0B48721 Western Digital 14TB 7.2K RPM SATA-6GBPS Ultrastar Dc Hc555 HDD

Western Digital 0B48721 14TB Ultrastar DC HC555 Enterprise Hard Drive

The Western Digital 0B48721 14TB Ultrastar DC HC555 is a high-capacity enterprise-grade hard drive engineered to meet the performance, reliability, and scalability demands of modern data centers. Designed with cutting-edge HelioSeal technology and a 3.5-inch form factor, this hard drive is ideal for enterprises looking to maximize storage density, reduce power consumption, and ensure long-term data integrity.

Advanced Storage Capacity and Performance

With a storage capacity of 14 terabytes, the 0B48721 model is part of the Ultrastar DC HC555 series, which is optimized for high-density environments. Running at a rotational speed of 7,200 RPM and equipped with a SATA 6Gb/s interface, this drive delivers the perfect balance between speed and storage efficiency. The 512MB cache buffer further boosts read/write performance, making it ideal for both sequential and random workloads.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model: Western Digital 0B48721
• Series: Ultrastar DC HC555
• Capacity: 14TB
• Interface: SATA 6Gbps
• Spindle Speed: 7,200 RPM
• Buffer Size: 512MB
• Sector Format: 512e (Advanced Format)
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch
• Platform: Helium-sealed (HelioSeal)

HelioSeal Platform for Maximum Efficiency

This enterprise hard drive features Western Digital's proven HelioSeal technology, which uses helium instead of air within the drive enclosure. Helium reduces internal turbulence, allowing for more platters inside the same 3.5-inch casing and reducing friction. This leads to lower power consumption, decreased operating temperatures, and higher overall reliability.

Benefits of Helium-Sealed Drives

HelioSeal drives like the HC555 offer significant improvements in key data center metrics:

• Lower power usage compared to air-filled drives
• Improved storage density with more platters
• Reduced cooling requirements
• Enhanced reliability and MTBF ratings

512e Advanced Format Technology

The Western Digital 0B48721 utilizes 512e (512-byte emulation), which enhances physical sector size while maintaining legacy compatibility. This ensures higher efficiency in error correction and data transfer, making it compatible with both modern and older systems while improving throughput in large-scale deployments.

Why 512e Matters in Enterprise Storage

512e format provides a transition point between legacy 512-byte and new 4K-native sector drives. It enables:

• Higher data reliability with better ECC
• Backward compatibility with legacy software
• Improved performance in transactional workloads

Optimized for Data Center Applications

The Ultrastar DC HC555 series is tailored for deployment in large-scale enterprise data centers and cloud storage infrastructures. Its design meets rigorous enterprise standards for reliability, endurance, and data security, ensuring it performs under 24x7 workloads. Whether used in storage arrays, backup appliances, or distributed storage systems, this drive excels in environments where uptime and data integrity are paramount.

Ideal Use Cases

• Cloud-scale storage systems
• Backup and archival solutions
• Cold storage and nearline storage
• Content delivery networks (CDNs)
• Massive-scale data lakes and big data analytics

Workload Rating and Reliability

The 0B48721 is designed for up to 550TB per year workload rating, making it suitable for heavy-duty, mission-critical operations. The drive’s MTBF rating of 2.5 million hours and support for error recovery control, thermal fly-height control, and rotational vibration safeguards ensure maximum uptime and durability.

Energy Efficiency and Power Savings

Western Digital’s power-optimized design ensures that the Ultrastar DC HC555 14TB operates with minimal energy draw. By leveraging HelioSeal technology and advanced firmware optimizations, this drive offers a reduced watts-per-terabyte ratio, helping data centers manage rising energy costs and meet environmental regulations.

Power and Thermal Efficiency Metrics

• Low active and idle power draw
• Reduced heat output requiring less cooling
• Supports PowerChoice™ technology for additional savings

Compatibility and Integration

The 0B48721 Ultrastar DC HC555 is built to seamlessly integrate into existing SATA infrastructure, ensuring a straightforward upgrade path. With broad OS and controller compatibility, this drive can be deployed in diverse environments including NAS, SAN, and JBOD systems.

Interoperability and Supported Platforms

This enterprise drive is tested and qualified with multiple hardware platforms, including:

• Major server manufacturers (Dell, HPE, Lenovo)
• RAID controllers and host bus adapters
• Enterprise NAS and SAN devices
• Virtualized and bare-metal deployments

Data Protection and Security Features

While the 0B48721 does not include self-encrypting drive (SED) functionality, it offers standard firmware-level protections and supports secure erase options for compliance with data disposal regulations. Western Digital also incorporates features like Dual SafeWrite cache protection to guard against data corruption during unexpected power loss.

Available Enhancements and Models

The Ultrastar DC HC555 family includes a range of models with various security and interface options:

• Models with TCG encryption and Instant Secure Erase (ISE)
• SAS interface variants for high-availability environments
• Air-filled alternatives in lower capacities

Why Choose the Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC555 0B48721?

Enterprise customers choose the 0B48721 for its consistent performance, excellent energy efficiency, and trusted reliability. As part of the Ultrastar brand, it is backed by a 5-year limited warranty and extensive quality control, making it a cornerstone component for IT professionals tasked with deploying scalable and sustainable storage solutions.

Western Digital’s Commitment to Quality

Western Digital’s Ultrastar drives are subjected to rigorous stress tests and validation procedures, ensuring every unit meets the highest industry standards. With over 50 years in the storage industry, Western Digital continues to innovate with forward-looking solutions that anticipate the growing demands of data-driven enterprises.

Comparison with Other Enterprise Drives

Compared to other enterprise-class 14TB drives, the 0B48721 offers competitive pricing and leading-edge features such as the helium platform and large 512MB cache. Its SATA interface ensures broad compatibility, while its performance characteristics rival more expensive SAS-based drives in certain workloads.

Bulk Storage for a Data-Driven Future

As data growth accelerates across all industries, drives like the 0B48721 help businesses scale cost-effectively. From AI model training and surveillance data archiving to genomic sequencing and e-commerce analytics, the Ultrastar DC HC555 14TB delivers the backbone infrastructure needed to support the digital economy.