345-BEKF Dell 960Gb SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive 1DWPD 2.5in Hot-Plug SSD

Comprehensive Product Description

Product Overview

• Brand: DELL
• Manufacturer Part Number: 345-BEKF
• Drive Classification: Enterprise Solid State Drive (Hot-Plug)
• Form Factor: 2.5-Inch SFF

Technical Details

• Storage Size: 960GB
• Flash Memory Technology: 3D TLC NAND
• Interface Standard: SAS 12Gb/s
• Endurance Type: Read-Intensive SSD (1 DWPD)
• Configuration: Internal Solid State Drive

Performance Capabilities

Sequential Performance

• Read Speed: Up to 4,150 MB/s
• Write Speed: Up to 1,450 MB/s

Random Performance

• Random Read: 595K IOPS
• Random Write: 75K IOPS

Workload Optimization

Tailored for Read-intensive applications, this SSD ensures consistent speed and dependable performance in enterprise storage systems.

Expansion & Connectivity

• Interface Support: 1 x SAS 12Gb/s
• Drive Bays: Compatible with 2.5-inch Hot-Plug slots
• Plug-and-Play Integration: Designed for quick deployment in PowerEdge servers

Server Compatibility

Rack Servers

• R440, R640, R650, R6515
• R6525, R660, R6625
• R740, R740xd, R750
• R7515, R7525, R760
• R840, R940

High-Density Systems

• C6420, C6525, C6620

Tower Servers

• T550, T560

Key Advantages

• Enterprise reliability: Built for Dell PowerEdge platforms
• High-speed throughput: Ensures smooth data handling
• Energy efficiency: Optimized for lower power consumption
• Hot-plug design: Easy maintenance and scalability
• Cost-effective: Balanced price-to-performance for read-heavy workloads

Best-Fit Applications

Optimized Workloads

• Database acceleration
• Virtualization environments
• Data analytics and reporting
• Enterprise file hosting

Ideal Deployment

Perfect for read-heavy enterprise tasks, this SSD integrates seamlessly into Dell PowerEdge servers to deliver speed, efficiency, and secure storage.

Dell 345-BEKF 960GB SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive SSD: Enterprise Storage for High-Throughput Applications

The Dell 345-BEKF 960GB SAS-12Gbps Read Intensive 1DWPD 2.5-Inch Hot-Plug SSD is a purpose-built enterprise-grade solid-state drive designed to deliver consistent performance, reliability, and scalability for read-centric workloads. Engineered for environments where data retrieval is prioritized over frequent writes, this SSD is ideal for boot volumes, media streaming, web hosting, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). With its SAS-12Gbps interface, 1 Drive Write Per Day (DWPD) endurance rating, and hot-plug capability, it integrates seamlessly into Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays.

Interface and Form Factor

SAS-12Gbps High-Speed Connectivity

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD utilizes the Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 12Gbps interface, offering enterprise-grade reliability, dual-port redundancy, and high throughput. SAS supports full-duplex data transmission and advanced error correction, making it ideal for mission-critical storage environments. Compared to SATA, SAS delivers superior signal integrity and scalability, ensuring consistent performance under heavy workloads.

2.5-Inch Hot-Plug Design

Featuring a 2.5-inch form factor with hot-plug support, the SSD allows for seamless drive replacement or upgrades without powering down the system. This is essential for maintaining uptime in high-availability infrastructures. The hot-plug capability simplifies maintenance in RAID arrays and storage enclosures, reducing operational disruptions and enhancing serviceability.

Capacity and Endurance

960GB Storage for Read-Intensive Applications

With a capacity of 960GB, the Dell 345-BEKF SSD provides sufficient space for operating systems, application binaries, and read-heavy datasets. This capacity is ideal for workloads such as boot volumes, media libraries, and web content repositories. The drive supports scalable deployments across enterprise servers, cloud platforms, and edge devices.

1DWPD Endurance Rating

The 1 Drive Write Per Day (DWPD) endurance rating reflects the drive’s suitability for read-intensive workloads. It can sustain approximately 960GB of writes per day over a five-year warranty period. This endurance level is optimized for applications with minimal write activity, such as boot drives, log storage, and content delivery networks (CDNs).

Performance Optimization

Read-Intensive Workload Tuning

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD is tuned for high read throughput and low latency, delivering consistent performance in environments where data retrieval is prioritized. Its firmware and controller architecture are optimized to accelerate sequential and random read operations, making it ideal for web servers, media streaming platforms, and virtual machine boot volumes.

Sequential Read Performance

The drive achieves high sequential read speeds, enabling rapid access to large files and datasets. This is particularly beneficial for applications such as video-on-demand, software distribution, and backup restoration. The SAS interface ensures sustained throughput even under concurrent access scenarios.

Random Read IOPS

Optimized for random read operations, the SSD delivers high Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS), ensuring responsiveness in environments with frequent small-block data access. This includes search indexing, boot processes, and metadata retrieval in file systems.

Latency Management

The drive’s low-latency architecture minimizes response times, enhancing user experience and application performance. Whether serving web pages or booting virtual machines, the SSD maintains consistent latency under varying load conditions.

Reliability and Data Integrity

Enterprise-Grade NAND Flash

The SSD uses high-quality NAND flash memory designed for enterprise workloads. Error correction algorithms, wear-leveling, and over-provisioning enhance reliability and extend the drive’s lifespan. These features ensure consistent performance and data integrity in read-intensive environments.

MTBF and UBER Ratings

With a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) exceeding 2 million hours and a low Unrecoverable Bit Error Rate (UBER), the Dell 345-BEKF SSD offers robust reliability. These metrics confirm its suitability for continuous operation in mission-critical applications.

Compatibility and Integration

Dell PowerEdge Server Compatibility

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD is validated for use in Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays. It integrates seamlessly with Dell RAID controllers, management software, and firmware update tools. This ensures optimal performance, simplified deployment, and full support within Dell’s enterprise ecosystem.

RAID Configurations and Hot Swap Bays

The drive supports standard RAID configurations such as RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Its 2.5-inch form factor and SAS interface make it compatible with hot swap bays in rack-mounted servers and storage enclosures. This enables flexible storage architectures tailored to specific workload requirements.

Use Case Scenarios

Boot Volumes and Operating System Storage

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD is ideal for use as a boot drive in enterprise servers. Its high read performance ensures fast operating system loading and application startup. The 960GB capacity accommodates OS files, system logs, and essential binaries.

Web Hosting and Content Delivery

In web hosting environments, the SSD delivers rapid access to static content, scripts, and media files. Its read-intensive optimization ensures fast page loads and responsive user experiences. The drive supports content delivery networks (CDNs) by serving cached assets with minimal latency.

Media Streaming Platforms

For video-on-demand and audio streaming services, the SSD provides the read throughput necessary to deliver high-resolution content to multiple users simultaneously. Its SAS interface ensures sustained performance under concurrent access conditions.

Archival and Log Storage

The drive is suitable for storing logs, audit trails, and archival data that require frequent access but minimal updates. Its endurance rating supports long-term retention of read-heavy datasets without compromising reliability.

Environmental and Operational Specifications

Operating Temperature Range

The SSD supports a wide operating temperature range, typically from 0°C to 70°C, ensuring reliable performance in varied environmental conditions. This makes it suitable for deployment in data centers, industrial settings, and remote locations.

Shock and Vibration Resistance

Built to withstand physical stress, the drive features enhanced shock and vibration resistance. This ensures data integrity and operational stability during transport, installation, and continuous operation in high-vibration environments such as mobile data centers or ruggedized enclosures.

Management and Monitoring

SMART and Health Monitoring

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD supports Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART), allowing administrators to monitor drive health, performance metrics, and predictive failure indicators. This proactive monitoring helps prevent data loss and enables timely maintenance.

Firmware Updates and Lifecycle Management

Dell provides firmware update tools and lifecycle management utilities that ensure the SSD remains secure and optimized throughout its operational life. These tools integrate with Dell OpenManage and other enterprise platforms, simplifying updates and reducing administrative overhead.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Low Power Consumption

The Dell 345-BEKF SSD is designed for energy efficiency, consuming less power than write-intensive drives. This reduces operational costs and heat output, making it ideal for dense server environments and energy-conscious deployments.

Thermal Throttling and Heat Dissipation

The SSD includes thermal throttling mechanisms to prevent overheating during sustained workloads. Its design facilitates effective heat dissipation, maintaining optimal operating temperatures and ensuring consistent performance.