WD Ultrastar DC HC310 – 6TB (0B36047)

The Western Digital Ultrastar DC HC310 6TB Hard Drive – 0B36047 (full model number HUS726T6TALE6L4 or HUS726T6TAL5204 depending on the exact variant, SATA/SAS and security features) is an enterprise-class hard disk drive designed for 24/7 continuous operation in data centers, servers, and high-capacity storage systems. It offers a balance of cost-efficiency with reliable performance for traditional IT workloads.

Key Features & Specifications

• Capacity: A substantial 6TB of storage.
• Form Factor: Standard 3.5-inch.
• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s). Note that some variants of this model series (0B36047 can also refer to SAS versions) might have a SAS 12 Gb/s interface, but for this specific part number (0B36047) it primarily refers to the SATA version.
• Rotational Speed (RPM): 7200 RPM, providing solid performance for a mechanical drive.
• Cache Size: 256MB, aiding in optimizing data flow and improving responsiveness
• Max. Sustained Transfer Rate: Up to 255 MB/s.
• Workload Rating: 550TB per year, indicating its ability to handle extremely high volumes of data read/write cycles annually, which is significantly higher than consumer drives.
• Reliability:
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Up to 2.0 million hours (some datasheets for the HC310 series state 2.5 million hours), a key indicator of its enterprise-grade durability for continuous operation.
  • Non-recoverable Read Errors: Less than 1 per 1015 bits read, ensuring high data integrity.
• Recording Technology: Employs CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording), which is preferred in enterprise environments for its consistent write performance and reliability, especially in RAID arrays, as opposed to SMR.
• Vibration Protection: Features Enhanced RVS (Rotational Vibration Safeguard) to actively detect and compensate for vibrations, maintaining performance in multi-drive server racks.
• TLER (Time-Limited Error Recovery): Crucial for RAID configurations, preventing premature drive dropouts from arrays due to extended error recovery.
• Sector Format: Typically 512e (512-byte emulation) for broad compatibility with modern systems.
• Warranty: Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, reflecting its robust design.

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise Servers: Providing reliable storage for mission-critical applications that demand high uptime.
• Datacenter Environments: Including cloud storage, private cloud infrastructure, and data warehousing.
• Enterprise Storage Systems: Such as large RAID arrays, rack-mounted enclosures, and server-based distributed storage systems.
• Big Data Analytics: For platforms requiring continuous access and processing of large datasets.
• High-End Surveillance Systems: Offering robust and performant storage for continuous video recording and archiving.