345-BHRR Dell 7.68TB PCIe NVMe U.2 SFF RI SSD

Dell 7.68TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe U.2 SSD Overview

The Dell 345-BHRR 7.68TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe U.2 SSD represents a high-capacity, enterprise-grade storage solution engineered for read-intensive workloads. Designed for compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers, this 2.5-inch U.2 SSD leverages the PCIe Gen4 interface to deliver exceptional throughput, low latency, and optimal power efficiency. With its massive 7.68TB capacity and NVMe architecture, it is ideal for data centers, cloud platforms, and virtualized environments requiring fast access to large datasets.

Key Features of Dell 345-BHRR NVMe SSD

• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe for ultra-fast data transfer
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch U.2 for enterprise server compatibility
• Capacity: 7.68TB optimized for read-intensive applications
• Endurance: Tailored for high-volume read operations with low DWPD
• Power Efficiency: Advanced thermal management and low active power draw
• Security: Support for Secure Erase and optional SED encryption
• Reliability: Enterprise-grade NAND and firmware for consistent performance

PCIe Gen4 NVMe Interface Advantages

The PCIe Gen4 interface doubles the bandwidth of its Gen3 predecessor, offering up to 16GT/s per lane. For the Dell 345-BHRR SSD, this translates into significantly faster sequential read speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced IOPS performance. NVMe protocol further minimizes overhead compared to legacy SATA and SAS interfaces, enabling direct communication with the CPU and maximizing parallelism across multiple queues.

Performance Metrics

The 345-BHRR SSD delivers sequential read speeds exceeding 6,800MB/s and random read IOPS in the range of 1 million, depending on system configuration. These metrics make it ideal for workloads such as:

• Big data analytics
• Media streaming platforms
• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
• Web-scale applications
• AI inference and machine learning datasets

Latency Optimization

With sub-100 microsecond latency, the Dell 345-BHRR SSD ensures rapid data access, reducing bottlenecks in read-heavy environments. This is particularly beneficial for real-time applications and high-frequency trading platforms where every millisecond counts.

Read Intensive Workload Suitability

Read-intensive SSDs like the 345-BHRR are optimized for environments where data is accessed frequently but written infrequently. These drives typically feature lower DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) ratings, allowing for higher capacity at a lower cost per GB. The 7.68TB capacity is ideal for storing large volumes of static or semi-static data such as:

• Media libraries
• Database query results
• Virtual machine images
• Backup repositories
• Content delivery networks (CDNs)

DWPD and TBW Ratings

The Dell 345-BHRR SSD is rated for approximately 0.5 DWPD over a 5-year lifespan, translating to a Total Bytes Written (TBW) of over 7,000TB. This endurance profile aligns with enterprise-grade reliability standards for read-centric deployments.

Form Factor and Compatibility

The 2.5-inch U.2 form factor ensures seamless integration into Dell PowerEdge servers and other enterprise platforms supporting NVMe U.2 bays. Unlike M.2 drives, U.2 SSDs offer hot-swap capability, enhanced thermal dissipation, and better scalability for rack-mounted systems.

Supported Dell Server Models

• Dell PowerEdge R650, R750, R760
• Dell PowerEdge T550, T560
• Dell PowerEdge MX740c, MX750c
• Dell PowerEdge C6525, C6625
• Dell PowerEdge R6525, R7525

Hot-Swap and Serviceability

The U.2 interface supports hot-swap functionality, allowing administrators to replace drives without powering down the server. This minimizes downtime and enhances serviceability in mission-critical environments.

Enterprise NAND Architecture

The 345-BHRR SSD utilizes high-endurance 3D TLC NAND flash, optimized for read-intensive workloads. The multi-layer cell structure balances performance and cost-efficiency while maintaining data integrity through advanced error correction algorithms and wear-leveling techniques.

ECC and Firmware Optimization

Built-in Error Correction Code (ECC) and Dell-certified firmware ensure consistent performance and data reliability. Firmware-level optimizations include:

• Advanced garbage collection
• Dynamic thermal throttling
• Power-loss protection
• SMART monitoring and diagnostics

Security and Data Protection

The Dell 345-BHRR SSD supports Secure Erase functionality and optional Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) capabilities. These features are essential for compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC 27001.

SED Encryption Standards

When configured as an SED, the drive supports AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring that data at rest is protected against unauthorized access. Encryption keys are managed internally, reducing exposure to external threats.

Secure Erase and Sanitization

Secure Erase enables complete data sanitization, making the drive suitable for redeployment or decommissioning in secure environments. This feature complies with NIST SP 800-88 guidelines for media sanitization.

Thermal Management and Power Efficiency

The 345-BHRR SSD incorporates advanced thermal sensors and firmware-controlled throttling to maintain optimal operating temperatures. This ensures sustained performance under heavy workloads while minimizing power consumption.

Active and Idle Power Ratings

• Active Power: ~8W under full load
• Idle Power: ~3W during standby

Energy Efficiency Benefits

Lower power draw translates into reduced cooling requirements and operational costs, making the 345-BHRR SSD an environmentally conscious choice for large-scale deployments.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Dell 345-BHRR 7.68TB NVMe SSD is ideal for a wide range of enterprise applications where read performance and capacity are paramount. Common deployment scenarios include:

Virtualization and VDI

In virtual desktop infrastructure environments, fast read access to VM images and user profiles is critical. The 345-BHRR SSD ensures rapid boot times and seamless user experiences.

Cloud Storage Platforms

For cloud providers, the drive offers scalable performance for object storage, file hosting, and database query acceleration. Its high capacity supports multi-tenant architectures with ease.

Media and Content Delivery

Streaming platforms benefit from the drive’s ability to serve high-resolution content with minimal latency. Its read-intensive optimization ensures smooth playback and fast content retrieval.

AI and Machine Learning

AI inference workloads often require rapid access to large datasets. The 345-BHRR SSD delivers the necessary throughput and low latency to support real-time model execution and data preprocessing.