HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit

Unlock the full potential of your HPE ProLiant DL560 server with the HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit. This high-performance expansion solution is designed to dramatically boost storage I/O, reduce latency, and accelerate data-intensive workloads in data centers, enterprises, and high-demand compute environments. Engineered for enterprise-grade reliability, it enables eight NVMe solid-state drives to be hot-pluggable through the DL560’s Express Bay, delivering blazing-fast read and write speeds while maintaining the robust manageability and serviceability that HP environments are known for. Whether you’re virtualizing dense workloads, running large-scale databases, or delivering high-throughput analytics, this kit is a strategic upgrade that pairs with the DL560’s multi-processor architecture to unleash superior performance per watt and per rack.

• Expanded NVMe capacity in the Express Bay: Add eight NVMe SSDs in the DL560’s Express Bay to dramatically increase concurrent I/O capacity. This enablement kit is purpose-built to maximize throughput for mixed workloads, including virtualization, databases, and big data applications, while preserving fast bootstrap and recovery capabilities.
• Low latency, high IOPS for demanding workloads: NVMe drives connected through a dedicated backplane minimize latency and maximize IOPS. Expect significantly faster boot times, faster database transactions, and smoother real-time data processing across clustered environments, which translates to improved application responsiveness and end-user experience.
• Seamless server integration and scalability: The kit is designed for straightforward integration with the DL560 platform and supports scalable expansion as data demands grow. It preserves HP’s proven remote management, monitoring, and integration with iLO, SSA, and the HP OneView ecosystem for streamlined administration and automated health checks.
• Reliable, hot-plug capability for enterprise uptime: The eight-drive Express Bay backplane supports hot-swapping, enabling maintenance, upgrades, or replacements without powering down critical systems. This capability is essential for environments that require high availability and continuous operation while performing maintenance windows or rapid scale-out upgrades.
• Proven compatibility with enterprise-grade components: Built to harmonize with HPE storage controllers, PCIe topology, and DL560’s motherboard architecture, the kit ensures compatibility with widely adopted NVMe SSDs and HP’s storage management tools. This cohesive design reduces integration risk and simplifies tiered storage strategies for data centers aiming to modernize with NVMe.

Technical Details of HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit

• Compatibility: Designed for use with HPE ProLiant DL560 servers that support Express Bay configurations, enabling NVMe backplane expansion in the eight-bay Express Bay slot group.
• Drive support: Eight NVMe 2.5-inch solid-state drives (drives not included) that are recognized by the system’s NVMe backplane and compatible storage controllers.
• Backplane and enclosure: Dedicated NVMe Express Bay backplane assembly that fits into the vendor-specific DL560 Express Bay chassis footprint, ensuring proper alignment with the server’s I/O and power rails.
• Interface and throughput: PCIe-based NVMe backplane connecting eight drives to the server’s PCIe lanes for high-bandwidth, low-latency access; optimized for concurrent multi-drive servicing and parallel I/O workloads.
• Power and cooling considerations: Requires appropriate server power provisioning and cooling capacity to support eight NVMe drives under peak load; additional density may affect thermals, so ensure chassis airflow and intake temperatures remain within vendor-recommended limits.
• Management and monitoring: Fully compatible with HP’s management stack (iLO, SSA, and related HP storage management tools), enabling proactive monitoring, firmware updates, and health reporting for the NVMe backplane and installed drives.
• Warranty and service: Covered under HP’s hardware warranty terms when installed in supported DL560 configurations, with access to HP support channels for hardware issues and replacements.
• Mounting and cabling: Includes the backplane mounting hardware and any necessary interconnect cables or adapters required to connect to the server’s chassis and PCIe lanes, ensuring a clean, serviceable installation path.

how to install HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit

Installing the HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit is designed to be straightforward for qualified data center technicians familiar with HP server hardware. A careful, methodical approach helps preserve uptime and ensures optimal performance from the NVMe backplane and drives.

• Power down the DL560 server and disconnect all power sources. Ground yourself to avoid static discharge and verify there is no residual charge in the system.
• Remove the server cover to gain access to the front Express Bay area where the eight-disk backplane will be installed. Identify the Express Bay slot group designated for NVMe expansion.
• Install the NVMe Express Bay backplane into the chassis using the provided mounting hardware. Ensure alignment with the backplane connectors and chassis standoffs, securing it firmly to prevent vibration or misalignment during operation.
• Connect the backplane to the server’s PCIe lane distribution as specified by HP’s installation guide. Attach any required interconnect cables or adapters that route data from each NVMe drive to the server’s processing and storage controller interfaces.
• Insert eight NVMe 2.5-inch SSDs into the sleds, ensuring each drive is properly seated and plugged into the backplane. Close the drive sleds as required by the chassis design and confirm that each drive is recognized by the system’s POST routines.
• Power up the server and enter the system BIOS or the HP iLO/SSA management interface. Verify that the Express Bay NVMe drives are detected and that no thermal or power anomalies are reported. Update firmware for the backplane, controller, and drives if necessary to ensure compatibility and best performance.
• Configure boot and storage policy settings within the HP management tools, establishing the NVMe backplane as a data storage path or as a PCIe-connected cache tier according to your deployment requirements. Run a quick health check on the installed drives and backplane.
• Perform a validation workload to confirm expected throughput and latency improvements, and monitor for temperature changes during sustained heavy I/O. Update your storage topology as needed to balance performance, endurance, and capacity across workload priorities.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does the HPE DL560 NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay Enablement Kit provide?
  A: It provides an eight-drive NVMe Express Bay backplane expansion for the HPE DL560 server, enabling high-speed, low-latency storage expansion suitable for virtualization, databases, and data-intensive workloads.
• Q: Do I need any additional parts to install this kit?
  A: You will need compatible NVMe SSDs and any required cables or adapters specified by HP for your DL560 model. The backplane and mounting hardware are included with the kit, but drive sleds and drives are not.
• Q: Is this kit compatible with all DL560 generations?
  A: Compatibility is limited to the DL560 configurations that support Express Bay expansion and NVMe backplanes. It is important to verify the exact DL560 generation and chassis configuration against HP’s compatibility matrix prior to purchase.
• Q: What performance benefits can I expect?
  A: NVMe backplanes minimize latency and maximize IOPS for multi-drive workloads. Expect faster data access, improved virtual machine density, quicker database transactions, and improved analytics throughput, depending on the workload profile and the drives used.
• Q: How do I manage and monitor the kit?
  A: Management is through HP’s standard tools, including iLO, SSA, and HP OneView. These tools provide health monitoring, firmware updates, drive status, and alerts to keep storage running smoothly.