342-2104 Dell 1TB SAS 6GBPS 3.5Inch 7200RPM 64MB Buffer Near Line HDD

Dell 1TB SAS 6GBPS 3.5Inch HDD

The Dell 342-2104 is a reliable near-line storage solution designed for enterprise environments. With a 1TB capacity, 7200 RPM rotational speed, and SAS 6Gbps interface, this drive ensures consistent performance and dependable data handling.

General Information

• Brand: Dell
• Model Number: 342-2104
• Device Category: Hard Disk Drive

Technical Specifications

Storage Details

• Capacity: 1 Terabyte
• Interface: Serial Attached SCSI 2 (SAS)
• Form Factor: 3.5 Inch

Performance Metrics

• Spindle Speed: 7200 Revolutions per Minute
• Data Transfer Rate: 600 MB/s External
• Buffer Size: 64MB Cache

Expansion and Connectivity

Interface Options

• 1 x Serial Attached SCSI 2

Bay Compatibility

• 1 x Internal 3.5 Inch Slot

System Compatibility

Supported Dell PowerEdge Servers

Rack Servers

• PowerEdge R200
• PowerEdge R300
• PowerEdge R310
• PowerEdge R510
• PowerEdge R515
• PowerEdge R520
• PowerEdge R710
• PowerEdge R720
• PowerEdge R900
• PowerEdge R905

Tower Servers

• PowerEdge T100
• PowerEdge T300
• PowerEdge T310
• PowerEdge T410
• PowerEdge T610
• PowerEdge T620
• PowerEdge T710

Legacy Systems

• PowerEdge 2900
• PowerEdge 2970

Supported Dell Storage Arrays

• PowerVault MD3000

342-2104 1TB 3.5Inch SAS 6GBPS Hard Disk Drive Overview

The Dell 342-2104 1TB SAS 6Gbps 3.5 Inch 7200RPM 64MB Buffer Near Line Hard Disk Drive belongs to a specialized enterprise storage hardware category designed to meet the growing demand for reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient data storage within professional IT infrastructures. This category focuses on near line SAS hard disk drives that bridge the gap between high-performance transactional storage and economical archival solutions. These drives are commonly deployed in servers, data centers, storage arrays, and enterprise-grade workstations where consistent throughput, durability, and compatibility with advanced RAID architectures are essential.

Near line SAS hard drives emphasize dependable sequential performance and enhanced reliability over consumer-grade SATA alternatives while maintaining a more accessible cost profile than high-speed enterprise SAS drives. The Dell 342-2104 model exemplifies this balance by combining enterprise firmware, robust mechanical construction, and SAS connectivity to support continuous operation in demanding environments. This category serves organizations that require predictable performance for data-intensive workloads such as file storage, backup repositories, virtualization environments, and business intelligence platforms.

Enterprise-Class Storage Architecture and Design Philosophy

The category encompassing Dell near line SAS hard disk drives is built around enterprise storage design principles that prioritize uptime, data integrity, and long-term operational stability. Unlike consumer hard drives, enterprise near line SAS drives are engineered for sustained workloads, higher duty cycles, and compatibility with server-grade hardware. The Dell 342-2104 integrates precision-engineered components and firmware algorithms that support error recovery, vibration tolerance, and thermal management, ensuring consistent operation in multi-drive enclosures.

Storage devices within this category are manufactured to operate continuously in environments with elevated temperatures, airflow constraints, and electrical demands. The 3.5-inch form factor allows for higher platter density and improved heat dissipation, which contributes to the drive’s long-term reliability. The near line classification reflects its role as a secondary tier of storage that remains readily accessible while delivering significant capacity and dependable performance.

SAS Interface and 6Gbps Data Transfer Capabilities

Serial Attached SCSI connectivity defines a core characteristic of this category, providing robust communication between storage devices and host systems. The 6Gbps SAS interface utilized by the Dell 342-2104 ensures efficient data transmission, reduced latency, and superior error handling compared to consumer SATA interfaces. SAS technology supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous read and write operations that enhance throughput in multi-user and multi-threaded environments.

The SAS interface also enables advanced features such as dual-port connectivity, which enhances redundancy and failover capabilities in enterprise storage arrays. This is particularly valuable in mission-critical applications where uninterrupted data access is required. The category benefits from broad compatibility with enterprise RAID controllers and backplanes, ensuring seamless integration into existing Dell server ecosystems and other SAS-compatible infrastructures.

Capacity Optimization and Data Density Advantages

The 1TB capacity offered by the Dell 342-2104 represents a practical storage size within the near line SAS category, catering to organizations that require substantial data storage without sacrificing manageability. This capacity level supports a wide range of enterprise use cases, including departmental file servers, backup targets, and application data repositories. The category emphasizes efficient use of physical space within server racks by maximizing data density per drive bay.

Near line SAS drives are frequently deployed in large arrays where multiple drives work together to deliver scalable storage solutions. The consistent capacity offerings across this category simplify capacity planning and enable flexible expansion as data requirements grow. The Dell 342-2104 aligns with these needs by providing a reliable and standardized storage building block for enterprise systems.

64MB Cache Buffer and Data Handling Efficiency

The inclusion of a 64MB cache buffer in this category enhances data handling efficiency by temporarily storing frequently accessed data and write operations. This buffer helps smooth data flow between the drive and the host system, reducing latency and improving overall performance during burst workloads. The Dell 342-2104 leverages this cache to optimize sequential operations and maintain steady throughput under varying access patterns.

Cache memory plays a critical role in enterprise storage environments where multiple applications and users may access data simultaneously. By improving read-ahead and write-back operations, the buffer contributes to consistent performance and reduced mechanical strain on the drive. This design consideration reinforces the category’s emphasis on longevity and reliability.

Reliability Standards and Enterprise Workload Readiness

The Dell near line SAS hard disk drive category adheres to stringent reliability standards that distinguish it from consumer storage solutions. These drives are engineered to support high annual workload ratings, extended mean time between failures, and continuous operation. The Dell 342-2104 benefits from enterprise-grade testing and validation processes that ensure compatibility with server platforms and storage controllers.

Reliability features such as advanced error correction, vibration tolerance, and thermal monitoring are integral to this category. These capabilities enable drives to function reliably in densely populated storage enclosures where mechanical vibrations and heat buildup can compromise performance. The category is designed to minimize downtime and protect data integrity across long deployment lifecycles.

Error Recovery and Data Integrity Mechanisms

Near line SAS hard drives incorporate sophisticated error recovery mechanisms that prioritize data integrity and system stability. Unlike consumer drives that may attempt prolonged error recovery, enterprise drives are designed to cooperate with RAID controllers by quickly reporting errors. This allows the storage system to manage redundancy and maintain availability without significant performance impact.

The Dell 342-2104 exemplifies this approach by integrating firmware optimized for enterprise RAID environments. This ensures that data remains accessible and protected even in the event of individual drive issues. The category’s focus on controlled error handling contributes to predictable system behavior and reduced risk of cascading failures.

Form Factor Compatibility

The 3.5-inch form factor is a defining characteristic of this category, offering broad compatibility with standard server drive bays and storage enclosures. This form factor supports higher platter counts and improved airflow, making it well-suited for high-capacity enterprise storage applications. The Dell 342-2104 fits seamlessly into Dell PowerEdge servers and other enterprise systems designed for 3.5-inch SAS drives.

Deployment flexibility is a key advantage of this category, allowing organizations to implement storage solutions tailored to their specific requirements. Whether used in standalone servers, network-attached storage systems, or large-scale storage arrays, near line SAS drives provide consistent performance and reliability across diverse configurations.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management Considerations

Energy efficiency is an important consideration in the near line SAS hard disk drive category, particularly for organizations managing large data centers. Drives like the Dell 342-2104 are designed to deliver optimal performance while maintaining reasonable power consumption levels. The 7200RPM rotational speed contributes to lower energy usage compared to higher-speed enterprise drives, reducing operational costs.

Thermal management features integrated into this category help ensure stable operation under continuous workloads. Efficient heat dissipation and temperature monitoring reduce the risk of overheating, which can negatively impact drive lifespan and performance. These considerations support sustainable data center operations and improved reliability.