Review of White Label 4TB drives

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Chuckleb

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Mar 5, 2013
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Manufacturer Label: Mediamax
Model: WL4000GSA6472E
Equivalent to: WD4000FYYZ
eBay Seller: goharddrive
Price range: $134.99-144.99

Ebay link:
New 4TB 64MB Cache 7200RPM Enterprise Grade SATA 6 0Gb s 3 5" Hard Drive | eBay

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So I've ordered at least 120 of these drives now and they are currently in various burn-in stages and should go into production next week. After a few more weeks, assuming all goes well, we'll order another round. Overall, I am liking these drives so far and would recommend.

Testing:
We shoved all the drives in 36 bay Supermicro chassis and LSI 9280 cards and built out 3x12 disk RAID-0 configurations. From there, we would monitor the LSI card for errors as well as the system logs. For testing, we ran both a patrol scan on all the disks as well as a ---- badblocks -p 100 -w -v /dev/sdb ---- just to make the system do lots of reading and writing. If you have other good testing methodologies, feel free to tell me.

This process also prompted me to start documenting the tools that I am using and building more. They are available at: chuckleb/linuxdisktools · GitHub. It's a bit barren right now but I'll be writing up some in the next few weeks.

Reliability:
Of all the drives we have had, about 2 failed (dropped out of a RAID array) and 2 have media errors after about 4 days of testing. About 4 have shown signs of bus resets or unexpected sense errors, though I cannot attribute them directly to the drives. We've had a couple of slots on our test system that need to be re-validated. I would say about an overall ~4% failure rate out of the box, probably similar to any other vendor.

These drives are pairing up at 6Gb/s to the slots, have all the features of the RE drives, and the LSI cards like them. I've had dropouts using desktop drives and green drives on the LSI cards, this doesn't seem to happen.

The drives have a one-year warranty and the vendor is very willing to exchange, prepaid return label as well.

Pricing:
The prices have swung around in the past 2 months from a low of $135 to a current $145. This could be due to supply or they are just testing the market, but they have a large stock of them as far as I can tell. I suggest asking for a bulk discount. Credit card or Paypal only, they won't do a purchase order :(

Shipping:
They arrived well packaged, for small orders (<5 drives), they were in anti-static bags and wrapped in multiple layers of pink bubble-wrap. In the large orders, they were in the 20-pack drive boxes and also an interesting 32-drive box , all sealed nicely. The boxes all had adequate protection and nothing moved when we shook the boxes.

Seller communications:
Wonderful. Jackie is the rep that I have been working with and she's helped me bulk order as well as arrange for returns. Absolutely flawless support, answers questions clearly and prompt response.

Edit: 3 dead drives out of 125 so about 2.5% fail rate. All failed during initial tests.

 
Last edited:

Chuntzu

Active Member
Jun 30, 2013
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Great write up, and very useful to find how enterprise guys are breaking in the drives. I have been looking for this type of info for a long time. Thank you. Time to breaking 24 nl-sas drives and 48 old 400gb data drives and see which ones are still working.
 

Chuckleb

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Mar 5, 2013
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Can't say that this is the method others are using but it seems to kick the drives out pretty quickly. I have a whole stack that I need to run through this as well. Also trying to see if I can parse SMART for cases where I don't have an LSI card to get errors from.
 

MiniKnight

Well-Known Member
Mar 30, 2012
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You make me think about buying some of these. What do the SMART values like power on hours look like when you get them? I'm interested to see if these are "new" drives or drives where WD took an RMA, decided drive was good then resold as white label. I guess WD could reset SMART values too but meh.
 

Chuckleb

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Mar 5, 2013
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I'm getting in a batch of 10 tomorrow and will pull POH before we send them to get installed. Here are the ones that I've been running on and testing. Unfortunately the LSI card gets in the way of SMART queries.
Code:
[root@workbench ~]# lsscsi | grep WL4000
[0:0:0:0]    disk    ATA      WL4000GSA6472E   1K01  /dev/sda 
[0:0:1:0]    disk    ATA      WL4000GSA6472E   1K01  /dev/sdb 
[4:0:0:0]    disk    ATA      WL4000GSA6472E   01.0  /dev/sdd 
[root@workbench ~]# smartctl --all /dev/sda | grep Power_On_Hours
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       329
[root@workbench ~]# smartctl --all /dev/sdb | grep Power_On_Hours
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       120
[root@workbench ~]# smartctl --all /dev/sdd | grep Power_On_Hours
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       263

[root@workbench ~]# smartctl --all /dev/sdb
smartctl 5.43 2012-06-30 r3573 [x86_64-linux-2.6.32-431.20.3.el6.x86_64] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-12 by Bruce Allen, http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net

=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Device Model:     WL4000GSA6472E
Serial Number:    WOL240284445
LU WWN Device Id: 5 0014ee 25d5a6979
Firmware Version: 01.01K01
User Capacity:    4,000,787,030,016 bytes [4.00 TB]
Sector Size:      512 bytes logical/physical
Device is:        Not in smartctl database [for details use: -P showall]
ATA Version is:   8
ATA Standard is:  Exact ATA specification draft version not indicated
Local Time is:    Mon Jul 14 19:59:59 2014 CDT
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled

=== START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION ===
SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED

General SMART Values:
Offline data collection status:  (0x80) Offline data collection activity
                                        was never started.
                                        Auto Offline Data Collection: Enabled.
Self-test execution status:      (   0) The previous self-test routine completed
                                        without error or no self-test has ever 
                                        been run.
Total time to complete Offline 
data collection:                (46260) seconds.
Offline data collection
capabilities:                    (0x7b) SMART execute Offline immediate.
                                        Auto Offline data collection on/off support.
                                        Suspend Offline collection upon new
                                        command.
                                        Offline surface scan supported.
                                        Self-test supported.
                                        Conveyance Self-test supported.
                                        Selective Self-test supported.
SMART capabilities:            (0x0003) Saves SMART data before entering
                                        power-saving mode.
                                        Supports SMART auto save timer.
Error logging capability:        (0x01) Error logging supported.
                                        General Purpose Logging supported.
Short self-test routine 
recommended polling time:        (   2) minutes.
Extended self-test routine
recommended polling time:        ( 500) minutes.
Conveyance self-test routine
recommended polling time:        (   5) minutes.
SCT capabilities:              (0x70bd) SCT Status supported.
                                        SCT Error Recovery Control supported.
                                        SCT Feature Control supported.
                                        SCT Data Table supported.

SMART Attributes Data Structure revision number: 16
Vendor Specific SMART Attributes with Thresholds:
ID# ATTRIBUTE_NAME          FLAG     VALUE WORST THRESH TYPE      UPDATED  WHEN_FAILED RAW_VALUE
  1 Raw_Read_Error_Rate     0x002f   200   200   051    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  3 Spin_Up_Time            0x0027   193   167   021    Pre-fail  Always       -       9333
  4 Start_Stop_Count        0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       11
  5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct   0x0033   200   200   140    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
  7 Seek_Error_Rate         0x002e   100   253   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       120
 10 Spin_Retry_Count        0x0032   100   253   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
 11 Calibration_Retry_Count 0x0032   100   253   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
 12 Power_Cycle_Count       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       10
183 Runtime_Bad_Block       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
192 Power-Off_Retract_Count 0x0032   200   200   000    Old_age   Always       -       9
193 Load_Cycle_Count        0x0032   200   200   000    Old_age   Always       -       1
194 Temperature_Celsius     0x0022   119   093   000    Old_age   Always       -       33
196 Reallocated_Event_Count 0x0032   200   200   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
197 Current_Pending_Sector  0x0032   200   200   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
198 Offline_Uncorrectable   0x0030   100   253   000    Old_age   Offline      -       0
199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count    0x0032   200   200   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
200 Multi_Zone_Error_Rate   0x0008   100   253   000    Old_age   Offline      -       0

SMART Error Log Version: 1
No Errors Logged

SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1
Num  Test_Description    Status                  Remaining  LifeTime(hours)  LBA_of_first_error
# 1  Short offline       Completed without error       00%       105         -

SMART Selective self-test log data structure revision number 1
 SPAN  MIN_LBA  MAX_LBA  CURRENT_TEST_STATUS
    1        0        0  Not_testing
    2        0        0  Not_testing
    3        0        0  Not_testing
    4        0        0  Not_testing
    5        0        0  Not_testing
Selective self-test flags (0x0):
  After scanning selected spans, do NOT read-scan remainder of disk.
If Selective self-test is pending on power-up, resume after 0 minute delay.
 

Chuckleb

Moderator
Mar 5, 2013
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Let me give you the output from hdparm as well.

Code:
[root@workbench ~]# hdparm -I /dev/sdb

/dev/sdb:

ATA device, with non-removable media
        Model Number:       WL4000GSA6472E                         
        Serial Number:      WOL240284445
        Firmware Revision:  01.01K01
        Transport:          Serial, SATA 1.0a, SATA II Extensions, SATA Rev 2.5, SATA Rev 2.6, SATA Rev 3.0
Standards:
        Supported: 8 7 6 5
        Likely used: 8
Configuration:
        Logical         max     current
        cylinders       16383   16383
        heads           16      16
        sectors/track   63      63
        --
        CHS current addressable sectors:   16514064
        LBA    user addressable sectors:  268435455
        LBA48  user addressable sectors: 7814037168
        Logical/Physical Sector size:           512 bytes
        device size with M = 1024*1024:     3815447 MBytes
        device size with M = 1000*1000:     4000787 MBytes (4000 GB)
        cache/buffer size  = unknown
        Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 7200
Capabilities:
        LBA, IORDY(can be disabled)
        Queue depth: 32
        Standby timer values: spec'd by Standard, with device specific minimum
        R/W multiple sector transfer: Max = 16  Current = 0
        Advanced power management level: 128
        DMA: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5 *udma6
             Cycle time: min=120ns recommended=120ns
        PIO: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
             Cycle time: no flow control=120ns  IORDY flow control=120ns
Commands/features:
        Enabled Supported:
           *    SMART feature set
                Security Mode feature set
           *    Power Management feature set
           *    Write cache
           *    Look-ahead
           *    Host Protected Area feature set
           *    WRITE_BUFFER command
           *    READ_BUFFER command
           *    NOP cmd
           *    DOWNLOAD_MICROCODE
           *    Advanced Power Management feature set
                Power-Up In Standby feature set
           *    SET_FEATURES required to spinup after power up
                SET_MAX security extension
           *    48-bit Address feature set
           *    Device Configuration Overlay feature set
           *    Mandatory FLUSH_CACHE
           *    FLUSH_CACHE_EXT
           *    SMART error logging
           *    SMART self-test
           *    General Purpose Logging feature set
           *    WRITE_{DMA|MULTIPLE}_FUA_EXT
           *    64-bit World wide name
           *    IDLE_IMMEDIATE with UNLOAD
           *    WRITE_UNCORRECTABLE_EXT command
           *    {READ,WRITE}_DMA_EXT_GPL commands
           *    Segmented DOWNLOAD_MICROCODE
                unknown 119[7]
           *    Gen1 signaling speed (1.5Gb/s)
           *    Gen2 signaling speed (3.0Gb/s)
           *    Gen3 signaling speed (6.0Gb/s)
           *    Native Command Queueing (NCQ)
           *    Phy event counters
           *    Idle-Unload when NCQ is active
           *    NCQ priority information
           *    unknown 76[15]
                DMA Setup Auto-Activate optimization
           *    Software settings preservation
           *    SMART Command Transport (SCT) feature set
           *    SCT Write Same (AC2)
           *    SCT Error Recovery Control (AC3)
           *    SCT Features Control (AC4)
           *    SCT Data Tables (AC5)
                unknown 206[7]
                unknown 206[12] (vendor specific)
                unknown 206[13] (vendor specific)
                unknown 206[14] (vendor specific)
Security:
        Master password revision code = 65534
                supported
        not     enabled
        not     locked
        not     frozen
        not     expired: security count
                supported: enhanced erase
        490min for SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 490min for ENHANCED SECURITY ERASE UNIT.
Logical Unit WWN Device Identifier: 50014ee25d5a6979
        NAA             : 5
        IEEE OUI        : 0014ee
        Unique ID       : 25d5a6979
Checksum: correct
[root@workbench ~]#
 

MiniKnight

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Mar 30, 2012
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Must say that I am unimpressed by WDC's website. Provides no useful information. The drives seem to match up and the firmware seems current/correct.

Western Digital WD4000FYYZ
I'm with ya on the WDC site not being too useful. The ebay auction says 1.4lb each. The WDC link is 1.66lbs.

Are you able to spin down drives when not used? That would save much power I'd imagine.
 

Chuckleb

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Mar 5, 2013
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1.658 lbs each according to my postage scale. It may weigh less when empty, the 0's are hollow in the middle like empty calories.

Yes, the drives spin down just fine through the LSI card. Assuming that I trust what the LSI card says, but mine shows my 2 GHS drives spun down right now at home.
 
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smccloud

Member
Jun 4, 2013
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So wish I could afford new drives right now. Although I might try to convince the wife on the 2TB Enterprise ones they have since my Greens are dying (thank god for RAID-z2)
 

Chuckleb

Moderator
Mar 5, 2013
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Spiffy! You can always email and ask for discounted if buying bulk.

Wanted to mention that they are running out of then until the next batch. I had emailed to get a large order in. I am holding off for a few weeks until they restock, leaving the drives for you all to buy :). We aren't in a hurry yet...
 

bds1904

Active Member
Aug 30, 2013
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I also have been using go hard drive for quite a while.

My latest purchase was 10 2tb drives for 57.95 a piece over 2 shipments. 3 were damaged in shipping, someone forgot to add the extra bubble wrap. This was the first time I have had any trouble. Drives were shipped back with a free shipping label, 5 business days from ship of defective drives to receipt of replacement drives.

Better return policy and service than any vendor I have ever delt with.
 

Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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Back in Jakarta from Bali and about 30 more hours of flying left. I might buy a few just for NAS testing as an alternative to the lower speed NAS drives.