Flash Memory as the name suggests the performance is directly connected to its speed. Flash memory is data storage technology that uses non-volatile memory to store the data. The electrically programmable memory writes data and performs I/O operations faster than all the other types of memories. One of the major advantages of the flash storage is that even if the power goes out the data would be maintained in the same conditions as earlier. Flash memory stores the data even if the disc is turned off due to power failure.
Flash uses memory cells to store the data before you input any new data the earlier data should be erased from cells. Flash storage today is available in various types ranging from USB stick to all-flash array.
Advantages of using Flash Storage in Data Centers
Data centers need to be economical in space and storage. Organizations that rely on data as a business entity are facing with a grappling issue of data volume. A data center can hold and slow processing speed of the processors.
1. Acceleration in Performance: Flash improve the performance by 20 times when compared to normal Hard Disk Drives (HDD). Flash presents the enterprise with an opportunity to use different types of enterprise applications like SAP, MS-SQL and also different analytics tool. The users are able to access the information at a much faster pace and efficiently, this frees-up the workload of the IT department. Flash storage can be used as a strategic point to implement different applications to empower business growth.
2. Improving data center: Flash storage not only offer better speed but also reduces demand for a physical space to set up a data center. Flash reduce the size of a data center by more than 40 percent, saving up on the cost of infrastructure. As the data volume of the company keeps growing the reduction in the infrastructure-(Power and cooling) cost can save thousands of dollars for an enterprise.
3. Depending on the Future infrastructure: Transferring or modernizing your data center with new technology is not based on present industry requirements but future growth options that can become viable due to change. Flash will support changing business needs like systems that offer non-disruptive scale-out can help you grow big. NVMe-ready flash can help infrastructure prepare for future technologies. Cloud. IoT, Artificial Intelligence is an upcoming disruptive technology that would need memory that performs to the optimum level.
Improvement in Flash Storage Technology
Solid State Devices (SSDs) have been designed to fit the I/O interface of the hard disk. Most SSDs today are using the improved 3D NAND based flash memory but rapid development in non-volatile memory express (NVMe) over the fabrics/ storage class memory offer better performance potential for the data centers in the future.
NVMe is an interface protocol that’s been used in the flash storage through the PCI Express (PCIe) bus. Traditional flash was based on a single, serial command queue while the NVMe supports thousands of parallel queues. It increases the ability of the NVMe to perform thousands of concurrent commands. NVMe-oF is used in the host side interface in the storage systems this helps to extend the NVMe capabilities over Remote Memory Access (RDMA) or Fiber optic channel. For more information on flash storage as a memory-type download our whitepaper.
Conclusion
The recent development of cloud technology and analytics has shifted the focus for many technology experts towards developing a better infrastructure. The infrastructure should be reliable, fast in performance and robust- flash directly fits into the current scheme of development. Any future development in technology should be smoothly inducted in the current infrastructure without affecting the current functions.
Various vendors offer All-flash storage- NetApp All-Flash FAS, HPE 3PAR Flash Storage, Dell EMC unity, Nimble Storage, Pure Storage Flash Array, and Tintri VMstore are some of the highly rated All-flash storage.
For more information about All-Flash Storage download our whitepaper.
