161-BCMN Dell 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12GBPS 512e SFF Hot-plug HDD

Specification of Dell 161-BCMN 2.4TB Internal HDD

The Dell 161-BCMN hard disk drive delivers enterprise-grade storage with outstanding reliability, performance, and seamless integration across a wide range of Dell PowerEdge servers. Designed with a 2.5-inch form factor, high spindle speed, and robust SAS interface, it ensures efficient data handling for demanding workloads.

Key Product Highlights

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number: 161-BCMN
• Product Type: Internal Hard Disk Drive
• Storage Capacity: 2.4TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch
• Interface: SAS-12Gb/s
• Cache: 256MB
• Sector Size: 512e

Performance Specifications

This drive is engineered to deliver fast read/write operations and dependable throughput, making it ideal for virtualized environments and enterprise applications.

• Spindle Speed: 10,000 RPM
• Average Latency: 2.9 ms
• Sustained Transfer Rate: 270 MB/s (outer) to 117 MB/s (inner)
• External Transfer Rate: 1200 Mbps
• Multi-segmented Cache: 256 MB

Advanced Caching & I/O Optimization

The Dell 161-BCMN drive incorporates enhanced caching features to accelerate performance and responsiveness in real-time data processing.

• I/O Acceleration and Response Time Optimization enabled
• eMLC NAND Flash (16GB) for caching
• Intelligent NAND Endurance Management for prolonged lifecycle

Connectivity & Expansion

Flexible integration options make this HDD suitable for high-density data centers and hot-swap environments.

• Interface: 1 x SAS 12Gbps
• Compatible Bays: 1 x Hot-swap, 2.5-inch

Rack Servers

• PowerEdge R260, R360, R440, R450, R470
• PowerEdge R550, R640, R650, R650xs
• PowerEdge R6525, R660, R660xs, R6615, R6625
• PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R750, R750xs
• PowerEdge R7515, R7525, R760, R760xs
• PowerEdge R7615, R7625, R770, R840, R860
• PowerEdge R940, R960

Tower Servers

• PowerEdge T550, T560

Modular & Cloud-Optimized

• PowerEdge C6420, C6520, C6525
• PowerEdge HS5610, HS5620
• PowerEdge MX760c

Storage Systems

• PowerVault MD2424

Choose Dell 161-BCMN HDD

• High reliability for enterprise workloads
• Balanced performance with 10K RPM spindle speed
• Optimized cache architecture for faster response times
• Seamless compatibility across Dell’s latest server platforms
• Designed for mission-critical applications, virtualization, and database management

Dell 161-BCMN 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12Gbps SFF HDD Overview

The Dell 161-BCMN 2.4TB 10K RPM SAS-12Gbps 512e SFF Hot-Plug Hard Disk Drive is engineered for enterprise-grade performance, reliability, and scalability. Designed for compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays, this 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) drive delivers high-speed data access, robust endurance, and seamless integration into mission-critical environments. With a rotational speed of 10,000 RPM and a SAS interface supporting 12Gbps throughput, it strikes the ideal balance between capacity and performance for transactional workloads, virtualization, and database applications.

Enterprise SAS Drives vs. SATA Alternatives

SAS drives like the Dell 161-BCMN offer superior reliability, dual-port redundancy, and faster data transfer rates compared to SATA HDDs. The 12Gbps SAS interface supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous read/write operations, which is critical for high-transaction environments. Unlike SATA, SAS drives are built for 24/7 operation with higher Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), making them ideal for enterprise workloads.

Advantages of SAS-12Gbps Interface

• Supports advanced queuing and command prioritization
• Backward compatible with 6Gbps SAS infrastructure
• Enhanced signal integrity and error correction
• Scalable architecture for multi-drive configurations

Use Cases for Dell 161-BCMN 2.4TB SAS HDD

This drive is optimized for environments requiring high IOPS, consistent throughput, and robust data integrity. Common deployment scenarios include:

Virtualization and Hypervisor Storage Pools

The 10K RPM spindle speed and 256MB buffer enable rapid access to virtual machine disk images, reducing latency and improving VM boot times. Ideal for VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer deployments.

Database and OLTP Workloads

For transactional databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL, the Dell 161-BCMN provides fast random access and high reliability. Its SAS interface ensures consistent performance under heavy query loads.

High-Availability Clusters and RAID Arrays

With hot-plug support and dual-port SAS connectivity, this drive integrates seamlessly into RAID 10, RAID 5, and RAID 6 configurations. It supports fault-tolerant architectures and minimizes downtime during drive replacement or failure.

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 161-BCMN is validated for use across multiple generations of Dell PowerEdge servers, including:

• PowerEdge R740, R640, R540, and R440
• PowerEdge T640 and T440 tower servers
• PowerEdge MX740c and MX840c modular systems
• PowerEdge VRTX shared infrastructure platforms

Its firmware is optimized for Dell's PERC RAID controllers, ensuring full compatibility and SMART monitoring support.

Hot-Plug Functionality and Serviceability

The hot-plug feature allows administrators to replace or upgrade drives without powering down the server. This is essential for maintaining uptime in production environments. The SFF design also enables higher drive density in 2U and 1U chassis, supporting scalable storage growth.

Technical Features Enhancing Reliability

Advanced Error Correction and ECC

The drive includes robust error correction algorithms and end-to-end data protection mechanisms. ECC (Error Correction Code) ensures data integrity during read/write operations, reducing the risk of corruption.

Rotational Vibration Safeguards

Enterprise drives like the 161-BCMN are equipped with rotational vibration sensors that mitigate performance degradation in multi-drive enclosures. This ensures consistent throughput even in densely populated server racks.

Thermal Management and SMART Monitoring

Integrated thermal sensors allow proactive monitoring of drive temperature. SMART attributes provide early warning for potential failures, enabling predictive maintenance and minimizing unplanned outages.

512e Sector Format and Compatibility

The 512e (Advanced Format) sector layout offers improved storage efficiency while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy 512-byte sector systems. This format enhances error correction and aligns with modern operating systems and RAID controllers.

Benefits of 512e Over Native 512N

• Improved storage density and formatting efficiency
• Enhanced ECC capabilities for better data protection
• Compatibility with Windows Server, Linux, and VMware platforms

Buffer Size and Caching Performance

The 256MB buffer significantly improves read-ahead and write-behind caching, reducing latency and enhancing performance during burst workloads. This is particularly beneficial for applications with unpredictable I/O patterns.

Impact on Sequential and Random I/O

Larger cache sizes allow the drive to prefetch data and optimize access patterns. Sequential read/write operations benefit from reduced seek times, while random I/O sees improved responsiveness due to intelligent caching algorithms..

Environmental and Operational Ratings

Designed for 24x7 operation, the Dell 161-BCMN meets stringent enterprise standards for durability and reliability. Key environmental specs include:

• Operating Temperature: 5°C to 55°C
• Non-Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• MTBF: >2 million hours
• Shock Tolerance: 40G operational, 300G non-operational

Energy Efficiency and Power Consumption

The drive is optimized for low power draw during idle and active states. Typical power consumption ranges between 5.5W (idle) and 8.5W (active), contributing to overall data center efficiency.

Choose Dell 161-BCMN for Enterprise Storage

Proven Reliability in Mission-Critical Deployments

With rigorous testing and validation across Dell's server ecosystem, the 161-BCMN offers unmatched reliability for enterprise workloads. Its robust design and firmware integration ensure consistent performance under demanding conditions.

Scalability for Growing Infrastructure

Whether expanding storage in a single server or scaling across a data center, this drive supports modular growth. Its SFF design and SAS interface allow flexible deployment in high-density environments.