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An Introduction to Solid State Storage |
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This technology, though available for decades, is finding new ways of providing cost-effective solutions in a wide range of commercial and governmental information systems. These varied environments, often referred to collectively as enterprise applications, typically require higher performance, reliability, and capacity than demanded in consumer products such as music and video players, mobile phones, PCs, and laptops. Because enterprise-grade SSS accesses data directly from RAM or Flash chips, it can achieve far greater input and output data rates than conventional, magnetic storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDD). Today SSS products are available in a number of form factors (shapes and sizes) and solution types implemented at different points in the data path. Currently, vendors offer SSS products in the size and shape of adding cards that plug into server motherboards, HDD form factor modules inserted into existing servers and storage arrays, and stand-alone systems intended to be rack mounted alongside other storage media in a data centre. In the past, enterprise SSS solutions have been mostly RAM-based, with batteries and back-up HDDs to ensure data persistence. More recently, NAND Flash-based SSS has been introduced into the marketplace as manufacturers have learned to make it reliable and fast enough to meet enterprise needs. Recognising the dramatically escalating interest in SSS, and thus an increased need for accurate technology information, education, and standards development, the SNIA recently formed a new body, the Solid State Storage Initiative (SSSI). Many educational articles, presentations, and tutorials are being developed and made available to the public by the SSSI to fulfil its mission of fostering the growth and success of SSS in both commercial and consumer environments. In 2008 some standardisation efforts related to Flash SSS in other standards bodies began, and the SNIA SSSI formed the SSS Technical Working Group (TWG) to complement these other standards activities and provide system level standards related to SSS, capitalising on SNIA’s expertise in storage systems. No matter how the future of SSS plays out, the SNIA and its SSS Initiative and TWG will play an important role. The ultimate goal is to further the interests in SSS through education, standards development, and overall promotion of appropriate SSS deployment. The group will be a resource to end users and the SSS community in defining, testing, and refining the rapidly developing this market.
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Solid state data storage is gaining significant acceptance. Storage based on Random Access Memory (RAM) and Flash chips instead of mechanical hard disk drives is earning much greater attention by meeting the market requirements for reliability, performance, and cost more effectively than ever before. Additionally, the surge in consumer electronics sales has increased awareness of Flash in particular and solid state storage (SSS) solutions in general.