Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN861 WUS6CA216PSP9X7 1.60 TB NVMe SSD – U.2 Internal, PCIe 5.0 x4, Mixed Workload

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN861 is a purpose-built enterprise solid-state drive designed to accelerate data-center workloads with uncompromising reliability and scalable performance. This 1.60 TB U.2 internal NVMe SSD harnesses PCIe 5.0 x4 to deliver abundant bandwidth, low latency, and consistent throughput across mixed workloads that include transactional databases, virtualized environments, large-scale analytics, and AI-enabled services. Built for 24x7 operation in demanding environments, the SN861 combines robust endurance, power efficiency, and seamless integration with standard NVMe backplanes and controllers. If you’re upgrading a server rack, refreshing a storage array, or adding a high-performance tier to your data fabric, this Ultrastar SSD is engineered to help you meet service levels, reduce latency spikes, and improve overall system responsiveness.

• Performance leadership for mixed workloads: The SN861 leverages PCIe 5.0 x4 to unlock higher sustained bandwidth and powerful IOPS in real-world mixed-workload scenarios. Whether running OLTP databases, virtual desktop infrastructure, or analytics pipelines, you’ll experience quicker data access, faster index rebuilds, more responsive query processing, and smoother handling of concurrent operations. The architecture is designed to minimize queue depth bottlenecks and deliver predictable latency as demand fluctuates, enabling your applications to scale with confidence and maintain high service levels even during peak usage.
• U.2 form factor for seamless data-center integration: With a 2.5-inch U.2 internal form factor, the SN861 slots into standard enterprise backplanes and 1U to multi-node servers without chassis changes. This compatibility makes it an ideal upgrade for existing infrastructures that rely on familiar NVMe drive bays, hot-swap backplanes, and conventional RAID or software-defined storage configurations. By leveraging familiar connectors and airflow paths, data-center operators can deploy the SN861 quickly, minimize downtime, and preserve rack density while boosting overall I/O capacity across arrays and pools.
• Enterprise reliability and endurance for always-on workloads: Ultrastar drives are engineered to meet the demands of continuous operation. The SN861 emphasizes data integrity, error correction, and protection against data loss during power events, helping IT teams maintain service continuity in critical environments. Its rugged design supports long-term endurance in high-write, mixed-workload deployments, delivering steady performance without frequent degradations or throttling. This makes it a dependable backbone for databases, log storage, tiered caching, and workload accelerators in enterprise data centers.
• Efficient cooling and power management for dense deployments: In modern data centers, cooling and energy usage are as important as raw speed. The SN861 is engineered to balance performance with thermal efficiency, employing power-management features that optimize energy use during idle periods and ramp up performance when workloads demand it. This translates into lower total cost of ownership for multi-drive arrays, reduced heat output in dense enclosures, and improved reliability from better thermal headroom during sustained bursts. For operators prioritizing green computing, the drive offers a pragmatic blend of speed and efficiency without compromising reliability.
• Ease of deployment and broad compatibility: The SN861 is designed to fit into a wide range of enterprise environments, compatible with NVMe-enabled controllers, backplanes, and operating systems that recognize NVMe devices. Its standardized NVMe protocol and PCIe-based access streamline provisioning, cloning, and storage pool management, whether you’re building a new array from scratch or expanding an existing one. This makes it suitable for a variety of use cases—from mission-critical databases to high-velocity analytics—while allowing IT teams to leverage current administration tools and workflows for faster, safer deployment and ongoing maintenance.

Technical Details of Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN861 WUS6CA216PSP9X7 1.60 TB

• Capacity: 1.60 TB
• Form Factor: U.2 Internal (2.5-inch drive)
• Interface: PCIe Gen5 x4, NVMe
• Drive Type: Solid State Drive
• Product Family: Ultrastar DC SN861
• SKU: WUS6CA216PSP9X7
• Workload Profile: Mixed

How to install Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN861

• Verify compatibility: Confirm your server or storage chassis supports U.2 NVMe drives and PCIe 5.0 x4 interfaces, and ensure your backplane or controller is up to date with the latest firmware.
• Power down safely: Follow anti-static precautions and shut down the system before opening the chassis or handling any components.
• Access the drive bay: Locate a compatible U.2 drive slot or hot-swap bay in the server or storage enclosure and prepare the slot for the new drive.
• Install the drive: Insert the SN861 into the U.2 slot, align the connector, and secure the drive with any retention screws or backplane mechanisms as required by the chassis.
• Connect and verify: Attach the data and power connections to the NVMe backplane or controller, ensuring a snug, secure fit. Power up the system and check for drive detection in the BIOS/UEFI or server management interface.
• Initialize in OS or controller: Boot into the operating system or storage controller software, initialize the new NVMe device, partition if needed, and format for use in your storage pool or array. If you’re using RAID or a software-defined storage layer, configure it according to your data protection and performance requirements.
• Update firmware if available: Apply the latest firmware revision for the SN861 through the vendor’s update utility to optimize performance and reliability in your specific workload mix.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads is the Ultrastar DC SN861 best suited for? A: It is designed for mixed workloads in data-center environments, delivering balanced performance for databases, virtualization, analytics, and high-IOPS applications on NVMe backplanes. This makes it a strong candidate for OLTP databases, real-time analytics, caching layers, and edge or core storage ecosystems where rapid data access and predictable latency matter.
• Q: Is this drive compatible with my server? A: Compatibility depends on having a U.2 NVMe interface (PCIe 5.0 x4 capable) and a backplane or controller that can manage NVMe devices. Always verify with your hardware vendor for firmware requirements, BIOS settings, and supported configurations before purchase or deployment.
• Q: What operating systems support this drive? A: Ultrastar NVMe SSDs are generally compatible with major server operating systems. After installation, format and initialize using the OS storage tools or a hardware controller utility, depending on your setup. Specific compatibility may vary with controller firmware and storage stack, so consult the controller documentation if you plan advanced features like tiering or RAID configurations.
• Q: Does it support hot-swapping? A: In many data-center configurations, U.2 drives can be hot-swapped when connected to a backplane that supports hot-swapping. Confirm with your chassis and backplane specifications, and ensure proper safety procedures are followed. If hot-swapping is required, plan maintenance windows and backup strategies accordingly.