Tips

Tips

Solid-state storage

• 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

• 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

• The differences between SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC and PLC

  Learn the important capacity, performance and reliability differences between multi-layer flash when it comes to adding SSD storage to your organization.  Continue Reading

• 4 causes of SSD failure and how to deal with them

  Although NVMe SSDs are a highly reliable storage technology, they are still prone to occasional failure. Here are some best practices to keep your SSDs humming along.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of flash memory revealed

  Flash memory and solid-state devices have revolutionized storage, but to deploy them effectively you must understand what they can and can't do. Find out what you need to know.  Continue Reading

• QLC vs. TLC NAND: 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

• NVMe-oF performance monitoring best practices that work

  Don't let your storage network infrastructure get in the way of delivering NVMe-oF's low-latency benefits. See how these best practices can fix problems before they occur.  Continue Reading

• Effectively implement Azure Ultra Disk Storage

  Ultra Disk Storage delivers consistent performance and low latency for I/O-intensive workloads. Learn why it's solving latency problems and where you can use Azure Ultra Disk.  Continue Reading

• 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

• HPE Memory-Driven Flash targets AI and real-time analytics

  HPE's memory-driven approach addresses DRAM and NAND limitations by incorporating storage class memory technology into the storage infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• NVMe performance challenges expose the CPU chokepoint

  NVMe systems have diminishing marginal performance gains when hardware is added and storage software consumes more CPU resources. Discover how to address this problem.  Continue Reading

• Why storage tiering is necessary now more than ever

  Tiered storage is making a comeback by incorporating AI machine learning to take advantage of the cost and performance benefits of new SSD and storage class memory technologies.  Continue Reading

• 4 NVMe storage problems you can prevent before they happen

  Implementing NVMe storage is complicated, from knowing what to ask when buying NVMe SSDs and arrays to what type of file system to use. Here's how to deal with four NVMe issues.  Continue Reading

• Key QLC NAND challenges in the enterprise and how to tackle them

  Limited durability and degrading performance are issues with QLC NAND. These challenges limit where the technology can be used, making it best for read-intensive workloads.  Continue Reading

• 2 storage tiering strategies for modern media

  Storage tiering makes a comeback as businesses aim to get the most out of their storage systems. Discover the rules for optimizing both intrasystem and intersystem tiering.  Continue Reading

• 3 NVMe-oF questions to consider when deploying the technology

  Deploying NVMe over fabrics is a relatively simple process. However, make sure to check out three important areas before launching this new technology.  Continue Reading

• 7 NVMe storage gotchas to avoid

  Avoiding common deployment errors when implementing NVMe technology will save you time, money and professional embarrassment. Here's what to look out for.  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 4 NVMe storage array options to consider

  Here's what you need to know to pick the NVMe array that provides your organization with the performance improvement it needs and also fits its budget.  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Four common SSD form factors and where they work best

  Solid-state drive form factors offer different benefits, from ease of transition to increased throughput. Four popular form factors are currently dominating the market.  Continue Reading

• Charge trap technology advantages for 3D NAND flash drives

  Flash drive cells based on charge trap technology are less likely to leak electrons than the older floating gate cell technology. But they have reliability issues to be aware of.  Continue Reading

• AFA storage tackles big data analytics challenges

  The latest generation of all-flash array storage is delivering the high performance and low latency required to support petabyte-scale big data analytics workloads.  Continue Reading

• SSDs vs. HDDs: When is all-flash storage overkill?

  The SSD vs. HDD analysis isn't as simple as it looks. SSD prices are falling, and capacities increasing. But HDDs are still a good deal and fine for many noncritical workloads.  Continue Reading

• How to mitigate SSD vulnerabilities

  SSDs could pose a security risk for organizations that aren't careful when they decommission drives. Learn what you need to know about keeping data stored on SSDs safe.  Continue Reading

• NAND flash memory technologies evolve to support QLC

  QLC NAND pushes the storage capacity of flash devices higher, but devices can wear out more quickly than other NAND types because more data can be written to the same cell.  Continue Reading

• When to use TLC NAND flash memory

  TLC NAND flash storage devices wear out quickly, and they're not as fast as MLC or SLC. But TLC devices are a good choice for tier 2 storage and read-heavy applications.  Continue Reading

• Solid-state drive performance metrics go beyond latency, IOPS

  In determining performance and lifespan of an SSD, companies must consider the drive's architecture, the storage controller and write amplification in addition to IOPS and latency.  Continue Reading

• Back-end storage considerations for in-memory processing

  Storing hot data in main memory removes the latency associated with hard disk and solid-state storage operations; it's the best option for need-it-now data.  Continue Reading

• How to determine the true cost of flash

  If you want to add flash storage, it's important to consider the cost per IOPS and gigabyte compared to HDD volumes, as well as the difference between consumer and enterprise SSDs.  Continue Reading

• Compare XtremIO vs. Unity all-flash storage system for VDI

  Dell EMC offers two all-flash storage options geared toward VDI shops. One suits companies with fewer than 500 persistent machines, and the other is for larger deployments.  Continue Reading

• Optane memory: Opening the window on Intel's latest technology

  Now that Optane products are on the market, the future of fast memory for storage and processing looks bright. But will Optane match the claims Intel has been making?  Continue Reading

• Differences between SSD caching and tiering technologies

  Brien Posey looks at popular ways of using SSD as cache, including write-around, write-through and write-back, as well as how the technology compares with SSD tiering.  Continue Reading

• Making a storage capacity plan that doesn't bust your budget

  Storage capacity is growing at a rapid rate and by using the latest innovations in storage technologies it is possible to meet demands without growing your storage budget apace.  Continue Reading

• Calculating flash pricing is key to all-flash array vs. disk decision

  Flash costs are nearing parity with hard disk drives, but it can still be a challenge to determine the exact expense for an all-flash array on a per-gigabyte basis.  Continue Reading

• How to implement a flash storage SSD in hyper-converged platforms

  Flash is everywhere, including the burgeoning hyper-convergence market. Get the pros and cons of flash storage types in hyper-converged systems.  Continue Reading

• Why all-flash array vendors must offer advanced enterprise features

  As all-flash arrays become increasingly common in enterprises, IT professionals need to look not just for efficiency, but for important features, such as analytics and data protection.  Continue Reading

• Server-side caching has new data center role

  Some server-side caching products have evolved into complete software-defined storage platforms that can aggregate flash across multiple servers.  Continue Reading

• Data reduction methods for the all-flash data center

  When deploying flash technology, the most efficient system is one that performs data reduction techniques inline.  Continue Reading

• How vSphere Virtual Volumes aid all-flash and hybrid storage arrays

  Using vSphere Virtual Volumes can help you manage legacy storage systems in virtualized settings, but all-flash and hybrid arrays can also benefit from their use.  Continue Reading

• Have flash storage prices reached parity with disk?

  Many vendors claim all-flash storage arrays have hit price parity with hard drive systems. George Crump explains what that means in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Examine your computing environment before you buy flash storage

  The decision to buy flash storage can overcome many performance issues, but other areas of your computing environment could be contributing factors.  Continue Reading

• Five pervasive flash-based storage myths

  Find out the top myths about flash storage today, where they come from and the reality hidden behind these common misconceptions.  Continue Reading

• Use policy-based automation to maximize your flash investment

  Storage automation tools offer a wide range of functionality that can benefit shops using flash storage alongside traditional disk.  Continue Reading

• Four tips to maximize the lifespan of your flash memory storage

  The lifespan of flash memory storage is not the hot-button issue it once was, but you should perform these tasks to prolong the life of your drives.  Continue Reading

• Seamless data movement is the next key all-flash storage array feature

  Find out why seamless data movement between all-flash and hard disk storage arrays will be the next significant trend that will drive adoption.  Continue Reading

• All-flash array comparison: The keys to performance, capacity success

  Analyst George Crump provides tips on selecting an all-flash storage array that meets your environment's performance and capacity needs.  Continue Reading

• What you should know about using flash to complement DRAM

  George Crump discusses emerging technology that enables using flash as memory, why it matters and its applicable use cases.  Continue Reading

• Tiering vs. caching in flash-based storage systems

  George Crump compares tiering and caching in flash-based storage systems and explains the pros and cons of each in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Q&A: Choosing between all-flash arrays and hybrid arrays

  SearchSolidStateStorage managing editor Ed Hannan and independent storage expert Andrew Reichman compare all-flash and hybrid flash arrays in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between scale-up and scale-out all-flash arrays

  Eric Slack of Storage Switzerland compares scale-up and scale-out arrays in this tip, and explains the use cases for each.  Continue Reading

• Cloud storage providers moving to all-flash platform

  Colm Keegan explains why some cloud storage providers are moving to an all-flash platform and how bursting workloads into an all-flash cloud can reduce costs.  Continue Reading

• What you should know about flash-based storage systems and replication

  Running flash? Read why George Crump thinks replication must be part of all flash-based storage systems and what to look for from a third-party replication product.  Continue Reading

• Comparing the variety of all-flash storage arrays available today

  Leah Schoeb of Evaluator Group outlines the all-flash storage arrays on the market, from traditional array retrofits to purpose-built flash offerings.  Continue Reading

• Improve all-flash storage array efficiency with thin provisioning

  George Crump discusses how an all-flash storage array benefits from thin provisioning and what to look for when evaluating a system's thin provisioning capability.  Continue Reading

• All-flash storage arrays: Performance vs. function

  George Crump offers criteria to help IT pros decide whether performance or function is most important when choosing all-flash storage arrays.  Continue Reading

• Three key strategies to prevent RAID failure

  In this tip, analyst Jon Toigo shares several ways storage admins can proactively prevent the failure of RAID arrays.  Continue Reading

• How DRAM or NVRAM cache can reduce flash SSD write amplification

  DRAM/NVRAM caching provides SSD systems with better performance while reducing flash SSD write amplification.  Continue Reading

• Four SSD best practices for efficient virtual machine storage

  Learn how server-side implementations of SSD differ from storage-side, and how to get the ultimate performance boost in virtual environments.  Continue Reading

• Fact or fiction? Flash SSD storage is faster than HDD storage

  The general perception of SSD storage is that it's always faster than HDD storage. Marc Staimer examines whether that's actually true.  Continue Reading

• Are the advantages of solid-state storage worth the investment?

  Brien Posey examines the advantages (less heat, less energy than hard drives) and disadvantages (less capacity at a higher cost) of investing in SSDs.  Continue Reading

• Problems with using SSDs for write caching and how to avoid them

  Marc Staimer looks at using SSDs for write caching and explains why most storage SSD caching is write-through and not write-back.  Continue Reading

• Auto tiering vs. caching in hybrid storage systems

  Auto tiering and caching provide similar benefits in hybrid storage systems, but are different technologies with different capabilities and use cases.  Continue Reading

• How to decide between hybrid SSD-HDD and 100% SSD systems

  Choosing hybrid SSD-HDD storage systems over all-SSD storage systems comes down to IOPS, throughput, capacity, functionality and, of course, cost.  Continue Reading

• TLC flash becoming low-cost SSD alternative

  TLC flash should be emerging as the lower-cost alternative in SSDs. Marc Staimer discusses why it hasn't and why you need to pay attention to it.  Continue Reading

• DRAM SSD vs. NAND SSD: Let the FUD begin

  This tip looks at areas such as volatility, performance and longevity where buyers will want to weigh the difference between DRAM SSD and NAND SSD.  Continue Reading

• When using SSD is a bad idea

  As with most technologies, it’s as important to know when to use SSD as it is when not to use it. Here are some cases when using SSD is a bad idea.  Continue Reading

• Understanding data movement in Tier 0 storage

  Knowing how SSD tiering software works will help storage managers match data access characteristics of applications.  Continue Reading

• The state of SSD TRIM today

  SSD TRIM cleans up deleted data blocks from your storage media. Find out the role it plays in solid-state storage devices.  Continue Reading

• Four use cases when SSD arrays are the right solution

  SSD arrays offer optimized data location and device-independent deployment. SSD arrays also solve the I/O problem of aggregate throughput.  Continue Reading

• RAID with SSD: A primer

  While RAID is still a storage standard, questions remain about RAID’s relevance with SSDs. This tip will explore the basics of using RAID with SSD.  Continue Reading

• What you should know before choosing a desktop or laptop solid state drive

  Desktop and laptop solid state drives are now widely available at affordable prices. Learn what you should consider before adding an SSD to your PC.  Continue Reading

• I/O performance in need of a fix

  Despite technological advances, unacceptable I/O performance could hold the entire industry back. Here are some solutions that have materialized.  Continue Reading

• SSD architecture: Three deployment options

  Learn about the three main ways to deploy an SSD architecture, and the pros and cons associated with each approach.  Continue Reading

• The impact of SSD technology on the network and CPU

  SSD technology can have a noticeable effect on the network and CPU utilization. Learn how increased traffic loads can change the bottlenecks in your environment.  Continue Reading

• SSD caching vs. primary storage for data placement

  SSD caching and primary storage are the two main ways to implement solid-state storage technology with respect to data placement. We explain both strategies.  Continue Reading

• ATA over Ethernet protocol overview for data storage managers

  The ATA over Ethernet (AoE) protocol, backed by Coraid, is used by some data storage managers for low-cost, high-volume storage. Learn 10 AoE protocol facts  Continue Reading

• Is PCIe SSD right for you? Deploying PCI Express SSD devices

  Learn about the PCI Express (PCIe) solid-state drive (SSD) market, how and where to deploy PCIe SSD in your environment, and challenges with the technology.  Continue Reading

• Solid-state drives vs. hard disk drives: How to justify the cost of an SSD

  Learn about the best use cases for solid-state drives (SSDs) and why applications that directly impact revenue are a perfect fit for the technology.  Continue Reading

• How to use flash-based SSDs in your environment

  We tell you how the combination of flash memory and SSDs can help your organization achieve higher performance levels, cut storage costs and improve green storage initiatives.  Continue Reading

• Wide stripe before you dive into SSD

  Storage managers should consider physical disk technologies before plunging into SSD for storage IO performance. One of the processes existing vendors provide is called wide striping. It's most often available inside storage subsystems from 3PAR, ...  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of solid-state drives for notebook computers

  A solid-state drive (SSD), like the name suggests, consists of flash memory, similar to what's in USB flash drives or Secure Digital media cards. This tip discusses the The pros and cons of solid-state drives in an SMB environment.  Continue Reading

• Tutorial on solid-state disk (SSD) devices

  Solid-state disk (SSD) devices use much less power and produce less heat than hard disks. But until their prices come down, they'll at best be niche devices.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of iSCSI arrays

  ISCSI arrays will save you a pretty penny, but at a slight cost in terms of performance.  Continue Reading

• The data density dilemma

  Find out about the dilemma of rapidly increasing disk densities combined with slower increases in disk speed.  Continue Reading

• SSD solves bank's traffic jam

  Texas State Bank switched to solid-state disk when slow transaction processing caused customer service problems.  Continue Reading