Product Overview
The Seagate ST18000NM004J is an 18TB enterprise hard drive from the Seagate Exos X18 family, designed for high-capacity storage in data centres, enterprise servers, and compatible SAS storage systems. With a 3.5-inch form factor, 12Gb/s SAS interface, 7200RPM rotational speed, and 256MB cache, it provides substantial storage capacity for demanding business environments.
This drive uses conventional magnetic recording (CMR) and a helium-sealed design. It is the standard SAS model with support for Seagate FastFormat technology, which allows compatible drives to be configured for supported 512e or 4Kn sector formats. The ST18000NM004J is not the self-encrypting ST18000NM005J or the SED-FIPS ST18000NM007J variant.
Key Features
- 18TB storage capacity: Provides high-density storage for enterprise data, business applications, and large storage repositories.
- 12Gb/s SAS interface: Designed for compatible enterprise SAS controllers, servers, and storage enclosures.
- 7200RPM rotational speed: Supports workloads that require consistent access to stored data.
- 256MB cache: Helps manage data transfers during read and write operations.
- CMR recording technology: Uses conventional magnetic recording for enterprise storage workloads.
- FastFormat support: Allows supported sector-format configuration for compatible storage environments.
- Helium-sealed design: Supports the drive's high-capacity internal architecture.
- Enterprise storage features: Includes PowerChoice, PowerBalance, SuperParity, and hot-plug support in compatible systems.
- Dual-port SAS connectivity: Supports compatible enterprise storage architectures that use dual-port SAS drives.
Recommended Applications
- Enterprise servers and data centre infrastructure
- Compatible SAS storage arrays and disk enclosures
- High-capacity business data repositories
- Large-scale backup and archival storage
- Enterprise virtualisation and centralised storage systems
- Bulk data storage and high-capacity storage pools
Performance and Recording Technology
The Exos X18 family is designed for enterprise environments that require high storage density and dependable operation. The 7200RPM spindle speed, 256MB cache, and 12Gb/s SAS interface support data-intensive storage applications. Actual performance depends on workload, access patterns, controller configuration, and the wider storage system.
CMR recording is suitable for conventional enterprise storage workloads. The drive supports 512e and 4Kn sector formats through FastFormat, subject to the drive configuration and host-system requirements. Changing the sector format can erase existing data, so back up important information before reconfiguration.
Compatibility Information
The ST18000NM004J is a 3.5-inch SAS hard drive, not a SATA drive. It requires a compatible 12Gb/s SAS host controller, backplane, or enterprise storage enclosure. Before installation, confirm that the system supports 18TB drives, the required sector format, the drive carrier, and any relevant firmware requirements.
SAS and SATA interfaces are not directly interchangeable in every system. Check the server or storage-array manufacturer's compatibility list before ordering, particularly when replacing a drive in an existing RAID array.
Reliability and Enterprise Features
The Exos X18 family is rated for an MTBF of 2.5 million hours and a workload rate of up to 550TB per year under Seagate's specified conditions. These are manufacturer ratings and do not guarantee an individual drive's lifespan or failure rate.
PowerChoice provides power-management options, while PowerBalance is designed to balance power consumption and performance. SuperParity and other enterprise features support the drive's intended data-centre environment. Feature availability and behaviour depend on compatible system configuration.
DC Supplies Product Note
The Seagate ST18000NM004J is intended for buyers requiring 18TB of enterprise storage through a SAS interface. Confirm the full model number before purchase, especially when replacing an existing drive. The ST18000NM005J and ST18000NM007J have different security configurations, so choose the exact variant required by your storage environment.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Brand | Seagate |
| Part Number MPN | ST18000NM004J |
| Product Type | Internal enterprise hard disk drive |
| Product Family | Exos X18 |
| Storage Capacity | 18TB |
| Form Factor | 3.5-inch |
| Interface | 12Gb/s SAS |
| Rotational Speed | 7200RPM |
| Cache | 256MB |
| Recording Technology | Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) |
| Sector Formats | 512e / 4Kn through supported FastFormat configuration |
| Drive Construction | Helium-sealed |
| Security Variant | Standard model; not SED or SED-FIPS |
| SAS Ports | Dual-port |
| Maximum Sustained Transfer Rate | Up to approximately 270MB/s, depending on workload |
| Average Latency | 4.16ms |
| Power Management | PowerChoice |
| Power/Performance Technology | PowerBalance |
| Data Protection Feature | SuperParity |
| Hot-Plug Support | Supported in compatible systems |
| Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 2.5 million hours |
| Annualized Workload Rate | Up to 550TB per year |
| Annualized Failure Rate | Manufacturer-rated 0.35% |
| Nonrecoverable Read Errors | Rated at 1 sector per 1015 bits read |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 26.1 × 101.85 × 147mm maximum |
| Weight | Approximately 670g maximum |
| Limited Warranty | 5 years, subject to manufacturer terms and eligibility |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the capacity of the Seagate ST18000NM004J?
This drive offers 18TB of nominal storage capacity for enterprise and high-capacity storage applications.
2. Is the ST18000NM004J a SAS or SATA drive?
It is a 12Gb/s SAS drive and requires compatible SAS host hardware. It is not a SATA model.
3. Is this model self-encrypting?
No. The ST18000NM004J is the standard model. ST18000NM005J is the self-encrypting variant, while ST18000NM007J is the SED-FIPS variant.
4. Does the drive support 4Kn sector formatting?
Yes. The drive supports 512e and 4Kn configurations through FastFormat. Confirm host compatibility and back up data before changing the sector format, as reconfiguration can erase existing data.
5. Can I use this drive in a desktop computer?
Only if the computer has compatible SAS hardware, suitable mounting and power connections, and support for 18TB drives. Most standard desktop motherboards provide SATA rather than SAS connectivity.
6. Is the ST18000NM004J suitable for enterprise servers?
Yes. It is designed for enterprise storage environments, provided the server or storage array supports its SAS interface, capacity, sector format, and other requirements.
