Dell 342-2100 2TB 7.2K RPM 3.5in SAS HD - Server Replacement Drive

Our review of the Dell 342-2100 2TB 7.2K RPM 3.5in SAS HD finds it best suited for IT shops and system administrators who need a dependable, OEM-compatible hot-plug drive for PowerEdge servers. The bottom line: this is a straightforward, genuine Dell 2TB SAS drive that replaces or expands storage in supported PE-series systems, and the included drive tray makes installation painless. For servers that require SAS reliability and standardized hot-swap support, the unit delivers expected enterprise behavior without unnecessary extras.

Key Features

• Genuine Dell part: The drive is an original Dell unit with part number 342-2100, which helps ensure firmware compatibility and predictable behavior in PowerEdge systems.
• 2TB capacity: At 2000GB, the drive provides a substantial single-disk increase in local capacity for databases, backups, or VM storage.
• 7200 RPM spindle: The 7,200 RPM speed balances performance and thermal efficiency for mixed server workloads compared with lower RPM archival disks.
• 6Gb/s SAS interface: The 6Gb/s SAS connection supports enterprise-grade throughput and is compatible with the hot-plug bays on many Dell servers and arrays.
• Hot-plug 3.5in form factor: Ships with the drive tray and fits standard PE-series hot-swap bays for quick replacement or addition without downtime.
• Wide model compatibility: Documented compatibility with many PowerEdge R and T series servers and some MD PowerVault arrays simplifies deployment planning.

Who It's For

This drive is primarily for IT professionals, data center technicians, and small business owners running Dell PowerEdge racks or towers who want a reliable, OEM-compatible 2TB SAS replacement or expansion drive. It suits environments that value predictable firmware behavior and the convenience of a drive delivered with the correct tray for hot-swap bays.

It is less appropriate for consumer desktop users who need SATA drives, or for environments demanding NVMe speeds or extremely high IOPS where flash would be a better choice. If a larger SSD pool or lower power mobile drives are required, look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuine Dell part number 342-2100 ensures compatibility and straightforward firmware behavior in supported PowerEdge servers.
• 2TB capacity offers a useful single-drive capacity boost for mixed workloads and storage consolidation.
• Includes the hot-swap 3.5in tray so the drive is ready to fit in PE-series bays without extra parts.
• 6Gb/s SAS interface and 7,200 RPM speed provide a balance of performance and enterprise reliability.

Cons

• As a 7,200 RPM mechanical disk, it will not match SSD endurance or raw IOPS for very high-performance databases.

Specifications

Brand	Dell
Part number	342-2100
Capacity	2TB (2000GB)
Form factor	3.5in hot-plug
Interface	SAS 6Gb/s
Rotational speed	7,200 RPM

Our Verdict

The Dell 342-2100 2TB SAS drive is a practical, value-oriented choice for administrators running compatible PowerEdge servers who need OEM compatibility and simple hot-swap installation. It delivers reliable mechanical performance and a useful 2TB capacity while avoiding compatibility headaches, making it a sensible buy when SSDs are not required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this drive fit my PowerEdge server?
The drive lists compatibility with many R and T series PowerEdge models and includes the hot-swap tray to fit standard 3.5in PE-series bays; verify your server model is on the compatibility list or supports SAS 3.5in hot-plug drives.

Is this an original Dell part?
Yes, this is sold as a genuine Dell drive with part number 342-2100 and ships with the matching drive tray for PE-series servers.

Is this drive suitable for high-performance databases?
It is a reliable mechanical SAS drive at 7,200 RPM; for very high IOPS or latency-sensitive databases, consider enterprise SSDs instead.