Cisco 18 TB Hard Drive - 3.5" Internal NL-SAS (12Gb/s SAS)

Engineered for data centers, enterprise servers, and storage arrays, the Cisco 18 TB Hard Drive delivers extraordinary capacity with dependable performance and enterprise-grade reliability. This 3.5" internal NL-SAS drive combines Near Line SAS technology with a robust 12 Gb/s SAS interface, making it the ideal solution for large-scale backups, archival storage, and streaming workloads that require fast access to vast datasets. Designed to handle continuous operation in demanding environments, this drive is built to support today’s data-driven workloads while preserving data integrity and long-term durability.

• Massive 18 TB storage capacity for scalable growth — Seamlessly expand your data footprint with a high-capacity hard drive that consolidates sprawling datasets, media libraries, backup archives, and virtual machine images into a single, cost-efficient solution. This capacity is especially valuable for data-intensive industries, including media and entertainment, scientific research, healthcare, and enterprise IT, where space and efficiency translate into lower total cost of ownership.
• 12 Gb/s SAS interface for fast, dependable data transfer — The drive is built around a high-speed Serial Attached SCSI interface that delivers strong sequential throughput and reliable I/O performance. With SAS 12Gb/s, you gain improved bandwidth, better error detection, and the compatibility needed for enterprise storage controllers, RAID arrays, and specialized data center hardware. This enables quicker backups, faster restores, and smoother data streaming for virtually any critical workload.
• 3.5" internal form factor for broad compatibility — Designed to slide into standard enterprise server bays and storage enclosures, the 3.5" form factor is the industry staple for data centers. Its rugged construction supports dense rack deployments and hot-swappable configurations, enabling streamlined maintenance and minimal downtime. This drive is ideal for DA (direct-attached) storage, networked storage arrays, and as part of scalable storage pools in data center environments.
• Near Line SAS (NL-SAS) technology for balanced cost and performance — NL-SAS is purpose-built for nearline access patterns, offering a middle ground between traditional nearline and high-performance SAS drives. It provides cost-efficient archival and backup workflows with reliable random access performance, making it well-suited for tiered storage strategies. With NL-SAS, organizations can optimize data placement, reduce fetch latencies, and maintain steady throughput across long-term storage mandates.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and data integrity for 24x7 workloads — Built for the rigors of continuous operation, this Cisco hard drive emphasizes durability, error correction, and sustained reliability. It is designed to withstand demanding workloads, protect against data loss, and maintain consistent performance under load. For IT teams, this translates into predictable maintenance cycles, fewer drive failures, and improved service levels for mission-critical applications, backups, and data repositories.

Technical Details of Cisco 18 TB Hard Drive - 3.5" Internal NL-SAS (12Gb/s SAS)

• Capacity: 18 TB
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch internal hard drive
• Interface: 12 Gb/s SAS
• Technology: Near Line SAS (NL-SAS) with enterprise-grade design
• Designed for data center environments and storage arrays

how to install Cisco 18 TB Hard Drive - 3.5" Internal NL-SAS (12Gb/s SAS)

• Power down the server or storage enclosure and ground yourself to prevent static discharge.
• Open the drive bay or enclosure and insert the Cisco 18 TB NL-SAS drive into an available 3.5" bay, ensuring the connectors align with the backplane.
• Secure the drive with the appropriate screws or hot-swap tray mechanism, making sure it is firmly seated.
• Connect the SAS cables from the storage controller or backplane to the drive’s SAS interface, following the enclosure’s cabling guidelines for optimal airflow and cable management.
• Power on the system, then use the storage controller’s management utility (or RAID configuration utility) to detect the new drive, assign it to a spare or a new/existing RAID volume, and initialize or format as required by your data protection strategy.

Frequently asked questions

• What is NL-SAS? NL-SAS stands for Near Line SAS, a storage architecture that blends the reliability of enterprise-class SAS with the cost efficiency of nearline access patterns. It is ideal for large-scale backups, archival storage, and workloads that require dependable, long-term storage with reasonable access speeds.
• Is an 18 TB drive suitable for backups and archives? Yes. The 18 TB capacity provides ample space for extensive backups, archival libraries, and long-term data retention strategies, helping organizations consolidate storage while controlling costs. Its NL-SAS design offers steady performance for streaming and retrieval tasks typical of backup and archival workflows.
• Can this drive be used in RAID arrays? Absolutely. The drive is compatible with most enterprise-grade storage controllers and RAID configurations. For best results, configure redundancy (RAID level appropriate to your data protection needs) and monitor drive health through the controller’s utility to maximize uptime and data integrity.
• What advantages does 12 Gb/s SAS provide? The 12 Gb/s SAS interface delivers higher bandwidth and improved data transfer reliability compared with older SATA or slower SAS interfaces. It supports more efficient I/O operations in storage arrays and servers, enabling faster data movement, quicker rebuilds after failures, and smoother multitasking across workloads.
• Will this drive work in my existing Cisco storage environment? In most cases, yes. The drive is designed for enterprise environments that rely on 3.5" NL-SAS internal drives with SAS connectivity. Always verify compatibility with your specific controller, enclosure, and housing, and follow best practices for drive deployment and firmware updates to ensure seamless integration.