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SSHD (Hybrid-Festplatte)
In brief
An SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) is a hybrid hard drive: a classic magnetic hard drive with an additional small flash memory as a cache. The electronics often store frequently used data in the fast flash memory; the majority resides on the magnetic platters. When decommissioning, both types of storage must therefore be taken into account.
Structure and use
SSHDs combine the large capacity of an HDD with some of the speed of an SSD. Which data ends up in the flash memory is decided by the drive's firmware, not the user. SSHDs were widespread mainly in notebooks and desktop PCs before pure SSDs became cheaper. They therefore still turn up in decommissioned devices.
| Feature | HDD | SSHD | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Magnetic platters | Magnetic platters plus flash cache | Flash chips |
| Erasing | Overwriting, firmware commands | Firmware commands preferred, check both storage areas | Firmware commands, Crypto Erase |
What to note when retiring devices
The flash memory of an SSHD cannot be addressed directly by software from the outside. Simply overwriting the hard drive does not reliably cover it. Suitable are erasure methods that completely clean the drive via firmware commands, followed by verification. In physical destruction, an SSHD contains both magnetic platters and flash chips. Which methods are suitable is explained in our guide Securely erasing hard drives and SSDs.
Second IT erases HDDs and SSDs with Blancco and destroys data carriers that cannot be erased in-house in accordance with DIN 66399. The SSHD is not to be confused with "sshd", the server service for SSH connections on Linux.
Frequently asked questions about the SSHD
What is the difference between SSHD and SSD?
An SSD stores everything in flash chips. An SSHD is a hard drive with a small flash cache.
Can an SSHD be erased like a hard drive?
Only to a limited extent. The flash cache is not reliably covered when overwriting. Firmware-based methods with verification are better suited.
How do I recognize an SSHD?
By the label or data sheet of the drive, usually with entries such as "SSHD" or "Hybrid" and the size of the flash memory.
How is an SSHD physically destroyed?
An SSHD contains both magnetic platters and flash chips. Destruction must therefore cover both types of storage. Which level is necessary follows from the protection requirement of the data and the DIN 66399 standard.
Does the SSHD have anything to do with the Linux service sshd?
No. The spelling is only similar. An SSHD is a hybrid hard drive with magnetic platters and flash cache. The "sshd" service, by contrast, is the server service for SSH connections on Linux and has nothing to do with data carriers.
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