400-BRKK Dell 15.36TB SAS 24GBPS Read Intensive 1DWPD SFF Solid State Drive.

Product Overview of Dell 400-BRKK 15.36TB SSD

The Dell 400-BRKK delivers large-scale data capacity with high-speed SAS architecture, engineered for read-heavy tasks and consistent reliability. Designed for enterprise workloads, this 2.5-inch SFF hot-plug SSD ensures smooth data handling, excellent endurance, and dependable long-term performance.

General Information

• Brand: Dell
• Model / SKU: 400-BRKK
• Drive Category: Enterprise Solid State Drive

Technical Information

• Storage Capacity: 15.36TB
• NAND Technology: BICS Flash™ TLC
• Interface: SAS-4 / SAS 24Gb/s
• Supported Speeds: 22.5 Gb/s, 12 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, 1.5 Gb/s
• Endurance Type: Read-intensive workload (1 DWPD)
• Hot-Plug Support: Yes

Performance Metrics & Operational Strength

• Configured for fast retrieval functions, this SSD ensures superior read throughput while maintaining stable write operations ideal for large datasets, analytics, virtualization, and cloud-based applications.

Sequential & Random Throughput

• 128KiB Sequential Read: Up to 4200 MB/s
• 128KiB Sequential Write: Up to 4100 MB/s
• 4KiB Random Read: Up to 720K IOPS
• 4KiB Random Write: Up to 160K IOPS

Reliability & Data Protection

• Data Loss Protection: Integrated safeguarding features
• MTBF: Approximately 2,500,000 hours
• DWPD Rating: 1 Drive Write Per Day

Interface & Supported Bays

• Interface Port: 1 × SAS 24Gb/s
• Bay Compatibility: 1 × 2.5-inch hot-swap slot

Supported Dell PowerEdge & PowerVault Systems

This enterprise SSD integrates flawlessly with a broad spectrum of Dell PowerEdge servers, boosting storage performance across modern data environments.

Compatible Server Models

• PowerEdge C6420, C6520, C6525, C6620
• PowerEdge HS5610, HS5620
• PowerEdge R350, R440, R450, R550
• PowerEdge R640, R650, R650xs, R6515, R6525
• PowerEdge R660, R660xs, R6615, R6625
• PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R750, R750xa, R750xs
• PowerEdge R7515, R7525
• PowerEdge R760, R760xa, R760xs, R7615, R7625
• PowerEdge R840, R860
• PowerEdge R940, R940xa, R960
• PowerEdge T550, T560
• PowerEdge XE9680, XR7620
• PowerVault MD2424

Dell 400-BRKK 15.36TB SAS 24GBPS SSD

The Dell 400-BRKK 15.36TB SAS 24GBPS Read Intensive 1DWPD 2.5Inch SFF Hot-Plug Solid State Drive is engineered for modern enterprise storage environments that demand high-capacity, low-latency, and reliable read-optimized performance. Designed as a 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF) U.2/U.3-compatible drive using SAS connectivity at 24 Gbps, this 15.36TB SSD targets read-heavy workloads such as analytics databases, virtual desktop infrastructure, online content delivery, backup/restore operations, and large-scale caching layers.

Key technical characteristics

This Dell 400-BRKK drive pairs a substantial native capacity of 15.36TB with a SAS interface rated for 24 gigabits per second, enabling consistently fast sequential and random reads across enterprise arrays. The 1 Drive Write Per Day (1DWPD) endurance rating signals that the drive is optimized for read-intensive workloads where occasional writes occur but sustained write throughput is relatively modest. The hot-plug 2.5-inch SFF design makes the drive ideal for dense server and storage chassis where serviceability and rack density matter. Together these characteristics create a drive that balances raw capacity, read performance, and endurance for predictable, cost-effective operation in mission-critical storage tiers.

Performance profile: sustained reads, IOPS behavior, and latency expectations

The Dell 400-BRKK is built to deliver consistent read throughput and strong random read IOPS, which directly benefits applications that are latency-sensitive or that must serve a high number of concurrent read requests. In scale-out storage arrays the drive’s SAS 24Gbps interface reduces protocol overhead compared to older generations, improving effective throughput and lowering average latency under mixed loads. For database read replicas, analytics engines, and VDI read patterns, the drive provides lower tail latency and more predictable servicing of I/O requests compared to traditional spinning media, translating to faster query responses and improved end-user experience.

Sequential performance advantages

Sequential read performance is particularly important for backup/restore jobs, large file deliveries, and streaming workloads. The Dell 400-BRKK offers high sequential read bandwidth thanks to the SAS 24Gbps link and internal controller optimizations. Large contiguous reads complete faster and with lower CPU overhead, which shortens maintenance windows and accelerates data ingestion pipelines. While the drive is read-optimized, its internal architecture still maintains competitive sequential write behavior for checkpointing, snapshots, and occasional write-heavy bursts that occur in real operation.

Random IOPS and small-block read performance

High random read IOPS at low latency distinguish the Dell 400-BRKK in environments where thousands of small read requests must be handled concurrently. Use cases such as virtual machine boot storms, metadata operations in file systems, and high-concurrency web applications will benefit from the SSD’s small-block random read capabilities. The drive’s firmware and NAND management prioritize read path efficiency, reducing overhead and keeping request queues responsive even under high concurrency. For architects building latency-sensitive services, this drive delivers the sort of tail-latency improvements that translate into measurable application performance gains.

Endurance, reliability, and data integrity features

The 1DWPD endurance rating indicates the drive is tuned for read-intensive workloads while still offering sufficient write resilience for production use. Enterprise-grade NAND, overprovisioning, and advanced wear-leveling algorithms extend the usable life of the drive and ensure consistent performance over time. Built-in error correction, power-loss protection mechanisms, and background data scrubbing contribute to a high level of data integrity. For business-critical data, the Dell 400-BRKK supports SMART reporting and telemetry that integrate into storage management stacks so administrators can proactively monitor drive health and schedule maintenance before failures affect operations.

Power-loss protection and firmware resilience

Power-loss protection (PLP) circuitry prevents in-flight data corruption by ensuring that critical metadata and write caches are safely persisted during unexpected power events. The firmware stack is designed for graceful recovery after resets or reboots, minimizing rebuild times in RAID arrays and reducing the risk of data inconsistency. Firmware updates are delivered through Dell’s validated channels, providing administrators a controlled path for patching and maintaining compatibility with server and SAN controllers.

SMART, telemetry, and predictive failure alerts

Advanced SMART attributes and telemetry data provide a window into the drive’s operating parameters, such as media wear percentage, temperature, total bytes written, and error counters. These metrics allow storage administrators to feed predictive analytics engines and build replacement cycles into maintenance plans. Integration with Dell OpenManage and other storage monitoring solutions ensures that alerts and trends are correlated across the entire server and array stack, enabling fast, informed operational decisions.

Compatibility and interoperability with enterprise systems

The Dell 400-BRKK is validated for use in Dell PowerEdge servers, PowerVault arrays, and many Dell EMC storage platforms, while also maintaining broad compatibility with third-party SAS backplanes and controllers that implement the 24 Gbps SAS standard. The 2.5-inch SFF form factor fits high-density trays and enclosures, making the drive a flexible option for both direct-attach and SAN-attached configurations. Compatibility testing and vendor firmware validation help reduce integration risk, ensuring enterprise deployments behave as expected under mixed workloads.

Controller and array-level considerations

When deployed behind RAID controllers, the drive’s read-optimized profile contributes to better read-cache hit ratios and faster rebuild behavior for read-heavy failure scenarios. Administrators should align controller cache policies and RAID levels with the drive’s endurance characteristics: read-mostly tiers often pair well with RAID configurations that emphasize read performance and efficient rebuilds such as RAID 6 or erasure coding in distributed systems. In hyperconverged and software-defined storage environments, the drive’s predictable behavior simplifies capacity planning and node balancing strategies.

Capacity planning and tiering strategies

At 15.36TB raw capacity, the Dell 400-BRKK is positioned to provide a compelling balance between high-capacity flash and cost-per-GB economics for read-dominant tiers. Storage architects can use this drive to consolidate read-heavy datasets that would otherwise require many smaller drives or slower spinning disks. In multi-tier storage architectures it is common to place the 400-BRKK drives in a “read tier” where frequently accessed objects, indexes, and hot sets reside, while write-back caches and write-intensive logs remain on higher-endurance NVMe or DRAM-backed devices. Properly executed tiering reduces total cost of ownership while maintaining fast access to hot data.

Tiering policies and automation

Automated tiering engines benefit from the Dell 400-BRKK’s predictable read throughput and capacity, enabling algorithms to place and promote data based on access frequency without incurring excessive migration overhead. The drive’s large capacity reduces churn by keeping more hot data on a single device and reducing the rate of background relocation tasks. When combined with snapshotting and thin provisioning, tiering policies can improve utilization and reduce purchase cycles for additional storage hardware.

Physical design, form factor, and mechanical attributes

The 2.5-inch SFF form factor is optimized for high-density server and storage platforms where unit per rack and power per rack are critical metrics. The hot-plug design includes sled compatibility for tool-less servicing in many Dell chassis, simplifying field replacement and reducing mean time to repair. The drive’s mechanical profile and connector positions adhere to enterprise standards, ensuring compatibility with existing backplanes and caddies while providing adequate thermal pathways for sustained performance.

Thermal and power characteristics

While solid state drives generally consume less power than spinning disks under typical workloads, enterprise SATA and SAS SSDs still generate heat that must be managed. The Dell 400-BRKK’s power envelope is engineered to balance performance and thermal output to support dense configurations. Proper chassis airflow, placement within the enclosure, and adherence to rack cooling guidelines ensure the drive operates within recommended temperature ranges for reliability and longevity. Administrators should consult platform-specific guidance for best practices in dense arrays.

Security, encryption, and data protection

This drive includes industry-standard security features appropriate for enterprise deployment, including support for self-encrypting drive (SED) options and TCG Opal or similar encryption standards when enabled. Hardware-based encryption reduces CPU overhead and simplifies compliance with data protection policies and regulatory requirements. Combined with secure erase and cryptographic sanitization capabilities, these features allow organizations to retire or repurpose drives without risking unauthorized data exposure.

Compliance use cases and secure decommissioning

For organizations subject to strict data handling regulations, the availability of hardware encryption and secure erase tooling simplifies decommissioning workflows and supports chain-of-custody documentation. Drives returned to a vendor or moved between environments can be verified as properly sanitized. When used alongside centralized key management and storage security policies, the Dell 400-BRKK can be a core element of a secure data lifecycle strategy.

Enterprise management and observability

Integration with enterprise management suites is a critical consideration for large-scale deployments. The Dell 400-BRKK is compatible with common monitoring frameworks and management tools that aggregate SMART telemetry, firmware versioning, and predictive health analytics. For administrators responsible for large fleets, consistent reporting and centralized alerting enable fast remediation and reduce the operational overhead associated with drive lifecycle management.

Firmware lifecycle and maintainability

Firmware maintenance is a fact of enterprise storage operations. Dell provides validated firmware bundles and release notes that describe performance improvements, bug fixes, and compatibility considerations. Administrators should follow change control procedures when applying firmware updates, leveraging test environments and vendor-provided compatibility matrices to avoid unintended interactions with RAID controllers or storage software.

Deployment scenarios and recommended use cases

The Dell 400-BRKK is particularly well-suited for a variety of read-centric enterprise scenarios. In virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployments the drive reduces boot and login storms with rapid small-block reads. Content delivery networks and media repositories benefit from the drive’s ability to stream large files while serving many concurrent reads. Database read replicas and search indexes experience faster query response times. Backup catalogs, object storage metadata nodes, and analytics staging areas are further examples where the drive’s combination of capacity and read-optimized performance produces measurable system improvements.

Architectural patterns to maximize value

Architects should consider adopting hybrid approaches that pair the 400-BRKK in read tiers with NVMe write-optimized devices for logging and ephemeral write bursts. Caching layers in front of the drive can further reduce write amplification and extend usable life. In highly distributed storage systems the larger capacity per-drive reduces node-to-node metadata complexity and can lower the overhead associated with rebuilding objects during failures.