Seagate
Seagate Exos X20z ST20000NM001J 20TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" internal hard drive
20 TB SATA 6.0 Gb/s 7200 RPM 3.5" host-managed SMR drive with 256 MB cache for sequential write-intensive workloads
- Capacity20TB
- RPM7200 RPM
- InterfaceSATA 6.0Gb/s
- Cache256MB
- Recording TechnologySMR
- Form Factor3.5"
- Massive 20TB capacity stores vast bulk data
- 7200 RPM spindle enables fast data access
- SATA 6.0Gb/s interface provides high-speed connectivity
- Host-managed SMR maximises storage efficiency
- 256MB cache enhances data handling reliability
20 TB host-managed SMR drive
The Seagate Exos X20z ST20000NM001J is a 20 TB 3.5-inch internal hard drive spinning at 7200 RPM on a SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface. It uses host-managed shingled magnetic recording with a 256 MB cache and is built for continuous 24/7 operation in enterprise environments.
Suited for sequential write workloads
This drive fits data centres and bulk-storage arrays that can manage SMR zones directly in software. It is not for general desktop use, boot drives or random-access databases that need conventional magnetic recording. Builders without host-aware file systems or object-store layers should look elsewhere.
Standard 3.5-inch SATA installation
The drive mounts in any 3.5-inch bay with standard SATA data and power cables. No special drivers are required, but the host must implement zone management for the SMR layout; treating it as a regular block device will cause severe write stalls and premature wear. Zone-aware software is the only common pitfall.
Highlights
- Massive 20TB capacity stores vast bulk data
- 7200 RPM spindle enables fast data access
- SATA 6.0Gb/s interface provides high-speed connectivity
- Host-managed SMR maximises storage efficiency
- 256MB cache enhances data handling reliability
Specifications
| Brand | Seagate |
|---|---|
| Series | Exos X20z |
| Model | ST20000NM001J |
| Part Number | 2U6101-114 |
| Capacity | 20TB |
| RPM | 7200 RPM |
| Interface | SATA 6.0Gb/s |
| Cache | 256MB |
| Recording Technology | SMR |
| Form Factor | 3.5" |
| Features | Host-Managed SMR |
Questions about this item
What host software or controller is required to manage the SMR zones on this Exos X20z drive?
The ST20000NM001J uses Host-Managed SMR technology, so the operating system or application must implement the ZBC/ZAC command set to control the sequential write zones.
Will this 20TB SMR drive work in a standard RAID controller that expects conventional drives?
Most hardware RAID controllers treat the drive as a normal block device and cannot issue the zone commands that Host-Managed SMR requires, so performance will degrade or the array may fail.
How can I verify the drive is correctly handling sequential write zones after installation?
Use a zone-aware tool such as libzbc or smartctl to report the zone type and write-pointer position; sequential zones should show an advancing write pointer after each write.
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