Backblaze Drive Stats for Server and Storage Qualification
Reference: https://www.backblaze.com/blog/backblaze-drive-stats-for-q3-2024/
1. Purpose of Using Backblaze Data
Backblaze operates tens of thousands of drives in data centers and publishes quarterly reliability data. These datasets help organizations evaluate HDD reliability in real-world, high-load environments. The goal is to use these statistics to make evidence-based choices for servers, NAS, and archival storage.
2. How to Use the Data for Informed Decisions
Step 1: Download Historical Data
- Visit the Backblaze Drive Stats Archive.
- Download the CSV datasets for each quarter and the accompanying PDF summaries.
- Store them in your internal Wiki or documentation system for reference and trend analysis.
Step 2: Analyze Key Metrics
Use spreadsheet tools or Python scripts to process the following fields:
- Model and Manufacturer (e.g., Seagate ST16000NM001G)
- Drive Count – number of units tested
- Drive Days – cumulative operational time
- Annualized Failure Rate (AFR) – observed failure probability per year
- Average Age – indicates maturity and reliability over time
Step 3: Evaluate by Category
| Drive Use Case | Ideal AFR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mission-Critical Storage (ZFS, Enterprise NAS) | < 1% | Prioritize proven models with >1M drive days |
| General Purpose / Backup Storage | < 2% | Balance cost and reliability |
| Archive / Cold Storage | < 3% | Accept higher AFR, focus on capacity per dollar |
Step 4: Summarize Trends by Brand
Aggregate the AFR data across quarters to identify consistent performers.
| Brand | Observed Trend (Q3 2024) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| HGST / Western Digital Ultrastar | Low AFR (~0.5% average) | Consistently strong reliability in enterprise tiers |
| Seagate Exos / IronWolf | Moderate AFR (~1.2%) | High capacity models improving, but some lots show spikes |
| Toshiba MG Series | Low to mid AFR (~0.7%) | Competitive reliability; smaller dataset but strong trend |
| WDC / Consumer Models | Higher AFR (>2%) | Not ideal for 24/7 workloads |
Step 5: Apply to Procurement
When qualifying HDDs for servers:
- Select models with proven historical reliability (low AFR, large sample size).
- Verify batch consistency and firmware revisions before large orders.
- Combine Backblaze AFR data with vendor specifications for workload rating, vibration tolerance, and power draw.
Step 6: Update Regularly
Include quarterly updates in your Wiki, adding:
- Download link to the latest PDF (e.g., Q3 2024)
- Table of AFR trends per brand and capacity range
- Notes on any anomaly or large-scale failure trend
3. Example Wiki Section Layout
Page Title: HDD Reliability Qualification
Sections:
- Q3 2024 Backblaze Report (PDF)
- Historical Data: CSV and PDF Links
- Summary of Brand Reliability Trends
- Recommended Models (AFR < 1%)
- Procurement and Burn-In SOP
4. Actionable Takeaways
- Use Backblaze AFR as an empirical complement to manufacturer MTBF figures.
- Favor drives with >1M drive days for statistically relevant reliability data.
- Keep a rolling 2-year summary of AFR trends for vendor comparison.
- Perform local burn-in tests before production deployment.
- Document and review changes quarterly to align procurement with real-world performance.
End of Document