Dell 960GB 2.5-inch SATA 6Gbps SSD — CDC61

Here is a 960GB SSD for 2.5-inch SATA bays, identified by Dell part number CDC61 (Micron manufactured), maker model MTFDDAK960TDS. It connects at 6Gbps.

Look-alike parts can differ in revision, and the Dell part number is what tells them apart. As a Dell-labelled drive it carries Dell firmware, matching what PowerEdge servers and PowerVault arrays are set up to use. Keeping a spare drive per array shortens the time an array runs degraded after a failure. Most server RAID controllers accept SATA drives, as do plain SATA ports. Dell-labelled drives are intended for PowerEdge servers and PowerVault arrays with 2.5-inch SATA bays. Flash endurance is finite, so pick the drive class by write load: read-mostly volumes and write-heavy databases call for different ratings. It uses 512e sectors (4K physical, 512-byte emulated), which current RAID controllers and operating systems handle natively. Check CDC61 against the service configuration of your Dell system before ordering.

Sold as certified refurbished, the drive passes inspection and a bench test, and has its storage wiped, in Johannesburg before release.