During capacity planning you observe that the OLTP log volume on a new database server will overwrite the entire capacity of each 2.5-inch SAS SSD about nine times every 24 hours. The vendor catalog lists three endurance classes:
Read Intensive - up to 1 DWPD Mixed Use - up to 3 DWPD Write Intensive - up to 10 DWPD
Which class of SSD should you deploy so the workload stays within the drive's rated wear limits for the planned five-year service life?
Drive writes per day (DWPD) specifies how many full-drive writes an SSD can absorb each day during its warranty. Industry guidance places read-intensive drives at roughly 1 DWPD, mixed-use at about 3 DWPD, and write-intensive models at around 10 DWPD. A workload that reaches nine full-drive writes every day would immediately exceed the 1 DWPD and 3 DWPD limits, leading to accelerated cell wear and premature failure. A write-intensive drive rated for approximately 10 DWPD is designed for heavy, constant writes like database logging and keeps the cumulative program/erase cycles within the manufacturer's guarantee. Capacity-optimized QLC products are typically rated below one DWPD and would wear out even faster under this load.
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What does DWPD mean in SSD endurance?
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Why would using an SSD with insufficient DWPD cause premature failure?
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What workload scenarios are write-intensive SSDs best suited for?