400-AZIL Dell 800GB SAS 12GBPS SSD Hot Plug.

Dell 400-AZIL 800GB Mixed Use SAS SSD: Enterprise Storage Performance

Understanding the Dell 400-AZIL Solid State Drive

The Dell 400-AZIL is an enterprise-class 2.5-inch solid state drive designed specifically for mixed-use workloads in demanding server and storage environments. With an 800GB capacity and utilizing TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND flash memory with a SAS 12Gbps interface, this drive represents a balance of performance, endurance, and reliability for data centers and business-critical applications.

Key Product Identification and Compatibility

Recognized by part numbers 400-AZIL, 0T2MR4, and CN0T2MR4, this drive is engineered specifically for Dell PowerEdge servers and PowerVault storage systems. As a genuine Dell component, it ensures full compatibility, firmware optimization, and seamless integration with Dell's management tools including OpenManage and iDRAC.

Enterprise SSD Technology Explained

SAS 12Gbps Interface Technology

The Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12 gigabits per second interface represents the enterprise standard for high-performance storage connectivity. Unlike consumer-grade SATA interfaces, SAS provides full-duplex communication, meaning data can be read and written simultaneously without performance degradation.

Dual-Port Capability for High Availability

One of the most critical enterprise features of SAS technology is dual-port capability. The Dell 400-AZIL SSD supports two independent pathways to the storage controller, enabling redundant connections for mission-critical applications. This architecture eliminates single points of failure and allows for maintenance operations without system downtime.

SAS vs. SATA in Enterprise Environments

While SATA SSDs may offer cost advantages, SAS provides significantly higher reliability, enhanced error recovery, and better queue management. The SAS interface maintains consistent performance under heavy workload conditions where SATA drives might experience performance degradation.

TLC NAND Flash in Enterprise Applications

Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND stores three bits of data per memory cell, providing an optimal balance of cost, capacity, and endurance. Enterprise TLC (eTLC) implementations like that in the 400-AZIL incorporate advanced wear-leveling algorithms, over-provisioning, and sophisticated error correction to deliver reliability comparable to more expensive MLC alternatives.

Mixed-Use Workload Optimization

The "Mixed Use" designation indicates this SSD is engineered to handle balanced combinations of read and write operations. Unlike read-intensive SSDs that prioritize read performance, or write-intensive SSDs optimized for heavy write workloads, mixed-use drives provide consistent performance across varied application demands.

Performance Specifications and Capabilities

Speed and Throughput Metrics

The Dell 400-AZIL delivers enterprise-grade performance with sequential read speeds up to 1,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 800 MB/s. Random performance reaches up to 160,000 IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) for read operations and 45,000 IOPS for write operations, making it suitable for demanding database and virtualization workloads.

Latency Characteristics

Consistent low latency is a hallmark of enterprise SSDs. The 400-AZIL maintains average read latency below 150 microseconds and write latency below 25 microseconds, ensuring responsive performance for latency-sensitive applications.

Endurance and Reliability Specifications

With a endurance rating of 10 full drive writes per day (DWPD) over its 5-year warranty period, the 400-AZIL can withstand significant write workloads. This translates to approximately 14.6 petabytes written (PBW) over the drive's lifespan, ensuring long-term reliability in write-intensive environments.

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)

The drive features an impressive 2 million hours MTBF rating, significantly exceeding consumer SSD specifications. This reliability metric demonstrates the engineering focus on continuous operation in 24/7 data center environments.

Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate (UBER)

With an UBER rating of 1 sector per 10^17 bits read, the 400-AZIL provides exceptional data integrity. This advanced error correction capability ensures data reliability even under challenging operating conditions.

Enterprise Features and Technologies

Power Loss Protection

Enterprise environments require protection against data corruption during unexpected power loss. The Dell 400-AZIL incorporates advanced power loss protection circuits that provide sufficient holdup time to complete in-progress writes and commit data from volatile cache to non-volatile memory.

End-to-End Data Protection

Comprehensive data integrity features include cyclic redundancy check (CRC) protection for both data and command paths, ensuring corruption detection throughout the entire data pathway from host to NAND flash memory.

Advanced Flash Management

The drive employs sophisticated flash management techniques including wear leveling, bad block management, garbage collection, and read disturb management. These algorithms work collectively to extend drive lifespan and maintain consistent performance throughout the drive's operational life.

Over-Provisioning Strategy

Enterprise SSDs maintain additional capacity beyond the advertised user space. This over-provisioning improves write performance, enhances garbage collection efficiency, and extends the drive's endurance by distributing write operations across more physical NAND cells.

Thermal Management

Enterprise workloads can generate significant heat, potentially impacting performance and reliability. The 400-AZIL incorporates thermal monitoring and throttling mechanisms to maintain optimal operating temperatures while minimizing performance impact.

Enterprise Use Cases and Applications

Server Virtualization Platforms

The consistent low latency and high IOPS capabilities make the Dell 400-AZIL ideal for virtualization hosts running VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, or other hypervisors. The drive can efficiently handle multiple virtual machines with varying workload patterns simultaneously.

Database Management Systems

Relational databases like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, and MySQL benefit from the mixed-use characteristics of the 400-AZIL. Transaction processing, which combines frequent reads with write commits, matches perfectly with the drive's performance profile.

OLTP and OLAP Workloads

Both Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) environments benefit from the drive's balanced performance characteristics. The fast random read performance accelerates query processing, while strong write capabilities handle transaction logging efficiently.

Cloud Infrastructure and Hosting

For public and private cloud deployments, the 400-AZIL provides the consistent performance necessary for multi-tenant environments. The drive's quality of service (QoS) characteristics ensure predictable latency for critical applications.

High-Performance Computing

In HPC environments where storage performance can become a bottleneck, the SAS 12Gbps interface and low latency characteristics of the 400-AZIL help maintain computational efficiency, particularly for data-intensive applications.

System Compatibility and Integration

Dell PowerEdge Server Compatibility

The 400-AZIL is certified for use across multiple generations of Dell PowerEdge servers including the 13th generation and newer. Specific compatibility includes PowerEdge R740xd, R740, R640, and other 2.5-inch drive capable models.

PowerVault Storage Arrays

For external storage expansion, the drive integrates seamlessly with Dell PowerVault ME4 Series storage arrays, providing performance tier storage for mixed workload environments.

Dell Express Flash Bays

The 2.5-inch small form factor with hot-plug capability allows installation in Dell's dedicated Express Flash bays, which are optimized for SSD performance with direct PCIe connectivity to the system board.

Operating System Support

Comprehensive driver support includes Windows Server, Linux distributions (Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Ubuntu Server), VMware ESXi, and other enterprise operating systems. Dell provides certified drivers and firmware updates through their support portal.

Management and Monitoring

Integration with Dell OpenManage systems management allows comprehensive monitoring of drive health, performance metrics, and predictive failure analysis. The drive supports S.M.A.R.T. attributes specifically extended for enterprise SSD monitoring.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Physical Specifications

The drive conforms to the 2.5-inch small form factor with a 15mm z-height, compatible with enterprise server drive bays. The hot-plug capability enables replacement and expansion without system shutdown, critical for maintaining service availability.

Capacity and Formatting

While marketed as an 800GB drive, the actual physical capacity is approximately 894GB, with the additional space dedicated to over-provisioning. The drive uses 512e (512 byte emulation) sector formatting, providing compatibility with legacy systems while maintaining modern capacity efficiency.

Environmental Specifications

Rated for continuous operation in data center environments with operating temperatures from 0°C to 70°C. The drive can withstand non-operating shock up to 1,000 G/0.5ms and vibration up to 2.17 G RMS, ensuring resilience during transportation and handling.

Power Consumption Characteristics

Typical active power consumption ranges from 5-8 watts during operation, with idle power as low as 3.5 watts. The power-efficient design helps reduce overall data center power and cooling requirements compared to traditional hard disk drives.

Interface Specifications

The SAS 12Gbps interface is backward compatible with 6Gbps and 3Gbps SAS infrastructures, allowing deployment in existing environments. The interface uses the SFF-8639 connector standard for enterprise drives.

Comparison with Alternative Storage Technologies

SAS vs. NVMe Considerations

While NVMe offers higher theoretical performance through PCIe connectivity, SAS provides established infrastructure, dual-port reliability, and cost-effective performance for many enterprise workloads. The choice depends on specific application requirements and existing infrastructure investments.

Mixed-Use vs. Read-Intensive SSDs

Mixed-use drives like the 400-AZIL command a premium over read-intensive models due to their enhanced write endurance and performance. Organizations should evaluate their actual workload mix rather than defaulting to the lowest-cost SSD option.

TLC vs. MLC NAND Economics

The move to TLC NAND in enterprise environments represents the maturation of flash technology. Modern TLC with appropriate over-provisioning and advanced controllers can deliver MLC-class endurance with significantly better cost-per-gigabyte economics.

Total Cost of Ownership Analysis

While the initial acquisition cost of enterprise SAS SSDs exceeds consumer alternatives, the total cost of ownership calculation must include factors such as reduced power consumption, decreased rack space requirements, lower administrative overhead, and improved application performance.

Procurement and Deployment Considerations

Configuration Best Practices

For optimal performance, deploy multiple 400-AZIL drives in RAID configurations appropriate to the workload. RAID 10 provides excellent performance for write-intensive applications, while RAID 5 offers capacity efficiency for read-heavy workloads.

Workload Assessment

Before procurement, analyze existing storage workloads to determine the appropriate balance between read-intensive, write-intensive, and mixed-use drives. Monitoring tools can provide insights into I/O patterns, queue depths, and latency requirements.

Compatibility Verification

While the 400-AZIL is designed for Dell systems, verification of specific server generations and firmware levels is recommended before deployment. Dell's compatibility matrices provide detailed guidance for specific configurations.

Performance Benchmarking

After deployment, conduct appropriate performance validation using tools such as FIO or IOMeter to establish baseline performance characteristics. Real-world workload testing provides more valuable insights than theoretical maximum specifications.