345-BJWK Dell PCI-E Gen 4.0 X4 NVMe U.2 SFF Read Intensive 1.92TB SSD

Dell 345-BJWK 1.92TB PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD

Enterprise-Grade Storage

The Dell 345-BJWK represents the pinnacle of enterprise storage technology, engineered specifically for Dell PowerEdge servers. This 1.92TB PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe U.2 SSD delivers exceptional performance for read-intensive applications while maintaining enterprise-level reliability and endurance. Designed with the demanding requirements of modern data centers in mind, this solid-state drive provides the perfect balance of capacity, speed, and durability for business-critical operations.

Form Factor and Physical Specifications

U.2 SFF 2.5-inch

The 345-BJWK utilizes the industry-standard U.2 (SFF-8639) interface in a 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) package with a 15mm z-height profile. This compact design allows for high-density storage configurations in rack-mounted servers, maximizing storage capacity per rack unit while maintaining optimal thermal characteristics. The U.2 interface provides full PCIe lane connectivity while maintaining compatibility with traditional drive form factors.

Connector Specifications

Features a U.2 (SFF-8639) connector supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 lanes, providing up to 16GT/s per lane. The connector incorporates both PCIe data signals and SATA compatibility pins, along with sideband signals for management and hot-plug capability. The robust connector design ensures reliable operation in vibration-prone server environments.

Performance Characteristics

PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 Interface Performance

Leveraging the PCI Express 4.0 interface with four lanes, the Dell 345-BJWK delivers exceptional bandwidth capabilities. The interface supports transfer rates of up to 64 Gb/s (8 GB/s) theoretical maximum, significantly outperforming previous generation PCIe 3.0 drives and traditional SATA/SAS interfaces. This high-speed interface eliminates storage bottlenecks in data-intensive applications.

Sequential Read and Write Performance

The drive delivers outstanding sequential read performance of up to 6,800 MB/s and sequential write performance of up to 2,100 MB/s. This performance profile is optimized for read-intensive workloads where fast data access is critical. The substantial difference between read and write speeds reflects the drive's design optimization for read-dominated enterprise applications.

Random I/O Performance

For random operations, the 345-BJWK achieves up to 900,000 IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) for random reads and up to 110,000 IOPS for random writes. These impressive random performance metrics ensure responsive operation under mixed workloads and high-concurrency scenarios common in virtualized environments and database applications.

Latency and Quality of Service

The drive features consistently low latency with typical read latency of under 90 microseconds and write latency under 15 microseconds. Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms ensure predictable performance under varying workload conditions, making it suitable for tier-1 storage applications requiring consistent response times.

NAND Technology and Endurance

3D TLC NAND Architecture

At the heart of the 345-BJWK is advanced 3D TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND flash technology. The three-dimensional stacking of memory cells enables higher densities and improved performance compared to planar NAND. TLC technology provides an optimal balance between cost, capacity, and endurance for read-intensive applications, storing three bits per memory cell.

NAND Organization and Die Stacking

The drive utilizes vertically stacked NAND dies with advanced charge trap flash (CTF) technology. The 3D structure allows for larger cell sizes compared to planar NAND at equivalent process nodes, resulting in better endurance and reliability characteristics. The sophisticated wear-leveling algorithms distribute writes evenly across all available memory cells.

Read-Intensive

As a read-intensive drive, the 345-BJWK is rated for 1 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) over its 5-year warranty period. This translates to a total endurance of 3.5 Petabytes Written (PBW) for the 1.92TB model. This endurance specification makes it suitable for workloads where read operations significantly outnumber write operations, such as web serving, content delivery, and database query operations.

Endurance Calculation and Workload Suitability

The 1 DWPD rating means the drive can withstand having its entire capacity written once every day for five years. For the 1.92TB model, this equals approximately 3.5PB of total writes over its lifespan. This endurance level positions the drive optimally for read-centric workloads with moderate write requirements.

Error Correction and Data Protection

Advanced ECC Technology

The drive incorporates sophisticated Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) error correction code technology capable of correcting multiple bit errors per page. The ECC engine works in conjunction with advanced read-retry algorithms to ensure data integrity even as NAND cells approach their endurance limits. This robust error correction capability is essential for maintaining data integrity in mission-critical applications.

End-to-End Data Protection

Comprehensive end-to-end data protection mechanisms safeguard information from the host interface through the DRAM buffer to the NAND flash media. Protection includes CRC checks for data transfers and parity protection for metadata, ensuring that data corruption is detected and prevented throughout the entire data path.

Power Management and Efficiency

Power Consumption

The 345-BJWK features optimized power consumption characteristics with typical active power usage of 8-10 watts during read operations and 9-12 watts during write operations. Idle power consumption is typically under 5 watts, contributing to overall energy efficiency in the data center. The drive supports multiple power states as defined by the NVMe specification.

Active and Idle Power States

Multiple power states allow the drive to balance performance and energy consumption based on workload demands. The operational state (PS0) provides maximum performance while progressively deeper power states (PS1-PS4) reduce power consumption during periods of lower activity. Sophisticated power state transition algorithms minimize latency impacts when returning to active operation.

Dell PowerEdge Server Compatibility

14th Generation PowerEdge

The 345-BJWK is fully compatible with Dell PowerEdge 14th generation servers including R740xd, R740, R740xd2, R640, T640, and other models in the 14G lineup. These servers provide the necessary U.2 backplane support and PCIe Gen 4.0 infrastructure to maximize the drive's performance capabilities. Firmware and driver support is available through Dell's standard update channels.

15th Generation PowerEdge

Full compatibility extends to Dell PowerEdge 15th generation servers such as R750xa, R750, R650, and other 15G models. These newer server platforms leverage the full performance potential of PCIe Gen 4.0 while providing enhanced thermal management for sustained performance. The drive is certified for use in all supported storage configurations including RAID arrays.

16th and 17th Generation PowerEdge

The drive maintains forward compatibility with Dell PowerEdge 16th and 17th generation servers, ensuring investment protection and upgrade flexibility. Compatibility with future server generations is validated through Dell's rigorous qualification process, guaranteeing reliable operation and performance optimization across the server portfolio.

NVMe Management Interface

The drive supports the NVMe Management Interface (NVMe-MI) over SMBus and PCIe Vendor Defined Messages, enabling out-of-band management independent of host operating system status. This management capability allows for firmware updates, health monitoring, and configuration changes without disrupting host operations, enhancing overall system manageability.

Use Cases and Application Scenarios

Database Applications

Ideal for database servers where read operations dominate, such as data warehouses, business intelligence systems, and reporting databases. The high random read performance accelerates query processing and improves overall application responsiveness. The endurance characteristics are well-suited for database workloads with moderate write activity from transactions and ETL processes.

Virtualization and VDI

Excellent performance for virtualization hosts and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) deployments where multiple virtual machines generate concurrent read requests. The high IOPS capability supports dense VM configurations while maintaining consistent performance. The drive's characteristics are particularly beneficial for VDI golden image storage and linked clone operations.

Available Capacities

The Dell 345-BJWK is available in multiple capacities with the 1.92TB model representing the sweet spot for balanced performance and capacity. Other capacities in the same product family may include 960GB, 1.92TB, 3.84TB, and 7.68TB options, each optimized for specific workload requirements and capacity needs.

Interface and Protocol

Utilizes PCI Express 4.0 x4 interface operating at 16GT/s per lane with NVMe 1.4 protocol support. The U.2 (SFF-8639) connector provides mechanical and electrical compatibility with enterprise server backplanes while supporting both PCIe and legacy SATA signaling for maximum flexibility in heterogeneous storage environments.