Some kind of meaningful proliferation of NAND into the PC sector about to happen:
Dell sees flash in enterprise servers as well as PS storage
posted on 10 June 2008 11:21
For embedded virtualization hypervisors
Blocks and Files discussed Dell's views on and use of solid state drives (SSDs) with Darren Thomas, the vice president and general manager of Dell Enterprise Storage.
Dell has used SSD technology in its notebooks for some little time and we were interested to understand how it say the use of flash memory progressing.
This interview produced a terrific insight into how Dell intends to use flash in enterprise servers
B&F: How does Dell view the developing flash-based solid state drive market and its trends?
Darren Thomas: We are clearly excited about the technology, and have already deployed it broadly across our notebook line. SSDs bring new levels of sturdiness and reliability that are especially valuable to the mobile user. Lower power consumption, silent operations and lower thermals improve the customer experience for all PC users. The benefits to the client side of the business will only grow as flash based storage continues to increase densities, increase performance, and lower costs.
In the enterprise, Dell was first to market deploying embedded, removable, Flash-based storage solutions in the Enterprise with our recently introduced R805 and R905 server platform. We envision that solution moving more broadly across our product line, and see a number of interesting opportunities for embedded flash-based storage solutions in the future. In these applications, it is not SSD, but flash-based storage for embedded operating systems, particularly embedded Virtualization Hypervisors.
Overall, the high performance enterprise SSD market continues to evolve and mature, and we are very much engaged with industry leaders to ensure that this technology comes to market quickly, broadly, and with a compelling value proposition.
B&F: Could you discuss the Dell M6300 and Notebook flash details please?
Darren Thomas: Solid state drives have many more levers to optimize than standard HDDs, enabling our product development teams to really drive towards the best fit product for the customer. For our performance-driven customers buying the M6300 we are offering the latest in performance SSD products, Dell Flash Ultra Performance SSD. Dell is embracing the value of solid state storage from many angles. You will continue to see innovation in solid state products from Dell optimized for weight, robustness, performance and power savings to fit our customers needs.
B&F: Will flash-based solid state drives be used in the PS Storage arrays?
Darren Thomas: Yes, we will introduce SSD solutions across our PS product line in the future. Introduction will occur when we can deliver the right balance of performance, capacity, and cost that will appeal broadly to our customers.
B&F: Will flash based SSDs appear in the Dell-EMC storage arrays?
Darren Thomas: EMC does not discuss technology this far in advance, I’m sure EMC is giving this technology due consideration and will continue to provide the best solutions for our combined customers.
EMC did recently provide some detail on their plans for SSD and thoughts on the overall market, please see that coverage.
Comment: The addition of SSD technology to the Dell-EqualLogic PS storage arrays confirms what is probably everyone's supposition. However, it's coming use as a store for embedded virtualisation hypervisors in Dell enterprise servers is quite new. This use of flash as a server booster is in the same general mode as Sun using flash technology to boost server storage I/O. In that activity it is developing system software like the ZFS filesystem to use flash caches for working data.
Dell is signalling that it intends to use flash technology across the board: in notebooks as it is currently doing; in its PS storage arrays; and its its servers. Both Sun and Dell have now said that their is going to be a flash reinvigoration of their servers. Surely HP, IBM and other server manufacturers have similar plans.
Dell's Flash Ultra Performance SSD, by the way, is based on Samsung's SATA II-SSD technology, available in 32GB and 64GB capacities.
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