6K35K Dell 1.92TB SAS-24GBPS Read Intensive Solid State Drives with 1DWPD.

Main Details of Dell 6K35K 1.92TB SAS SSD

• Manufacturer: Dell
• Part Number / SKU: 6K35K
• Product Category: Enterprise-Class Solid State Drive
• Model Capacity: 1.92TB
• Interface: SAS 24Gb/s
• Form Factor: SFF 2.5-Inch Hot-Swap
• Usage Type: Read Intensive, 1 DWPD
• NAND Technology: TLC Flash Memory

Technical Information

Drive Specifications

• Device Type: Solid State Drive – Hot-Swap Supported
• Total Storage Capacity: 1.92 Terabytes
• Flash Memory Type: Triple-Level Cell (TLC)
• Interface Protocol: SAS 24Gbps
• Form Factor: Compact 2.5-inch SFF design
• Performance Profile: Optimized for read-intensive workloads

Performance Metrics

• Sequential Read Speed (128 KiB): Up to 4,200 MB/s
• Sequential Write Speed (128 KiB): Up to 3,650 MB/s
• Random Read IOPS (4 KiB): 720,000
• Random Write IOPS (4 KiB): 155,000

Reliability Ratings

• Mean Time to Failure (MTTF): 2.5 Million Hours
• Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD): 1
• Enterprise-Grade Data Integrity Features

Connectivity and Expansion

• Interface Port: 1 × SAS 24Gb/s
• Compatible Slot: Hot-Swap 2.5-inch Bay
• Seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge servers

Server Compatibility

Supported PowerEdge Rack Servers

• R350, R450, R540, R550
• R640, R650, R650xs
• R6515, R6525, R660, R660xs
• R6615, R6625, R740, R740xd
• R750, R750xa, R750xs
• R7515, R7525, R760, R760xa, R760xs
• R7615, R7625, R840, R860
• R940, R940xa, R960

Supported PowerEdge Tower Servers

• T550, T560

Supported PowerEdge C-Series

• C6420, C6520, C6525
• C6600, C6615, C6620

Specialized Models

• HS5610, HS5620
• XR7620 Ruggedized Server

Storage Systems Compatibility

• PowerVault MD2424 Storage Array

Dell 6K35K 1.92TB SAS 24Gbps Read Intensive TLC 1 DWPD SFF 2.5" Enterprise SSD

The Dell 6K35K 1.92TB SAS 24Gbps Read Intensive TLC 1 DWPD SFF 2.5-inch Enterprise Class Solid State Drive for Dell EMC 14g, 15g, 16g PowerEdge Server represents a class of high-density, performance-focused storage engineered for modern datacenter workloads. This category of drives is built to meet the needs of applications that prioritize high read throughput, low latency, and consistent reliability over extended duty cycles. As an enterprise-grade SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) 24Gbps device, the Dell 6K35K series blends robust controller design, advanced TLC NAND management, and enterprise firmware optimizations to deliver predictable performance for virtualization, read-heavy databases, caching layers, and large-scale analytics. The SFF 2.5-inch factor and hot-plug capability make the drive a versatile choice across Dell EMC PowerEdge 14th, 15th, and 16th generation servers, ensuring compatibility with existing server backplanes and storage enclosures commonly deployed in enterprise environments.

Key Technical Attributes and Why They Matter

The defining technical attributes of the Dell 6K35K category include its 1.92TB capacity, SAS 24Gbps interface, read-optimized TLC NAND, and a 1 drive write per day (DWPD) endurance rating. The 1.92TB capacity provides a balance between high usable storage and cost-efficiency when compared to ultra-high capacity devices. The SAS 24Gbps interface supports higher sustained throughput and reduces bottlenecks for systems that demand heavy sequential and random read operations. Read-intensive TLC (triple-level cell) NAND architecture offers denser storage economics while the controller and firmware employ sophisticated wear-leveling, error correction (ECC), and read-disturb management to extract enterprise-class reliability from TLC media. The 1 DWPD endurance rating signals suitability for read-heavy workloads with intermittent writes—typical of web caching, content delivery, and large-scale file-serving environments—providing a predictable lifecycle for capacity planning and total cost of ownership calculations.

Performance Characteristics and Workload Fit

In practice, drives in the Dell 6K35K category deliver low single-digit millisecond latencies under mixed I/O conditions, high IOPS for read-dominant patterns, and strong sequential throughput over the SAS 24Gbps physical layer. These performance characteristics are ideal for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) read-boot storms, database read replicas, search and indexing services, and analytics platforms where read latency and throughput directly impact user experience and job completion times. The enterprise firmware tuning and compatibility testing for Dell EMC PowerEdge 14g, 15g, and 16g servers mean predictable behavior when drives are used in RAID tiers or HBA environments common to enterprise storage arrays. Administrators will appreciate consistent performance under steady-state operation and efficient garbage collection algorithms that reduce background write amplification, preserving usable performance during heavy read activity.

Compatibility with Dell EMC PowerEdge 14g/15g/16g

Compatibility is a core benefit of the Dell 6K35K line. These SSDs are validated for Dell EMC PowerEdge 14th, 15th, and 16th generation servers, ensuring that firmware interactions, hot-swap behavior, and drive monitoring integrate seamlessly with native Dell management tools. Whether deployed in blade enclosures or traditional rack servers, the SFF 2.5-inch form factor and standard SAS pinout allow easy insertion into existing drive bays and sleds. Integration with Dell OpenManage and other server management suites enables health monitoring, predictive failure alerts, and firmware updates orchestrated through familiar administrative consoles. This integrated ecosystem reduces the risk of incompatibility-related downtime and simplifies lifecycle management for enterprise IT teams.

Reliability, Endurance, and Data Integrity

Enterprise environments demand drives that protect data integrity through power-loss protection features, robust ECC, and firmware safeguards against latent errors. The Dell 6K35K category includes enterprise-grade features such as end-to-end data path protection, advanced ECC algorithms, and power-loss protection capacitors or firmware-managed write flushing to minimize the risk of data corruption during unexpected power events. Although the drive is characterized as read-intensive with a 1 DWPD rating, the controller-level wear-management strategies and reserved over-provisioning help maintain long-term reliability and predictable performance as the media ages. This combination of protections and hardware resiliency is important for mission-critical applications in financial services, online transaction processing (OLTP) read-replicas, and content delivery where data correctness and availability are non-negotiable.

Enterprise-Class Features and Management

Beyond raw performance, enterprise SSDs must provide the management and telemetry features that allow administrators to monitor health, forecast replacements, and plan capacity. Dell 6K35K drives expose SMART attributes, drive life remaining metrics, power-on hours, and other telemetry through industry-standard SAS management interfaces. When used in supported Dell EMC hardware, administrators can harness automated alerting and inventory tracking to maintain high availability. Firmware updates for these drives are typically distributed through Dell channels and are tested against PowerEdge server firmware stacks to reduce update risks. The intersection of firmware stability, telemetry, and Dell-certified testing helps enterprises maintain service-level objectives and simplifies the operational burden of maintaining a modern storage fleet.

Thermal, Power, and Physical Considerations

Thermal efficiency and power consumption are often overlooked until they impact datacenter cooling and power budgets. The Dell 6K35K 1.92TB SFF SSDs are engineered to operate within the thermal envelopes common to high-density server chassis. Their power profile favors read-intensive workloads—meaning they draw less sustained power than write-intensive devices of similar capacity—resulting in lower average energy costs for read-heavy deployments. The 2.5-inch SFF form factor contributes to higher drive-per-rack density, enabling effective use of server drive bays without compromising airflow. Proper attention to ambient operating temperatures, airflow pathways, and server backplane cooling will ensure the drives operate within specified temperature ranges and deliver long-term performance without thermal throttling.

Serviceability and Hot-Plugging

Serviceability is a hallmark of enterprise storage design. Dell 6K35K drives support hot-plug replacement, enabling field-replaceable units (FRUs) to be swapped without powering down the host server when used in hot-swap capable backplanes. This capability reduces maintenance windows and supports high availability architectures. Clear labeling, TRIM and secure erase support, and Dell-certified trays ensure field technicians can replace drives quickly and safely. Additionally, when integrated into RAID configurations, the drive’s predictable rebuild performance helps administrators estimate recovery windows and manage risk in the event of drive failures.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

Enterprises will find the Dell 6K35K category particularly well-suited for the following scenarios: read-dominant database replicas, search engine nodes, media streaming caches, virtual desktop infrastructure (parallel boot/read loads), and content delivery appliance storage. In hybrid storage architectures, these SAS 24Gbps read-intensive SSDs are ideal as a tier optimized for reads, placed in front of larger high-capacity HDD tiers or mixed-use SSDs that absorb write-heavy bursts. The predictable performance for read-heavy patterns helps improve application responsiveness and reduces latency variance, which is critical for end-user experience in interactive applications. For cloud service providers and managed hosting firms, the cost-per-GB of read-intensive TLC together with durable behavior under read workloads makes these drives an economical choice for large fleets.

Architectural Recommendations

When designing storage tiers that incorporate Dell 6K35K drives, architects should consider RAID levels that optimize read throughput and rebuild performance, such as RAID-10 for balanced performance and fault tolerance or RAID-6 for capacity-efficient redundancy with multi-disk failure protection. Mixing drive types should be avoided within the same RAID set to maintain consistent performance characteristics; instead, create dedicated RAID groups or storage pools for read-intensive SAS 24Gbps devices. Implementing monitoring and alerting thresholds for SMART metrics, and scheduling regular firmware maintenance windows aligned with Dell’s recommended procedures, will maintain drive health and reduce unexpected failures. Also consider reserving adequate over-provisioning in drive firmware settings to extend endurance for workloads that occasionally experience write surges.

Security and Data Protection Capabilities

Security features are increasingly important in enterprise SSD selections. The Dell 6K35K category supports firmware-level security features such as secure erase, secure firmware locking, and may support self-encrypting drive (SED) variants depending on the specific SKU. For environments requiring data at rest protection, SED-enabled models provide encryption that can be managed through enterprise key management systems and integrate with broader data security policies. Administrators should consult product SKU details and Dell EMC compatibility matrices to confirm encryption capability and available options for secure drive provisioning and decommissioning.

Firmware and Lifecycle Management

Firmware stewardship is a major operational consideration. Dell 6K35K drives undergo Dell-certification processes for firmware builds when intended for Dell EMC servers, reducing the likelihood of unexpected interactions with RAID controllers, HBA firmware, and server management utilities. Enterprises should follow a disciplined firmware lifecycle: test updates in staging environments that mirror production, schedule updates during maintenance windows, and apply Dell-approved firmware only. Effective lifecycle management includes tracking drive replacement cycles, understanding write endurance remaining, and planning capacity upgrades before performance degradation or risk of failure rise markedly.