345-BGLT Dell 1.92TB SAS 24GBPS Mixed Use 2.5 Inch Hot-Plug SSD

Dell 345-BGLT 1.92TB SSD Overview

The Dell 345-BGLT 1.92TB SAS-24GBPS SSD category represents a focused selection of enterprise-class, high-density solid state drives engineered specifically for PowerEdge server environments and demanding data center workloads. These drives combine a 1.92TB capacity point with SAS 24 Gbps interface performance, industry-leading security through FIPS-validated self-encryption, and mixed-use endurance tuned for real-world read/write ratios encountered in virtualization, database, and OLTP systems.

Enterprise Performance

The drives in this category utilize a 24 Gbps SAS interface—commonly referred to as SAS-24GBPS—designed to deliver robust throughput and full-duplex communication suited to multi-pathing and enterprise storage topologies. Performance characteristics focus on low-latency command completion and high sustained throughput rather than short-burst consumer-style benchmarks. The 1.92TB capacity offers a balanced combination of density and performance; it is large enough to consolidate datasets and virtual machine images without sacrificing the I/O parallelism that comes with multi-channel NAND flash controllers. These SSDs typically use advanced flash management algorithms, power-loss protection capacitors, and firmware optimized for enterprise queue depths and mixed read/write workloads. The 512e sector emulation aligns with many legacy operating systems and storage stacks while still delivering SSD-era performance improvements: logical 512-byte sectors supported while the physical page and block sizes reflect modern NAND geometries. The "3wpd" or three writes per day endurance rating gives procurement teams a predictable metric for lifecycle planning: this endurance class is intentionally tuned for mixed-use applications where heavier write activity occurs but extreme write amplification is controlled through over-provisioning and controller wear-leveling strategies.

FIPS Self-Encrypting Drive

Security is central to the value proposition of this category. Drives labeled with FIPS self-encrypting drive capability incorporate an on-drive encryption engine and key management that can meet FIPS 140-2 (or later) validation requirements when used in an appropriate system context. The self-encrypting functionality ensures that data-at-rest is protected through hardware-based AES encryption, reducing the CPU overhead on host systems and simplifying compliance for regulated industries. Self-encrypting drives help accelerate secure decommissioning and repurposing of storage devices since cryptographic erasure—instantaneous invalidation of the encryption key—renders all stored data inaccessible without the need for lengthy overwrite procedures. For enterprises subject to data protection regulations or internal security mandates, the Dell 345-BGLT 1.92TB SED class strengthens defenses against physical theft, unauthorized removal, and other data-exfiltration scenarios while integrating with broader data center key management solutions and server lifecycle policies.

Mixed Use

Mixed-use SSDs are calibrated to handle a realistic combination of random reads, random writes, and sequential operations that typify virtualization hosts, database servers, and mid-tier application clusters. The 3wpd endurance rating provides purchasing teams with a predictable wear budget based on projected daily write volumes. Drive firmware typically includes features such as dynamic over-provisioning, background garbage collection, read disturb mitigation, and static wear-leveling to extend usable life under mixed workloads. Enterprise-grade power-loss protection and enhanced error-correcting code (ECC) further improve data integrity, and SMART reporting paired with system management interfaces allow administrators to monitor health metrics, lifetime write counts, and remaining drive endurance. When deployed in RAID configurations, these drives offer rebuild times and consistent performance under rebuild stress that reduce risk and maintain service levels during component replacement and maintenance windows.

Form Factor

The category’s 2.5-inch form factor maximizes rack density within modern server chassis while enabling hot-plug capabilities that are essential for high-availability operations. Hot-plugability allows for the removal and insertion of drives without powering down the host, facilitating rapid replacement and minimizing planned downtime. Drive trays and carrier compatibility with PowerEdge servers simplify inventory management for data centers already using Dell hardware. The mechanical and electrical design accounts for thermal dissipation in dense server environments, ensuring that drive firmware thermal throttling thresholds maintain longevity without sudden performance cliffs. This combination of compact physical profile, hot-swap convenience, and standardized cabling supports incremental upgrades, hot-spare rotation, and efficient field maintenance strategies for storage administrators.

Compatibility

Compatibility is a core consideration for the Dell 345-BGLT category. These SSDs are designed to integrate seamlessly with PowerEdge server families, matching the firmware and management ecosystems that IT teams expect in Dell deployments. Support for common server management protocols such as IPMI, iDRAC, and RAID controller firmware ensures that the drives can be monitored, controlled, and updated within existing operational processes. They also interact predictably with enterprise RAID controllers and HBAs that support SAS multi-pathing and advanced error recovery techniques.

Use Cases

Several prominent use cases align well with the capabilities of the 1.92TB SAS-24GBPS FIPS self-encrypting SSDs. Virtualized infrastructures that host dozens or hundreds of VMs per host benefit from the balanced read/write profile and predictable latency. Database applications with frequent small random I/O transactions gain from the consistent IOPS and low tail latency characteristics. Secure file servers and regulated workloads value the encryption and key management capabilities when handling sensitive information. Content delivery, caching layers, and metadata stores in hyper-scale environments find the combination of capacity and endurance advantageous for tiering hot data without moving to all-flash arrays. Additionally, the drives are an excellent choice for remote or branch office servers where secure, high-capacity local storage reduces the need for constant wide-area network traffic while maintaining compliance with centralized key management policies.

Integration

Self-encrypting drives are most effective when deployed as part of a comprehensive key management and security policy. Enterprises should adopt a centralized approach to key lifecycle management that integrates with hardware security modules (HSMs) or enterprise key managers that comply with organizational policies and regulatory requirements. Integration points include server firmware, operating system disk management tools, and enterprise orchestration layers. Policies should address key backup, rotation, revocation, and emergency access, and encryption management must be aligned with incident response plans to avoid accidental lockout. The cryptographic erasure capabilities of the drives should be tested in a staging environment to validate operational procedures and to ensure that key invalidation workflows perform as expected without impacting other shared resources.

Comparisons

When comparing this category to alternative SSDs, several differentiating factors should inform purchasing decisions. The SAS-24GBPS interface provides multi-path redundancy and enterprise-grade signal integrity compared to SATA alternatives. The FIPS-certified self-encryption differentiates these drives from non-SED offerings, especially where regulatory compliance is mandatory. Mixed-use endurance (3wpd) places them between read-intensive and high-endurance write-intensive classes, making them a versatile choice where workloads are varied. The 512e logical sector compatibility reduces migration friction for legacy OS deployments. Cost-per-GB, total cost of ownership including endurance-driven replacement cycles, and integration into existing management and support ecosystems all factor into the decision to standardize on the Dell 345-BGLT category for a PowerEdge-centric environment.