342-5518 Dell 1.2TB 10K RPM SAS-6GBITS 2.5" HDD with Tray

Dell 342-5518 1.2TB SAS 10K RPM Hard Disk Drive  

The Dell 342-5518 is a reliable and high-speed enterprise-grade storage device designed for demanding server workloads. Built for PowerEdge and Power Vault systems, this 2.5-inch SAS hard drive delivers stable performance, enhanced data integrity, and optimized throughput for business-critical applications.

General Information

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number: 342-5518
• Device Type: Enterprise Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Technical Specifications

• Drive Type: Hybrid Hard Drive (Enterprise Class)
• Storage Capacity: 1.2 Terabytes
• Rotational Speed: 10,000 RPM
• External Data Transfer Rate: 600 MB/s (SAS 6Gbps)
• Cache Buffer: 64MB High-Speed Memory

Interface and Connectivity Features

• Interface Type: Serial Attached SCSI (SAS-2)
• Number of Ports: 1 x SAS Interface
• Hot-Swap Support: Yes (2.5-inch drive bay compatible)
• Form Factor: 2.5 Inch Enterprise Drive
• Hot-Plug Tray Included: Yes
• Designed For: Rack-mounted and tower servers

Dell PowerEdge & PowerVault Systems

Compatible PowerEdge Servers

• PowerEdge R310
• PowerEdge R320
• PowerEdge R410
• PowerEdge R415
• PowerEdge R420
• PowerEdge R510
• PowerEdge R515
• PowerEdge R520
• PowerEdge R710
• PowerEdge R720
• PowerEdge R720xd

Tower Server Compatibility

• PowerEdge T310
• PowerEdge T320
• PowerEdge T410
• PowerEdge T420
• PowerEdge T610
• PowerEdge T620
• PowerEdge T710Installation and Upgrade Advantages

Dell 1.2TB 10K RPM SAS-6GBITS 64MB HDD Overview

The Dell 342-5518 1.2TB 10K RPM SAS-6GBITS 64MB Buffer 2.5-inch Hard Drive with Tray represents a specialized class of enterprise-grade storage designed for mission-critical server environments. This category of hard drives is widely implemented across modern data centers, virtualization platforms, and high-performance computing infrastructures where reliability, sustained throughput, and consistent low latency are essential. Built for compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers and Dell PowerVault storage systems, this storage device belongs to the high-performance Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ecosystem optimized for enterprise workloads.

Enterprise Storage Architecture

Within the broader storage hierarchy, enterprise SAS hard drives occupy a premium segment positioned above consumer-grade SATA drives in both performance and durability. The Dell 342-5518 model is categorized specifically for server environments requiring continuous 24/7 operation. This category emphasizes redundancy support, dual-port connectivity, and enhanced error correction protocols that ensure data integrity under heavy workloads. The integration of a 64MB buffer cache further elevates its ability to handle concurrent read and write requests efficiently.

SAS 6Gbps Technology and Performance

Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) technology is a cornerstone of enterprise storage systems. The 6Gbps transfer rate of this category ensures consistent high-speed communication between the drive and server controller. Unlike traditional SATA interfaces, SAS supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous read and write operations that significantly enhance data throughput in server environments.

Dual-Port Connectivity and Redundancy

A defining feature of SAS-based drives is dual-port capability, which provides redundant data paths. In the event of a controller or path failure, the system can automatically reroute data traffic through an alternate channel. This redundancy is critical in high-availability systems where downtime is not acceptable.

Signal Integrity and Enterprise Reliability

The SAS interface also ensures superior signal integrity compared to consumer-grade interfaces. Enhanced error detection mechanisms and robust data encoding schemes minimize the risk of data corruption during transmission. This makes the Dell 342-5518 category suitable for mission-critical workloads requiring absolute data accuracy.

10,000 RPM Performance

The 10K RPM spindle speed is a defining characteristic of this storage category. Higher rotational speed directly contributes to reduced seek times and improved data retrieval efficiency. This is particularly important for applications that require frequent random access to stored data such as virtual machine hosting and online transaction processing systems.

2.5-Inch Form Factor 

The 2.5-inch form factor is widely adopted in modern enterprise servers due to its compact size and scalability advantages. This category allows data centers to maximize storage density within limited rack space, enabling higher storage capacity per server chassis. The smaller physical footprint also contributes to improved airflow and thermal management.

64MB Cache Acceleration Technology

The 64MB cache buffer plays a crucial role in enhancing read and write performance. Acting as a temporary data storage layer, the cache allows frequently accessed information to be retrieved quickly without requiring repeated mechanical disk access. This significantly improves system responsiveness under heavy workloads.

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge 

The Dell 342-5518 category is fully optimized for Dell PowerEdge server environments. These servers are widely used in enterprise data centers for virtualization, database hosting, and cloud infrastructure. The drive integrates seamlessly with PowerEdge RAID controllers, ensuring maximum compatibility and performance stability.

Hot-Plug Support in Enterprise Environments

Hot-plug functionality allows drives to be replaced or added without shutting down the server. This capability is essential in maintaining uptime for critical applications and services.

Scalable Storage Architecture

The modular nature of PowerVault systems allows organizations to expand storage capacity incrementally. This drive category supports such scalability by providing consistent performance across multiple units in a storage array.

Enterprise Workload Application Scenarios

This category of hard drive is optimized for a wide range of enterprise workloads including virtualization hosting, database management, cloud computing infrastructure, and enterprise resource planning systems. Its performance characteristics make it ideal for environments where consistent throughput is more important than burst performance.

Database and Transaction Processing Systems

Relational database systems benefit significantly from the low latency and high reliability of this storage category. Frequent read/write operations are handled efficiently, ensuring smooth transaction processing.

Performance and Stability Differences

SATA drives may offer similar capacity at lower cost, but they lack the dual-port redundancy and enterprise-grade command handling of SAS drives. This results in lower overall reliability in high-demand environments.

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

Organizations often choose SAS drives over SATA when system uptime and performance consistency are top priorities. This makes the Dell 342-5518 category a preferred choice for enterprise IT infrastructure.

Enterprise Lifecycle and Deployment

The lifecycle of enterprise SAS drives is designed for long-term deployment in critical infrastructure. Consistent firmware updates and compatibility support ensure that the drive remains functional within evolving server ecosystems.