0F38529 Western Digital HC550 14TB 7.2K RPM SAS-12GBPS HDD.

Western Digital 0F38529 14TB 7200RPM SAS-12GBPS HDD

Discover the Western Digital 0F38529, a robust 14TB enterprise-class hard disk drive engineered for demanding data center applications. This internal HDD delivers exceptional reliability and performance for heavy workloads.

General Information

• Manufacturer Part Number: 0F38529
• Product Type: Internal Data Center Hard Drive
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch industry standard

Technical Specifications

• Total Storage: 14 Terabytes (TB)
• Buffer Memory: 512 Megabytes (MB)
• Sector Format: 512e (512-byte emulation)
• Security: TCG-FIPS compliant for enhanced data protection
• Host Interface: SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) at 12 Gigabits per second (Gbps)
• Maximum Interface Speed: 1200 Megabytes per second (MB/s)
• Consistent Sequential Transfer Rate: 250 MB/s
• Spindle Speed: 7200 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)
• Average Latency: 4.16 milliseconds (ms)
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 2.5 million hours, signifying outstanding durability

Physical Dimensions and Build

• Height (Z-height): 26.1 millimeters (mm)
• Width x Depth: 101.6 mm x 147 mm
• Total Weight: 690 grams (g)
• Enclosure Type: Internal, designed for installation in enterprise server bays.

Western Digital 0F38529 14TB SAS-12GBPS HDD Overview

The Western Digital 0F38529 Ultrastar DC HC550 14TB Enterprise HDD belongs to a high-capacity data center storage category designed to support always-on environments, heavy transactional workloads, and large-scale data growth. This category focuses on reliability, performance consistency, and long-term operational stability rather than consumer-grade burst speeds. Built on decades of Western Digital enterprise engineering, this storage class addresses the core demands of hyperscale data centers, private cloud infrastructures, enterprise servers, and mission-critical storage arrays where uptime and data integrity are non-negotiable.Enterprise HDDs in this category are optimized for 24x7 operation under sustained workloads. Unlike desktop or NAS drives, these solutions are validated for multi-drive enclosures, vibration-heavy racks, and high-density server chassis. The Ultrastar DC HC550 series reflects this philosophy by delivering predictable performance, robust firmware intelligence, and advanced error correction capabilities tailored to enterprise environments.

HelioSeal Technology and High-Density Drive Design

The Ultrastar DC HC550 category leverages Western Digital HelioSeal technology, which replaces traditional air-filled drive enclosures with helium. Helium’s lower density significantly reduces internal turbulence, enabling thinner platters, more platters per drive, and lower mechanical friction. This design approach allows the 14TB capacity to be achieved within a standard 3.5-inch form factor without compromising reliability or power efficiency.HelioSeal technology also improves thermal stability, making drives in this category ideal for dense rack deployments. Reduced drag inside the drive results in cooler operation and lower power consumption per terabyte, which is a critical metric for enterprise and hyperscale operators managing thousands of drives across data halls.

High-Capacity Storage for Data Growth Demands

The 14TB capacity point positions this drive category as a strategic solution for organizations facing exponential data growth. Enterprises dealing with big data analytics, data lakes, surveillance archives, and content repositories benefit from fewer drives per rack, reduced infrastructure footprint, and simplified storage management. This category enables organizations to scale storage capacity efficiently without frequent hardware refresh cycles.

SAS-12Gbps Interface for Enterprise Performance Consistency

This category is built around the SAS-12Gbps interface, which is specifically engineered for enterprise and data center environments. SAS provides dual-port connectivity, enhanced command queuing, and robust error handling that SATA-based solutions cannot match. The 12Gbps bandwidth ensures smooth data transfers even under heavy multi-user access scenarios and parallel workloads.

SAS connectivity allows integration into enterprise RAID controllers, storage area networks, and high-availability server architectures. Drives in this category are designed to maintain stable performance across mixed read/write workloads, making them suitable for database storage, virtualization platforms, and enterprise application backends.

7200RPM Rotational Speed and Predictable Throughput

The 7200RPM rotational speed represents a balance between performance and efficiency within the enterprise HDD category. This speed ensures reliable throughput for sequential and random access patterns while maintaining manageable power consumption and thermal output. When paired with the large 512MB buffer, the drive can effectively handle burst operations and sustained data streams.

In environments where predictable latency and consistent response times matter more than peak consumer benchmarks, this category delivers dependable performance that system architects can confidently design around.

Large 512MB Cache for Optimized Data Handling

The inclusion of a 512MB cache enhances read-ahead and write-back operations, improving overall system responsiveness. This large buffer allows the drive firmware to intelligently manage data flow, reducing access latency and smoothing out workload spikes. For enterprise applications that process large files or continuous data streams, this cache size contributes to improved efficiency and reduced bottlenecks.

Advanced Security with TCG-FIPS Compliance

Security is a defining attribute of this enterprise HDD category. The Western Digital 0F38529 Ultrastar DC HC550 integrates TCG (Trusted Computing Group) standards combined with FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) compliance. This ensures that data at rest is protected using hardware-based encryption validated for stringent regulatory requirements.

Organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and regulated industries rely on this category to meet compliance mandates without sacrificing performance. Hardware-level encryption offloads processing from the host system, providing strong security while maintaining full throughput.

Self-Encrypting Drive Architecture

Drives in this category function as self-encrypting drives, automatically encrypting all data written to the media. Encryption keys are securely stored within the drive and never exposed to the host system. This architecture reduces the risk of data breaches resulting from lost or decommissioned drives.Instant secure erase capabilities also simplify drive retirement and redeployment. By cryptographically erasing encryption keys, data becomes permanently inaccessible within seconds, saving time and ensuring compliance with data sanitization policies.

Reliability Engineering for 24x7 Data Center Operations

Reliability is the cornerstone of the Ultrastar DC HC550 category. These drives are engineered for continuous operation in high-density data centers where downtime translates directly into financial and operational risk. Enterprise-grade components, rigorous validation processes, and advanced firmware features ensure long-term durability.

The category is designed to handle high workload ratings, supporting large volumes of data transfer per year without degradation. This makes it suitable for demanding use cases such as cloud storage platforms, enterprise backup systems, and distributed file systems.

Rotational Vibration Safeguards

In multi-drive enclosures, rotational vibration can negatively impact performance and reliability. This category incorporates rotational vibration sensors that detect and compensate for external vibrations in real time. Firmware algorithms adjust read/write operations to maintain accuracy and performance even in densely packed racks.

Thermal Stability and Resilience

Enterprise HDDs in this category are built to operate within a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions. Helium-sealed construction, precision balancing, and thermal optimization contribute to consistent operation under sustained workloads. This resilience is essential for large-scale deployments where environmental conditions may vary across racks and data halls.

512e Sector Format for Broad System Compatibility

The 512e sector format used in this category provides compatibility with legacy systems while enabling higher capacity and improved error correction. Emulating traditional 512-byte sectors allows seamless integration into existing operating systems and applications without requiring major configuration changes.This backward compatibility simplifies migration from older storage platforms while still benefiting from modern high-capacity drive technologies. Enterprises can adopt this category without disrupting established workflows or software stacks.

Error Correction and Data Integrity Technologies

Advanced error correction algorithms are embedded within the drive firmware to protect data integrity. These mechanisms detect and correct errors before they impact system performance or data reliability. In enterprise environments where data accuracy is critical, this category provides an added layer of protection beyond standard consumer-grade solutions.

Enterprise HDD Category Advantages in Modern Data Strategies

The Western Digital 0F38529 Ultrastar DC HC550 14TB Enterprise HDD category represents a foundational component in modern data strategies. It supports the transition toward data-driven operations by providing scalable, secure, and reliable storage. As data volumes continue to grow, this category enables organizations to build resilient storage architectures capable of adapting to future demands.By combining HelioSeal technology, SAS-12Gbps connectivity, advanced security, and enterprise-grade reliability, this category stands as a trusted choice for organizations that prioritize data integrity, compliance, and operational excellence.