Dell 16 TB Hard Drive - 3.5" Internal - SAS (12Gb/s SAS)

Unlock colossal storage capacity with the Dell 16 TB Hard Drive, a purpose-built 3.5-inch internal HDD designed for demanding enterprise workloads. Engineered to deliver reliable performance in data centers, virtualization hosts, backup appliances, and archival systems, this Dell drive combines a high-capacity footprint with a robust SAS interface to support multi-user environments and heavy data workflows. With a rotational speed of 7,200 RPM and a 12Gb/s SAS interface, it provides faster access to large files, improved sequential throughput, and improved file transfer times compared to lower-speed drives. Please note VMware compatibility restrictions apply, so it’s important to verify deployment requirements within your virtualization stack before integrating this drive into a VMware environment. Whether you’re expanding a RAID array, refreshing a legacy shelf, or building out a dense storage solution, this 16 TB SAS HDD is designed to help you scale with confidence and control.

• Massive capacity for primary storage and backups: 16 terabytes of raw storage in a single drive reduces the need for additional spindles and simplifies capacity planning, making it ideal for large datasets, media libraries, scientific data, and archival workloads.
• Enterprise-class SAS interface for speed and reliability: The drive uses a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface at 12Gb/s, delivering higher data transfer performance, better link reliability, and improved I/O efficiency in multi-controller environments than consumer-grade SATA options.
• 7200 RPM performance for responsive data access: With a 7,200 revolutions per minute spindle speed, this HDD offers stronger sequential throughput and quicker file reads and writes, enhancing backup windows, virtualization I/O, and streaming workloads.
• Designed for data-center workloads and virtualization: Built to endure constant access and heavy-use scenarios, this Dell enterprise drive supports demanding workloads—from virtual machines to database backups—while maintaining steady performance and long-term reliability.
• Flexible integration with Dell and Dell-compatible storage ecosystems: Compatible with servers and storage arrays that support 3.5" internal SAS HDDs, making it suitable for expanding existing Dell deployments, RAID configurations, and scalable storage architectures. Note VMware compatibility restrictions apply.

Technical Details of Dell 16 TB Hard Drive - 3.5" Internal - SAS (12Gb/s SAS)

• Capacity: 16 TB
• Form Factor: 3.5-inch internal hard disk drive
• Interface: SAS with 12Gb/s SAS protocol
• Spindle Speed: 7,200 RPM
• Usage: Enterprise-grade storage for data centers, servers, and storage appliances

how to install Dell 16 TB Hard Drive

• Power down and prepare: Safely shut down your server or workstation and disconnect power. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge and ensure you work in a clean, static-free environment.
• Access the drive bay: Open the drive chassis or drive bay cover to expose the 3.5-inch slot. If your system uses a caddy or tray, release the built-in latch and remove the old drive (if replacing).
• Insert and secure the drive: Slide the Dell 16 TB SAS drive into the available 3.5" bay or drive tray, and secure it with screws or the tray’s mounting mechanism as required by your server chassis. Ensure the drive is firmly seated for proper power and data connections.
• Connect interfaces: Attach the SAS data cable to the SAS controller and connect the power cable. Verify that all cables are firmly seated and routed to avoid interference with fans or other components.
• Initialize and configure: After powering on, initialize the drive in your operating system or RAID controller utility, create or expand appropriate arrays, and format the drive as needed. Confirm operating temperatures and health status in the management console and monitor for any drive SMART alerts.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the capacity of this Dell hard drive? A: The drive has a capacity of 16 TB, offering substantial space for large datasets, backups, and archival storage.
• Q: What interface does it use? A: It uses a SAS interface with 12Gb/s SAS, designed for high-speed, enterprise-grade data transfer and reliability.
• Q: What is the spindle speed? A: The drive spins at 7,200 RPM, delivering solid sequential performance suitable for many data-center workloads.
• Q: Is VMware supported? A: VMware compatibility restrictions apply. Check your VMware deployment requirements and verify that your host, storage controller, and Dell drive are supported together before deployment.
• Q: Is this drive suitable for virtualization and backups? A: Yes. The combination of high capacity, SAS performance, and enterprise-class design makes it well-suited for virtualization hosts, large-scale backups, and database or file server workloads when deployed in a supported storage configuration.