Western Digital Unveils Groundbreaking 24TB CMR and 28TB SMR Hard Drives

Introducing the Ultrastar® DC HC680: A New Era in Data Center Expansion

Western Digital is redefining storage technology with the launch of its Ultrastar® DC HC680 series, which includes the industry’s first 28TB hard drive for data centers. These drives, employing Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology, are designed to significantly enhance storage capacity and reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for modern data centers.

28TB Ultrastar DC HC680: A Blend of Leading Technologies

The 28TB Ultrastar DC HC680, available in 28TB, 27TB, and 26TB capacities, is a powerhouse of innovation. It integrates Western Digital’s OptiNAND™ technology with UltraSMR, energy-assist magnetic recording (EAMR), a second-generation triple-stage actuator (TSA), and the renowned HelioSeal® technology. This combination of advanced features enables the drive to deliver up to 2.8TB per platter, optimizing storage capacity for cloud customers.

Optimized for Data-Intensive Workloads

With a 2.5 million hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) rating and a 5-year limited warranty, the Ultrastar DC HC680 is built to meet the demanding reliability requirements of modern data centers. It is performance-optimized for heavy application workloads and is capable of handling up to 550TB per year, making it a trustworthy choice for a variety of data center applications.

Applications and Environments

The Ultrastar DC HC680 is ideal for:

• Big Data or Bulk Storage
• Cloud Storage
• Social Media Platforms
• Content Libraries and Streaming Media
• Digital Media Assets
• Online Back-up and Replication
• Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI)
• Hybrid Cloud Architectures
• Compliance and Regulatory Records

Technical Specifications and Environmental Compliance

The Ultrastar DC HC680 features:

• SATA 6Gb/s interface with a 7200 RPM rotational speed.
• A maximum areal density of 1430 Gbits/sq. in.
• A data buffer of 512 MB and a z-height of 26.1 mm.
• Acoustics optimized for a quiet operating environment with an idle power consumption of 5.5 W.
• Advanced Format drive with 4Kn sector size.
• Operational reliability in temperatures ranging from 5° to 60°C and non-operating temperatures from -40° to 70°C.
• 24×7 availability and a 0.35% projected Annualized Failure Rate (AFR).

Broad Availability and Integration

These new Ultrastar drives are currently undergoing qualification with select hyperscalers, CSPs, and OEM customers. They are also available for large enterprise customers, who are seeking the highest capacity storage with lower power consumption. The Ultrastar DC HC680 and HC580 SAS HDD versions are expected to be available in CYQ1’24 (FYQ3’24).

Ultrastar Data60 and Data102: The Future of Hybrid Storage

Further enhancing their product lineup, Western Digital is integrating these new drives into their Ultrastar Data60 and Data102 JBOD hybrid storage platforms. These platforms are essential for creating next-generation disaggregated storage and software-defined storage (SDS) infrastructure.

Specsheet

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