Discover the High-Performance Intel S3700 SSDs at Flash Memory Summit 2013
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of Flash Memory Summit 2013
- testing Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs
- Performance Increases in RAID Configurations
- Focus on Write Performance: DC S3700
- Consistency in Performance: S33500 and S3700
- Addressing Higher-End Market with S3700
- Mainstream Data Center Drive: S3500 Series
- Barriers to SSD Adoption in the Data Center
- Demonstrating Business Value of SSDs
- IOPS, Latency, and CPU Utilization Benefits
- Impact on Virtualization and Server Density
- Growing Usage of SSDs in the Data Center
- Challenges in Changing Mindset from HDDs
- NVMe and M.2 Specifications for SSDs
- Lower Latency and Non-Volatile Memory Technologies
- The Future of Storage in the Data Center
- Conclusion
Introduction
Greetings readers and welcome to this article on the Flash Memory Summit 2013. In this piece, we will delve into the world of Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and explore Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs. We will discuss the performance increases achieved in RAID configurations, with a particular focus on write performance. Additionally, we will examine the benefits of consistency in SSD performance and address the higher-end market with the DC S3700 Series. Furthermore, the article will shed light on the mainstream data center drive, the S3500 Series, and the barriers to SSD adoption in the data center. We will explore the business value of SSDs, including their impact on IOPS, latency, and CPU utilization, as well as their role in virtualization and server density. The article will also highlight the growing usage of SSDs in the data center and the challenges of changing the mindset from HDDs. Finally, we will touch upon the NVMe and M.2 specifications for SSDs and discuss the potential of non-volatile memory technologies. Join us as we embark on this informative journey!
Overview of Flash Memory Summit 2013
The Flash Memory Summit 2013 was a remarkable event that brought together industry experts and enthusiasts to discuss the latest advancements in flash memory technology. As the popularity of SSDs continues to rise, this summit served as a platform for various companies to showcase their innovations. The event covered a wide range of topics, including performance scaling, NAND flash, SSD architectures, and the future of storage in the data center. Industry leaders shared their insights through engaging presentations, panel discussions, and networking Sessions, making it a truly enriching experience for all attendees.
Testing Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs
During the Flash Memory Summit 2013, much attention was directed towards Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs. These high-performance drives were put through rigorous testing, specifically in RAID configurations. The results were astonishing, with significant performance increases observed, particularly in the 4K write area and random writes. Compared to other SSDs, the DC 3700 Series demonstrated superior scaling capabilities, achieving double the performance in some instances. These drives proved to be highly efficient when it came to handling heavy workloads, such as those involving extensive write operations.
Performance Increases in RAID Configurations
One of the key highlights of Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs was their exceptional performance in RAID configurations. When multiple SSDs were combined in a RAID setup, the performance gains were substantial. This was especially evident in the 4K write area, where the DC 3700 Series surpassed expectations. With RAID, the drives exhibited consistent and impressive performance over time, outperforming competing SSDs that experienced fluctuations in IOPS. The consistent performance of the DC 3700 Series made it an ideal choice for workloads requiring reliable and high-speed data writes.
Focus on Write Performance: DC S3700
The DC S3700 Series from Intel was designed with a primary focus on write performance. This series featured Intel's own controller, specifically developed with feedback from customers and years of experience in the industry. The result was a drive that prioritized consistency, ensuring that write performance remained stable even in demanding RAID configurations. The DC S3700 Series set new standards for reliability and durability, offering superior performance, particularly in heavy write workload scenarios.
Consistency in Performance: S33500 and S3700
Intel's SSD lineup expanded beyond the high-end market with the introduction of the S33500 Series. This series retained the same consistency and reliability as the DC S3700, but at a more affordable price point. Often referred to as a "mini-me" version of the S3700, the S33500 Series catered to customers seeking excellent consistency and performance in a cost-effective Package. With both the S33500 and S3700, Intel aimed to provide solutions that delivered consistent and reliable performance, ensuring optimal user experience in various data center environments.
Addressing Higher-End Market with S3700
The DC S3700 Series, with its exceptional write performance, primarily targeted the higher-end market segment. Customers with heavy write workloads, such as those in enterprise and data-intensive industries, found the S3700 Series to be an ideal choice. The drive addressed the specific needs of these industries, delivering consistent and high-speed write performance. With the S3700 Series, Intel aimed to provide a reliable storage solution that offered unmatched performance and endurance for rigorous data center applications.
Mainstream Data Center Drive: S3500 Series
In addition to the high-end DC S3700 Series, Intel introduced the S3500 Series as a mainstream data center drive. Drawing from the success and learnings of the Intel SSD 320 Series, the S3500 Series aimed to provide improved performance and consistency. The Intel SSD 320 Series, unexpectedly popular in the data center, demonstrated the demand for high-read-intensive drives with large capacities. Building upon this success, the S3500 offered better performance and consistency, meeting the requirements of data center environments with high demand for read-intensive workloads.
Barriers to SSD Adoption in the Data Center
Although SSDs have gained popularity, their adoption in the data center still faces certain barriers. Data center administrators and architects often exhibit reluctance towards embracing new technologies. They require a clear understanding of the business value offered by SSDs and Seek reassurance regarding the practical benefits. Intel recognizes these concerns and strives to highlight the significant performance improvements that SSDs bring to the data center. By emphasizing the mind-blowing performance changes and demonstrating the tangible benefits, Intel aims to alleviate any apprehensions surrounding SSD adoption.
Demonstrating Business Value of SSDs
To ensure a smooth transition towards SSD adoption, Intel focuses on demonstrating the business value of these drives. Intel's general manager, Rob Crooke, aptly described the performance changes from hard drives to SSDs as "mind-blowing." This analogy helps stakeholders grasp the transformative impact SSDs can have on their operations. For instance, if a task that originally took seven hours can now be completed within minutes, the advantages become self-evident. Intel aims to accentuate these benefits and showcase the immense business value that SSDs bring to data centers.
IOPS, Latency, and CPU Utilization Benefits
SSDs offer substantial improvements in terms of Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS), latency, and CPU utilization. Compared to traditional hard drives, SSDs provide significantly higher IOPS, resulting in faster data access and processing. The reduced latency of SSDs ensures quicker response times, enabling applications to perform more efficiently. Additionally, SSDs contribute to higher CPU utilization, optimizing resources and enhancing overall system performance. By harnessing the power of SSDs, data centers can unlock new levels of productivity, maximizing the value they derive from their infrastructure.
Impact on Virtualization and Server Density
The adoption of SSDs in data centers has a profound impact on virtualization and server density. With the storage input/output bottleneck eliminated, a single server can support a larger number of virtual machines (VMs). This increased server density translates into lower floor space, reduced cooling requirements, and improved power efficiency. Leveraging the benefits of SSDs, data centers can achieve greater consolidation, enabling them to optimize their resources and achieve higher levels of operational efficiency.
Growing Usage of SSDs in the Data Center
SSDs have rapidly gained traction in the data center landscape. Initially, their usage was limited to search-oriented applications, like Microsoft's Bing product. However, their advantages soon became apparent for various databases and engineering environments. As a result, SSDs found their way into production environments, and their usage has been steadily growing. While SSDs currently make up only three percent of the data center storage market, analysts project this figure to rise significantly to 12 or 15 percent by 2015. The increasing adoption of SSDs signifies the paradigm shift occurring in the data center industry.
Challenges in Changing Mindset from HDDs
One of the primary challenges in accelerating the adoption of SSDs is changing the prevailing mindset associated with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Data center administrators and IT professionals have long been accustomed to the use of rotating media and have built their application stacks and file systems around this technology. Shifting the mindset to adopt SSDs requires education and awareness about the benefits SSDs bring in terms of performance, reliability, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Intel recognizes this challenge and actively engages with stakeholders to help them understand and embrace the advantages of SSDs.
NVMe and M.2 Specifications for SSDs
The emergence of Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) and M.2 specifications promises to revolutionize the SSD landscape. NVMe is designed to reduce latency by streamlining the software stack involved in the data transfer process. By minimizing the overheads, NVMe allows SSDs to fully unleash their potential, delivering incredible performance gains. Additionally, the M.2 form factor offers a compact and versatile solution for SSDs, enabling their integration into various devices such as laptops, tablets, and ultrabooks. Intel acknowledges the immense potential of these specifications and continues to innovate in this space to drive further advancements in SSD technology.
Lower Latency and Non-Volatile Memory Technologies
While NVMe brings about significant latency reductions, industry-wide advancements in non-volatile memory technologies are set to push the boundaries of SSD performance even further. Memory technologies with lower latency are on the horizon, and memory vendors are actively working on improving the speed and efficiency of their products. As these technologies mature, SSDs will realize even greater levels of performance and deliver enhanced user experiences. Intel remains at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring that their SSD offerings leverage the latest technologies and deliver unrivaled performance to data center customers.
The Future of Storage in the Data Center
The future of storage in the data center looks promising, with SSDs poised to play a pivotal role. As the demand for faster and more reliable storage solutions continues to grow, SSDs are well-positioned to fulfill these requirements. The rapid pace of technological advancements and innovations in SSDs, including NVMe and non-volatile memory technologies, indicates an exciting future for data center storage. As Intel continues to drive progress in this field, data center operators can expect to witness even greater transformative potential, where storage becomes a catalyst for enhanced performance, productivity, and business success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Flash Memory Summit 2013 provided valuable insights into the world of SSDs and their significance in the data center. Intel's DC 3700 Series SSDs emerged as high-performance solutions, offering exceptional write performance and scalability in RAID configurations. The focus on consistency in performance and the introduction of the mainstream S3500 Series further solidified Intel's position as a leader in the SSD market. While barriers to SSD adoption in the data center exist, Intel actively addresses these challenges by demonstrating the clear business value of SSDs. The profound impact of SSDs on IOPS, latency, CPU utilization, and virtualization cannot be overstated, paving the way for greater server density and operational efficiency. As SSD usage continues to grow, facilitated by advancements in technologies such as NVMe and non-volatile memory, the future of storage in the data center promises to be transformative.