Seagate Technology has officially started shipping samples of its latest hard drive, the 36TB Exos M, leveraging the company’s groundbreaking heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology. Here’s what you need to know about this significant advancement in data storage.
Unveiling the 36TB Exos M Hard Drive
Built on Advanced HAMR Technology
The Exos M hard drives are powered by Seagate’s Mozaic 3+ HAMR technology, which enables significantly higher data density. Each hard drive comprises 10 platters, each offering an impressive 3.6TB of capacity. This innovation allows the Exos M series to deliver up to 36TB of storage in a single unit.
HAMR technology uses a specialized medium that can be magnetized in smaller domains compared to conventional vertical recording media. To write data on this medium, tiny lasers heat specific platter areas, making them temporarily writable. This precision-driven approach ensures both reliability and efficiency in data storage.
Advantages for Data Centers
Seagate has highlighted several key benefits of the Exos M series for data center operators:
- Increased Storage Density: Provides 300% more storage capacity within the same physical footprint.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: Reduces power consumption per terabyte by 60% compared to previous models.
- Cost Savings: Delivers a 25% reduction in cost per terabyte when upgrading from a 10TB to a 30TB capacity, based on a comparison between the Exos X10 and the Exos M 30TB Mozaic hard drives.
Industry Perspective
CEO Insights on Data Storage Trends
Seagate CEO Dave Mosley emphasized the growing demand for scalable and sustainable data storage solutions. “We’re in the midst of a seismic shift in the way data is stored and managed,” Mosley stated. “Unprecedented levels of data creation – due to continued cloud expansion and early AI adoption – demand long-term data retention and access to ensure trustworthy data-driven outcomes.”
Mosley also highlighted Seagate’s leadership in storage innovation, noting, “As the world’s leading producer of exabytes, and the only manufacturer capable of producing 3.6TB per platter hard drives at scale, Seagate is laser-focused on delivering the storage scale required for the applications of the future.”
What’s Next for Seagate?
Seagate’s innovation roadmap includes plans to increase per-platter capacity to 10TB, further revolutionizing the storage industry. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the company remains at the forefront of data storage solutions.
FAQ Section
1. What is HAMR technology?
HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) is a data storage technology that uses heat to write data on high-density platters. This allows for significantly smaller magnetic domains, enabling higher storage capacities.
2. How does the Exos M series benefit data centers?
The Exos M series offers higher storage density, reduced power consumption, and lower costs per terabyte, making it an ideal choice for large-scale data centers.
3. When will the 36TB Exos M be widely available?
Seagate has begun shipping samples as of January 21. Broader availability will likely follow after this initial rollout.
4. How does the Exos M compare to previous models?
Compared to the Exos X10, the Exos M offers up to 300% more storage capacity and significantly better energy efficiency.
5. What industries will benefit most from the Exos M?
Industries with high data storage demands, such as cloud computing, AI, and large-scale data centers, are expected to benefit most from the Exos M’s advancements.
