161-BCNX Dell 12TB 7.2K RPM NL SAS-12GBPS 512e LFF Hot Plug HDD

Dell 161-BCNX 12TB SAS 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

The Dell 161-BCNX is a high-capacity enterprise-class internal HDD designed to deliver consistent performance, robust reliability, and seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge and PowerVault systems. Built for environments that demand large-scale storage, this drive ensures fast data access and secure data handling for mission-critical applications.

Key Specifications

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number: 161-BCNX
• Storage Capacity: 12TB
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch
• Interface: SAS 12Gbps
• Cache Memory: 256MB
• Sector Size: 512e

Performance Features

This Dell enterprise hard disk drive is optimized for speed and responsiveness, ensuring efficient data processing across business workloads.

• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
• Average Latency: 4.16 ms
• Sequential Read Speed: up to 243 MB/s
• Sequential Write Speed: up to 255 MB/s
• Read Seek Time (typical): 8.0 ms
• Write Seek Time (typical): 8.6 ms
• Buffer Size: 256MB

Connectivity & Expansion

Engineered with modern SAS technology, the Dell 161-BCNX hard drive supports scalable storage solutions while maintaining excellent data throughput.

• Interface: 1 x SAS 12Gb/s
• Bay Support: Hot-swap, 3.5-inch drive bay

System Compatibility

This enterprise-grade HDD integrates seamlessly with a wide range of Dell PowerEdge servers and Dell PowerVault storage systems, offering flexibility and reliability for IT environments.

Supported Dell PowerEdge Servers

• PowerEdge R730
• PowerEdge R430
• PowerEdge R530
• PowerEdge T430
• PowerEdge R230
• PowerEdge R330
• PowerEdge T330
• PowerEdge R730xd XL
• PowerEdge T640
• PowerEdge T440
• PowerEdge T340

Supported Dell PowerVault Models

• PowerVault ME4012
• PowerVault ME412
• PowerVault ME5012

Choose Dell 161-BCNX

Enterprises looking for a dependable storage solution can rely on the Dell 161-BCNX hard drive for:

• High-capacity storage for databases, virtualization, and backups
• Durability and long operational life for 24/7 workloads
• Compatibility with Dell’s latest server and storage platforms
• Optimized speed for data-intensive operations

Dell 161-BCNX 12TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Nearline Enterprise Hard Drive Overview

The Dell 161-BCNX 12TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Nearline (NL) Hard Drive is engineered for high-capacity, cost-effective storage in enterprise-grade environments. Designed with a 3.5-inch form factor and hot-plug capability, this drive delivers scalable performance for data-intensive applications, archival workloads, and tiered storage infrastructures. With a robust 256MB buffer and support for 512e sector formatting, it ensures optimized throughput and compatibility across modern server platforms.

Performance Attributes

• Capacity: 12TB raw storage for large-scale data repositories
• Interface: SAS 12Gbps for dual-port, full-duplex enterprise connectivity
• Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM for balanced performance and reliability
• Cache: 256MB buffer for improved read/write efficiency
• Sector Format: 512e (Advanced Format) for enhanced compatibility
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch standard for mainstream server chassis
• Hot-Plug Support: Enables non-disruptive drive replacement and scaling

Enterprise SAS Storage: Reliability Meets Scalability

SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives like the Dell 161-BCNX offer superior reliability and dual-port failover capabilities compared to SATA alternatives. Operating at 12Gbps, this interface supports high-speed data transfers, essential for virtualized environments, backup servers, and high-volume transactional systems. The 7.2K RPM spindle speed balances power consumption with sustained throughput, making it ideal for nearline storage tiers where capacity and endurance are prioritized.

Nearline SAS vs. Traditional Enterprise HDDs

Nearline SAS (NL-SAS) drives bridge the gap between high-performance enterprise HDDs and cost-effective SATA drives. While traditional 10K or 15K RPM SAS drives offer faster access times, NL-SAS drives like the 161-BCNX deliver higher capacities at lower costs per GB, with enterprise-grade reliability and SAS protocol advantages. This makes them optimal for cold data storage, backup repositories, and content delivery networks (CDNs).

Advantages of NL-SAS Architecture

• Enterprise-class error recovery and command queuing
• Dual-port redundancy for high availability
• Longer MTBF ratings compared to SATA
• Compatibility with RAID controllers and SAS backplanes
• Hot-swap support for dynamic scalability

512e Sector Format: Compatibility and Efficiency

The 512e (512-byte emulation) format allows the Dell 161-BCNX to maintain backward compatibility with legacy systems while leveraging the benefits of Advanced Format technology. By emulating 512-byte sectors on a native 4K physical sector, the drive improves error correction and data integrity without sacrificing compatibility with older operating systems or RAID configurations.

512e Matters in Enterprise Deployments

Many enterprise applications and legacy OS environments still rely on 512-byte sector alignment. The 512e format ensures seamless integration into existing infrastructures while preparing for future 4K-native transitions. This hybrid approach minimizes reformatting overhead and supports mixed-drive arrays in hybrid storage pools.

Hot-Plug Functionality: Operational Flexibility

The hot-plug feature of the Dell 161-BCNX allows IT administrators to replace or add drives without powering down the server. This is critical in mission-critical environments where uptime is paramount. Whether scaling storage in a live database cluster or replacing a failed drive in a RAID array, hot-plug support ensures minimal disruption and faster recovery.

Use Cases for Hot-Plug SAS Drives

• Live RAID rebuilds in production servers
• Dynamic storage expansion in virtualized environments
• Non-disruptive maintenance in high-availability clusters
• Tiered storage upgrades in SAN/NAS architectures

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 161-BCNX 12TB SAS drive is validated for use across multiple generations of Dell PowerEdge servers, including R740, R640, R540, and T-series towers. Its 3.5-inch form factor and SAS interface ensure seamless integration with Dell's PERC RAID controllers and backplane configurations. Whether deployed in rack-mounted systems or tower servers, this drive supports scalable storage expansion with enterprise-grade reliability.

Supported Dell Platforms

• PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R640, R540
• PowerEdge T640, T440
• PowerEdge C-series and VRTX chassis
• EqualLogic and Dell EMC storage arrays (select models)

RAID Compatibility and Performance Optimization

The Dell 161-BCNX supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, depending on controller configuration. Its 256MB cache enhances performance in parity-based RAID arrays, while SAS protocol ensures consistent throughput during rebuilds and heavy I/O operations. For archival and backup workloads, RAID 6 or 60 configurations offer optimal fault tolerance with minimal performance trade-offs.

Use Cases: From Backup to Big Data

With its 12TB capacity and enterprise-grade reliability, the Dell 161-BCNX is ideal for a wide range of applications:

Backup and Archival Storage

Nearline SAS drives are perfect for long-term data retention, backup repositories, and compliance-driven archival systems. The 161-BCNX offers high capacity per spindle, reducing rack space requirements and simplifying data lifecycle management.

Big Data and Analytics Platforms

In Hadoop clusters, data lakes, and distributed analytics environments, high-capacity drives like the 161-BCNX provide the raw storage needed for petabyte-scale ingestion. Its SAS interface ensures consistent throughput across nodes, while hot-plug support enables dynamic scaling.

Media and Content Delivery Networks

For video streaming, image hosting, and CDN platforms, the 161-BCNX offers reliable, high-capacity storage for static content delivery. Its 7.2K RPM speed balances latency with energy efficiency, making it suitable for edge caching and origin server deployments.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management

Despite its large capacity, the Dell 161-BCNX maintains energy-efficient operation with optimized power draw during idle and active states. Its firmware includes advanced power management features, including rotational vibration compensation and adaptive thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance in dense server environments.

Power Consumption Profile

• Idle Power: ~5.5W
• Active Read/Write: ~8.5W
• Advanced Power Management: Enabled via firmware
• Thermal Range: 5°C to 60°C operating temperature