Western Digital has made a significant stride in data storage by launching the world’s highest-capacity UltraSMR and ePMR CMR hard disk drives. These new offerings target hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and enterprises, boasting up to 32TB capacity. The drives aim to meet the growing demand for robust data storage solutions driven by the burgeoning AI data cycle.
As AI technologies evolve, they generate vast amounts of data that require efficient storage. Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) play a vital role in managing both the input and output of AI data, ensuring data is stored cost-effectively. These advancements in HDD technology emphasize Western Digital’s commitment to enhancing capacity and reliability.
The new 26TB ePMR CMR HDD and 32TB UltraSMR drives are designed with innovative technologies to optimize efficiency in data centers. Techniques like ePMR, OptiNAND, and ArmorCache, along with a triple-stage actuator, are integrated into these models. The release also features the first commercially available 11-disk platform, highlighting increased storage capacities.
The Ultrastar DC HC690 UltraSMR HDDs offer up to 32TB capacities, supporting large-scale content storage with up to 257 MiB/s sequential performance. The ultrastar models provide economically suitable solutions for storing warm and cold data. Additionally, the Ultrastar DC HC590 CMR HDD delivers up to 26TB capacity with a sustained transfer rate of 288 MiB/s.
These new HDDs are also integrated into the Ultrastar Data60 and Data102 Hybrid Storage Platforms. These platforms present scalable, high-density storage solutions, essential for modern data centers. System integrators and resellers can now access the 26TB WD Gold SATA HDDs, which promise reliability and efficiency for heavy-duty workloads.
Commenting on the launch, John Chen, Vice President at TRENDFOCUS, stated: “With the rise of AI, edge computing, and large-scale data centers, HDDs play a critical role in delivering huge capacity, performance, and low power, making them indispensable for enterprises that want the highest storage density with the lowest TCO. With the addition of the new 11-disk platform, Western Digital is well-positioned to continue to drive key HDD use cases – optimizing virtually all users in all markets for success in today’s data-intensive landscape.”
Ravi Pendekanti, Senior Vice President of Product Management at HDD Business Unit, emphasized the efficiency and value these drives offer. He noted the significance of delivering the industry’s highest ePMR capacities, ensuring storage scalability, reliability, and unmatched value for customers.
