161-BCPD Dell 12TB 7.2K RPM NL SAS-12GBPS 512e LFF Hot Plug HDD

Dell 161-BCPD 12TB SAS Hard Drive Specifications

The Dell 161-BCPD is a high-capacity enterprise-grade hard disk drive designed for performance and reliability. Built for PowerVault MD2412 and other compatible storage systems, this 12TB drive offers seamless scalability and consistent data throughput for demanding IT infrastructures.

Technical Features

• Brand: Dell
• Model Number: 161-BCPD
• Drive Type: Internal enterprise hard disk drive
• Total Capacity: 12 Terabytes
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch bay support
• Interface Protocol: SAS 12Gb/s
• Buffer Memory: 256MB cache
• Sector Format: Advanced 512e sector size

High-Performance Capabilities

This Dell hard drive ensures fast data processing with enterprise-class efficiency:

• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
• Average Latency: 4.16 milliseconds
• Sequential Transfer Rates: Up to 243 MB/s read and 255 MB/s write
• Seek Time: 8.0ms (read), 8.6ms (write)
• Data Buffer: Optimized 256MB for smoother performance

Expansion and Connectivity

Optimized for enterprise enclosures, the drive provides flexible connectivity and hot-swap support.

• Interface: Single SAS 12Gb/s connector
• Bay Compatibility: 3.5-inch hot-swap slot

Enterprise-Grade Reliability

Designed for data-intensive environments, the Dell 161-BCPD drive supports large-scale workloads, ensuring stability, security, and durability in mission-critical deployments.

Compatibility and System Integration

The 12TB SAS HDD is fully compatible with Dell PowerVault MD2412, delivering dependable scalability for data centers and enterprise storage solutions.

Ideal Use Cases

• Archiving and long-term data retention
• Enterprise backup and disaster recovery
• High-capacity storage arrays
• Cloud storage infrastructure

Advanced Storage Technology

The drive incorporates enterprise-class firmware and reliability features, delivering consistent throughput and enhanced data integrity under heavy workloads.

Key Highlights

• 12TB massive storage capacity for growing data needs
• 512e sector size for broad compatibility with modern systems
• Efficient 7200 RPM design for balance of speed and energy efficiency
• Optimized SAS 12Gb/s interface for high-speed enterprise applications

Dell 12TB SAS 12Gbps Nearline Hard Drives: Enterprise-Class Storage for Demanding Workloads

The 161-BCPD Dell 12TB SAS-12Gbps 7.2K RPM NL 256MB Buffer 512e 3.5-inch Hot Plug Hard Drive represents a high-capacity, performance-optimized solution tailored for enterprise environments requiring scalable, reliable, and cost-effective storage. As part of Dell’s certified SAS nearline drive lineup, this model is engineered for compatibility with PowerEdge servers and storage arrays, delivering consistent throughput, robust endurance, and seamless integration into mission-critical infrastructures.

Key Features of the 161-BCPD Dell 12TB SAS Hard Drive

• Interface: SAS-12Gbps for high-speed dual-port connectivity and full-duplex data transfer
• Capacity: 12TB formatted capacity for large-scale data retention
• Spindle Speed: 7,200 RPM optimized for sequential workloads and archival storage
• Buffer: 256MB cache for improved read/write performance
• Format: 512e (Advanced Format) for enhanced sector efficiency and compatibility
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch LFF hot-plug design for easy serviceability and scalability

Understanding SAS 12Gbps Interface Benefits

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12Gbps interface is a cornerstone of enterprise-grade storage, offering superior bandwidth, reliability, and dual-port failover capabilities. Compared to SATA, SAS provides:

• Higher throughput for data-intensive applications
• Advanced command queuing and error recovery
• Full-duplex communication for simultaneous read/write operations
• Improved scalability with support for large drive arrays

In environments such as virtualization clusters, backup repositories, and high-volume databases, SAS 12Gbps ensures consistent performance and minimal latency.

Nearline SAS Drives: Bridging Performance and Capacity

Nearline SAS (NL-SAS) drives like the 161-BCPD blend the affordability of SATA with the enterprise reliability of SAS. These drives are ideal for tiered storage architectures, offering:

• High capacity for archival and backup workloads
• Enterprise-grade reliability with MTBF ratings exceeding 1.2 million hours
• SAS protocol advantages including dual-port access and better error handling
• Compatibility with RAID configurations and Dell enterprise storage controllers

Use Cases for NL-SAS 12TB Drives

Organizations deploying the 161-BCPD drive benefit from its versatility across multiple applications:

• Backup and Archival: Store large volumes of historical data with minimal cost per GB
• Cold Storage: Retain infrequently accessed data with reliable long-term integrity
• Video Surveillance: Capture and store high-resolution footage across extended retention periods
• Big Data Lakes: Aggregate structured and unstructured data for analytics platforms

Hot-Plug Capability for Seamless Maintenance

The 3.5-inch hot-plug design of the 161-BCPD allows IT administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the server. This feature is essential for minimizing downtime in 24/7 environments and supports:

• Live drive replacement during RAID rebuilds
• Scalable storage expansion without service interruption
• Simplified maintenance in rack-mounted configurations

Advanced Format 512e: Future-Proof Sector Technology

The 512e (512-byte emulation) format used in the 161-BCPD drive aligns with modern storage standards, offering improved efficiency and compatibility. While the physical sector size is 4,096 bytes, the drive emulates 512-byte sectors for legacy system support. Benefits include:

• Better error correction and data integrity
• Increased platter density for higher capacities
• Compatibility with older operating systems and controllers

Buffer Cache Optimization

With a 256MB buffer, the drive accelerates read/write operations by temporarily storing frequently accessed data. This cache size is particularly beneficial for:

• Sequential data transfers in backup jobs
• Metadata caching in file systems
• Reducing latency in RAID rebuilds and parity calculations

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 161-BCPD drive is validated for use in a wide range of Dell PowerEdge platforms, including R-series rack servers and T-series tower servers. Certified compatibility ensures:

• Firmware alignment with Dell controllers
• Seamless integration with Dell OpenManage and iDRAC tools
• Support for PERC RAID controllers and HBA configurations

Supported Dell Server Models

• PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R640, R540
• PowerEdge T640, T440
• PowerEdge VRTX shared infrastructure
• PowerEdge C-series for hyperscale deployments

RAID Compatibility and Performance

The drive supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, enabling flexible redundancy and performance tuning. In RAID 6 configurations, the 12TB capacity allows for massive usable storage while maintaining fault tolerance.

Reliability and Endurance Metrics

Enterprise-grade hard drives like the 161-BCPD are built for 24x7 operation with stringent reliability standards. Key metrics include:

• MTBF: Over 1.2 million hours
• Annualized Failure Rate (AFR): Less than 0.44%
• Workload Rating: Up to 550TB/year
• Rotational Vibration Sensors: For multi-drive chassis stability