user1010101

On the Future of Networks and Moving Data Centers

By the way Mark - Your datacenterpulse website is great - love the information you make available here. Thankyou for opening that up to those interested in learning/keep up to date with data center technology!

On the Future of Networks and Moving Data Centers

Thanks Mark, that was helpful.

My understanding of the SSD argument is that $/IOPS is very favorable and the in Tier0 of the array, this is more important than $/Gb. I agree with you that you wont see SSD technology replacing SATA drivers in the 3rd Teir of a storage array but I do believe areas that require high IOPS will need to move to SSD technology.
My logic is that you can't simply run RAID 0 devices and short stroke 15,000 rmp drives any longer. This technology simply doesn't keep up with demand. Given that an SSD can replace multiple HDD's in this part of the array, I believe that we will see further enhancements to EMC's "FAST" (fully automated storage tiering) software.

The drives that are used in these arrays are not your typical MLC NAND memory but instead the SLC (more expensive) NAND. I know intel and I believe micron are close to coming out with a SSD that is 3bits per cell (MLC is 2 bits and SLC is 1) that will drive down cost even further.

Ryan


On Sep 29 08:12 PM mthiele wrote:

> Ryan,
>
> You're absolutely correct, it was a generic answer and don't worry
> you're not rude.
>
> So, I'll attempt to take up the challenge and offer something meaningful.
>
>
> As much as I like SSD there are several things that will keep it
> out of mainstream for the next 3-5 years.
> - Price per GB (while they don't have to be as cheap as regular disk
> they have to be a lot closer. Currently they are about 4X.
> - SSDs tend to deteriorate and lose cells, like other flash media.
> So for traditional environments this would be an unacceptable overhead.
>
> - Best option is for high volume environments where maintaining the
> data isn't the issue, but rather speed is the benefit.
> - I believe that SSD has a place in most storage environments, but
> you should be careful about defining the hierarchy.
> - Lastly, I hope they continue to make progress on MTBF and on price,
> because I really like the potential for power savings. However, right
> now power savings won't be the driver for a purchase.
>
> Regards,
> Mark

On the Future of Networks and Moving Data Centers

Not to be rude to Mark, but that was a very generic response that many are claiming. The SSD technology is already being used in the first Teir IBM and EMC storage arrays. I was curious if people are actually seeing the performance that is expected out of these devices and if the extra $$$ are worth it.

Do you know anyone that what have direct insight into the use of SSD technology in 2009/2010 storage arrays?

Thanks for the fast response!


On Sep 29 03:03 PM Gregory Ness wrote:

> User:
>
> Thanks for the question. I didn't know the answer so I forwarded
> it to Mark Thiele wo did. Here is his answer:
>
> "If we look at available disk technology today we'll see that spinning
> disk is reaching a plateau of capability. Size is great, but performance
> can't keep up. The impact of this trend in disk is that we will have
> enormous capacity, but potentially reduced performance with higher
> overhead. While in the SSD market the technology is still fairly
> new, and we can expect to see continued rapid improvements in size,
> performance and cost. I believe we can expect to see the application
> of Moore's Law to this new branch of technology in the storage family
> of products. Lastly SSD is generally more efficient from a power
> perspective, so we can expect to see a strong drive in this direction
> going forward."
>
> Thanks!
> Greg

On the Future of Networks and Moving Data Centers

Greg:

I was curious if you had any insight into the use of SSD's in the data center - your insight into their application.

Thanks,

Ryan