0B48724 Western Digital 20TB 7.2K RPM SATA-6GBPS Ultrastar Hard Drive

Western Digital 0B48724 20TB Ultrastar DC HC555: High-Capacity Enterprise Storage

The Western Digital 0B48724 20TB Ultrastar DC HC555 is designed to meet the demands of modern data centers, offering a blend of exceptional capacity, efficiency, and enterprise-grade reliability. As part of the Ultrastar DC HC500 series, this 3.5-inch helium-sealed hard drive leverages innovative technologies to deliver consistent performance, reduced total cost of ownership, and seamless scalability for large-scale deployments.

Enterprise-Class Performance and Dependability

Built for enterprise-grade applications, the 0B48724 model operates at 7200 RPM and uses a SATA 6Gbps interface, delivering dependable throughput for mission-critical workloads. The 512MB cache buffer further enhances read/write speeds, making this drive ideal for environments that demand sustained performance, including big data analytics, hyperscale storage infrastructures, and cloud deployments.

High-Reliability Architecture for Continuous Uptime

Western Digital’s Ultrastar DC HC555 series, including the 0B48724, features advanced reliability metrics such as a 2.5 million hour MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and an annualized failure rate (AFR) as low as 0.35%. It is engineered to handle 550TB/year workload rates, ensuring durability under intensive 24/7 operational loads.

Helium Technology Enhancing Power and Density

A key innovation in this model is its helium-sealed platform. Helium, being less dense than air, significantly reduces internal turbulence and resistance on the spinning disks. This allows for tighter platter stacking (9 disks in a single drive), which translates into greater storage density and energy efficiency. Helium technology also contributes to quieter operation and lower vibration—vital attributes in high-density rack environments.

Key Features of the Western Digital 0B48724 20TB Ultrastar DC HC555

• 20TB native capacity using ePMR and HelioSeal technologies
• 7200 RPM rotational speed for balanced performance
• SATA 6Gb/s interface for compatibility and speed
• 512MB cache buffer improving I/O performance
• Designed with 512e sector formatting for modern compatibility
• Advanced reliability with 2.5 million hour MTBF
• Reduced power consumption compared to air-filled drives
• Lower vibration and noise for better system integrity

Applications Suited for the HC555 Series Drives

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC555 20TB hard drive is optimized for a variety of data-centric applications. Enterprises running cloud-based storage services, object storage systems, distributed file systems, and software-defined storage (SDS) solutions will benefit from its capacity and resilience. Additionally, archiving systems, media content libraries, and backup infrastructures will find it an efficient long-term storage solution.

Ideal for Hyperscale and Exascale Architectures

As hyperscale data centers expand their capacity needs, the 20TB HC555 helps reduce data center footprint and energy costs. This drive supports data-at-rest encryption (SED models) and secure erase features for compliance with modern security protocols. Its compatibility with a wide range of enterprise-grade servers and storage platforms makes it highly versatile for scale-out deployments.

Helium-Filled Platform: A Technological Advantage

Helium-sealing is a signature Western Digital innovation that sets the HC555 apart from conventional air-filled drives. Lower drag and better thermal performance improve reliability, allowing the integration of more platters within the same 3.5" form factor. This results in unprecedented storage density, an essential feature in today’s data-hungry environments.

Energy Efficiency and Lower TCO

Enterprises are increasingly focusing on reducing operational expenses, and energy-efficient storage plays a significant role. The 0B48724 Ultrastar HC555 consumes significantly less power per TB than comparable air-filled drives. Its low idle power consumption, in combination with high capacity, leads to reduced rack space and lower cooling costs—translating into substantial savings over time.

Environmental Specifications

• Operating Temperature: 5°C to 60°C
• Non-operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Power Requirement: ~5.8W (Idle), ~7.6W (Active)
• Acoustics: 2.0 Bels (Idle), 2.8 Bels (Seek)

Interface and Compatibility: SATA-6Gbps and 512e Sector Format

The 0B48724 uses a SATA 6Gb/s interface, ensuring seamless integration with existing enterprise hardware. Whether incorporated into JBODs, RAID arrays, or NAS systems, its standardized connection ensures compatibility with a broad range of enterprise controllers and backplanes.

Advanced Format: 512e Sector Technology

The 512e (512-byte emulation) sector format offers a balance of performance and compatibility. This format emulates 512-byte sectors while using 4K physical sectors, allowing legacy systems to operate without firmware-level upgrades while still enabling the drive to store more data efficiently.

Support for Legacy and Modern Systems

Whether your storage system relies on legacy software expecting 512-byte sectors or utilizes newer 4K-native applications, the 512e format bridges the gap. The 0B48724 is optimized for maximum interoperability, ensuring smooth deployment in mixed infrastructure environments.

Use Cases in Modern Data Environments

The Western Digital Ultrastar 20TB HC555 series drives, especially the 0B48724 model, support a variety of real-world use cases across industries. From financial institutions to video surveillance systems, the demand for high-capacity, cost-effective, and durable drives is growing exponentially.

Big Data Analytics and AI Workloads

For organizations leveraging big data and AI/ML analytics, this drive offers the sustained throughput and reliability needed for data lakes, training datasets, and long-term retention of raw and processed information. With reduced failure rates and high storage density, it is a perfect fit for high-availability compute clusters.

Cloud Storage and SaaS Infrastructure

Cloud service providers (CSPs) and SaaS vendors will find the Ultrastar HC555 ideal for building scalable, multi-tenant storage backends. The drive’s energy efficiency, low acoustic output, and high reliability align with the core needs of shared cloud infrastructure.

Cold Storage and Archival Systems

Cold data that requires long-term, infrequent access—such as regulatory records, surveillance footage, or scientific research—can be stored affordably and securely on the 0B48724. Its high MTBF and helium-sealed construction make it perfect for archival storage that demands long shelf life with minimal maintenance.

Media and Entertainment Content Libraries

The media industry depends on large-volume storage for 4K/8K content, raw footage, and master files. The 20TB Ultrastar DC HC555 helps studios, broadcasters, and video-on-demand platforms scale up without rapidly exhausting rack space.

Data Protection and Security Features

Security remains a priority in enterprise storage. Western Digital integrates robust data protection mechanisms into the HC555 platform. From optional self-encrypting drive (SED) models to secure erase and firmware protection, this hard drive supports IT teams in maintaining data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Secure Erase and Instant Sanitization

For decommissioning or re-provisioning drives, secure erase capabilities are essential. The 0B48724 supports various sanitization commands including crypto-erase (for SED models), allowing enterprises to rapidly and securely remove sensitive data.

Firmware Protection and Integrity Checks

WD’s enterprise firmware includes mechanisms to prevent unauthorized tampering and ensure the integrity of internal processes. These protections are vital in industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare and financial services.

Competitive Advantage of the HC555 Series

Compared to traditional enterprise hard drives, the HC555 series offers superior TCO metrics, unmatched capacity, and a forward-looking design built to scale with data demands. The Western Digital 0B48724 model stands out with its blend of innovation, reliability, and high-performance specifications, making it a leader in the 20TB HDD category.

Comparison with Previous Generations

Relative to older Ultrastar models and comparable drives from other manufacturers, the HC555 offers up to 11% more capacity per rack unit and lower operating costs per GB. The helium advantage, in combination with energy-efficient electronics and smarter power management, leads to greater environmental and financial returns.

Cost-Effective Scalability for Growing Infrastructures

As data growth continues at an exponential rate, infrastructure must scale efficiently. The 0B48724 allows enterprises to increase capacity with fewer drives, less cabling, and reduced hardware overhead. This results in more efficient rack utilization and lower long-term capital and operational expenditures.

Why Choose the Western Digital 0B48724 Ultrastar HC555?

This drive is a future-ready solution for data-driven enterprises. Whether expanding storage infrastructure, upgrading legacy systems, or launching a new data center, the 0B48724 20TB Ultrastar HC555 delivers unparalleled value. With its helium-sealed design, 512MB cache, enterprise durability, and power-optimized performance, it addresses the growing need for sustainable, large-scale storage.

Availability and Integration

The HC555 series is widely available and supported by leading OEMs and system integrators. It is compatible with industry-standard enclosures and supports a broad range of storage controllers, making it a plug-and-play solution for most enterprise IT environments.

Backed by Western Digital’s Proven Track Record

With decades of experience in enterprise storage, Western Digital continues to set industry benchmarks for innovation and reliability. The Ultrastar brand is synonymous with mission-critical performance, and the 0B48724 model continues that legacy.