environments that demand efficiency alongside speed.

Technical Details of HPE CM6 3.20 TB Solid State Drive - 2.5" Internal - U.3 (PCI Express NVMe 4.0) - Mixed Use

• Capacity: 3.20 TB
• Form Factor: 2.5" internal drive
• Interface: U.3 (PCIe NVMe 4.0)
• Workload Profile: Mixed Use (MU)

how to install HPE CM6 3.20 TB Solid State Drive

• Prepare the work area: power down the server, unplug power cords, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge. Verify you have the correct service or drive tray for your backplane and server model.
• Access the drive bay: remove the server cover or access panel as required to reach the 2.5" hot-swap bays. Identify an available MU-capable slot that supports U.3 NVMe drives.
• Remove the existing drive (if replacing): release the drive tray latch, slide the old drive out, and set it aside following your data-center procedures to ensure data is properly managed or migrated.
• Install the CM6 MU drive: insert the 2.5" CM6 MU SSD into the backplane or drive tray until it seats firmly. Secure the tray with the appropriate screws or latching mechanism so the drive remains stable during operation.
• Reconnect and power up: reattach any cables or backplane connections as required, replace the server cover, and reconnect power. Boot the system and enter the storage controller menu or BIOS/UEFI to verify recognition of the new drive.
• Update firmware and verify health: check for the latest firmware for the CM6 MU SSD and apply updates as needed. Use the server management tools or NVMe management software to confirm drive health, SMART attributes, and firmware version.
• Configure in the operating system: after the drive is detected, initialize the drive in your operating system or storage controller utility, select the desired RAID or pass-through configuration if applicable, and format as needed for your workload.
• Run a quick health check: perform a basic data integrity test or parity validation if your environment supports it, and monitor performance and thermal behavior during initial workload generation.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the HPE CM6 3.20 TB Solid State Drive?
  A: It is an enterprise-grade 2.5-inch mixed-use NVMe SSD with a 3.20 TB capacity, designed for high-throughput workloads in data centers and compatible with U.3 NVMe backplanes and PCIe 4.0 controllers.
• Q: What workloads is MU best suited for?
  A: Mixed Use (MU) drives are optimized for environments that run a mix of read-heavy and write-heavy tasks, including big data analytics, cloud services, databases, virtualization, and BI analytics, delivering balanced performance and predictable latency across concurrent applications.
• Q: What interfaces and form factors does it use?
  A: The CM6 MU SSD uses a 2.5" internal form factor with a U.3 interface supporting PCIe 4.0 NVMe, making it compatible with standard enterprise backplanes and many data-center servers that support 2.5" NVMe drives.
• Q: Is this drive compatible with non-HPE servers?
  A: It is designed for integration within HPE server ecosystems, backplanes, and management tools. Compatibility with non-HPE servers depends on backplane support for U.3 NVMe drives and the presence of compatible storage controllers and firmware updates. Always consult your server’s compatibility list and the storage controller documentation.
• Q: How can I monitor drive health and firmware?
  A: Use the server’s management utilities, NVMe management tools, and the storage controller’s health dashboards to monitor SMART attributes, endurance-related metrics, and firmware versions. Regular firmware updates from HP support help maintain performance and reliability.