1. Introduction2. Seagate IronWolf Pro 14TB3. Testing Methodology4. CrystalDiskMark5. ATTO Disk Benchmark6. IOMETER7. Throughput8. Workload Scenarios9. Real Life File Testing10. Closing Thoughts11. View All Pages

The demands for data storage are growing and showing no signs of slowing down.  While Flash based storage encroaches ever deeper into markets that were once the stronghold of mechanical drives, the one area where spinning disks still reign supreme is in the storage of “cold” and archival data where cost per GB is a more important factor than ultimate performance.

Seagate have just launched a new 14TB flagship capacity across the drive ranges; Barracuda Pro (desktop), SkyHawk (surveillance) and the IronWolf and IronWolf Pro (NAS/RAID) that make up the companies Guardian Series of HDDs. These drives join the 14TB Exos enterprise drive.

The IronWolf and IronWolf Pro models use Seagate's AgileArray Technology for better performance and reliability in NAS environments. AgileArray is a combination of software, hardware and firmware features including Error Recovery Control that prevents RAID drop offs. The effects of drive vibration in large multidrive NAS enclosures have to potential to cause real problems.

To this end the drive uses Seagate's AcuTrac Technology which allows the drive to still function properly even if it's being impacted from vibration from a neighbouring drive. The drive is also fitted with Rotational Vibration (RV) Sensors to reduce vibration in the multi-bay enclosures while Dual Plane Balance ensures the drive is vibration-free and quiet during operation.

The drives firmware has been optimised for multi drive RAID setups including support for the ATA-8 streaming command set which helps to handle the large sequential block transfers of some video files.

Another technology in the IronWolf Pro's armoury to help them survive in multi-disk enclosures is IronWolf Health Management (IHM). Incompatible NAS drives supporting IHM (check on the Seagate website for NAS compatibility) the technology adds another layer of protection by interacting with the NAS OS to display actionable prevention, intervention or recovery options for whatever is affecting the drive’s health.

If all else fails then then IronWolf Pro drives come with 2 year of Seagate’s Rescue Recovery Service included.

We found the 14TB Seagate IronWolf Pro available to pre-order on Overclockers UK for £579.95 HERE

Pros

• Performance.
• 5-year warranty
• NAS technologies.
• Rescue Recovery Service included.

Cons

• Pricey.

Kitguru says:  Seagate’s 14TB IronWolf Pro brings some serious storage capacity to NAS users as well as some very useful features for that environment in the shape of the AgileArray technologies. You also get the added benefit of Seagate’s Rescue Recovery Service.

Become a Patron!