161-BCBE Dell 12TB NL 7.2KRPM SAS-12GBPS LFF Hot Plug HDD

Dell 161-BCBE 12TB SAS Hard Drive Details

The Dell 161-BCBE is a high-capacity enterprise hard drive designed with a balance of durability, speed, and efficient data management. Engineered for consistent performance, this 12TB SAS drive ensures reliable operation within demanding IT infrastructures.

Key Specifications

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number: 161-BCBE
• Product Type: Hard Disk Drive with Tray
• Form Factor: 3.5-Inch
• Storage Capacity: 12 Terabytes
• Cache Memory: 256MB buffer
• Sector Size: 512e

Interface & Connectivity

This model leverages the SAS 12Gb/s interface for high-speed data transfer. It supports a single hot-swap 3.5-inch bay, simplifying integration in enterprise storage arrays and ensuring convenient scalability for IT professionals.

Connection Features

• 1 × SAS 12Gb/s port
• Compatible with 3.5-inch hot-swap bays
• Flexible deployment across Dell enterprise systems

Performance Highlights

The Dell 161-BCBE drive balances speed and reliability for mission-critical workloads. With a 7200 RPM spindle speed and optimized caching, it offers dependable throughput and reduced response times for intensive applications.

Performance Metrics

• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
• Average Latency: 4.16 ms
• Sustained Transfer Rates: 243 MB/s (Read), 255 MB/s (Write)
• Buffer Size: 256MB

Seek Time Information

• Read Seek Time (Typical): 8.0 ms
• Write Seek Time (Typical): 8.6 ms

Storage Advantages

The large 12TB storage space makes this HDD suitable for bulk data archiving, virtualization, databases, and backup solutions. Its enterprise-grade engineering provides enhanced data integrity and long-term stability, even under constant workloads.

Compatibility Notes

Optimized for seamless operation, this HDD is fully supported within Dell PowerVault MD2412 storage enclosures. Its robust compatibility ensures smooth integration into existing IT ecosystems without configuration challenges.

Ideal Use Cases

• Data-intensive enterprise workloads
• Large-scale backup and recovery operations
• High-capacity storage expansion
• Business continuity and disaster recovery strategies

Choose the Dell 161-BCBE

• Enterprise-class 12TB storage for scalable growth
• Reliable SAS 12Gbps interface ensuring faster throughput
• 7200 RPM performance optimized for data-heavy tasks
• Hot-swap ready design for minimized downtime
• Engineered for compatibility with PowerVault storage systems

Dell 161-BCBE 12TB NL SAS HDD: Enterprise-Class High-Capacity Storage

The Dell 161-BCBE 12TB Nearline SAS hard drive delivers robust, scalable, and reliable storage for enterprise environments. Designed for high-density server and storage arrays, this 3.5-inch hot-plug HDD combines massive capacity with dependable performance, making it ideal for archival, backup, and tiered data workloads.

Key Specifications and Performance Attributes

This drive features a rotational speed of 7,200 RPM, a SAS-12Gbps interface, and a 256MB cache buffer. The 512e sector format ensures compatibility with modern storage controllers while optimizing performance for sequential workloads. Its nearline classification balances cost-efficiency with enterprise-grade reliability.

Interface and Throughput

• Interface: SAS-12Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI)
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 12Gbps burst speed
• Cache Buffer: 256MB for enhanced read/write efficiency
• Sector Format: 512e (Advanced Format)

Form Factor and Hot-Plug Capability

The 3.5-inch form factor is optimized for rack-mounted server deployments. Hot-plug support enables seamless drive replacement or upgrades without system downtime, critical for mission-critical environments.

Use Cases and Workload Optimization

As a Nearline SAS drive, the 161-BCBE is engineered for secondary storage tiers, long-term data retention, and high-capacity archival systems. It is not intended for high IOPS transactional databases but excels in sequential read/write operations.

Ideal Applications

• Backup and disaster recovery systems
• Cold storage and archival repositories
• Media streaming and content libraries
• Data lakes and big data clusters

Sequential Workload Efficiency

With its 7.2K RPM spindle speed and large cache buffer, the drive achieves optimal throughput for sequential workloads. This makes it suitable for applications where data is written and read in large blocks, such as video surveillance or log aggregation.

Reliability and Enterprise-Grade Durability

Dell's 161-BCBE HDD is built to meet stringent enterprise reliability standards. It features advanced error correction, vibration tolerance, and thermal management technologies to ensure consistent performance in multi-drive environments.

MTBF and Duty Cycle

• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 2 million hours
• Workload Rating: Up to 550TB/year
• Operational Duty Cycle: 24x7 continuous operation

Advanced Reliability Features

Integrated rotational vibration sensors and dynamic fly height adjustment enhance drive stability in dense server configurations. Error recovery controls and SAS dual-port architecture further improve fault tolerance and data integrity.

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 161-BCBE drive is validated for use across multiple generations of Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays. It supports hot-swap trays and integrates seamlessly with Dell’s PERC RAID controllers, ensuring plug-and-play deployment.

Supported Platforms

• Dell PowerEdge R740, R750, R760
• Dell PowerEdge T640, T660
• Dell PowerVault MD1400, MD1420
• Dell EMC SC and ME series arrays

Tray and Caddy Compatibility

This drive is compatible with Dell’s 3.5" hot-swap trays and caddies, including models with integrated status LEDs and vibration dampening. It supports tool-less installation for rapid deployment and maintenance.

Security and Data Protection Features

While the 161-BCBE model does not include native self-encrypting drive (SED) functionality, it supports controller-level encryption and secure erase protocols. This ensures compliance with data protection standards in regulated industries.

Data Sanitization and Secure Erase

• Supports SAS-level secure erase commands
• Compatible with Dell’s OpenManage Secure Erase tools
• Meets NIST 800-88 guidelines for media sanitization

Encryption Compatibility

When paired with Dell RAID controllers supporting TCG Enterprise standards, the drive can participate in encrypted volumes. This is ideal for organizations requiring data-at-rest protection without native SED support.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Despite its high capacity, the Dell 161-BCBE is engineered for energy efficiency. It features intelligent power management and low idle power draw, contributing to reduced data center operating costs.

Power Consumption Metrics

• Idle Power: ~5.5W
• Operational Power: ~8.5W typical
• Advanced Power Modes: Supported via SAS controller

Thermal Specifications

• Operating Temperature: 5°C to 60°C
• Non-Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Drive Cooling: Optimized for airflow in rack environments

Advanced Format and 512e Sector Technology

The 512e sector format bridges legacy compatibility with modern storage efficiency. It emulates 512-byte sectors while physically writing in 4K blocks, improving error correction and storage density.

Benefits of 512e Format

• Improved ECC (Error Correction Code) capabilities
• Enhanced compatibility with legacy OS and RAID controllers
• Optimized for large block sequential writes

Compatibility Considerations

While most modern operating systems and RAID controllers support 512e, legacy systems may require firmware updates. Dell provides compatibility matrices to ensure seamless integration.

Enterprise Storage Architecture Integration

The Dell 161-BCBE HDD is designed for integration into tiered storage architectures. It complements SSDs and high-performance SAS drives by providing cost-effective capacity for infrequently accessed data.

Tiered Storage Deployment

• Tier 1: NVMe SSDs for transactional workloads
• Tier 2: 10K SAS drives for mixed workloads
• Tier 3: 7.2K Nearline SAS for archival and backup

RAID Configuration Support

The drive supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10 when paired with Dell PERC controllers. It is optimized for RAID 5 and 6 configurations where capacity and fault tolerance are prioritized.

Hot Spare and Rebuild Efficiency

As a hot-plug drive, the 161-BCBE can serve as a hot spare in RAID arrays. Its rebuild performance is enhanced by the 256MB cache and SAS interface, minimizing downtime during recovery operations.

Compliance and Certifications

The Dell 161-BCBE HDD meets global regulatory and environmental standards, ensuring safe deployment across industries and geographies.

Certifications

• RoHS compliant
• CE and FCC certified
• UL listed
• ISO 9001 manufacturing standards