Description
Product Overview of the Dell 400-AUTO SAS Hard Drive
The Dell 400-AUTO is a high-performance Hard Disk Drive (HDD) designed for robust data storage within server systems. With a capacious storage capacity of
2.4 Terabytes (TB), spinning at a speed of 10,000 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), utilizing Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) technology at 12 Gigabits per second (GBPS), and featuring a 512N format in a 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), this hard drive delivers substantial storage, speed, and reliability for server-based applications.
Storage Capacity: 2.4 Terabytes (TB)
The significant 2.4 TB storage capacity of the Dell 400-AUTO
HDD offers a substantial amount of storage space, ideal for servers managing large-scale data and applications that demand extensive storage capabilities.
Rotational Speed: 10,000 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)
With a rotational speed of 10,000 RPM, this hard drive ensures swift data access and retrieval. Higher RPM values contribute to reduced latency, enabling quick access to stored information and enhancing overall system performance.
Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) Interface at 12 GBPS
The inclusion of a high-speed Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) interface operating at 12 GBPS facilitates rapid data transfer between the hard drive and the server. SAS interfaces are known for their reliability, scalability, and consistent performance, making them suitable for enterprise-level servers.
512N Format and 2.5-Inch Small Form Factor (SFF)
The 512N format refers to the physical sector size of the hard drive, enhancing compatibility and performance in various server configurations. Additionally, the 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) ensures compatibility with standard server drive bays, optimizing space utilization within server enclosures.
Hot-Plug Capabilities with Tray
The hard drive’s hot plug capabilities, coupled with the included tray, allow for seamless replacement or addition of the drive while the server remains operational. This feature minimizes downtime during maintenance or upgrades, ensuring continuous server operation.
Applications in Server Environments
The Dell 400-AUTO SAS Hard Drive caters to various server applications due to its high capacity, speed, and reliability:
- Database Servers: Ideal for databases handling large datasets that require both capacity and performance for efficient data management.
- Enterprise Applications: Suitable for enterprise-level applications such as virtualization, email servers, and content delivery networks where storage performance is critical.
- High-Intensity Workloads: Beneficial for servers involved in high-intensity workloads requiring fast access to stored data, such as analytics and transactional systems.
SAS Interface and Data Transfer Rate
SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) is a type of interface used to connect storage devices, such as hard drives and solid-state drives, to a computer or server. It uses a point-to-point topology, where each device has its own dedicated connection to the host, rather than sharing a common bus like with SATA. This allows for greater scalability and performance.
The SAS interface uses the SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) standard for data transfer. SCSI is a set of commands and protocols that allow for efficient communication between the host and the storage device. The SAS interface also supports advanced features such as multi-path and redundancy, which increase reliability and availability.
SAS data transfer rates, also known as the interface speed, are measured in Gbps (gigabits per second). The 400-AUTO Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512E 256MB SFF Hard Drive has an SAS 12 Gbps interface, which allows for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance compared to previous versions such as SAS 6 Gbps and SAS 3 Gbps.
It’s important to note that SAS hard drives can also be backward compatible with SAS 3 Gbps and SAS 6 Gbps interfaces but at the cost of performance. Additionally, the 512E technology allows the disk drive to be compatible with older servers that only support 512 bytes per sector.
Rotational Speed and Form Factor
Rotational speed, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), refers to how fast the disk platters inside a hard drive spin. The faster the platters spin, the quicker data can be accessed. The 400-AUTO Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512E 256MB SFF Hard Drive has a rotational speed of 10K RPM. This speed is considered “enterprise” and is faster than nearline drives with 7.2K RPM. This means that the hard drive will have faster data access and improved performance for applications that require fast data access such as transactional databases, large data sets, and high-performance computing.
Form factor, on the other hand, refers to the physical size and shape of a hard drive. The Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512E 256MB SFF Hard Drive has a “small form factor” (SFF) which means it is smaller than the large form factor (LFF) hard drive. The smaller size allows it to fit in servers with smaller drive bays. However, it also means that it can accommodate fewer disk platters which reduces storage capacity.
The SFF hard drive is typically used in environments where space is a concern, such as in servers with limited drive bays, or in applications where high-performance data access is required but storage capacity is not as critical. Additionally, the small form factor of SFF hard drives can also be useful in situations where multiple hard drives are installed in a single server, such as in a RAID configuration, where the smaller size allows for better cooling and airflow.
Reliability and MTBF
Reliability and MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) are important considerations for hard drives, as they determine how long the drive can be expected to last and how often it may need to be replaced.
Reliability is a measure of how well a hard drive can withstand normal operating conditions and resist failure. Factors that affect reliability include the quality of the components, the design and construction of the drive, and the way the drive is used.
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is a statistical measure that estimates the average time a hard drive will operate without failing. It is usually measured in hours and is based on the assumption that the hard drive will fail randomly over time. MTBF is calculated by taking the total number of hours of operation and dividing by the number of failures.
The 400-AUTO Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512E 256MB SFF Hard Drive is designed to be a high-reliability hard drive with a high MTBF rating. The hard drive is built with high-quality components and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it can withstand normal operating conditions and resist failure. The MTBF rating for the Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512E 256MB SFF Hard Drive is not specified by the manufacturer but it’s expected to be high due to the enterprise-grade specifications and features of the drive.
It’s worth noting that MTBF is an estimation and it’s not a guarantee for the lifetime of the drive, and it’s also important to note that the operating conditions, the workload, and the way the drive is used can affect the reliability and MTBF.
Main Information about this Dell 400-AUTO
- Manufacturer: Dell
- Model Number or SKU# 400-AUTO
- Product Type: Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- Sub-Product Type: SAS-12GBPS
Technical Information:
- Storage Capacity: 2.4 TB
- Form Factor: 2.5 Inch
- Interface: SAS-12GBPS
- Cache: 256 MB
- Features: Advanced Format 512e
Performance:
- Rotational Speed: 10K RPM
- External Transfer Rate: 1200 MBPS
- Cache: 256 MB
- Interfaces: 1 X SAS 12GB/S
- Compatible Bays: 1 X Hot-swap – 2.5inch
Compatibility
- Poweredge R630
- Poweredge R730
- Poweredge R430
- Poweredge T430
- Poweredge R230
- Poweredge R330
- Poweredge R730xd Xl
- Poweredge R830
- Poweredge T640
- Poweredge T440
In summary, the Dell 400-AUTO 2.4 TB SAS Hard Drive is a robust storage solution optimized for server environments. Its combination of high capacity, rotational speed, SAS interface, 512N format, and hot-plug capabilities makes it a versatile choice for various server applications.
This hard drive enhances overall server performance by providing substantial and reliable storage. Whether integrated into database servers, enterprise applications, or systems handling high-intensity workloads, the Dell 400-AUTO SAS Hard Drive ensures efficient and dependable data storage and management within diverse server configurations.
