CX3-20 Replacement Hard Drives

Hi there,

Like many of you and with the end of life replacements for the Barracuda ES.2, 1 TB, 7200 rpm, SATA, ST31000340NS, I am stuck trying to source a compatible replacement for my CX3-20.

There is a bit of speculation as to whether these drives may be replaced at all, even the Constallation ES.3 replacement equivalents are incompatible. Surprising because this is the market equivalent for an end of life drive. Not surprising because this apparently the ES.3 have a different count of platters, seeking needles, R/W speeds, et:

Seagate Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD Constellation ES.3 Review | StorageReview.com - Storage Reviews

Have you found a replacement drive for the above? and if so what brand and model is this.

Otherwise, have you used the on-board plc onto standard; factory ES.2 drive without EMC firmware. I have not been able to answer whether the firmware is on the board is on the HDD plc directly or whether the daughter interface card does all the work as far as the array identifying the drive.

I will be looking to further investigate this and would like to call for an idea exchange, george.ene (at) licoln (dot) ac (dot) nz if you would like to get in touch.