400-ASHE Dell 1TB 7.2K RPM SFF NL SAS 12GBPS Hot-Plug HDD

Dell 400-ASHE 1TB 7.2K RPM HDD

The Dell 400-ASHE 1TB 7.2K RPM SFF NL SAS 12Gbps Hot-Plug HDD is a reliable enterprise-class storage solution designed for data centers, servers, and high-capacity workloads. With advanced features and strong compatibility, it ensures efficient performance and seamless integration.

Main Information

• Brand Name: Dell
• Model Number: 400-ASHE
• Product Type: Hot-plug Near Line Hard Drive

Technical Highlights

Storage Capacity & Format

• Capacity: 1TB
• Interface: SAS 12Gbps
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor
• Feature: Advanced Format 512n

Performance Metrics

• Data Transfer Rate: 1.2Gbps (external)
• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM

Expansion & Connectivity

Interfaces

• Connection: 1 x SAS 12Gbps

Compatible Bays

• Bay Type: 1 x Hot-plug 2.5-inch slot

System Compatibility

Supported Dell PowerEdge Servers

• PowerEdge C6420
• PowerEdge R440
• PowerEdge R640
• PowerEdge R6415
• PowerEdge R740
• PowerEdge R740xd
• PowerEdge R7415
• PowerEdge R7425
• PowerEdge R840
• PowerEdge R940
• PowerEdge R940xa

Enterprise 1TB Near Line SAS Hard Drive Category Overview

The category of enterprise near line Serial Attached SCSI hard drives is designed to bridge the gap between high-performance mission-critical storage and cost-efficient capacity solutions. Within this category, the Dell 400-ASHE 1TB 7.2K RPM Near Line SAS 12Gbps 512n 2.5inch hot-plug hard drive with tray represents a balanced storage option for organizations that require dependable data access, sustained throughput, and long-term reliability in dense server and storage environments. Near line SAS drives are commonly deployed in scenarios where large volumes of data must remain readily accessible without the premium cost associated with high-RPM or solid-state solutions.

This category emphasizes consistency, endurance, and compatibility with enterprise server platforms. The 2.5inch form factor enables higher drive density, allowing data centers to scale capacity efficiently within limited rack space. Near line SAS technology provides a strong foundation for workloads that involve sequential data access, archival repositories, file services, backup targets, and general-purpose business applications where reliability is more critical than ultra-low latency.

Design Philosophy and Enterprise Build Quality

Hard drives within this category are engineered to meet stringent enterprise standards. The Dell 400-ASHE model exemplifies this philosophy by integrating components that support continuous operation in multi-drive server chassis. The mechanical design focuses on vibration tolerance, thermal stability, and predictable performance under sustained workloads. These factors are essential in environments where multiple drives operate simultaneously, such as blade servers, rack servers, and shared storage arrays.

The inclusion of a hot-plug tray reflects the enterprise-grade design intent of this category. Hot-plug capability allows administrators to replace or upgrade drives without shutting down systems, thereby maintaining uptime and minimizing operational disruption. This feature is especially valuable in data centers that operate around the clock and cannot afford maintenance windows that interrupt business processes.

2.5inch Small Form Factor Advantages

The 2.5inch small form factor used by the Dell 400-ASHE hard drive category enables higher storage density compared to traditional 3.5inch drives. This compact design allows more drives to be installed in a single enclosure, which increases total capacity per rack unit. For organizations optimizing data center real estate, this advantage directly translates into reduced physical footprint and improved scalability.

Beyond density, the smaller form factor contributes to improved airflow and thermal management. Efficient cooling is critical for maintaining consistent performance and extending drive lifespan. The category benefits from reduced power consumption per drive bay, helping organizations manage energy costs while sustaining reliable storage operations.

Hot-Plug Architecture in Enterprise Storage

Hot-plug architecture is a defining characteristic of enterprise near line SAS hard drive categories. The Dell 400-ASHE drive with tray is designed for seamless insertion and removal while the host system remains powered on. This capability supports maintenance strategies focused on high availability and fault tolerance, especially in RAID-configured environments.

In practice, hot-plug support allows system administrators to quickly respond to drive alerts, replace failed units, and restore redundancy without interrupting user access to data. This operational flexibility aligns with service-level agreements that demand continuous system availability and predictable performance.

Near Line SAS Interface and Key Characteristics

The near line SAS interface is a core element of this storage category. Operating at up to 12Gbps, SAS connectivity delivers higher bandwidth and more robust error handling than consumer-grade interfaces. The Dell 400-ASHE hard drive category leverages this interface to provide stable data transfer rates and reliable communication between the drive and the host controller.

SAS technology supports dual-port functionality in many enterprise environments, enabling redundant paths to the drive. This feature enhances fault tolerance by allowing data access to continue even if one path becomes unavailable. For business-critical systems, such redundancy contributes significantly to overall system resilience.

7.2K RPM Spindle Speed and Workload Balance

A spindle speed of 7,200 RPM places this category in the near line performance tier, optimized for balanced workloads rather than extreme IOPS demands. The Dell 400-ASHE hard drive category is well suited for applications that prioritize capacity and reliability while still requiring reasonable access times. File servers, backup repositories, and data staging environments commonly benefit from this balance.

The 7.2K RPM speed also contributes to lower power consumption and reduced heat output compared to higher-RPM enterprise drives. This efficiency supports large-scale deployments where dozens or hundreds of drives operate simultaneously, helping to maintain stable operating conditions within server enclosures.

12Gbps SAS Throughput in Real-World Deployments

Although near line hard drives are not designed to saturate the full 12Gbps bandwidth continuously, the high-speed SAS interface ensures that the drive is not a bottleneck during peak transfer operations. The Dell 400-ASHE category benefits from faster data bursts, efficient command queuing, and improved responsiveness when multiple requests are processed concurrently.

This capability is particularly important in shared storage environments where multiple virtual machines or applications access the same storage pool. The SAS protocol manages concurrent operations effectively, maintaining consistent throughput and reducing latency spikes under load.

512n Sector Format and Data Integrity

The 512n sector format used in this hard drive category maintains compatibility with a wide range of enterprise operating systems, RAID controllers, and legacy applications. Native 512-byte sectors ensure predictable alignment and simplify integration into existing infrastructures. The Dell 400-ASHE hard drive category is therefore suitable for organizations seeking straightforward deployment without complex sector translation requirements.

Data integrity is a critical consideration in enterprise storage. Drives in this category incorporate advanced error detection and correction mechanisms at the firmware and hardware levels. These features help prevent data corruption and ensure that information remains accurate throughout its lifecycle, from creation to archival.

Error Handling and Reliability Features

Enterprise near line SAS hard drives are designed to detect and recover from read or write errors efficiently. The Dell 400-ASHE category benefits from SAS-specific error reporting that allows host systems to respond intelligently to potential issues. This proactive communication supports RAID rebuild processes and minimizes the risk of data loss.

Reliability is further enhanced through rigorous validation and testing standards applied to enterprise drives. These processes ensure consistent performance across extended operational periods, making the category suitable for long-term deployments in demanding environments.

Capacity Optimization and Data Management

With a formatted capacity of 1TB, this category addresses the need for moderate yet practical storage expansion. The Dell 400-ASHE hard drive category fits well into tiered storage architectures where frequently accessed data resides on faster media while less frequently accessed information is stored on near line hard drives. This approach optimizes cost without compromising accessibility.

Capacity planning within this category emphasizes predictable growth. Organizations can add additional drives incrementally, scaling storage resources in line with business requirements. The consistent performance profile of near line SAS drives ensures that expansion does not introduce unexpected bottlenecks.

Use Cases in Enterprise Environments

The Dell 400-ASHE near line SAS hard drive category is commonly used in file sharing systems, email servers, collaboration platforms, and backup solutions. These applications benefit from dependable throughput and ample capacity, rather than ultra-low latency. The category supports workloads characterized by large sequential reads and writes, as well as mixed access patterns.

Virtualized environments also take advantage of near line SAS storage for secondary data stores, snapshots, and archival virtual machine images. The ability to integrate seamlessly with enterprise RAID controllers makes this category a practical choice for diverse deployment scenarios.

Dell Integration and Server Compatibility

As part of the Dell enterprise storage ecosystem, this hard drive category is designed to integrate smoothly with Dell PowerEdge servers and compatible storage platforms. The Dell 400-ASHE drive with tray aligns mechanically and electrically with supported drive bays, ensuring proper fit and secure installation.

Firmware optimization and validation processes help ensure that drives in this category operate reliably within Dell-certified configurations. This compatibility reduces deployment risk and simplifies lifecycle management for IT teams responsible for maintaining standardized infrastructure.

Drive Tray Design and Installation Efficiency

The included drive tray is a critical component of the category, enabling quick and secure installation. The tray provides proper alignment, shock protection, and connectivity to the server backplane. For administrators managing large fleets of servers, standardized trays streamline inventory management and replacement procedures.

Installation efficiency contributes to reduced maintenance time and improved operational consistency. The Dell 400-ASHE category supports tool-less or minimal-tool installation in many environments, aligning with best practices for enterprise hardware management.

Thermal Management and Power Efficiency

Thermal performance is a key consideration in enterprise storage categories. The Dell 400-ASHE near line SAS hard drive category is engineered to operate within defined temperature ranges while maintaining consistent performance. Efficient heat dissipation helps prevent thermal throttling and extends component lifespan.

Power efficiency is equally important, particularly in large-scale deployments. The 7.2K RPM spindle speed and optimized electronics contribute to lower energy consumption compared to high-performance drives. This efficiency supports sustainability goals and reduces operational costs over the lifetime of the storage system.

Impact on Data Center Operations

Lower power draw and improved thermal characteristics translate into tangible benefits at the data center level. Reduced cooling requirements and stable operating temperatures help maintain overall system health. The Dell 400-ASHE category fits well into energy-conscious infrastructure strategies where performance per watt is a critical metric.

These attributes make the category suitable for both centralized data centers and distributed edge deployments, where environmental conditions and power availability may vary.

Reliability Metrics and Enterprise Expectations

Enterprise near line SAS hard drives are built to meet reliability expectations that exceed those of consumer storage products. The Dell 400-ASHE category adheres to strict quality control measures, ensuring consistent operation under continuous workloads. Mean time between failures metrics and workload ratings reflect the drive’s suitability for professional environments.

Predictable reliability supports long-term planning and reduces the frequency of unplanned maintenance. For organizations managing mission-critical data, this predictability is essential for maintaining trust in the storage infrastructure.

Scalability and Future-Proofing Storage Deployments

Scalability is a defining advantage of near line SAS hard drive categories. The Dell 400-ASHE 1TB model allows organizations to expand storage capacity incrementally while maintaining consistent performance characteristics. This approach supports evolving data requirements without necessitating disruptive infrastructure changes.

The SAS 12Gbps interface ensures compatibility with modern server architectures, providing a degree of future-proofing as controllers and backplanes evolve. While solid-state technologies continue to advance, near line SAS hard drives remain a cost-effective solution for large-scale capacity needs.

Role in Hybrid and Tiered Storage Architectures

In hybrid storage environments, near line SAS hard drives complement faster storage tiers by handling bulk data and less latency-sensitive workloads. The Dell 400-ASHE category integrates smoothly into such architectures, supporting intelligent data placement strategies that balance performance and cost.

Tiered storage systems rely on predictable behavior from each tier. The consistency and reliability of near line SAS drives make them an essential component in these designs, ensuring that data migration and access policies function as intended.