161-BCPH Dell 4TB 7.2K RPM NL SAS-12GBPS 512n LFF Hot Plug HDD

Dell 161-BCPH 4TB SAS Hard Drive Key Features

The Dell 161-BCPH is a hot-pluggable 3.5-inch nearline hard drive engineered for enterprise-grade storage environments. Built for reliability and scalability, it provides large capacity and strong performance, making it ideal for modern data-intensive operations.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Dell
• Model Number: 161-BCPH
• Device Type: Enterprise hard drive, hot-plug, nearline
• Total Storage: 4TB of available space
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch large-capacity design
• Interface: SAS 12Gbps high-speed connection
• Sector Format: Advanced Format 512n sectors
• Cache Memory: 256 MB buffer

Performance Insights

Optimized for dependable performance, this Dell enterprise HDD ensures smooth data handling:

• Spindle speed of 7200 RPM for stable throughput
• Average latency time of 4.16 ms ensuring quick response rates
• External data transfer speed reaching up to 1.2 Gbps

Connectivity & Expansion

Built for flexible deployment in enterprise servers and storage enclosures, this drive provides seamless integration.

• Interface Support: Single SAS 12Gbps connection
• Bay Compatibility: 3.5-inch hot-plug drive slots

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge & PowerVault Systems

This Dell SAS nearline drive is validated for a wide range of PowerEdge and PowerVault systems, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.

Rack Server Models

• PowerEdge R240, R250, R340, R350, R360
• PowerEdge R440, R450, R540, R550
• PowerEdge R640, R650xs, R6515, R6525
• PowerEdge R660, R6615, R6625
• PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R740xd2
• PowerEdge R750, R750xs, R7515, R7525
• PowerEdge R760, R7615, R7625
• PowerEdge R7715, R7725

Tower Server Models

• PowerEdge T150, T350, T360
• PowerEdge T550

Storage Arrays

• PowerVault MD2412

Choose Dell 161-BCPH Enterprise HDD

Designed for businesses handling vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, the Dell 161-BCPH ensures reliability and efficiency. Its hot-plug functionality allows easy drive replacement without downtime, while SAS 12Gbps interface guarantees rapid and secure data access.

Key Advantages

• Enterprise-class reliability with advanced nearline design
• Large 4TB storage capacity for expanding workloads
• High-speed SAS 12Gbps interface supporting heavy I/O operations
• Hot-pluggable feature for uninterrupted server performance
• Optimized for Dell PowerEdge and PowerVault ecosystem

Dell 161-BCPH 4TB Nearline SAS Hard Drive Overview

The Dell 161-BCPH 4TB 7.2K RPM NL SAS-12Gbps 256MB Buffer 512n 3.5-inch Hot Plug Hard Drive is engineered for enterprise-grade storage environments requiring high-capacity, cost-effective, and reliable data retention. Designed to meet the demands of scalable server infrastructures, this 3.5-inch Nearline SAS (NL-SAS) drive offers a balance between performance and affordability, making it ideal for archival, backup, and tiered storage applications across Dell PowerEdge platforms.

Key Specifications and Performance Attributes

This drive integrates a suite of advanced features tailored for enterprise workloads:

• Capacity: 4TB formatted capacity for large-scale data storage
• Interface: SAS-12Gbps for high-speed data throughput and dual-port redundancy
• Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM for optimal balance between latency and power efficiency
• Buffer: 256MB cache buffer to accelerate read/write operations
• Sector Format: 512n (native 512-byte sectors) for legacy compatibility
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch LFF (Large Form Factor) for standard enterprise drive bays
• Hot Plug Capability: Enables seamless replacement without system downtime

Enterprise Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Dell 161-BCPH NL-SAS drive is optimized for environments where data integrity, scalability, and cost-per-terabyte are critical. Common deployment scenarios include:

• Tier-2 storage arrays for archival and infrequently accessed data
• Backup repositories and disaster recovery systems
• Media storage for surveillance, video editing, and content libraries
• Virtualized environments with moderate IOPS requirements
• Data lakes and object storage platforms

NL-SAS Technology: Bridging SATA and Enterprise SAS

Nearline SAS (NL-SAS) drives like the 161-BCPH blend the affordability of SATA with the robustness of SAS. Unlike SATA, NL-SAS supports dual-port connectivity, full-duplex communication, and enterprise-grade command queuing. These features enhance fault tolerance, reduce latency, and improve overall system resilience.

Advantages Over SATA Drives

• Dual-Port Redundancy: Ensures continuous access in multi-path configurations
• Improved Error Recovery: SAS protocol supports better error handling and recovery
• Enhanced Command Queuing: Supports deeper queues for concurrent operations
• Superior Reliability: Designed for 24/7 duty cycles with higher MTBF ratings

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 161-BCPH drive is validated across multiple generations of Dell PowerEdge servers, including R740, R640, R540, and T-series towers. Its hot-plug capability and standardized form factor ensure seamless integration into Dell’s enterprise chassis, supporting RAID configurations and scalable storage expansion.

Supported RAID Levels

• RAID 0 for performance-centric workloads
• RAID 1 for mirroring and redundancy
• RAID 5/6 for parity-based fault tolerance
• RAID 10 for hybrid performance and protection

Reliability and Endurance Metrics

Enterprise-grade hard drives like the Dell 161-BCPH are built for sustained operation under heavy workloads. Key reliability metrics include:

• MTBF: Mean Time Between Failures exceeding 1.2 million hours
• Workload Rating: Up to 550TB/year workload capability
• Unrecoverable Error Rate: Less than 1 in 10¹⁵ bits read
• Operational Vibration Tolerance: Enhanced for rack-mounted deployments

Thermal and Power Efficiency

With a 7.2K RPM spindle speed, the 161-BCPH balances performance with power consumption. It supports advanced power management features such as:

• Idle and standby modes to reduce energy draw
• Adaptive thermal throttling to maintain optimal operating temperatures
• Low acoustics for quiet operation in dense server environments

Buffer and Data Throughput Optimization

The integrated 256MB buffer enhances sequential and random access speeds, reducing latency during peak operations. Combined with the SAS-12Gbps interface, the drive supports sustained data rates suitable for large file transfers, database queries, and virtual machine provisioning.

512n Sector Format: Legacy Compatibility

Unlike 4Kn advanced format drives, the 512n sector format ensures compatibility with legacy operating systems, RAID controllers, and backup software. This makes the 161-BCPH ideal for mixed environments where backward compatibility is essential.