400-AZLC Dell 800GB SAS-12GBPS Write-Intensive BICS Flash 3D TLC SFF Hot-Plug SSD

Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SSD Overview

The Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Write-Intensive 10 DWPD BICS Flash 3D TLC SFF Hot-Plug Certified with tray for PowerEdge Server Solid State Drive represents a focused category of enterprise storage designed specifically for heavy write workloads and mixed datacenter environments. This category description covers the essence of the 400-AZLC family, clarifies the capacities and interface options, emphasizes form factor and compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers, and examines how the 800GB SAS 12Gbps fits into larger storage strategies. The product family is characterized by high durability measured in drive writes per day (DWPD), an enterprise SAS interface at 12 Gbps for low-latency throughput, and a compact Small Form Factor (SFF) hot-plug tray design that integrates seamlessly with modern PowerEdge chassis and their drive carriers.

Key Technical

This 800GB in the Dell 400-AZLC line is purpose-built for write-intensive enterprise applications. The SAS-12Gbps interface provides a direct, reliable connection to server HBAs and RAID controllers commonly used in PowerEdge servers, ensuring the storage device operates with the low latency and consistent performance required by transactional databases, logging systems, messaging brokers, and virtual machine write bursts. The rated 10 DWPD endurance metric indicates the drive is engineered to support repeated daily full-drive writes over its warranted life, translating to predictable endurance behavior for enterprise planners and procurement departments. The internal NAND architecture uses BICS Flash 3D TLC technology, offering a balance of density and reliability that suits this write-focused use case, while firmware and controller tuning prioritize sustained write throughput and robust error management for enterprise-class service levels.

Interface

As a Small Form Factor device, the Dell 400-AZLC 800GB fits into SFF bays and hot-plug trays used by Dell PowerEdge servers, enabling high drive density and straightforward replacement or upgrades without powering down host systems. The SAS-12Gbps interface ensures compatibility with broad ecosystems of enterprise controllers and backplanes, and the hot-plug certified tray reduces mean time to repair by enabling tool-less or minimal-tool swaps.

Performance

The performance profile of the Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS 12Gbps SSD is tuned for write-heavy workloads where sustained write throughput and consistent I/O response are critical. Use cases where this drive excels include intensive database logging, OLTP workloads, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) write storms, stream ingestion and analytics pipelines, and caching tiers where frequent overwrites and append patterns occur. The 12Gbps SAS link eliminates bottlenecks that would otherwise constrain sequential and random writes on enterprise controllers, while on-drive features such as advanced wear-leveling, power-loss protection mechanisms, and enterprise-class error correction maintain data integrity under demanding conditions.

Latency

Enterprise planners choosing the Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS 12Gbps should anticipate low and consistent latency across mixed read/write patterns thanks to optimized firmware and the SAS protocol behavior. The drive delivers high sustained IOPS under write-dominant profiles, and its architecture is designed to prevent dramatic performance drops during long write sequences by managing internal garbage collection and over-provisioning intelligently. For workloads that require steady tail-latency control and predictable IOPS, this drive provides an attractive compromise between raw capacity and long-term performance stability.

Endurance

Endurance is a defining attribute for write-intensive SSDs, and the Dell 400-AZLC 800GB is rated at 10 DWPD, an industry-recognized metric that helps IT teams drive lifespan under expected daily write loads. This endurance rating is particularly useful when designing mail servers, log aggregation nodes, transaction-heavy databases, or any application where the entire drive might be written to frequently.

Compatibility

The Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS-12GBPS SFF SSD is validated to work with a broad range of PowerEdge servers via the hot-plug tray and SAS backplane design. System integrators should cross-reference server compatibility guides when planning large-scale rollouts to confirm that BIOS/firmware revisions and controller driver versions support the specific drive firmware. The drive’s hot-plug certification and OEM alignment help minimize unexpected behavior in mixed firmware environments, lowering the risk of compatibility-induced performance anomalies.

Thermal

The Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS 12Gbps SSD operates within a defined thermal envelope, and maintaining adequate cooling in hot aisles or densely populated chassis is essential to avoid thermal throttling or reduced lifespan. Rack airflow design, proper fan speed profiles in PowerEdge servers, and awareness of ambient data center temperatures all contribute to preserving drive performance. Integrators should review thermal throttling behavior in test workloads, confirm that server fans scale dynamically under sustained write conditions, and consider drive placement to ensure even heat distribution across bays.

Use Cases

The Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS-12GBPS SSD is well-suited for multiple enterprise scenarios. In database infrastructures with frequent transaction logging and checkpoint activity, the drive’s write endurance and low-latency SAS link improve the responsiveness and durability of storage tiers. In virtualized environments, the SSD reduces VM spin-up latency and handles VDI write storms with less performance variance. For analytics platforms ingesting high volumes of small writes, and for message queues or streaming systems that append continuously to storage, the 10 DWPD rating provides the confidence that drives can sustain heavy write patterns across their service life.

Comparisons

Comparing the Dell 400-AZLC 800GB SAS-12GBPS drive to other enterprise SSDs requires considering endurance, interface, capacity, and firmware stack. For teams migrating from SATA-based drives or lower-endurance SSDs, the upgrade to a SAS 12Gbps write-intensive drive can deliver dramatically improved write stability and lower latency under heavy workloads. When evaluating alternatives, systems engineers should weigh the 10 DWPD endurance rating against workload write amplification, RAID rebuild patterns, and total cost of ownership.

Power-Loss Protection

Power-loss protection is a critical feature for write-intensive enterprise SSDs. The Dell 400-AZLC 800GB addresses this need through on-drive mechanisms that minimize in-flight data loss during an unexpected power event. These safeguards, combined with robust error correction and firmware journaling, ensure that file system integrity is preserved and that the risk of corrupted metadata is reduced. Systems architects should validate power-loss behavior within their server environment and consider redundant power supplies and UPS integration to complement the drive’s internal protections.