Native and advanced-format drives with 12Gbit/s SAS interface

Toshiba Electronics Europe (TEE) has announced the addition of 512 native and advanced-format drives with 12Gbit/s SAS interface to its 15,000rpm Enterprise Performance Class HDD model line. Applications such as online transaction processing (OLTP) and databases will see improved performance from faster host transfer rates using 12Gbit/s SAS controllers. The new models that support 4K native sector technology may further improve application performance in supported environments, says the company. The additions are specifically designed for mission-critical workloads, delivering the benefits of 12Gbit/s SAS host transfer rate and enhanced power management features for integration with rack-optimized data centres. With a speed of 15,000rpm, the 12Gbit/s SAS host interface delivers up to twice the host transfer bandwidth compared to older 6Gbit/s SAS models. The AL13SX series is available in capacities up to 600GB in a power-saving, low-latency 2.5-inch form factor. The smaller 2.5-inch form factor supports higher storage density, saving rack space and reducing the mission-critical storage footprint and operational burden. The 600GB is a 100 percent[3] capacity increase over prior generation 2.5-inch models and provides faster seek performance and a lower power profile compared to legacy 3.5-inch 600GB models. Models supporting 512 native sector length technology provide optimum compatibility with industry-standard applications and operating environments. The 512n models offer industry migration to higher performing, more power and space efficient 2.5-inch form factor (when used with appropriate form factor conversion hardware). Additional models supporting 4Kn or 512e Advanced Format sector lengths provide effective performance and data integrity for environments that support these sector technologies. In addition, advanced-format models offer Toshiba persistent write cache technology for improved data integrity in un-aligned write scenarios. Model options with self-encryption features are also offered, says the company. “Drives with 15,000rpm continue to be the backbone of mission critical IT operations, and Toshiba’s latest AL13SX models can double the SAS host interface transfer rate to 12Gbit/s over prior 6Gbit/s models,” said Martin Larsson, vice president, Toshiba Electronics Europe, Storage Products Division. “Our customers demand performance and reliability in mission critical storage as well as flexibility to support legacy storage applications and hardware – the AL13SX series meets these demands while also reducing operational burdens, delivering a real win-win for our customers.” John Rydning, IDC research vice president for hard disk drives, added: “Mission critical enterprise storage is transitioning quickly from 6Gbit/s SAS to a faster, 12Gbit/s SAS infrastructure to improve I/O performance. Toshiba’s new enterprise performance 12Gbit/s SAS interface 15,000rpm HDDs, formatted with either native 512 or 4Kn (512 emulation) Byte sector formats, are a timely addition to its enterprise HDD product portfolio.”