Flash memory
This topics page includes the latest news, tips and tricks for flash memory topics. Learn about the many types of flash memory, including non-volatile memory, NAND and NOR flash, and the solid-state drives powered by NAND memory. Flash is increasingly becoming a fundamental part of enterprise storage. And keep up with new developments such as NVMe, Optane and 3D XPoint.
Top Stories
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Feature
07 Jul 2023
SAS vs. NVMe: The future of 2 key storage interfaces
In SAS vs. NVMe, both interfaces play significant roles in enterprise storage. See how they stack up in terms of performance, scalability, flexibility and manageability. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2023
QLC vs. TLC SSDs: Which is best for your storage needs?
QLC flash memory is best for most read-intensive workloads, while TLC is suited to write-dominant workloads. Discover how QLC vs. TLC NAND are coexisting in the data center. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jun 2023
5 NAND flash manufacturers balance performance, reliability
NAND flash manufacturers Kioxia, Micron, Samsung, SK Hynix and Western Digital offer varying levels of capacity. They also provide an assortment of uses. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jun 2023
Evaluate flash memory advantages and disadvantages
Flash memory and solid-state devices have revolutionized storage, but to deploy them effectively, you must understand their advantages and disadvantages. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Mar 2022
SSD vs. SSHD vs. HDD: Which one is best?
Hybrid drives promise fast, cost-effective performance for primary and secondary storage. Here's what you need to know about the benefits and drawbacks compared to SSDs and HDDs. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Nov 2021
solid-state
Solid-state is a common descriptor used to refer to electronic components, devices and systems based entirely on semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium or gallium arsenide. Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2021
MemVerge takes Big Memory to the cloud
MemVerge Big Memory Cloud makes stateful applications portable so that they can be moved from on premises to private clouds to public clouds. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Oct 2021
non-volatile storage (NVS)
Non-volatile storage (NVS) is a broad collection of technologies and devices that do not require a continuous power supply to retain data or program code persistently on a short- or long-term basis. Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2021
Hitachi Vantara's new VSP 5600 hits 33 million IOPS
Hitachi Vantara launched new VSP 5000 models and added storage options to its E Series. The products may help enable storage consolidation for customers. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2021
Micron launches 7400 PCIe Gen 4 SSDs for data centers
Micron unveiled NVMe SSDs with seven form factors this week, all with PCIe Gen 4 performance. The new family of SSDs could take Micron deeper into the data center. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2021
Pure Storage adds automated storage API, databases on demand
All-flash array vendor Pure Storage expands its cloud services with Fusion, enabling storage on demand for developers, and Portworx Data Services, a database-as-a-service. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Sep 2021
Look for PCIe 5.0, NVMe 2.0 to boost storage performance
Enterprises that need high-performance storage for AI and ML workloads can keep an eye out for new products based on the latest PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 2.0 specifications. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2021
Western Digital OptiNAND stretches HDD capacity, performance
Western Digital unveiled a new storage drive architecture for hard drives that improves capacity, performance and reliability via an embedded flash drive to store metadata. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2021
Rising NAND flash prices should start to fall in 2022
Enterprise customers should see prices for NAND flash and enterprise SSDs start to fall in 2022, as flash and component shortages subside, market analysts predict. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Aug 2021
conductance
Conductance is an expression of the ease with which electric current flows through materials like metals and nonmetals. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Aug 2021
How the CXL interconnect will affect enterprise storage
The Compute Express Link standard will shake up the enterprise storage market in several significant ways. Here's what admins need to know. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2021
Excelero adds option to pool NVMe storage on Azure cloud
A new deployment option for Excelero's NVMesh software-defined storage will target some of the most demanding applications running on Microsoft Azure virtual machines. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2021
Micron ends 3D XPoint development to focus on CXL products
Micron ends development of 3D XPoint and shifts its focus to CXL-enabled memory products, raising questions on the future supply source of Intel's Optane memory. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
05 Mar 2021
Scaling of New Memory Technologies Used for Persistent Memory
New memory technologies are gaining wide interest as persistent memory in storage systems. Here, you will find a review of different memory in the market and their characteristics, scaling challenges and more. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
23 Feb 2021
Using the New EDSFF (E3) SSDs Effectively
The new EDSFF form factors allow higher system density and more effective forms for high-performance racks. Here is an overview of the specifications and status of EDSFF E3.x and insights on effective use. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
QLC flash drives are hot '21 trend, pressure HDDs on price
Hot 2021 trends in memory and storage will include the ramp of QLC SSDs in enterprise flash arrays, pressuring HDDs on price, increasing Optane adoption and NVMe over TCP. Continue Reading
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News
31 Dec 2020
30 TB PCIe 4.0 SSDs, 20 TB HDDs push storage limits in 2020
Enterprise storage drives continued to push the limits of performance and capacity in 2020, with fast new PCIe Gen4 SSDs at 30 TB and energy-assisted HDDs at 20 TB. Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2020
Intel launches fastest Optane SSD, 144-layer QLC NAND SSDs
New additions to Intel's memory and storage product roadmap include Optane's fastest solid-state drive yet and dense 144-layer QLC NAND SSDs that top out at 30.72 TB. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2020
How the computational storage drive is changing computing
Take a closer look at computational storage technology and products, and how localized computation is changing storage architecture and the compute-storage dynamic. Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2020
Flash storage debate heats up over QLC SSDs vs. HDDs
QLC flash storage is exerting pressure on spinning disk for mass storage and archiving use cases -- but HDDs will stick around for years if not decades, industry experts predict. Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2020
Kioxia flash storage sews NVMe fabric onto Kubernetes
Kioxia's KumoScale virtualizes NVMe block volumes for consumption by file and object storage. The Kioxia flash invokes native TCP/IP drivers to install an NVMe-oF layer. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
NVMe, Optane, GPUs exert big impact on enterprise storage
Enterprises in need of high-performance storage for AI, analytics and virtualization may find help in new NVMe, Optane and processor technologies, a Flash Memory Summit panel says. Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2020
Flash storage grows up with new EDSFF SSDs, denser 3D NAND
Expansive new directions for flash memory technology shine brightly in the launch of 176-layer 3D NAND chips, EDSFF E1.S and Zoned Namespace SSDs, and computational storage drives. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2020
Intel offloads NAND flash memory to SK Hynix for $9 billion
Intel exits NAND flash business with $9 billion sale to rival SK Hynix to focus on faster Optane SSDs and memory modules, AI, 5G networking and edge computing. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
Nimbus adds cheaper 64 TB QLC SSDs to complement 100 TB SSD
New 3.5-inch 64 TB SSDs from Nimbus Data with QLC flash offer a higher-performance alternative to HDDs for enterprises trying to reduce power, cooling and rack space costs. Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2020
SSD and NAND flash prices will decline through start of 2021
NAND flash and enterprise SSD prices that spiked in early 2020 will continue to fall through the end of the year and into 2021 as demand weakens, industry analysts predict. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2020
Data storage vendors face 'uncertain' future during pandemic
COVID-19 has thrown IT and storage spending into pandemic mode, making it hard for vendors and IT teams to get a handle on when they'll rebound. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jul 2020
NVMe Zoned Namespace lowers costs and improves performance
The new zoned storage interface capitalizes on NAND flash capabilities to let host software communicate with NAND storage to better align workloads with SSD storage. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
Startup StorOne incorporates Intel Optane
StorOne claims it will show the storage giants how to get the most out of Intel Optane drives, incorporating them alongside cheaper QLC SSDs in an all-flash array. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Jun 2020
What is the difference between memory and storage?
Storage and memory, while connected, fulfill separate roles in a computer. Memory meets temporary data access needs and storage retains data and other files over the long term. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2020
Kioxia gives hyperscalers new custom flash drive options
Kioxia's software-enabled flash aims to provide greater host control over storage, data placement and data access to hyperscalers that optimize SSDs for specific workloads. Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2020
MemVerge pushes big memory computing for every app
MemVerge claims its Memory Machine software layered on Intel Optane DIMMs and DRAM creates petabyte-sized logical pool to power all applications in main memory. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2020
New Intel Optane SSDs, DIMMs, flash remain on track for 2020
Intel executives said pandemic-related supply chain issues would not affect deliveries of next-generation Optane SSDs and memory modules and 144-layer NAND flash products in 2020. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 May 2020
Flash vendors tap admin experience features to stand out
Customers evaluating storage platforms are looking for a little something extra from vendors -- and it isn't necessarily the latest flash development. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2020
Vast Data flash storage zeroes in on enterprises
Vast Data engineers improve storage services for cloud backup and encryption as the all-flash startup moves to target mainstream Windows and MacOS shops. Continue Reading
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Quiz
24 Apr 2020
Test your QLC storage knowledge
Do you know when and where to use QLC flash? Check out our quiz to see what workloads it's best for and other insight into the latest generation of NAND technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2020
The future of flash memory promises unprecedented speed, capacity
NAND flash's future involves more layers and bits per cell. At the same time, NVMe-oF, storage class memory and other new technologies will fundamentally change memory and storage. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2020
NOR flash memory proves a good fit for robotics, IoT devices
As mobility and IoT continue to expand, NOR memory provides fast random reads and long-term reliability, making it suitable for automotive, medical and portable consumer devices. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Mar 2020
Flash memory standards and interfaces every IT admin should know
Flash memory standards can be confusing for even seasoned IT pros. TLC, QLC, MLC, SLC flash and so on. SAS vs. NVMe, NVMe-oF among others. Let's make sense of this acronym soup. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2020
A history of flash memory and its rise in the enterprise
Flash memory plays a huge role in enterprise storage. However, 16 years ago, SSDs barely existed. Find out the story behind this technology and how it came to dominate storage. Continue Reading
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Infographic
23 Mar 2020
How SSD endurance affects flash memory use
SSD durability is a key factor in the lifespan of storage devices. Learn how it's measured, how it's evolving, what the best endurance levels are for different workloads and more. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
Coronavirus outbreak could impact NAND flash prices
Memory manufacturers report no major impact to NAND flash supply, but weakening demand could exert an impact on prices, according to industry analysts. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2020
What are the NAND flash memory types and where do they work best?
Which type of NAND flash memory is best for your environment? We break down five major NAND flash options, their benefits and where they work best. Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
New enterprise PCIe 4.0 SSDs from Kioxia, Samsung double speed
Kioxia's new performance-boosting PCIe 4.0 enterprise SSDs add support for NVMe 1.4 and U.3 universal backplane specs, join Samsung models offering a maximum capacity of 30.72 TB. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2020
IBM Storage folds Storwize arrays into FlashSystem line
IBM merges Storwize and FlashSystem platforms to simplify its storage portfolio on updated Spectrum Virtualize software; adds Optane and Samsung Z-SSD options. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
Speed is 2020 theme in NVMe flash storage, persistent memory
Top technologists and analysts predict 2020 storage hardware trends will center on NVMe-based flash, Optane persistent memory and MRAM memory. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jan 2020
Products using Intel Optane SSDs and memory debuted in 2019
Is your organization ready for storage class memory? See some of the Optane-based products vendors developed and launched last year that incorporated the technology. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2020
Kioxia expects fab fire will have no flash production impact
Kioxia's NAND flash production will not be affected by fire this week at its fabrication facility in Yokkaichi, Japan, company says; analysts expect no impact to supply, prices. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Dec 2019
The rise of the high-capacity vs. the high-performance SSD
Learn about the latest trends in enterprise drives, how high-performance devices figure in and the effect of advances in the underlying NAND flash technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2019
Samsung V-NAND SSDs designed for high capacity, speed, efficiency
Samsung's V-NAND chip breaks through existing 3D NAND cell stacking limits with the industry's first 100+ layers in a move designed to enhance speed, capacity and power efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2019
NetApp data storage is in transition as Insight 2019 looms
NetApp focuses on transition to cloud, containers, data mobility, next-generation flash and storage class memory as it strives to end recent sales slump. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2019
NVMe flash hot; Optane, SCM still warming up
The world of fast flash storage evolves slowly; NVMe has emerged, but other types of SCM and persistent memory still have a ways to go before appearing in the data center. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2019
New Formulus Black CEO talks up persistent memory tech
New Formulus Black CEO's past work at Oracle cued him into the need for performance-boosting memory technology to address CPU and I/O constraints in data-heavy workloads. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Aug 2019
4 QLC workloads and why they're a good fit for QLC NAND flash
Find out about the read-intensive applications that work best with QLC NAND. Analytics, data archiving, streaming media and database workloads are all good options. Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2019
New flash memory technologies promise faster, denser storage
Flash is front and center as Western Digital launches 96-layer 3D NAND enterprise SSDs, and Toshiba unveils new SSD form factor and ultrafast XL-Flash chips. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Aug 2019
3 key problems computational storage devices can solve
This emerging technology brings stored data closer to compute processes, solving latency and performance issues. Discover the three potential advantages of computational storage. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2019
Western Digital IntelliFlash adds NVMe, SAS storage
The expanded Western Digital IntelliFlash models include low-end N5100 NVMe and high-density HD2160 SAS arrays. IntelliFlash OS now supports live migration to an S3-compatible cloud. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2019
New Toshiba M.2 SSD targets composable infrastructure
Toshiba takes aim at composable infrastructures, data centers and high-end workstations with new low-power, small-form-factor 2 TB M.2 SSD that uses dense 96-layer 3D NAND flash. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 May 2019
Your QLC NAND flash questions, answered
Curious about QLC NAND? From addressing capacity benefits to taking a look ahead at its uncertain future, we answer four common questions concerning the technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2019
2 storage class memory use cases to consider
Will persistent memory become an important storage medium in your data center? Here are the two storage class memory use cases that illustrate why it's most likely inevitable. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 May 2019
What QLC NAND products are available?
QLC NAND flash drives started appearing on the market in the last nine months. If your business is ready to try them out, you'll want to know about these options. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2019
Quantum NVMe storage array supports dense media production
Quantum claims the F-Series, its NVMe storage array, will simplify and speed up workflow and improve end-to-end storage capabilities for media production environments. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2019
New NVMe Western Digital SSDs target cloud, hyperscale and edge
Western Digital adds two new enterprise NVMe SSDs as the enterprise and cloud markets shift from SATA SSDs to faster NVMe. The new drives include 64-layer 3D NAND. Continue Reading
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Infographic
11 Feb 2019
A secondary storage management answer to mass fragmentation
A study finds mass secondary data fragmentation across storage silos is negatively affecting IT staff morale and the ability of enterprises to comply with regulations. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2019
7 misconceptions about the NVMe protocol and NVMe technology
See what you need to know to avoid some of the common misperceptions about NVMe technology and making possibly expensive mistakes with your organization's NVMe architecture. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2019
Enterprise flash storage price drop tops 2019 predictions
Flash storage buyers will find lower NAND prices and more enterprise options in 2019, according to the crystal balls of industry executives and analysts. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Dec 2018
The top 5 data storage questions we answered in 2018
As storage continues to evolve, many readers still are curious about the basics. In 2018, common data storage concerns included RAID, capacity and different storage architectures. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2018
NVMe flash storage is coming to an enterprise near you
Hyperscale data centers are the early adopters of non-volatile memory express flash, as vendors lay out plans to further flash devices and NVMe fabrics in coming years. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Dec 2018
How to prevent swap usage from hurting your NVMe devices
Overuse of swap files can cut into the life span of your organization's NVMe-based drives. Find out how to monitor and limit swapping on your Linux systems. Continue Reading
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Quiz
10 Dec 2018
Test your grasp of 3D NAND flash technology
Adoption of 3D NAND flash is on the rise and fueling growth in the NAND market. Take our quiz to find out what matters about this key technology. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2018
Western Digital Ultrastar DC ME200 optimizes memory storage
Western Digital extends its Ultrastar SSD line, adding a software-defined layer for fast in-memory computing. An onboard hypervisor mounts the storage capacity as usable memory. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Micron's SATA-based QLC SSDs take aim at 10K HDDs
Micron targets 10,000 rpm HDDs in read-intensive enterprise workloads with new 5210 ION quad-level cell SSD that stores 33% more bits per cell than triple-level cell NAND flash. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Nov 2018
Predictive storage analytics can watch your storage for you
Don't ask if your next storage array or software will have predictive analytics. Ask what those analytics can do for your specific systems and applications. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Oct 2018
Which NVMe fabric will win out?
Are you wondering how NVMe over fabrics will shake out? Expect RDMA to take the early lead, but storage pros will continue their love affair with Fibre Channel. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2018
NetApp MAX Data adds persistent memory tier to OnTap storage
MAX Data is a software-defined product that runs on commodity servers and can use non-NetApp storage. The codebase came from NetApp's acquisition of startup Plexistor. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2018
NVMe fabric options include Fibre Channel, RDMA
Planning NVMe over fabrics? Then get to know all about the Fibre Channel and RDMA fabric options to decide which of the two approaches fits your network best. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Oct 2018
New memory technologies challenge NAND flash dominance
Cost and scaling limits mean planar NAND flash as we know it will slowly cede its pre-eminent place in the memory hierarchy to emerging technologies such as 3D XPoint. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2018
5 tips for making flash-based SSDs work with unstructured data
Using flash storage effectively for unstructured data requires upfront analysis of cost, capacity and performance, as well as continued tracking of a rapidly changing flash market. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Sep 2018
With NVMe-oF, who needs rack-scale PCIe?
NVMe over networks is winning out as the best way to offer shared, flash-based storage systems, with Dell EMC, NetApp, Pure Storage, Western Digital and startups in the game. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Sep 2018
Economic impact of large capacity archival flash
Quad level cell flash technology is leading to high capacity flash devices that have applicability in archival storage or content repositories that are primarily read access. Currently at 96 ... Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2018
Samsung adds Z-NAND data center SSD
Samsung's new lineup of data center SSDs designed for channel sales to SMBs includes high-performance Z-NAND add-in card, U.2 and M.2 NVMe PCIe models and 2.5-inch SATA drives. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2018
Why upgrading to a Gen 6 Fibre Channel network is a good idea
Upgrading to a next-gen Fibre Channel network provides the added performance needed to meet the demands of evolving technologies and workloads, along with other benefits. Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2018
NAND flash manufacturers showcase new technologies
Get up to speed on new NAND flash technologies, including Toshiba Memory's XL-Flash, startup Yangtze Memory's Xtacking, and SK Hynix's so-called 4D NAND. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2018
New Seagate Nytro SSD line uses Toshiba 3D NAND chips
Seagate shows off its first triple-level cell, 64-layer 3D NAND Nytro SSDs since investing in Toshiba NAND. Analysts wonder if the HDD giant waited too long to get serious about flash. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2018
NAND flash shortage end could lead to dramatic price drop
Impending NAND flash oversupply will lead to price collapse of NAND flash chips and higher capacity enterprise SSDs, according to semiconductor analyst Jim Handy. Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Aug 2018
Storage conferences aren't what they used to be
If you're an IT pro looking for a good storage user conference these days, you'll probably have to go through one or more of your storage vendors to find one. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2018
Western Digital launches 15 TB enterprise SAS SSD
Western Digital's 15 TB Ultrastar SAS SSD has twice the capacity of its previous version, but only half of the capacity of Toshiba's 31 TB whopper. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jul 2018
Storage class memory advances could be a game-changer
Sometimes referred to as persistent memory, SCM may address the growing gap between storage and memory technologies. But don't expect it to happen just yet. Continue Reading
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Guide
30 Jul 2018
3D NAND technology: What it is and where it's headed
Following a recent NAND flash shortage, 3D NAND is seeing renewed interest from consumers and vendors. Discover what makes the technology a compelling flash memory option. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Jun 2018
Is there an alternative to error correction and detection codes?
Errors in NAND flash memory can be corrected, but that becomes more difficult as NAND reaches the end of its life. Are you utilizing every available error correction tool? Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 May 2018
Test your hyper-converged infrastructure storage knowledge
Storage in a hyper-converged infrastructure is not limited to whatever disks the vendor decides to put into its base appliance. Test your knowledge of HCI storage with our quiz. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2018
Micron starts shipping denser QLC SSD to select customers
Micron and Intel unleash QLC NAND flash that can store 4 bits per cell. Micron starts shipping a 2.5-inch QLC enterprise SATA SSD to select customers and targets fall for general availability. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 May 2018
NVMe technology is but a first step toward bigger things
NVMe is an inevitable move forward for flash technology that begins the transition to storage-class memory and will lead to even more significant storage advances. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2018
Ultrathin memory storage device could spell breakthroughs
According to its creators, atomristor technology promises a vast improvement on modern flash storage devices, but mainstream use may still be far off. Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Mar 2018
The end of Moore's law for SSD performance
SSDs are seeing diminishing returns as Moore's law ends and quantum effects set in. Multilayers and more bits per cell are temporary fixes, but both have drawbacks. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2018
New enterprise SATA Micron SSDs use 64-layer 3D NAND flash
Micron launches new 5200 Series enterprise SATA SSDs with high-density 64-layer 3D NAND flash technology, offering similar performance to prior 32-layer 5100 Series. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2018
Key factors that affect NAND flash memory endurance
Program/erase cycles, write amplification and even garbage collection contribute to faster NAND flash wear-out. But wear leveling and bad block can help. Continue Reading