WUH722422AL5201 Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC580 22TB 7.2K RPM SAS-12Gbps HDD

Overview of Western Digital WUH722422AL5201 22TB HDD

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC580 22TB enterprise hard disk drive is engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern data center infrastructures. Designed for high-density deployments, this internal 3.5-inch SAS hard drive delivers exceptional capacity, consistent performance, and long-term reliability for mission-critical workloads. Built on proven Ultrastar technology, it supports scalable architectures where performance, endurance, and data security are essential.

General Information

• Brand: Western Digital
• Part Number: WUH722422AL5201
• Product Series: Ultrastar DC HC580
• Product Type: Hard Disk Drive

Technical Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 22TB
• Drive Type: Internal Enterprise HDD
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch
• Interface Type: SAS 12Gb/s
• Buffer Size: 512MB
• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
• Average Latency: 4.16 ms

Mechanical and Physical Details

• Z-Height: 26.1 mm
• Dimensions (W x D): 101.6 mm x 147 mm
• Weight: 670 gm

The Western Digital WUH722422AL5201 22TB 7.2K RPM HDD

The Western Digital WUH722422AL5201 Ultrastar DC HC580 22TB SAS hard disk drive belongs to the enterprise high-capacity storage category designed for mission-critical workloads, data-intensive applications, and always-on environments. This category focuses on maximizing storage density, reliability, and sustained performance for organizations that manage vast volumes of data across data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructures. Drives within this class are engineered to deliver consistent throughput, advanced error correction, and long operational lifecycles under demanding 24/7 workloads.

Ultrastar DC HC580 Series Explained

The Ultrastar DC HC580 series is engineered to address the growing demand for ultra-high-capacity drives without compromising reliability or performance. Positioned at the top tier of Western Digital’s enterprise HDD portfolio, this series is optimized for large-scale storage deployments where density, power efficiency, and predictable performance are essential. The 22TB capacity point is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to increase storage per rack unit while reducing total cost of ownership.

Model Identification and Enterprise Focus

The WUH722422AL5201 model identifier reflects a SAS-based enterprise hard drive optimized for professional and industrial use cases. Unlike consumer or desktop drives, this category emphasizes endurance, vibration tolerance, and compatibility with enterprise storage controllers. The SAS-12Gbps interface ensures fast, reliable data transfer and robust command handling, making it suitable for multi-drive arrays and mission-critical storage systems.

Cache and Rotational Speed Advantages

A large 512MB buffer cache works in conjunction with a 7200 RPM spindle speed to deliver smooth data handling and reduced latency. This combination ensures stable performance during sequential and random access operations commonly found in enterprise and cloud storage workloads.

22TB Storage Capacity

A 22TB storage capacity places this drive firmly within the ultra-high-capacity segment of enterprise HDDs. This capacity level allows organizations to consolidate data onto fewer physical drives, simplifying storage management and reducing hardware overhead. High-density drives are particularly advantageous for environments where rack space is limited or where scaling efficiently is a priority.

7.2K RPM Performance

Operating at a rotational speed of 7,200 RPM, this hard disk drive strikes an optimal balance between performance, power efficiency, and reliability. This speed is widely adopted in enterprise environments due to its ability to deliver consistent throughput while minimizing wear and energy consumption. The 7.2K RPM profile supports a wide range of workloads, from sequential data transfers to mixed read/write operations.This rotational speed is particularly effective in large arrays where aggregate performance is achieved through multiple drives working in parallel. When deployed in RAID or software-defined storage configurations, the Ultrastar DC HC580 contributes to predictable performance across the storage pool.

SAS-12Gbps Interface and Connectivity

The SAS-12Gbps interface is a defining feature of this category, offering significant advantages over consumer-grade interfaces. SAS provides higher bandwidth, dual-port capability, and advanced command queuing, making it ideal for enterprise storage systems that demand high availability and fault tolerance. The 12Gbps data transfer rate supports faster data access and improved performance in multi-drive configurations.

Compatibility with Enterprise Storage Controllers

The Ultrastar DC HC580 22TB SAS drive is engineered for seamless integration with enterprise storage controllers, servers, and JBOD enclosures. Its compliance with SAS standards ensures broad compatibility across leading hardware platforms, simplifying deployment and reducing integration challenges. This makes it an excellent choice for both new installations and upgrades to existing storage infrastructures.

512MB Buffer Cache

A substantial 512MB buffer cache is incorporated into this drive to optimize data handling and improve overall performance. The cache plays a critical role in smoothing data transfers, reducing latency, and enhancing read/write efficiency. In enterprise environments with mixed workloads, a large cache helps manage bursts of activity and improves responsiveness.

Intelligent Cache Management

Enterprise-grade cache management algorithms ensure that the buffer is utilized efficiently under varying workload conditions. The Ultrastar DC HC580 dynamically adjusts cache usage to prioritize data integrity and performance, supporting consistent operation even during peak demand periods.

Advanced Format 512e Technology

The 512e (512-byte emulation) format is designed to bridge compatibility between legacy systems and modern storage technologies. While the drive uses larger physical sectors internally for improved efficiency, it emulates traditional 512-byte sectors to maintain compatibility with existing operating systems and applications.

Backup, Archival, and Compliance Storage

The drive’s large capacity and enterprise-grade durability make it well-suited for backup and archival applications. Organizations can store vast amounts of historical data, system images, and compliance records with confidence, knowing that the storage medium is designed for long-term reliability.

3.5-Inch Form Factor

The standard 3.5-inch form factor ensures compatibility with a wide range of enterprise servers, storage arrays, and enclosures. This form factor is a staple in data centers, offering a balance of capacity, performance, and ease of deployment. The Ultrastar DC HC580 fits seamlessly into existing infrastructures, simplifying upgrades and expansions.