0F48152 Western Digital DC HC570 22TB SATA 6GBPS 3.5Inch Hard drive

Product Overview: Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC570 — 22TB Enterprise SATA HDD

Western Digital's Ultrastar DC HC570 22TB hard disk drive blends high-capacity storage with proven enterprise-class engineering. Designed for dense data center environments, cloud storage, hyperscale deployments, and archival platforms, this 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s drive features OptiNAND™ technology, 7,200 RPM rotational speed, a 512MB cache buffer, Power Disable support, and 512e sector format. The HC570 family targets workloads that demand high capacity per rack unit, consistent performance, and robust reliability metrics suitable for modern data infrastructures.

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Capacity: 22 TB (High-density helium-sealed platter architecture)
• Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA-III) for broad compatibility
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch, enterprise profile
• Rotational Speed: 7,200 RPM for balanced throughput and latency
• Cache/Buffer: 512 MB DRAM cache to accelerate read/write bursts
• Sector Format: 512e (512-byte emulation) for legacy OS and application compatibility
• OptiNAND™ Technology: onboard flash-assisted media management for enhanced metadata handling
• Power Disable (PWDIS): supports remote or platform-level power management
• Use Case: data center, cloud object storage, cold/hot archival tiers, backup and restore

OptiNAND™ Technology Explained

One of the defining characteristics of the Ultrastar DC HC570 is OptiNAND, Western Digital's hybrid architecture that combines traditional magnetic storage with an embedded flash layer. OptiNAND improves drive operation by offloading metadata and drive-management information to a small, durable flash partition, reducing the number of drive head operations and enabling better resiliency in background tasks.

Benefits of OptiNAND for Data Center Workloads

• Faster metadata updates: Reduces the time and seek activity required for updating internal records, which translates into improved consistent performance.
• Lower write amplification: More efficient internal writes reduce mechanical strain and help maintain long-term performance.
• Improved reliability: Flash-backed metadata helps during power-loss scenarios and reduces risks during drive firmware updates or rebuilds.

ThE OptiNAND Matters for Large-Scale Storage

In hyperscale and cloud architectures, billions of small operations and constant background housekeeping tasks can create significant mechanical overhead. OptiNAND’s ability to store and quickly access metadata using flash reduces unnecessary head movement and latency spikes. When multiplied across thousands of drives in a data center, these savings translate to measurable improvements in rack-level density efficiency and operational cost.

Performance Characteristics

The Ultrastar DC HC570 is tuned to deliver predictable sustained throughput and consistent tail latency — two critical attributes in enterprise storage. While raw IOPS are limited compared with SSDs, the HC570's 7,200 RPM spindle speed and 512MB buffer help smooth bursts of I/O and improve sequential transfer rates for large-scale reads and writes.

Sequential Throughput and Burst Behavior

The drive excels at long, sequential transfers commonly found in backup, media streaming, and bulk data ingestion workflows. The 512MB cache absorbs write bursts and reduces write-stalling behavior. OptiNAND further assists by keeping frequently updated metadata readily available.

Real-World Application Examples

• Object storage: High-capacity objects and large-file streaming benefit from improved sequential throughput.
• Archival & cold tiers: Large datasets that are infrequently accessed but require low cost per TB.
• Backup repositories: Reduced rebuild times and efficient sequential writes make the HC570 a strong fit for backup appliances.

Reliability, Endurance & Data Integrity

Ultrastar class drives are engineered for continuous operation and include enterprise-grade features to protect data integrity under heavy workloads. Typical reliability metrics include robust MTBF ratings, workload-rated TB/year values, and advanced error correction algorithms implemented in firmware.

Error Correction and Media Management

The HC570 uses strong ECC (error-correcting code) to correct media errors and preserve data integrity. Coupled with OptiNAND, the drive can manage internal corrections and metadata more effectively, reducing the likelihood of drive-level failures during extended operations.

Drive Monitoring and SMART Support

Standard SMART attributes are exposed for monitoring drive health and forecasting potential issues. Integrating HC570 drives into a centralized monitoring system enables predictive maintenance and automated replacement scheduling — critical for minimizing unplanned downtime in enterprise environments.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Profile

The helium-filled design used in Ultrastar high-capacity drives lowers aerodynamic drag on the platters, enabling reduced power consumption and cooler operating temperatures compared to air-filled designs at equivalent capacities. Helium sealing, combined with OptiNAND's reduction of mechanical metadata operations, yields a better overall power-per-TB metric — an important consideration in modern data centers aiming to optimize PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness).

Typical Power Numbers and Operational Impact

While specific power figures vary by firmware and workload, operators should expect the HC570 to offer favorable idle and active power characteristics compared to legacy high-capacity drives. Lower power draw per TB translates directly into reduced cooling load and lower electricity spend across racks.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

The Ultrastar DC HC570 is flexible enough for multiple tiers of enterprise storage. Below are several deployment scenarios where the HC570 can deliver strong ROI.

Cloud Object and Hyperscale Storage

Hyperscalers and cloud providers prioritize cost-per-TB and rack density. HC570 drives help maximize usable capacity per enclosure while maintaining acceptable rebuild and metadata performance thanks to OptiNAND. When deployed in erasure-coded object stores, the drives become cost-effective vessels for exabyte-scale storage.

Cold/Capacity Tiers and Archival Systems

Organizations requiring long-term retention, compliance archives, or cold data repositories benefit from the HC570's high capacity and low idle power. The drive’s design reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) in tiers where access patterns are infrequent but storage density is paramount.

Backup Appliances and Secondary Storage

Backup target appliances that need to hold multiple generations of backups or large VM snapshots find the HC570’s sequential performance and large capacity attractive. The 512MB cache assists in absorbing incoming backup bursts while maintaining throughput for parallel streams.

Integration Best Practices

To get the most from Ultrastar HC570 drives, observe a few practical deployment tips. These considerations help avoid performance pitfalls and optimize long-term reliability.

Filesystem and RAID Alignment

Align filesystems and RAID stripe sizes to the physical sector boundaries to minimize read-modify-write (RMW) cycles for 512e drives. Proper alignment reduces unnecessary I/O amplification and improves write efficiency.

Firmware and Compatibility Testing

Validate drive firmware compatibility with controllers and backplanes. Enterprise environments should test firmware and drivemanager interactions in a staging environment before massive rollouts to ensure stable operation under expected workload patterns.

Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Integrate SMART metrics, temperature readings, and drive-specific telemetry into data center monitoring stacks. Configure alerts for abnormal reallocated sectors, temperature excursions, or increasing error rates. Predictive replacement policies reduce the risk of correlated failures in dense enclosures.

Capacity Planning & Rack Density Considerations

When planning capacity, calculate usable TB after accounting for RAID overhead, erasure coding, and redundancy levels. The HC570's 22TB capacity shifts the economics of data center layouts — fewer drives are needed for the same logical capacity, allowing more efficient use of power- and space-constrained racks.

Example: Rack-Level Savings

Replacing lower-capacity drives with 22TB HC570s reduces the number of drive slots consumed for a given capacity target. This reduction lowers backplane port usage, simplifies cabling, and reduces the number of drive-bearing chassis required, which can simplify maintenance cycles and reduce hardware footprint.

Security Features & Data Protection

Enterprise deployments must consider data-at-rest security and secure erase capabilities. While drive-level encryption and TCG Opal support vary by model and firmware, HC570 drives typically offer features to support secure provisioning and controlled decommissioning within enterprise workflows.

Sanitization and Secure Erase

Implement secure erase procedures in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements. Use manufacturer-recommended tools and ensure that secure erase completes successfully before drives leave data-bearing environments.

Comparisons & Positioning Against Other Media

While SSDs deliver superior IOPS and lower latency, they remain significantly more expensive per TB than high-capacity HDDs like the HC570. The HC570 occupies the sweet spot for workloads where cost-per-TB, energy efficiency, and sequential throughput matter more than random access performance.

HDD vs SSD: Cost-Performance Tradeoffs

• Cost per TB: HDDs still offer a substantially lower upfront cost per TB—critical for archival and capacity-focused tiers.
• Latency and IOPS: SSDs win for transactional databases and low-latency applications; HDDs remain suitable for streaming, backup, and cold/object storage.
• Durability: Modern helium HDDs with enterprise features and robust firmware can deliver long service lives when managed properly.

Procurement & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When comparing procurement options, analyze TCO rather than upfront cost alone. Consider power consumption, cooling, rack space, rebuild times, service contracts, and average lifespan. The HC570 can materially reduce TCO in environments where density and power efficiency are prioritized.

Factors That Reduce TCO With HC570

• Higher capacity per drive reduces chassis count and associated infrastructure costs.
• Lower power profile per TB reduces ongoing energy and cooling expenses.
• OptiNAND-driven efficiency reduces mechanical workload, potentially extending operational life.

Checklist: Pre-Deployment Validation

1. Confirm SATA backplane compatibility and port count for required density.
2. Test drive firmware with controller/array management software in a staging environment.
3. Verify SMART telemetry collection and set thresholds in monitoring platforms.
4. Plan RAID/erasure coding parameters accounting for rebuild speed and bandwidth.
5. Define secure erase and decommission processes that meet compliance needs.
6. Align filesystem and RAID stripe to physical sector boundaries for optimal performance.

Related Deployment Resources

When integrating HC570 drives into production, refer to vendor best-practice guides for RAID parameters, thermal design, and power budgeting. Establish runbooks for firmware updates, RMA procedures, and secure retirement to maximize long-term return on investment.

Compatibility & Interface Details

The HC570 employs a standard SATA 6Gb/s interface which ensures compatibility with a wide variety of servers, JBODs, storage arrays, and SATA backplanes. 512e sector emulation preserves compatibility with legacy systems or operating systems and applications that expect 512-byte sector sizes, while still delivering large-capacity physical sectors behind the scenes.

512e Sector Format — Pros and Considerations

The 512e (512-byte emulation) format allows older software stacks to work without modification. This is particularly valuable for organizations with legacy infrastructures or third-party firmware that does not support native 4K sectors. However, when using 512e, certain write patterns can cause read-modify-write cycles; administrators should plan filesystem alignment and RAID stripe sizes carefully to maximize performance.

Power Disable (PWDIS): Manageability at Scale

Power Disable support is a safety and manageability feature that allows remote or platform-level power control of individual drives during maintenance or emergency procedures. PWDIS simplifies drive-cycle management in large enclosures and streamlines hot-swap and power-isolation workflows across modular storage systems.