Server and enterprise hard drives in our range include SAS and SATA hard drives, server SSDs, high-capacity HDDs, hot-swap drives and older SCSI models. They suit IT managers, system integrators and small businesses that need to expand or replace storage in rack and tower servers from HP Enterprise, Lenovo, Dell, IBM and others.
How to choose a server hard drive
Interface. SAS drives are made for server workloads and cope well with many simultaneous requests. SATA drives cost less per terabyte and suit backups, file shares and archives. A SAS controller normally accepts both types, but a SATA-only controller will not take SAS drives, so check your backplane first. SCSI is only relevant for older servers that already use it.
Hard drive or SSD. A hard drive gives the most capacity for the money and suits bulk storage. A server SSD answers requests far faster, which matters for databases, virtual machines and busy mail servers. Many servers mix the two, with SSDs for active data and hard drives for the rest.
Speed and capacity. Nearline drives at 7,200 rpm reach the highest capacities. SAS drives at 10,000 or 15,000 rpm respond faster but hold less. Choose capacity for the data you expect to store, and speed for how often it is read and written.
Form factor. Servers take either 2.5 inch (small form factor) or 3.5 inch (large form factor) drives, and the bays are built for one size. A 2.5 inch drive can sit in a 3.5 inch bay with an adapter, but a 3.5 inch drive will never fit a 2.5 inch bay.
Server compatibility. Branded servers often expect drives with the maker's own part number, firmware and caddy. Match the part number or the server model before ordering, and confirm whether you need a hot-swap tray so the drive can be replaced without shutting the server down.
Server drive brands we carry
- HP Enterprise and HP: drives for ProLiant and similar servers, usually supplied to fit the manufacturer's hot-swap caddies. They are the largest group in our range.
- Lenovo: drives for ThinkSystem and earlier System x servers, which makes them a common choice when you are upgrading a Lenovo machine.
- Western Digital: known for its Ultrastar line of enterprise and data centre drives.
- Seagate: known for the Exos range of high-capacity enterprise drives.
- Toshiba: makes nearline enterprise hard drives for 24/7 operation in storage servers and arrays.
- Dell: drives for PowerEdge servers, normally matched to Dell's own caddies and part numbers.
- IBM: drives for IBM server and storage systems, useful for keeping older installations running.
- Fujitsu: drives for Primergy servers.
Also in our range: Cisco and ActiData.
Browse the subcategories to narrow things down: SAS hard drives, SATA server hard drives and Server SSDs cover most needs, while High-capacity HDDs, Hot-swap server drives and SCSI drives help with bulk storage, tray-ready replacements and legacy systems.
Server hard drives: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SAS and SATA server hard drives?
SAS drives are designed for continuous, demanding server use and handle many requests at once, while SATA drives are cheaper per terabyte and aimed at bulk storage. Many SAS drives also come in faster 10,000 and 15,000 rpm versions. SATA drives are normally 7,200 rpm.
Can I use a desktop hard drive in a server?
It will often work physically, but it is not advised for most servers. Desktop drives are not designed for round-the-clock operation or for sitting in a drive bay next to many others, so they tend to wear out sooner. Enterprise or nearline drives are built for that duty.
Do I need the same brand of drive as my server?
Not always, but many branded servers are designed around their maker's own part numbers and caddies. A drive from another manufacturer may fit and work, yet some servers report warnings or refuse unrecognised drives. Check the part number or server compatibility list before buying.
Should I choose a server SSD or a hard drive?
Choose a server SSD when speed matters most, for example for databases, virtualisation or busy applications. Choose a hard drive when you need a lot of capacity for backups, archives or file storage. Combining both in one server is a common approach.
