WUH722626AL5204 Western Digital Ultrastar Dc Hc590 26TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12GBPS HDD

Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC590 26TB SAS 12GBPS HDD

Innovative Storage Architecture & Capacity Leadership

• First-ever commercially available hard disk drive featuring 11 platters using CMR technology
• Expands physical storage density without increasing device dimensions
• Unmatched storage capacity of 26TB, engineered for large-scale enterprise environments
• Leverages OptiNAND-enhanced design for optimized metadata handling and reliability
• Ideal for environments where density, dependability, and scale matter most

Built for Demanding Workloads & Operational Resilience

• Handles annual workloads of up to 550TB, making it ideal for continuous enterprise use
• Backed by a 2.5 million-hour MTBF rating, ensuring long-term durability and minimal downtime
• Base-level SE (Self-Encrypting) security protects sensitive data at rest
• Engineered with proven Ultrastar reliability for uninterrupted data availability

Interface Technology & Performance Metrics

• SAS 12Gb/s interface enables high-speed, scalable data transfers in multi-drive environments
• Interface throughput supports up to 1200MB/s for seamless operations
• Sustained sequential speeds: up to 302MB/s read and 288MB/s write
• 7200 RPM spindle speed ensures consistent delivery of high-throughput data
• Buffered with 512MB of cache for enhanced responsiveness and queue management
• Low latency response at 4.16 milliseconds average access time

Form Factor, Format Flexibility & Density Optimization

• Standard 3.5-inch design compatible with most server and storage enclosures
• Supports dual sector formats: 512e (512 bytes) and 4Kn (4096 bytes) for enhanced system compatibility
• Areal density rated at 1190 Gbit/in² for optimized storage on each platter surface

Ideal Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

• Perfect for hyperscale cloud infrastructure and big data clusters
• Reliable foundation for artificial intelligence model training environments
• Efficient for cloud repatriation and large-scale unstructured data repositories
• Supports modern hybrid and private cloud deployments for enterprise clients
• Recommended for converged and hyper-converged storage environments

Targeted Professional Applications

• Optimized for data center managers overseeing capacity-driven infrastructure
• IT professionals seeking scalable, high-throughput storage mediums
• Data architects building next-generation, AI-optimized storage pipelines
• Engineers and administrators managing critical storage tiers and rapid-growth environments

Product Identity & Manufacturer Reference

• Brand: Western Digital Corporation
• Model Identifier: WUH722626AL5204
• Series: Ultrastar DC HC590
• Product Line: Ultrastar
• Device: 26TB Internal Enterprise SAS Hard Drive

Performance and Efficiency

The Western Digital WUH722626AL5204 Ultrastar DC HC590 26TB hard drive redefines storage capabilities in enterprise environments by delivering industry-leading capacity, consistent performance, and proven reliability. Designed for hyperscale data centers and mission-critical infrastructure, this 3.5-inch hard disk drive leverages the SAS 12Gb/s interface, 7,200 RPM spindle speed, and advanced OptiNAND technology to achieve a powerful balance of efficiency, speed, and storage density. With support for 24x7 operation, a massive 26TB capacity, and enterprise-grade workload ratings, the HC590 series stands as a key solution for scalable storage architectures.

Enterprise-Grade 26TB Capacity for Hyperscale Storage

Offering 26TB of storage in a single 3.5-inch drive, the WUH722626AL5204 unlocks unprecedented storage density. This makes it ideal for organizations dealing with massive data sets such as archival repositories, big data analytics, surveillance retention, and distributed object storage environments. The drive significantly reduces cost per TB and rack space requirements, improving data center scalability and return on investment (ROI).

Use Cases Optimized for 26TB Enterprise Drives

• Massive-scale cloud storage platforms
• Data archiving and cold storage tiers
• Content delivery networks (CDNs)
• Surveillance and video retention systems
• Backup and disaster recovery solutions
• Scientific computing and research data storage

SAS 12Gb/s Interface for High Throughput and Redundancy

The integration of a 12Gb/s SAS interface provides high-speed data access, dual-port failover support, and scalable bandwidth — features that are critical in enterprise and SAN deployments. SAS ensures robust, full-duplex communication channels and supports advanced queuing for concurrent operations, enhancing the efficiency of high-volume storage arrays.

Advantages of SAS in Enterprise Storage

• Dual-port redundancy for uninterrupted operation
• Faster data throughput than SATA (up to 12Gbps)
• Ideal for dense rack servers and enterprise JBOD enclosures
• Extended compatibility with RAID and enterprise HBA controllers
• Reliable connectivity in high-performance compute environments

7,200 RPM Performance and 512MB Cache Buffer

Featuring a 7,200 RPM spindle and a 512MB cache buffer, the WUH722626AL5204 delivers consistent I/O performance suitable for sequential and random workloads. This drive ensures sustained data throughput rates essential for real-time access and long-term storage workflows, particularly in cloud object storage and virtualized environments.

Performance Highlights

• Spindle speed: 7,200 RPM for balanced read/write performance
• Large cache buffer: 512MB reduces latency during data bursts
• Sustained transfer rate up to 270MB/s
• Optimized for mixed workload applications
• Supports read-intensive and sequential write operations

OptiNAND Technology 

Western Digital’s OptiNAND technology combines traditional HDD architecture with embedded NAND flash to enhance metadata storage, improve error handling, and support increased areal density. This hybrid innovation enables the Ultrastar DC HC590 to store more data per platter and improve overall performance and data integrity, especially under power-loss scenarios.

Key OptiNAND Benefits

• Faster write operations and lower latency
• Enhanced caching algorithms for better responsiveness
• Higher track-per-inch (TPI) density for larger capacities
• Improved recovery from unexpected power interruptions
• Reduced reliance on DRAM-only metadata caching

Advanced Reliability for 24/7 Data Center Workloads

With an annualized workload rating of 550TB/year and a 2.5 million hour MTBF, the WUH722626AL5204 is engineered for continuous operation in high-availability storage infrastructures. These metrics ensure confidence in deploying the drive within mission-critical environments where data durability and uptime are paramount.

Durability and Longevity Features

• MTBF: 2.5 million hours
• Rated workload: 550TB/year
• Designed for 24x7 operation with consistent thermal regulation
• Enhanced vibration and shock resistance features
• Multi-axis shock sensors and error correction algorithms

Enterprise Data Protection and Security Features

The Ultrastar DC HC590 WUH722626AL5204 supports Secure Erase (SE) capabilities for compliant data disposal and protection. SE ensures sensitive data can be permanently erased before hardware redeployment or decommissioning, aligning with security mandates such as NIST and GDPR.

512e Advanced Format for Compatibility and Storage Efficiency

Utilizing a 512e (512-byte emulation) sector format, the HC590 ensures compatibility with legacy applications while offering the benefits of modern error correction and data block management. This format enables seamless integration across older operating systems while delivering improved efficiency and data reliability.

Advanced Format Sector Benefits

• Supports legacy 512-byte addressing via emulation
• Enhances error correction strength for large datasets
• Facilitates transition from older to newer file systems
• Improves write performance with larger sector encoding
• Compatible with virtualization platforms and RAID configurations

Efficient Power Consumption and Sustainable Operation

Designed with helium-sealed architecture, the WUH722626AL5204 operates with lower power draw and reduced heat output, making it an environmentally conscious solution for dense deployments. Its improved watts-per-TB efficiency reduces cooling and power requirements while supporting green data center initiatives.

Power Efficiency Features

• Helium-filled design minimizes drag and power consumption
• Lower thermal footprint per TB stored
• Idle power: significantly reduced for large arrays
• RoHS-compliant and halogen-free construction
• Designed for sustainable, low-impact infrastructure