Power Failure Recovery
Unplugged: Could the power outage at the Super Bowl have caused data loss on SSDs?
Some SSDs are designed with special circuits that sustain power to the flash while it is writing, even during a power failure.
Over-provisioning
Gassing up your SSD: Top off the tank for higher performance
Understand how you can trade off a little data space for improved garbage collection, which leads to faster performance and longer SSD life.
Data Reduction Technology
Can data reduction technology help reduce global warming?
Writing less data will consume less power, while increasing performance and flash endurance.
Delete and TRIM
Did you know HDDs do not have a “Delete” command? That is why SSDs need TRIM.
TRIM is a unique command for SSDs and without it the flash media can wear out more quickly and result in much lower performance.
Data Reduction and TRIM
Can data reduction technology substitute for TRIM in an SSD and drain the invalid data away?
These two elements are similar in that they both increase the free space on an SSD, but they come at it in two complimentary ways.
TCG Opal
Can a precious stone from Australia really help data security in Ultrabook™ systems?
TCG Opal is a common client-side security measure used in many corporations.
DevSleep
Can a new SATA feature make laptop computers act like smartphones?
Very low power modes enable very long battery life in laptop computers.
Write Amplification, Over-provisioning, and Data Reduction
Write amplification (Part 1): Why SSDs hate amplification
SSDs work better when there is less data written to them no matter how it comes about.
Write Amplification – Part 2: When does an amplifier make things smaller?
SSD data reduction technology can make write amplification less than one and greatly improve performance and endurance.
Write Amplification – Part 3: How to test what cannot be seen
Measuring write amplification through SMART attributes and inference.
LDPC Error Correction Code – SHIELD
How can the magic of a 50+ year-old error correction code give flash memory a boost?
Low-Density Parity-Check codes are not created equal.
SSD Testing
Teasing out the lies in SSD benchmarking
There are many ways to test an SSD and many of them can produce some very misleading conclusions.
Garbage Collection
Don’t let SSDs throw away your gold
All SSD have some form of garbage collection. Some perform it in the background and some do it live as needed.
SF3700 Controller
AIS: The latest SandForce flash controller – ride the wave of the future to higher SSD speed and endurance
The SF3700 brings a new level of performance never before seen in an SSD controller.
Data Reduction and DuraWrite Virtual Capacity
AIS: You can finally squeeze 15 pounds of data into a 5 pound bag
DVC turns dynamic over-provisioning from DuraWrite into additional capacity for user storage.
Beyond ECC – RAISE
What happens when ECC fails to correct SSD data? Grandma falls out of the family photo
When the Error Correction Code of an SSD fails, some SSDs have additional data protection mechanisms to save the day.
SSD Form Factors
Size matters: Everything you need to know about SSD form factors
There are many SSD shapes and sizes available now that storage is no longer constrained by rotating platters.
M.2 Form Factor
M.2: Is this the Prince of SSD form factors?
The most recent small form factor provides a platform for many devices including SSDs.
SATA Express
SATA Express – gateway to PCIe and higher computer speeds
SATA Express was created to enable faster migration from SATA to PCIe connected devices.
Data Reduction with Real Data
Data reduction: User data show surprising opportunities for enterprise IT managers to increase workload performance
Most users’ data can be compressed more than they realize and that enables data reduction technology to greatly improve performance and endurance.
PCIe Benefits to Storage
Understanding the PCIe interface and how it benefits solid state storage
The PCIe interface can be very advantageous for solid states storage.
Z-height of SSDs
Z-height: The shifting landscape of SSDs
Z-height is a major component of HDDs with motors and actuators for head assemblies, but for SSDs is is nearly irrelevant.
The Benefits of Data Reduction
Dispelling misconceptions: Data reduction technology delivers only upsides to SSD performance
All users will have some amount of data reduction possible on their system regardless of what they store.
