Compared to standard data centre SSDs, the new N4200 offers two- to five-times faster constant write speed while maintaining low latency and two-times greater endurance over its lifetime.
According to Swissbit, these major advances have been developed thanks to specially adapted firmware, which has been optimised for real-world data centre workloads.
Customers can select from predefined workload cluster configurations, including options for Big Data, video streaming, or machine learning. In addition, the SSD has the unique ability to measure its workload on the fly, providing comprehensive data for firmware adaptability.
Utilising this information, Swissbit is able to offer an optional in-depth workload analysis and tailored firmware configuration. The SSD enables data centre providers to present their customers with a reliable, constant, and cost-optimised service level.
The N4200 is available with a storage capacity of 8 TB at launch, with a 16 TB version to follow.
Most cloud applications in data centres are still reliant on mainstream SSD solutions, despite a 50 to 75 percent deterioration of performance within the first few months. Data centres also suffer increased latency, as well as servicing and cost overheads as SSDs often require replacement earlier than planned.
"Most off-the-shelf SSDs lose performance and endurance as well as response time due to non-optimised flash management. With the N4200, we are taking a different approach, optimising to specific application profiles rather than outdated standard benchmarks. For the implementation, we have established the Swissbit optimisation process, which starts with an evaluation of the actual workload. On this basis, we individually optimise the firmware so that the relationship between performance and endurance is adapted to the real workload of the customer’s application," explained Roger Griesemer, General Manager of the Memory Division at Swissbit.
If the customer already knows the workload of his application, they can immediately apply the standard configuration of the N4200, already optimised for use in data centres. Additionally, the new Swissbit SSD can be configured in advance for the most common workload clusters, such as Big Data, video streaming, machine learning, AI, or IoT.
For maximized performance, however, Swissbit offers optional optimisation based on a detailed workload analysis of the specific customer’s application. For this, the user receives a test copy of the N4200, which measures and records the workload on site during operation. The workload profile is then analysed by the Swissbit Datacenter team and the firmware is precisely configured to fit.
"This approach delivers a solution that is specifically designed to handle complex cloud applications and provides the industry's most stable throughput and lowest latency under real-world workloads, all without host modifications," added Griesemer.
The 2.5-inch U.3 SSD is based on enterprise-grade 3D TLC NAND (eTLC), is backward compatible with U.2, and features a 4-lane PCIe interface to PCIe 4.0 specification for up to 8,000 MB/s bandwidth in both directions. Storage capacities are 7.68 TB and 15.4 TB, respectively.
