Question 1
You are using the HPE ProLiant SSD Selector Tool. The customer requires a common protocol for authenticating and attesting to drives in an HPE server or storage system.
Which drive type should be chosen?
Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM) is a DMTF standard for authenticating hardware components and obtaining cryptographically protected measurements of their security state. An SPDM requester, such as platform firmware or a management controller, communicates with an SPDM-capable responder, such as a supported SSD, to verify identity and request attestation measurements. The mechanism supports certificate-based authentication, integrity validation, and secure-session establishment. Its value is a common protocol across device categories rather than reliance on a proprietary storage-drive exchange. A Trusted Platform Module provides hardware-rooted cryptographic functions but is not itself the requested drive attestation protocol. Self-Encrypting Drives protect data at rest; a FIPS-qualified SED addresses cryptographic validation requirements. Neither designation alone provides the standardized device-to-platform exchange described in the scenario. Architects must confirm that both the host platform and selected SSD support the required SPDM version and associated authentication workflow. HPE server compatibility and firmware currency remain separate prerequisites for successful drive integration.
Study Guide Reference: Drive and platform security: SPDM, TPM, SED, FIPS and hardware attestation.
Official reference(s): SSD Selector | HPE Storage Solutions course