WUH721816ALE6L1 WD Ultrastar DC HC550 16TB SATA 512 MB 3.5" Server HDD

High-Density 3.5in Datacenter SATA HDD for capacity tiers and scale-out storage with the WUH721816ALE6L1

The WUH721816ALE6L1 is a 16TB 3.5in nearline HDD engineered for rack server bays and JBOD enclosures where SATA connectivity, predictable latency, and sustained throughput are required for bulk data tiers. In CPU-centric storage nodes, the drive complements modern x86 platforms by prioritizing high capacity per slot, enabling denser storage pools without increasing chassis footprint or power envelopes.

Architecturally, WUH721816ALE6L1 supports PCIe-based HBA or RAID controller topologies via standard SATA backplanes, allowing scalable expansion across 12Gb/s SAS-to-SATA bridges or direct SATA fabrics. The 512e sector format simplifies integration with mixed OS and hypervisor stacks while aligning with 4K media efficiency. A 512MB cache and 7200RPM profile help stabilize I/O behavior for object storage, backup repositories, and content-addressable archives, where queue depth and streaming patterns dominate over small-block OLTP. The helium-filled mechanical design, combined with TDMR and EAMR, targets consistent performance at high areal density in multi-drive environments.

Why Choose the WUH721816ALE6L1?

WUH721816ALE6L1 delivers a practical density-to-performance balance for capacity-optimized clusters, reducing the number of spindles and bays needed per usable PB while maintaining 24x7 duty ratings. For enterprise deployments, the SED implementation with TCG Enterprise SSC supports hardware-based encryption workflows, and the 2.5 million hour MTBF profile aligns with large-scale fleet reliability and predictable lifecycle management.

WD designs Ultrastar datacenter drives around controlled vibration behavior, tight firmware consistency, and compatibility with modern data centre operating practices. WUH721816ALE6L1 reflects this engineering approach by focusing on fleet-grade reliability, stable integration in standard storage backplanes, and operational efficiency for continuous service environments.

Key Applications:

• Backup repositories
• Archive and compliance storage
• Object storage nodes
• Capacity-optimized scale-out clusters
• JBOD expansion shelves

At Happyware - Server Hardware you benefit from non-binding offers tailored to your rollout plan for WUH721816ALE6L1-based storage tiers, and from bulk order discounts when standardizing large drive populations across racks and enclosures.