Table of Contents
Optimize HPC and AI storage efficiency while improving the utilization of CPU and GPU investments
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 brings storage technology used in the largest supercomputers to entry-level and midrange HPC and AI clusters. Customers can gain the price-performance benefits available to leading supercomputing sites, spend less of their budget on storage, invest more in CPU and GPU compute nodes, and improve infrastructure utilization. An innovative architecture combines open source parallel file systems with solid-state drives and hard disk drives to use the strengths of each storage medium while minimizing their limitations.
Overview
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 consists of a global POSIX single-namespace file system configured to provide access between compute clients and C500 storage nodes through the Lustre parallel file system. C500 is offered in two basic configurations:
- − All-flash
- − Hybrid flash/HDD
The all-flash configuration is suitable for workloads with many small, random read I/O operations and for the high sequential performance required by many AI applications, including machine learning. The hybrid configuration combines the performance advantages of flash and HDD storage in one configuration. Customers can use hybrid building blocks to combine flash and disk in one file system.
What’s New
- − ProLiant DL325 Gen11 Based System Management Unit (SMU)
- − Converged Storage Unit hosting both metadata and data (C500 CSU)
- − C500 hybrid configurations now scale up to four 5U84 enclosures, and all-flash configurations can now scale out to up to four SSU-Fs.
- − Ethernet connectivity is now available in addition to InfiniBand.
- − Data encryption at rest and key management
- − Integrated tiering
- − Integrated monitoring
- − Managed gateway nodes
Standard Features
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 Building Blocks
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is configured from storage building blocks along with surrounding network, rack and power infrastructure. These building blocks are:
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 System Management Unit (SMU)
Each C500 storage system contains a System Management Unit built on the HPE ProLiant DL325 Gen11. The unit contains SSDs for configuration and logging data and delivers Lustre and C500 system management services. The SMU manages hardware configuration, software images, system startup, the software stack, monitoring, metrics, system health, and status reporting. Its web interface and CLI enable administrators to monitor, configure, and administer the file system, the C500 management framework, and C500 hardware.
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 Converged Storage Unit
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 Converged Storage Unit Controller is built on a 2-node, 2U24 SSD enclosure that hosts both metadata and storage.
The C500 CSU is the smallest flash storage building block. It can be configured with additional SSU-Fs for a larger all-flash configuration or with a 5U84 JBOD to create a hybrid configuration.
All Flash Array (SSU-F)
SSU-F provides flash-based Lustre I/O data services and network request handling for the file system with a pair of Lustre object storage servers (OSS) each configured with one or more Lustre object storage target(s) (OSTs) to store and retrieve the portions of the file system data that are assigned to it. Two OSTs are distributed evenly between the two OSSs in each SSU-F so both OSSs are active concurrently (that is, OSSs are active-active), each operating on its own exclusive subset of the available OSTs (that is, each OST is active-passive).
SSU-F is populated with 24 SSDs. For a throughput-optimized configuration, approximately half of the capacity is configured with HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 GridRAID, a parity-declustered RAID implementation that uses LDISKFS. LDISKFS improves performance for small, random I/O workloads. Each controller can be configured with two network adapters using Multi-Rail LNet to maximize throughput per SSU-F.
High-density 5U84 HDD Enclosure
The 5U84 provides HDD-based Lustre I/O data services and network request handling for the file system, with OSS and OST features similar to those of the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 SSU-F building block.
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 has multiple hybrid flash configurations with either one or two high-density HDD enclosures. Each high-density disk enclosure is configured with 84 SAS HDDs and contains two Lustre OSTs, each configured with the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500’s GridRAID using LDISKFS and its parity declustering RAID support.
Management Switches
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 uses HPE Aruba Networking switches for a private management network that connects all building blocks in the file system. The private management network is deployed in a highly available configuration. Only back-to-front airflow HPE Aruba Networking switches, also called power-to-port or reverse-airflow switches, are supported for the C500 private management network.
Racks and PDUs
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 storage systems are compatible with HPE G2 Advanced and Enterprise racks. HPE requires racks with a minimum depth of 1200 mm to best accommodate the length of the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 building blocks mentioned above.
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is compatible with select rack-mounted HPE G2 PDUs. A minimum of two PDUs is required for power redundancy. The selected HPE G2 rack and C500 configuration may limit the available PDU options.
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 Software, Services, and Tools
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is configured with powerful software tools and services that create a complete, production-ready storage system designed to meet the unique requirements of HPC and AI applications. The software tools and services include:
Lustre for the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 comes pre-configured with the industry’s most powerful and scalable parallel file system to assure that your compute cluster avoids waiting for I/O and is computing with maximum efficiency. Lustre for the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is a carefully tested and curated version of the open source community Lustre based on version 2.15 release. Each Lustre feature is exhaustively tested at scale by HPE and any defects corrected before it is released for production use. Lustre for the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is offered with LDISKFS as the local object store using HPE’s fully declustered GridRAID to deliver maximum application performance and up to 4x faster recovery time from failed drives. Lustre for the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 is fully supported by HPE Services and the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 engineering resources guaranteeing fast and thorough responses to any issues found by our customers.
The HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 data services
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 data services provide tiering options that make a tiered storage system comprising flash and disk easy to use and manage. These services manage and monitor data movement between flash and disk tiers. Administrators and end users can select from multiple tiering modes. Each mode uses a set of data services that simplifies or automates customer data management policies.
Transparent Tiering
Transparent mode makes tiering decisions automatically based on policies set by the administrator. Transparent mode uses the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 data services policy engine to automate and orchestrate tiering requests based on triggers such as the available capacity in the flash tier or the time of day to move the data.
The C500 introduces a set of new data management tools as part of the data services that enables customers to leverage flash and disk tiers effectively and efficiently within a single Lustre file system.
Scalable Search
The Scalable Search service maintains an efficiently searchable database of filesystem metadata, used by policies to quickly search the filesystem namespace with multiple selection criteria to find matching candidate files amongst billions of files. The databases are maintained automatically as a background process.
Parallel Data Movers
Parallel data movers are a key component of Transparent Tiering. They provide a scale-out service that efficiently migrates data between tiers within a file system and supports the placement use case. One data mover is included and runs on the C500 SMU. Additional parallel data movers are preconfigured HPE servers designed to deliver high-throughput data movement. The Transparent Tiering orchestration manager coordinates them to execute administrative tiering policies or built-in Lustre commands such as "migrate."
Purging Data
Administrators can create policies to delete files from the file system based on conditions such as file age, file location, last access time, and file size.
Reporting
Tiering services can automatically generate reports of any filesystem metadata query in JSON or CSV form, timestamped and stored in the designated directory. Reports can be used to track usage information, find users or groups consuming significant capacity, or provide information to fine-tune other policies.
For more information about HPE Cray Storage Systems C500, HPE and HPE Aruba Networking products mentioned in this quickspec, please visit:
- − HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300M Switch:
- − HPE G2 Enterprise Series Racks:
- − HPE G2 Advanced Series Racks:
- − HPE G2 Metered and Switched Power Distribution Units:
Service and Support
For the most up-to-date information on HPE Services, please refer to the HPE Services – Supplemental QuickSpecs, which provides a comprehensive and regularly updated overview of available services.
Technical Specifications
| Building Blocks | C500 SMU |
|---|---|
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems C500 Management Unit Controller | S3K94A |
| Dimensions | 4.29 x 43.46 x 70.89 cm |
| Weight | 17.07 kg | 37.63 lb |
| AC Power Input | 200-240VAC |
| Typical Power | 116.91 W |
| Max Power | 569.7 W |
| Operating Temperature | 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F) |
| Shipping Temperature | -30° to 60°C (-22° to 140°F) |
| Operating Altitude | 3050 m (10,000 ft) |
| Shipping Altitude | 9144 m (30,000 ft) |
| Operating Humidity | 8% to 90% |
| Non-operating Humidity | 5% to 95% |
| Thermal (BTU/hr) | 1942.68 |
| Building Blocks | C500 CSU | SSU-F |
|---|---|---|
| HPE SKU(s) 1,2 (includes common options) | S3K95A | R7K92A |
| Dimensions | 87.2 mm x 438 mm x 966 mm (H x W x D) | |
| Weight | 28.6 kg | 63.2 lbs. | 27.4 kg | 60.5 lbs. |
| AC Power Input | 200-240VAC | |
| AC Power Input Frequency | 50-60 Hz | |
| Typical Power | 1325 W | 1.472 kVA | 1254 | 1.393kVA |
| Max Power | 1543 | 1.714kVA | 1465 | 1.628kVA |
| Power Cables4 | Two 3 m Splitter Y C20/2xC13 Two 3 m C13/C14 | |
| Operating Temperature | 5°C to 35°C | 41°F to 95°F | |
| Shipping Temperature | -40°C-60°C | –40°F-+140°F | |
| Operating Altitude | −61 m to 3,000 m | −200 ft to 10,000 ft | |
| Shipping Altitude | -200-40,000ft | -61 m -12,192 m | |
| Operating Humidity | 20% to 80% non-condensing | |
| Non-operating Humidity | 10% to 90% non-condensing | |
| Operating Vibration | 0.10G at 5 Hz to 500 Hz | |
| Non-operating Vibration | 0.5G at 5 Hz to 500 Hz | |
| Operating Shock | 3G at 11ms, 1/2 sine wave pulse | |
| Non-operating Shock | 10G at 11ms, 1/2 sine wave pulse | |
| Maximum Exhaust Air Flow (CFM) | 137 | 130 |
| Thermal (BTU) | 5265 | 4999 |
| Management network cables | Default of four 10ft (3 m) CAT6 Ethernet cables. Lengths may vary when built and shipped in a datacenter rack by HPE. | |
Notes:
− 1Rail kit requires rack EIA rails (or posts) to be set 762 mm (30 inches) apart front to back for proper installation of the C500.
− 2 Primary building-blocks for HDR / EDR InfiniBand and 200/100 Gb/s Ethernet client high-speed network connectivity.
− 3 Must utilize active optical cables for client high-speed network connectivity.
− 4Must utilize HPE optical SAS cables to connect to SSU-D or SSU-M enclosures.
− 5 HPE will determine which power cable is utilized when built and shipped in a datacenter rack by HPE. Both power cable types are provided otherwise.
HPE Cray Storage Systems C500
- − Filesystem
- Lustre 2.15 with supported enhancements
- − Data Path
- ClusterStor GridRAID with LDISKFS
System Management Unit (SMU-S3K94A)
DL325 Gen11 with NVMe Gen 4 SSDs RAID protected for system management, logging, and boot services.
C500 Converged Storage Unit Controller (S3K95A)
- − Storage Controller
- High availability, dual controller pair with 24 NVMe Gen 4 SSDs
- − SSD Options
- 1 DWPD: 1.92 / 7.68/ 15.4/ 30.7
- 3 DWPD: 1.6 / 3.2 / 6.4 / 12.8 TB
All SSD options above are self-encryption capable
Scalable Storage Unit – SSU-F
- − Configurations
- SSU-F1: Storage controller plus one SSU-F disk enclosure in 4U
- SSU-F2: Storage controller plus two SSU-F disk enclosures in 6U
- SSU-F3: Storage controller plus three SSU-F disk enclosures in 8U
- SSU-F4: Storage controller plus four SSU-F disk enclosures in 10U
- − SSD Options
- 1 DWPD: 1.92 / 3.84 / 7.68/ 15.4/ 30.7
- 3 DWPD: 1.6 / 3.2 / 6.4 / 12.8 TB
All SSD options above are self-encryption capable
Scalable Storage Unit – Disks 5U84
High-density 5U SAS JBOD with 84 HDDs
- − Configurations
- SSU-M1: Storage controller plus one 5U84 disk enclosure in 7U
- SSU-M2: Storage controller plus two 5U84 disk enclosures in 12U
- SSU-M4: Storage controller plus four 5U84 disk enclosures in 22U
- − HDD Options
- 4 / 12 / 16 /24 TB SAS SED HDDs
Client High-Speed Network Options2
- ≠ HDR/EDR InfiniBand and HPE M-series 200/100 GbE switches
- ≠ HPE strongly recommends deploying the HPE Cray Storage Systems C500 high-speed network in a highly available configuration.
Notes: Contact your sales representative about network compatibility
| SSU-M High-Density 5U84 Enclosure2,3 | 4 TB SED | 12 TB SED | 16 TB SED | 24 TB SED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems SAS 12G 5U 84-disk LFF Drive Enclosure | R6Q55A | |||
| HPE HDD Bundle SKU1 | R6Q49A | S6L04A | R6Q51A | S1H94A |
| Dimensions | 176.4 mm x 441 mm x 1139 mm (H x W x D) | |||
| Weight | 135 kg | 298 lbs. | 131 kg | 289.5 lbs. | ||
| AC Power Input | 200-240VAC | |||
| AC Power Input Frequency | 50-60 Hz | |||
| Typical Power | 1338 W | 1.487kVA | 1151 W | 1.279kVA | 1163 W | 1.292 kVA | 1254 W / 1.394kVA |
| Max Power | 1857 W | 2.063kVA | 1590 W | 1.767kVA | 1607 W / 1.786kVA | |
| Power Cables | Two 1 m C19/C20 | |||
| Operating Temperature | 5°C to 35°C | 41°F to 95°F - derate 1°C for every 300 m above 900 m, 20°C/hr max rate of change | |||
| Shipping Temperature | –40°C to +70°C | –40°F to +158°F | |||
| Operating Altitude | -200-10,000ft | -61 m -3,000 m | |||
| Shipping Altitude | -200-40,000ft | -61 m -12,192 m | |||
| Operating Humidity | 10% to 80% noncondensing | |||
| Non-operating Humidity | 5% to 100% noncondensing | |||
| Operating Vibration | 0.21 Grms, 5-500 Hz | |||
| Non-operating Vibration | 1.04 Grms, 2-200 Hz | |||
| Operating Shock | 5 G, 10ms, half sine | |||
| Non-operating Shock | 20 G, 10ms, half sine | |||
| Maximum Exhaust Air Flow (CFM) | 165 | 142 | 143 | 140 |
| Thermal (BTU) | 6337 | 5425 | 5483 | 5368 |
Notes:
− 1 Must order quantity two with each R6Q55A
− 2Hewlett Packard Enterprise has not tested or validated the High-Density 5U84 Enclosure with any third-party racks. Before installing the SSU-M High-Density 5U84 Enclosure in a third-party rack, be sure to properly scope the limitations of the rack. Before proceeding with the installation, consider the following:
- o You must fully understand the static and dynamic load carrying capacity of the rack and be sure that it can accommodate the weight of the SSU-M High-Density 5U84 enclosure.
- o Be sure sufficient clearance exists for cabling; installation and removal of PDUs; installation and removal of the enclosure and enclosure FRUs; operation of the rack doors; and full extension of the drive drawers.
− 3 HPE optical SAS cables must be used to connect to R4M27A, R7K93A, or R7K89A.
Data Mover | ||
|---|---|---|
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems Data Services Mover Node | S3J02A | |
| Model Name | HPE Cray Storage Systems Data Services Mover Node | |
| Processor | EPYC 9124 (16-Core, 3.0 GHz, 200 W) | |
| Number of Processors | One processor | |
| Memory | 32 GB RDIMM SR 1Rx4 4800 MT/s (1x 32 GB) | |
| Network Controller | HPE 1 GbE 4-port Base-T OCP3 Adapter plus the choice of 1 or 2 PCIe cards for Lustre and NFS Networks | |
| Internal Storage | 2 x 480 GB SATA M.2 | |
| PCI-Express Slots | 1 PCIe x16 Primary Riser 1 PCIe x16 Secondary Riser | |
| Power Supply | 2x 1000 W HPE FlexSlot Power Supply | |
| Fans | 7 standard fans | |
| Management | Default: HPE iLO Standard with Intelligent Provisioning, HPE OneView Standard (requires download) | |
| ENERGY STAR | 3.0 certified | |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | |
| Warranty | 3-year parts, 3-year labor, 3-year onsite support with next business day response. | |
| Dimensions | ||
| 8SFF chassis | 4.29 X 43.46 X 64.94 cm 1.69 x 17.11 x 25.57 in | |
| Package | 24.2 X 60 X 91.6 cm 9.53 X 23.6 X 36.06 In | |
| Weight Maximum | 8 SFF chassis with 1 processor, 2 power supplies, 1 standard heat sink, 12 DIMMs, 2 high-speed network cards, and 7 standard fans. | 15.54 kg o 34.27 lb |
| | Package | 4.21 kg or 9.281 lb |
| Rated Line Voltage | 100 to 120 VAC 200 to 240 VAC | |
NFS Protocol Node | ||
|---|---|---|
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems Data Services NFS Protocol Node | S3J03A | |
| Model Name | HPE Cray Storage Systems Data Services NFS Protocol Node | |
| Processor | EPYC 9124 (16-Core, 3.0 GHz, 200 W) | |
| Number of Processors | One processor | |
| Memory | 32 GB RDIMM SR 1Rx4 4800 MT/s (1x 32 GB) | |
| Network Controller | HPE 1 GbE 4-port Base-T OCP3 Adapter plus the choice of 1 or 2 PCIe cards for Lustre and NFS Networks | |
| Internal Storage | 2 x 480 GB SATA M.2 | |
| PCI-Express Slots | 1 PCIe x16 Primary Riser 1 PCIe x16 Secondary Riser | |
| Power Supply | 2x 1000 W HPE FlexSlot Power Supply | |
| Fans | 7 standard fans | |
| Management | Default: HPE iLO Standard with Intelligent Provisioning, HPE OneView Standard (requires download) | |
| ENERGY STAR | 3.0 certified | |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | |
| Warranty | 3-year parts, 3-year labor, 3-year onsite support with next business day response. | |
| Dimensions | ||
| 8SFF chassis | 4.29 X 43.46 X 64.94 cm 1.69 X 17.11 X 25.57 In | |
| Package | 24.2 X 60 X 91.6 cm 9.53 X 23.6 X 36.06 In | |
| Weight Maximum | 8 SFF chassis with 1 processor, 2 power supply, 1 standard heatsink, 12 DIMM, 2 High Speed Network Cards, and 7 standard fans. o | 15.54 kg o 34.27 lb |
| | Package | 4.21 kg or 9.281 lb |
| Rated Line Voltage | 100 to 120 VAC 200 to 240 VAC | |
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems Data Services SMB Protocol Node | S6U22A | |
|---|---|---|
| Model Name | HPE Cray Storage Systems Data Services SMB Protocol Node | |
| Processor | EPYC 9124 (16-Core, 3.0 GHz, 200 W) | |
| Number of Processors | One processor | |
| Memory | 32 GB RDIMM SR 1Rx4 4800 MT/s (1x 32 GB) | |
| Network Controller | HPE 1 GbE 4-port Base-T OCP3 Adapter plus the choice of 1 or 2 PCIe cards for Lustre and SMB Networks | |
| Internal Storage | 2 x 480 GB SATA M.2 | |
| PCI-Express Slots | 1 PCIe x16 Primary Riser 1 PCIe x16 Secondary Riser | |
| Power Supply | 2x 1000 W HPE FlexSlot Power Supply | |
| Fans | 7 standard fans | |
| Management | Default: HPE iLO Standard with Intelligent Provisioning, HPE OneView Standard (requires download) | |
| ENERGY STAR | 3.0 certified | |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | |
| Warranty | 3-year parts, 3-year labor, 3-year onsite support with next business day response. | |
| Dimensions | ||
| 8SFF chassis | 4.29 X 43.46 X 64.94 cm 1.69 X 17.11 X 25.57 In | |
| Package | 24.2 X 60 X 91.6 cm 9.53 X 23.6 X 36.06 In | |
| Weight Maximum | 8 SFF chassis with 1 processor, 2 power supply, 1 standard heatsink, 12 DIMM, 2 High Speed Network Cards, and 7 standard fans. o | 15.54 kg o 34.27 lb |
| | Package | 4.21 kg or 9.281 lb |
| Rated Line Voltage | 100 to 120 VAC 200 to 240 VAC | |
S3 Protocol Node | ||
|---|---|---|
| HPE Cray Supercomputing Storage Systems Data Services S3 Protocol Node | S6L02A | |
| Model Name | HPE Cray Storage Systems Data Services S3 Protocol Node | |
| Processor | EPYC 9124 (16-Core, 3.0 GHz, 200 W) | |
| Number of Processors | One processor | |
| Memory | 32 GB RDIMM SR 1Rx4 4800 MT/s (1x 32 GB) | |
| Network Controller | HPE 1 GbE 4-port Base-T OCP3 Adapter plus the choice of 1 or 2 PCIe cards for Lustre and S3 Networks | |
| Internal Storage | 2 x 480 GB SATA M.2 | |
| PCI-Express Slots | 1 PCIe x16 Primary Riser 1 PCIe x16 Secondary Riser | |
| Power Supply | 2x 1000 W HPE FlexSlot Power Supply | |
| Fans | 7 standard fans | |
| Management | Default: HPE iLO Standard with Intelligent Provisioning, HPE OneView Standard (requires download) | |
| ENERGY STAR | 3.0 certified | |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | |
| Warranty | 3-year parts, 3-year labor, 3-year onsite support with next business day response. | |
| Dimensions | ||
| 8SFF chassis | 4.29 X 43.46 X 64.94 cm 1.69 X 17.11 X 25.57 In | |
| Package | 24.2 X 60 X 91.6 cm 9.53 X 23.6 X 36.06 In | |
| Weight Maximum | 8 SFF chassis with 1 processor, 2 power supply, 1 standard heatsink, 12 DIMM, 2 High Speed Network Cards, and 7 standard fans. o | 15.54 kg o 34.27 lb |
| | Package | 4.21 kg or 9.281 lb |
| Rated Line Voltage | 100 to 120 VAC 200 to 240 VAC | |
Summary of Changes
| Date | Version History | Action | Description of Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21-Sep-2026 | Changed | Replaced references to "HPE GreenLake" with "GreenLake" to align with current branding standards. | |
| 16-Feb-2026 | Changed | Visual rebranding only—updated typography, colors, and design elements to align with new HPE brand standards. No technical specifications or content were modified. | |
| 02-Sep-2025 | Changed | Changed drive options and added SMB and S3 Protocol Nodes | |
| 16-Dec-2024 | Changed | Standard Features section | |
| 03-Sep-2024 | Changed | The Technical Specifications section was updated, and the 24 TB HDD option was added. | |
| 15-Jul-2024 | Changed | Overview and Technical Specification sections were updated | |
| 06-May-2024 | New | New QuickSpecs |
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For hard drives, 1 GB = 1 billion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less
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