400-AZHC Dell 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC SFF Enterprise Class Server SSD

Manufacturer Details

• Brand Name: Dell
• Part Number: 400-AZHC
• Product Type: Hot-Swappable SSD

Technical Specifications

• Total Capacity: 800GB
• Flash Technology: BICS Flash™ TLC NAND
• Compact 2.5-inch design for SFF
• Interface: SAS-12GBPS
• External Transfer Rate: 1.2GBPS

Performance

• Mixed-Use endurance tailored for enterprise applications
• High-speed transfer rate supporting intensive workloads

Connectivity Options

• Interface: Single SAS 12Gb/s port
• Bay Compatibility: Hot-swap 2.5-inch slot

System Compatibility

Supported Nodes

• BSN Controller Node
• BSN Recorder Node

PowerEdge Server Models

• PowerEdge C6420, C6525
• PowerEdge R6515, R6525
• PowerEdge R740xd, R7415
• PowerEdge R7515, R7525
• PowerEdge R840, R940, R940xa

Additional Systems

• Powervault NX3240

Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SSD Overview

The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive is engineered for modern datacenter workloads where predictable performance, consistent latency, and cost-efficient endurance are required. As an 800GB capacity SAS drive operating at 12 gigabits per second, this drive is designed to integrate with Dell EMC PowerEdge systems and similar enterprise-class server platforms. The Mixed-Use TLC NAND balances cost and endurance by placing denser triple-level cell flash into an enterprise-grade controller and firmware stack that prioritizes write optimization, garbage collection efficiency, and power-loss protection. This Solid State Drive targets virtualization hosts, database acceleration tiers, tiered storage arrays, and general-purpose boot and application storage within scale-out and scale-up environments.

Enterprise

The small form factor design allows easy deployment in 2.5-inch slots common to PowerEdge servers and enterprise storage enclosures. Small form factor drives enable high drive density per chassis which is vital for scaling capacity and IOPS performance in constrained rack space. The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive is compatible with hot-swap trays and carrier mechanisms used across modern Dell EMC racks, making serviceability straightforward for administrators performing drive replacements or capacity upgrades. The mechanical profile of this small form factor drive also contributes to reduced vibration sensitivity and improved thermal coupling within server sleds when compared to larger drives, thus enabling sustained throughput in dense compute configurations.

Controller

Using the SAS-12GBPS interface ensures low-latency command delivery and enterprise-class error handling compared with SATA-based consumer solutions. The point-to-point SAS protocol is designed for multi-path connectivity, robust command queuing, and link-level features that benefit high-availability server infrastructures. For administrators consolidating storage for mixed workloads, the 12 gigabits per second link provides headroom for concurrently servicing random reads and writes while maintaining predictable response times under load.

NAND

Mixed-Use

Mixed-use TLC refers to triple-level cell NAND flash that is optimized for enterprise workloads where writes are more frequent than archival storage but not as heavy-duty as intensive write workloads. By tuning firmware parameters such as write amplification mitigation, intelligent block retirement, and adaptive garbage collection, manufacturers extract usable enterprise endurance from TLC technology. The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive leverages this balance to offer better price-per-gigabyte than higher-endurance SLC or eMLC options while maintaining longevity suitable for mixed virtualization and database environments.

Endurance

Endurance for mixed-use enterprise TLC typically varies with workload pattern, overprovisioning level, and drive firmware. Administrators should evaluate write volume profiles measured in terabytes written per day and compare them against vendor endurance guidance to select appropriate provisioning strategies.

Performance

Performance for an 800GB SAS-12Gbps enterprise SSD is characterized by high random input/output operations per second and strong sequential throughput when operated over a 12Gb/s link. The Dell 400-AZHC series is tuned to deliver consistent low-latency reads and sustained write throughput under mixed workloads, delivering measurable improvements for virtual machine density, database query responsiveness, and application boot times. Because the drive is targeted at enterprise servers, its firmware emphasizes predictable tail latencies and stable I/O response under sustained load rather than only peak throughput benchmarks.

Latency

Tail latency, the high-percentile I/O latency that impacts user experience and application responsiveness, is a critical metric for enterprise SSDs. The controller architecture and firmware algorithms inside the Dell 400-AZHC drive focus on reducing write amplification and smoothing internal housekeeping to avoid long latency spikes. For latency-sensitive applications hosted on EMC PowerEdge servers, deploying these SSDs in a configuration that supports multi-path I/O and adequate caching layers further reduces the likelihood of outlier I/O delays. Administrators looking to minimize latency should consider pairing these drives with tuned storage controller settings and host-side queue depth optimizations.

Compatibility

Compatibility with Dell EMC PowerEdge systems extends beyond physical form factor to include firmware compatibility with iDRAC and OpenManage tools. Drives intended for use in PowerEdge servers are typically shipped with firmware that supports the platform’s event logging, health reporting, and secure erase commands. This allows centralized monitoring and automated alerts when drive parameters indicate wear or impending failure. When procuring the Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive, verify firmware revision compatibility with your server generation to ensure that host management will reflect accurate SMART attributes and that any platform-specific features are enabled.

Data Integrity

Enterprise-class SSDs incorporate multiple layers of protection to preserve data integrity and reliability. Internal power-loss protection capacitors, end-to-end data path checks, and background scrubbing routines help detect and correct transient errors before they escalate. The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive integrates these mechanisms with firmware-level strategies to manage block retirement and remapping transparently. In clustered environments, pairing these drives with redundant array configurations and frequent backups further reduces the risk of data loss from unexpected drive failures.

Thermal

While SSDs produce less heat than high-RPM HDD spindles under comparable workloads, dense SSD deployments still require attention to airflow and thermal balance inside the chassis. The enclosure design of Dell EMC PowerEdge servers typically accommodates high-density SSD arrays with directed airflow and thermal sensors. The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive benefits from proper rack-level airflow, regular dust maintenance, and firmware-level thermal throttling safeguards that protect the drive during sustained heavy workloads. Thermal throttling can affect sustained throughput; therefore, ensure that ambient temperature and fan curves are tuned for the expected workload profile.

Power

Enterprise SSDs contribute to improved power efficiency per IOPS compared with spinning media. Their lower idle power and faster task completion times reduce cumulative energy consumption in read/write-intensive environments. For data centers optimizing for energy use, the Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive can be part of a strategy to lower power and cooling costs while maintaining or improving application performance. Power profiling during pilot deployments helps quantify expected savings and informs server provisioning choices.

Use Cases

Virtualization hosts and container orchestration platforms benefit from the low-latency random I/O acceleration provided by enterprise SAS SSDs. The Dell 400-AZHC 800GB SAS-12GBPS Mixed-Use TLC Small Form Factor Enterprise Class for EMC Poweredge Server Solid State Drive suits dense virtual machine deployments where many small random I/O operations dominate. Its mixed-use characteristics support ephemeral write patterns typical of container workloads while delivering faster VM boot and snapshot operations compared to HDD tiers.