The storage experts at Seagate continue to expand their storage media product portfolio. This time, the manufacturer is focusing in particular on network-attached storage solutions (NAS). While the IronWolf Pro comes as a classic HDD, Seagate brings a fast SSD with the IronWolf (Pro) 125.
IronWolf Pro: HDD with up to 18 TB
Until now, the IronWolf Pro has only offered models with capacities ranging from 4TB to 16TB. Now the manufacturer is expanding the potential storage capacity of the NAS HDD for businesses. Seagate will also offer a model with 18 TB of storage space. This makes it not only the first NAS solution of this size, but also the first HDD of this size from Seagate. Even a look at the competition does not offer much in the way of comparability. So far only Western Digital has such NAS HDDs in its products especially for companies.
The performance
We have already clarified the storage space of 18 TB. But what else should the IronWolf Pro have on the box? Among other things, the NAS-HDD offers a rotation speed of 7,200 rpm. The model should be suitable for a maximum of 24 drive bays in the NAS. The specs here are the same as those of the 16 TB model. This also applies to the cache, which holds 256 MB, and the vibration sensors. Furthermore, the weight of 670 grams and the maximum volume of 32 decibels are in line with the specifications of the version with 16 TB memory. The only difference is the number of disks. While the somewhat small version has “only” 8 disks, the 18 TB version uses a proud 9 disks. Also the data density of the IronWolf Pro is supposed to be a bit higher with 18 TB.
No SMR, but CMR
Seagate will do without the so-called Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) in its latest model. Overlapping tracks are used for this. Instead, the IronWolf Pro uses classic CMR. This is to apply to the entire series of NAS-HDD. The competition from Western Digital relies on Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording for its 18 TB NAS-HDD. Seagate in turn does without this technology. What is hardly surprising is the increased power consumption compared to the smaller model with 16 TB. One reason for this is probably the ninth disk of the 18 TB NAS-HDD. While in idle mode almost 5.2 watts of power are required, the large HDD needs a proud 8 watts in active mode. The smaller model is satisfied with 5.0 or 7.6 watts. In terms of data transfer rate, both do not take much. The new version with 18 TB offers 260 MB/s, almost 5 MB more per second than its somewhat smaller predecessor.
Price and availability
Still in September the new IronWolf Pro with 18 TB is to come on the market. Whoever is interested in the huge NAS-HDD has to live with an RRP of a proud 580 Euro.
IronWolf (Pro) 125: Fast NAS SSD
Those who prefer speed to available memory will be happy with the IronWolf (Pro) 125. This SSD for NAS comes in the classic 2.5 inch format. Unfortunately, we do not know which controller the manufacturer uses here. When it comes to the memory type, we are dealing with 3D-TLC-NAND. This offers three bits per memory cell. The NAS-SSD is supposed to come on the market in two versions. The Pro version offers a BiCS3 cTLC as memory.
Performance
With the IronWolf (Pro) 125 you have the choice between different memory sizes. From 250 GB to 4 TB, Seagate offers different versions. The “normal” IronWolf 125 is supposed to score with a read speed of 560 MB/s and a write speed of 540 MB/s. This is quite confusing. After all, the Pro version offers “only” 545 MB/s and 520 MB/s respectively. But here you have to know that these are only short-term peak performances. What most probably distinguishes the Pro version are the permanently possible performances. Thus, the classic IronWolf 125 is slightly superior in sprinting, but the Pro version depends on it in endurance running. Unfortunately, due to the scarce data, it is not yet possible to make any further comparisons in this regard.
Different storage capacities
Another difference between the two versions becomes clear when you take a look at the memory capacities. Again, the Pro version is at a disadvantage at first glance. After all, with a usable memory of e.g. 3.84 TB in the largest version (4 TB), it offers less than the classic version. However, it offers a larger reserve memory, which will please many professional users. Also in terms of endurance the Pro is ahead of the pack. The IronWolf Pro 125 offers a total writing capacity (TBW) of 435 to 7,000 TB. In comparison, the classic IronWolf 125 “only” manages 300 to 5,600 TB.
Additional protection in the Pro version
If you are faced with the choice between IronWolf 125 or IronWolf Pro 125, you should also consider the special protection against data loss. Buyers of the Pro version are explicitly protected against data loss in the event of a power failure. Should it come to that, Seagate offers the Seagate Rescue Service (SRS). This service will take care of the recovery of the data in case of a defect. Starting with the purchase of the Pro version, this protection is retained for two years.
Prices and availability
All three models are now available in stores. The NAS-SSD IronWolf 125 can be purchased from 65 Euro for the 250 GB version. The 500 GB version is available at a price of 100 Euro. 1 TB costs 165 Euro. The two largest versions cost 300 Euro (2 TB) and 610 Euro (4 TB). For the Pro version you have to dig a little deeper into your pockets. This starts at 100 Euro for 240 GB. For 135 Euro you get 480 GB of storage space. 960 GB are available for 250 Euro. The version with 1.92 TB is available for 430 Euro. The largest version with 3.84 TB is available for 820 Euro.
