WUH721818ALE601 Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB 7.2K RPM SATA-6Gbps HDD

Overview of Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB HDD

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 18TB hard disk drive is purpose-built for modern data center workloads that demand massive storage density, consistent performance, and enterprise-grade reliability. Designed with advanced recording technology and a robust internal architecture, this 3.5-inch SATA hard drive supports large-scale data storage environments while maintaining operational efficiency and durability.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Western Digital 
• Part Number: WUH721818ALE601
• Product Series: Ultrastar DC HC550
• Product Type: Hard Disk Drive

Technical Specifications

• Storage Capacity : 18TB
• Enclosure : Internal
• Interface : SATA-6Gbps
• Form Factor : 3.5 Inch
• Rotational Speed : 7200 Rpm

The Western Digital WUH721818ALE601 18TB 7.2K RPM HDD

High-capacity internal hard disk drives play a critical role in modern data infrastructures where massive data volumes must be stored, accessed, protected, and managed efficiently. The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550 series belongs to a specialized category of enterprise HDDs engineered to deliver consistent performance, exceptional reliability, and industry-leading storage density. These drives are purpose-built for data centers, cloud service providers, hyperscale environments, and enterprise IT architectures that demand round-the-clock operation and predictable workloads.

SATA Hard Drives

The evolution of SATA enterprise hard disk drives has been driven by exponential data growth across industries such as cloud computing, media streaming, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and regulatory data retention. Modern 18TB HDDs leverage advanced technologies to deliver significantly higher areal density compared to previous generations, enabling organizations to store more data in fewer drives and reduce physical footprint.

Helium-Sealed Designs

One of the defining characteristics of this category is the adoption of helium-sealed drive architecture. Helium-filled hard drives reduce internal turbulence, allowing for more platters to be stacked within the same 3.5-inch form factor. This approach enables higher storage capacities, lower power consumption, and improved reliability compared to traditional air-filled drives.Helium technology also contributes to reduced vibration and enhanced mechanical stability, which is particularly important in multi-drive enclosures and high-density storage arrays commonly found in enterprise data centers.

Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC550

The Ultrastar DC HC550 series is positioned as a high-capacity, enterprise-grade storage solution optimized for data center workloads. Designed for 24x7 operation, these drives are validated for demanding environments where downtime is not an option. The category emphasizes consistent performance, advanced data protection features, and long service life.Drives in this series are engineered to integrate seamlessly into existing SATA infrastructures, making them ideal for organizations that require large-scale capacity expansion without transitioning to new interface standards.

3.5-Inch Internal Drive Design

Featuring a standard 3.5-inch internal form factor, this hard disk drive integrates seamlessly into enterprise storage enclosures, servers, and RAID configurations.

18TB Capacity Advantages

The 18TB capacity point represents a strategic balance between maximum density and operational efficiency. Enterprise IT teams can significantly increase storage per rack unit, reducing the number of drives, enclosures, and associated cabling required to meet capacity demands.Higher-capacity drives also contribute to reduced power consumption and cooling requirements on a per-terabyte basis, which is a key consideration in large-scale data center operations focused on sustainability and cost optimization.

Performance of 7.2K RPM

Rotational speed remains a critical performance factor in mechanical hard drives. The 7,200 RPM classification is widely adopted in enterprise storage because it offers a reliable balance between throughput, latency, and energy efficiency.Drives in this category are optimized for sequential and mixed workloads typical of backup, archival, and large-scale data processing environments.

SATA 6Gbps Interface

The SATA 6Gbps interface remains a cornerstone of enterprise storage architectures due to its widespread adoption, cost efficiency, and proven reliability. While newer interfaces exist, SATA continues to play a vital role in capacity-centric storage tiers.

512e Advanced Format Technology

Advanced Format technology is a key feature in modern enterprise hard drives. The 512e (512-byte emulation) format enables compatibility with legacy systems while leveraging the efficiency benefits of larger internal sector sizes.

Supporting Backup, Archival, and Compliance

Enterprise HDDs are well-suited for backup and archival applications where data must be retained securely for extended periods. Consistent performance and durability help ensure that critical data remains accessible when needed.

Role in Comprehensive Storage Security

When combined with encryption, access controls, and redundancy mechanisms at the system level, high-capacity enterprise HDDs contribute to robust storage security frameworks that protect sensitive and mission-critical data.