EMC 005032939 16GB 2.5" MLC MSATA 6Gbps Flash SSD for VMAX3 The part number EMC 005032939 refers to a specific 16GB 2.5" MLC mSATA 6Gbps Flash SSD designed for use within Dell EMC VMAX3 storage arrays. Here's a breakdown of what that means: EMC 005032939: This is the specific part number assigned by EMC (now Dell EMC) for this particular SSD. 16GB: This indicates the capacity of the solid-state drive. 2.5" MLC mSATA: 2.5": This refers to the standard form factor of the drive, meaning it's packaged in a housing that fits into 2.5-inch drive bays, common in enterprise storage. MLC (Multi-Level Cell): This describes the type of NAND flash memory used. MLC stores multiple bits per cell, offering a good balance of cost, performance, and endurance compared to SLC (Single-Level Cell) or TLC (Triple-Level Cell). mSATA: This is a miniature version of the SATA interface, often used for smaller SSDs. While the drive is in a 2.5" form factor, it contains an mSATA SSD module internally, which is then adapted to fit the 2.5" bay. 6Gbps (SATA III): This is the interface speed, indicating that it connects via SATA at 6 gigabits per second, which is common for SSDs. Some older listings might mention 3Gbps, but 6Gbps is the typical specification for modern VMAX3 drives. Flash SSD: Confirms it's a Solid State Drive, meaning it uses flash memory for storage instead of spinning platters like traditional hard drives. This provides much faster performance. For VMAX3: This is crucial. This drive is specifically designed and certified for use within Dell EMC's high-end VMAX3 enterprise storage arrays. These arrays are powerful, mission-critical storage systems used in large data centers. Purpose in VMAX3: A 16GB SSD in a large enterprise array like VMAX3 is typically not used for general data storage. Its small capacity suggests it's likely used for specialized functions, such as: Boot Disk: To store the operating system and essential firmware for the VMAX3 array controllers. This allows the controllers to boot up quickly and efficiently. System Cache or Metadata: While VMAX3 uses larger SSDs for caching user data, these smaller drives might be used for specific system metadata, logs, or as part of a smaller, dedicated cache tier for the array's internal operations. It's important to use only Dell EMC certified parts in VMAX3 arrays to ensure full functionality, compatibility, and support. Warranty: 60day