• Overview: For the past few years, the article has been looking at hard disk reliability numbers from Backblaze. Now, it focuses on Backblaze's Storage Pods systems. The first design in 2009 had 45 1.5TB disks in a 4U box at about 12¢ per gigabyte. Different iterations used various internal designs but stuck to 45 disks per box. The new sixth-generation design breaks this setup by adding 15 more disks using extra controllers and port multipliers, resulting in 60 disks.
• Hardware Details: It uses the same Ivy Bridge Xeon processor and 32GB RAM as version 5. The new system is a bit longer, overhanging the back of the rack by about four inches but is packed with storage.
• Cost and Disk Options: Backblaze gets a 20% discount on disks due to bulk purchases. With 4TB Seagate disks (with decent reliability), a Pod costs $8,734, resulting in a per gigabyte price of 3.6¢ (2.5p). Paying retail price for the hard drives makes the price $10,364 (4.3¢/GB). 8TB disks would increase storage density but at a higher cost per gigabyte.
• Sales Model: Backblaze doesn't sell the Storage Pods itself. It publishes CAD diagrams and other manufacturing information. At least one company sells bare, disk-free Pods for $5,950, and users can add their own drives.