Western Digital Commences Mass Delivery of 24TB CMR Hard Drives

Western Digital is providing enterprise-class hard disk drives (HDDs) to help data center customers design efficient and scalable infrastructure, with technology innovations tailored for high-capacity storage and low total cost of ownership (TCO).

Western Digital leverages various technology innovations to deliver predictable capacity growth in their products.
The 28 TB and 24 TB HDDs are constructed with 40% recycled content by weight and are over 10% more energy-efficient per terabyte.
The Ultrastar DC HC680 SMR HDD and Ultrastar DC HC580 CMR HDD offer improved OptiNAND technology for enhanced data density.

Western Digital, a leading provider of enterprise-class hard disk drives (HDDs), continues to play a critical role in helping data center customers design efficient and scalable infrastructure as the demand for high-capacity, low-power, and reliable storage grows. With the rise of generative AI and its enabling applications, Western Digital leverages various technology innovations to deliver predictable capacity growth in their products.

The company has recently started shipping its new 10-disk 24 TB CMR HDD family, specifically designed for hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise data center customers. Additionally, the 28 TB SMR HDD is also ramping up, further solidifying Western Digital’s position as a leader in SMR technology. In fact, their 26 TB SMR HDD exabyte shipments accounted for nearly half of their data center exabytes shipped in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Ed Burns, Research Director at IDC, acknowledges Western Digital’s contribution to the industry, stating that they are not just keeping pace but forging a path forward. He believes that the adoption of SMR HDDs will continue to grow, especially with the introduction of the new 28 TB SMR HDD that offers an appealing total cost of ownership (TCO) value proposition for cloud customers.

These new drives are built on a proven platform with technology innovations tailored for data center customers who prioritize high-capacity storage and low TCO. Moreover, they contribute to Western Digital’s sustainability targets and help data center customers achieve their own goals. The 28 TB and 24 TB HDDs are constructed with 40% recycled content by weight and are over 10% more energy-efficient per terabyte, promoting power efficiency at scale.

Ashley Gorakhpurwalla, EVP and GM of the HDD Business Unit at Western Digital, emphasizes the company’s commitment to extending the value of their HDD platform to deliver the highest capacity storage and TCO value demanded by their cloud and data center customers.

The Ultrastar DC HC680 SMR HDD, with a massive capacity of 28 TB, is designed for hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise customers who prioritize storage density, watt/TB, and $/TB. It caters to workloads that involve bulk storage, online backup and archive, video surveillance, cloud storage, regulatory compliance, big data storage, and other applications where data is infrequently accessed. This drive enables customers to integrate the highest capacity HDDs on the market while maintaining a lower-power footprint.

On the other hand, the Ultrastar DC HC580 CMR HDD, with a capacity of 24 TB, offers improved OptiNAND technology for enhanced data density. It allows data center customers to maximize their storage within the same footprint and power-constrained environments. The HC580 provides up to 612 TB of raw storage per rack unit in a 4U 102-drive bay solution and is 12% more power-efficient compared to Western Digital’s previous 22 TB version.

Both the Ultrastar DC HC680 and HC580 HDDs are currently undergoing qualification by select hyperscalers, CSPs, and OEM customers. They are available for large enterprise customers seeking high-capacity storage with lower power per terabyte to design more efficient storage systems and data centers. The SAS versions of these drives will be available in CYQ1’24 (FYQ3’24).

Western Digital’s new Ultrastar drives are also being integrated into their Ultrastar Data60 and Data102 JBOD hybrid storage platforms. These platforms serve as building blocks for next-generation disaggregated storage and software-defined storage infrastructure. Equipped with IsoVibe and ArcticFlow technologies for improved performance and reliability, the Ultrastar Data60 and Data102 platforms will feature the new HDDs starting next month.

Furthermore, Western Digital is now shipping its 24 TB WD Gold CMR SATA HDD, designed specifically for system integrators and resellers serving enterprises and SMBs. These drives offer more reliable storage for big data and enterprise workloads compared to traditional client HDDs. Leveraging innovations from the Ultrastar technology platform, the WD Gold 24 TB HDD boasts an impressive projected MTBF of up to 2.5 million hours, vibration protection technology, and a 5-year limited warranty.

In conclusion, Western Digital continues to innovate and meet the evolving needs of data center customers with their new generation of high-capacity HDDs. With their focus on scalability, reliability, and sustainability, Western Digital is helping pave the way for data-intensive applications of today and tomorrow.

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Background Information

About IDC: IDC, or International Data Corporation, is a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. Established in 1964, IDC offers valuable insights into industry trends, market forecasts, and technology adoption through its research and analysis. Their expertise aids businesses, governments, and IT professionals in making informed decisions and strategies.

About Western Digital: Western Digital, established in 1970, is a important data storage solutions provider known for its wide range of hard drives and solid-state drives. Catering to various applications, from personal computers to enterprise storage systems, Western Digital emphasizes data management and security. With a reputation for reliability and innovative solutions, the company has been pivotal in shaping the storage industry. Their products are trusted by individuals, businesses, and data centers worldwide

Technology Explained

HDD: A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a classic data storage device that utilizes spinning disks, or platters, coated with a magnetic material to store and retrieve data. An actuator arm with read/write heads accesses data by moving over the spinning platters. HDDs offer large storage capacities at a comparatively lower cost per gigabyte, making them suitable for applications where massive data storage is required, such as servers and desktop computers. However, HDDs are slower in terms of read and write speeds compared to SSDs due to the mechanical nature of their operation. They are more susceptible to physical shocks and are less energy-efficient due to the need to constantly spin the platters.

MTBF: MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is a measure of reliability used in the computer industry to determine the average time a system or component can be expected to operate without failure. It is a measure of the average time a system or component can be expected to operate without failure. MTBF is used to determine the expected lifetime of a system or component, and is used to compare the reliability of different systems or components. It is also used to determine the expected maintenance intervals for a system or component, and to determine the expected cost of ownership for a system or component. MTBF is an important metric for the computer industry, as it helps to ensure that systems and components are reliable and cost-effective.