Dell 345-BKZN Read-Intensive 960GB 2.5Inch Hot-Plug SATA-6GBPS 1DWPD SSD

Outline of Dell 345-BKZN 960GB SSF SATA SSD  

The Dell 345-BKZN Read-Intensive 960GB 2.5-Inch Hot-Plug SATA-6Gbps SSD is a high-performance, enterprise-grade solid-state drive engineered for environments that demand consistent read throughput, low latency, and reliable endurance. Designed for integration into Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays, this SSD offers a balance of capacity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for read-centric workloads. With a 1DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) endurance rating, it is optimized for applications where data is accessed frequently but written infrequently, such as boot volumes, web servers, and virtual desktop infrastructures.

Core Specifications and Performance Attributes

The Dell 345-BKZN SSD leverages the SATA III 6Gbps interface to deliver dependable performance across a wide range of enterprise applications. Its 2.5-inch form factor and hot-plug capability ensure seamless deployment and scalability in rack-mounted server environments.

Sequential and Random Performance

The Dell 345-BKZN SSD delivers sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s and random read IOPS exceeding 80,000, making it ideal for workloads that require rapid data retrieval. Write performance is tuned for moderate transactional loads, with sequential write speeds around 500MB/s and random write IOPS near 20,000. This balance ensures optimal performance in read-heavy environments without sacrificing reliability.

Enterprise SATA SSD Subcategory

As part of the enterprise SATA SSD category, the Dell 345-BKZN is built with advanced firmware, robust error correction, and power-loss protection features. These drives are designed to meet the demands of data centers, cloud platforms, and virtualized infrastructures where uptime, data integrity, and predictable performance are critical.

Hot-Plug Functionality and Operational Benefits

The hot-plug feature of the Dell 345-BKZN SSD allows IT administrators to replace or upgrade drives without shutting down the server. This capability is essential in high-availability environments where downtime can impact service delivery and operational continuity.

Hot-Plug Architecture

Dell’s hot-plug architecture includes firmware-level support for drive detection, power sequencing, and error handling. When a drive is inserted or removed, the system automatically recognizes the change and adjusts I/O operations accordingly. This ensures data continuity and minimizes the risk of corruption.

1DWPD Endurance Rating Explained

The 1DWPD rating indicates that the Dell 345-BKZN SSD can safely handle one full drive write per day over its warranty period, typically five years. For a 960GB SSD, this equates to approximately 960GB of data written daily without exceeding the endurance threshold. This rating is ideal for read-intensive workloads where write operations are minimal.

DWPD vs TBW Metrics

DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) provides a daily usage estimate, while TBW (Total Bytes Written) offers a cumulative endurance metric. The Dell 345-BKZN SSD typically supports a TBW of over 1,700TB, ensuring long-term reliability even in moderately write-heavy scenarios.

Thermal and Power Efficiency

The Dell 345-BKZN SSD is engineered for low power consumption and efficient thermal dissipation. Its active power draw remains below 5W during peak read operations, while idle power consumption is typically under 1W. This efficiency contributes to lower overall data center energy costs and improved airflow management.

Reliability Features

Enterprise-grade SSDs like the Dell 345-BKZN incorporate multiple layers of data protection to ensure integrity and availability. These include ECC, end-to-end data path protection, and power-loss protection capacitors that safeguard in-flight data during unexpected shutdowns.

Power-Loss Protection Mechanism

The SSD includes onboard capacitors that provide enough energy to flush volatile data to NAND in the event of sudden power loss. This feature is critical in transactional environments where data consistency is paramount.

Scalability

The Dell 345-BKZN SSD is suitable for deployment in both standalone and clustered environments. Its hot-plug capability and standardized form factor make it easy to scale storage capacity across multiple nodes without disrupting service.