400-AZUB Dell 1.92TB Mixed Use SATA-6Gbps SSD.

Dell 400-AZUB 1.92TB Mixed Use Enterprise SSD

The Dell 400-AZUB 1.92TB Mixed Use SSD represents a high-performance storage solution engineered specifically for enterprise environments requiring consistent performance under demanding workloads. This 2.5-inch SATA SSD combines substantial capacity with exceptional endurance, making it an ideal choice for mixed-use scenarios where both read and write operations occur frequently throughout the day.

Enterprise-Grade Storage Performance

Designed to deliver reliable performance in data center and enterprise applications, the Dell 400-AZUB SSD features advanced TLC NAND technology with enhanced write endurance. With a 3DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) rating, this drive can withstand rigorous write cycles while maintaining data integrity and consistent input/output operations per second (IOPS).

Key Performance Specifications

The Dell 400-AZUB leverages the SATA 6Gbps interface to deliver sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 510MB/s. While not matching NVMe speeds, these specifications provide excellent performance for SATA-based storage systems, particularly in read-intensive and mixed-use applications where cost-effectiveness and compatibility with existing infrastructure are important considerations.

Consistent Latency Performance

Enterprise applications demand predictable performance, and the 400-AZUB delivers consistent low latency even under sustained workloads. Advanced wear-leveling algorithms and garbage collection mechanisms ensure that performance remains stable throughout the drive's lifespan, preventing the performance degradation often associated with consumer-grade SSDs in enterprise environments.

Mixed Use Workload Optimization

The "Mixed Use" designation indicates that this SSD is engineered to handle balanced read/write workloads typically found in server boot drives, virtualization hosts, database applications, and collaborative enterprise environments. Unlike read-optimized drives that sacrifice write endurance, the 400-AZUB maintains robust performance for both operation types.

3DWPD Endurance Rating

With a 3 Drive Writes Per Day rating, this 1.92TB model can endure approximately 5.76TB of writes daily over its 5-year warranty period. This exceptional endurance makes it suitable for applications with moderate to heavy write patterns, including database transaction logs, virtual machine swap files, and frequently updated content management systems.

Workload Adaptation Technology

The drive incorporates intelligent algorithms that dynamically adapt to different workload patterns, optimizing performance based on whether the current operations are predominantly random or sequential, read-heavy or write-intensive. This adaptive behavior ensures optimal resource utilization across varying enterprise scenarios without manual intervention.

TLC NAND with Enterprise Enhancements

While Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND traditionally offers higher density at lower cost compared to SLC and MLC alternatives, the Dell 400-AZUB implements enterprise-grade TLC with sophisticated management techniques to deliver reliability comparable to more expensive alternatives.

Advanced Error Correction

The drive features robust error correction code (ECC) capabilities that significantly reduce the raw bit error rate (RBER) associated with TLC NAND. Combined with sophisticated read-retry algorithms and signal processing techniques, these mechanisms ensure data integrity even as the NAND cells approach their endurance limits.

Write Amplification Control

Through advanced flash management techniques including large over-provisioning (28% in this model), the controller minimizes write amplification—a critical factor in extending SSD lifespan. The reduced write amplification directly translates to higher effective endurance and more consistent performance throughout the drive's operational life.

SATA 6Gbps Interface Compatibility

The SATA interface provides broad compatibility with existing server and storage infrastructure, making the 400-AZUB an excellent choice for upgrading traditional storage systems without requiring complete infrastructure overhaul. This backward compatibility ensures seamless integration into diverse enterprise environments.

Legacy System Enhancement

For organizations with servers that lack NVMe support or available PCIe slots, the Dell 400-AZUB offers a significant performance upgrade over traditional hard drives while maintaining the same form factor and interface. The performance improvement is particularly noticeable in random I/O operations, where SSDs typically outperform HDDs by orders of magnitude.

Hot-Plug Capability

The hot-plug SFF (Small Form Factor) design enables drive replacement or addition without system shutdown—a critical feature for high-availability environments. This capability minimizes downtime during maintenance, upgrades, or capacity expansion, supporting business continuity in 24/7 operational scenarios.

1.92TB Capacity Optimization

The 1.92TB capacity point represents a strategic balance between storage density and performance characteristics. This capacity is particularly well-suited for a wide range of enterprise applications from boot drives to moderate-sized databases, providing substantial storage without the performance compromises sometimes associated with higher-capacity drives.

Effective Usable Capacity

While marketed as 1.92TB, the drive features significant over-provisioning (approximately 28%) that is not accessible to the host system. This reserved space serves critical functions including wear leveling, garbage collection, and bad block management, ultimately enhancing both performance consistency and drive longevity.

Capacity and Endurance Balance

The 1.92TB capacity combined with 3DWPD endurance creates an optimal balance for many mixed-use scenarios. This configuration provides sufficient write endurance for typical enterprise workloads while offering substantial storage capacity—making it cost-effective for applications that require both capacity and performance.

Reliability and Data Protection Features

Enterprise storage demands robust data protection, and the Dell 400-AZUB incorporates multiple technologies to safeguard data integrity across various failure scenarios, from unexpected power loss to component degradation.

Power Loss Protection

The drive includes comprehensive power loss protection circuits that ensure in-flight data is safely written to non-volatile memory during unexpected power interruptions. This feature prevents data corruption and maintains filesystem integrity, which is critical for enterprise applications where data consistency is paramount.

End-to-End Data Protection

From host interface to NAND media, the drive implements end-to-end data protection with CRC checks at multiple stages of the data path. This comprehensive approach detects and corrects errors that may occur during data transfer between various components within the SSD, providing an additional layer of data integrity assurance.

Thermal and Power Management

In dense server configurations, thermal management and power efficiency become critical considerations. The Dell 400-AZUB incorporates advanced thermal throttling mechanisms and power states that balance performance with operational constraints.

Dynamic Thermal Monitoring

The drive continuously monitors internal temperatures and can autonomously adjust performance to maintain safe operating conditions. This proactive thermal management prevents overheating in poorly ventilated server bays and ensures consistent operation without thermal-induced throttling under normal environmental conditions.

Power Efficiency Characteristics

Compared to traditional hard drives, the 400-AZUB consumes significantly less power during both active and idle states. This power efficiency translates to reduced operational costs and heat generation, particularly important in large-scale deployments where these factors compound across hundreds or thousands of drives.

Dell Enterprise Integration

As a Dell-branded solution, the 400-AZUB is specifically validated for compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers and Dell storage solutions. This vendor-specific optimization ensures seamless integration and optimal performance within Dell ecosystem components.

Dell Management Tools Compatibility

The drive is fully compatible with Dell OpenManage, iDRAC, and other management utilities, providing comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities. This integration enables proactive health monitoring, predictive failure analysis, and streamlined replacement procedures within Dell infrastructure.

Firmware Optimization for Dell Systems

Dell-specific firmware optimizations ensure that the drive performs optimally in Dell server environments, taking advantage of platform-specific features and avoiding potential compatibility issues that can sometimes occur with third-party drives in OEM systems.

Use Cases and Application Scenarios

The Dell 400-AZUB 1.92TB Mixed Use SSD is well-suited for various enterprise applications that require a balance of capacity, performance, and endurance at a competitive price point.

Virtualization Host Boot Drives

For hypervisor installations and virtual machine boot volumes, the 400-AZUB provides excellent random read performance for simultaneous VM boot operations while offering sufficient write endurance for swap files and temporary data.

Database Log and Index Storage

Database applications benefit from the drive's balanced read/write characteristics, with strong performance for both data access (reads) and transaction logging (writes). The 3DWPD endurance rating accommodates the write-intensive nature of database operations.

Content Delivery Cache

In content delivery and web serving applications, the drive serves as an effective cache layer, storing frequently accessed content for rapid delivery while handling content updates and invalidation with its mixed-use capabilities.

Comparison with Alternative Storage Options

Understanding where the Dell 400-AZUB fits in the broader storage landscape helps in making informed procurement decisions based on specific workload requirements and budget constraints.

Vs. Read-Intensive SSDs

Compared to read-optimized SSDs (typically 1DWPD or less), the 400-AZUB offers significantly higher write endurance at a moderate price premium, making it more suitable for workloads with substantial write components rather than purely read-focused applications.

Vs. Write-Intensive SSDs

While write-intensive SSDs (often 10+ DWPD) offer higher endurance for extremely write-heavy workloads, they command a substantial price premium. The 400-AZUB provides a cost-effective middle ground for applications with moderate write requirements.

Vs. NVMe Solutions

NVMe drives offer significantly higher performance but require compatible infrastructure. The 400-AZUB provides a compelling upgrade path for organizations with SATA-based systems, delivering substantial performance improvements over HDDs without requiring new servers or storage controllers.

Technical Specifications Overview

A comprehensive understanding of the drive's technical specifications helps in proper deployment planning and performance expectation management.

Form Factor and Interface

The drive utilizes the standard 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) with a height of 15mm, compatible with most enterprise server drive bays. The SATA 6Gbps interface ensures broad compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Performance Metrics

With sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and write speeds up to 510MB/s, the drive delivers strong performance for SATA-based storage. Random performance metrics typically reach 95,000 IOPS for reads and 34,000 IOPS for writes at queue depth 32.

Endurance and Warranty

The 1.92TB model offers a 5-year limited warranty with an endurance rating of 10,512TBW (Total Bytes Written), equivalent to 3 full drive writes per day over the warranty period. This rating assumes typical enterprise operating conditions.