Again in Could 2023, Solidigm, one of many largest SSD distributors, introduced that its new driver and software program bundle that it says would increase 4K sequential duties by as much as 170% in what would possibly some would possibly contemplate to be black magic tips.
The corporate, born from the acquisition of Intel’s SSD enterprise by SK Hynix, will not be the primary one to vow that software program will improve {hardware} efficiency. Archrival Samsung additionally has its personal software program booster (Magician) for its SSD.
What follows is an emailed interview carried out with Ace Stryker, Product Advertising and marketing Lead, PC {Hardware} & Software program at Solidigm. I requested him, amongst different issues, why is software program turning into extra essential for SSD and what the longer term may convey.
- It appears counterproductive, at first, for Solidigm to launch software program to enhance SSD efficiency so my first query is what is the rationale behind Synergy?
The concept is that conventional SSD efficiency enhancements depend on innovation in two areas: {hardware} and firmware. These are nice, however inadequate to actually unlock a drive’s full potential. {Hardware} may give you quicker NAND switch speeds, greater layer counts, and extra. Firmware can ship optimizations to how knowledge is cached and make the gadget really feel extra responsive.
However the third leg of the stool is software program: how the host system sees and makes use of the SSD. An NVMe drive is sweet however leaves room for enchancment. We’re concentrating on these areas the place we see a chance to optimize our personal drives based mostly on our in-depth research of how PCs switch knowledge to and from SSDs below real-world circumstances.
- In a single use case, optimizations led to a triple determine enchancment in random learn speeds. Why cannot these be achieved out of the field, with out software program help?
The precise enhancements we’re centered on can solely be delivered by enhancing the software program layer. You’ll be able to have the quickest, most succesful SSD on the earth, but when the working system makes use of it sub-optimally, you’re all the time leaving efficiency on the desk.
For example, take the Good Prefetch function we launched in Could. The driving force observes learn exercise in real-time and if the stream is predictable (in technical phrases: if it’s sequential and at low queue depth), it alerts to the SSD: “Hey, the consumer already requested for objects A, B, and C – let’s go forward and fetch D and E earlier than the request is available in.” Then when the request hits, increase: the information is already buffered, lowering the consumer’s wait time.
That’s a functionality that solely exists as a result of the software program layer is transfers as they happen. The {hardware} itself lacks that type of visibility and proactivity with out software program assist.
- Synergy comes as a driver and a toolkit that is suitable with SSDs from different producers. What does that imply and why did Solidgm select to assist rival SSDs?
To be clear, the driving force solely sees and accelerates Solidigm SSDs, whereas the toolkit has options for everybody. To the query of why we’d lengthen toolkit options to everybody–nicely, tactically, it’s good for us to assist third-party SSDs in our toolkit as a result of it expands our addressable market and drives downloads.
However there’s extra to it: when Solidigm launched in December 2021, we promised “a brand new paradigm in solid-state storage.” We imagine in pushing the trade ahead, even when generally which means delivering a helpful function on a non-Solidigm drive.
- Is there equal Solidigm software program for Linux/Mac customers and for datacenter SSDs? Does it assist RAID?
It’s a Home windows-only providing in the present day. We haven’t introduced plans for different working methods or for RAID assist. However as you possibly can think about, we’re continually taking buyer suggestions and asking ourselves what would make the software program extra helpful.
In the identical means, we’ve got a long-term {hardware} roadmap with future merchandise deliberate, and we’ve got a imaginative and prescient for the way forward for storage software program that’s a lot broader-reaching than what you see in the present day.
- Given the truth that SSDs at the moment are primarily mini computer systems (most have onboard DRAM and a processor), would it not make extra sense to teach customers to the significance of firmware updates?
Firmware updates are an inevitability in pc {hardware}, however not one thing I’d enterprise to say most customers are tremendous curious about. They only need their PC to work as anticipated. To that finish, after we do launch an replace for a Solidigm drive, the toolkit will notify the consumer and stroll them by means of the replace course of.
- What may future variations of Synergy provide? Cloning? Intel Robson-like options (if pairing two forms of NAND in a single reader)?
The chances are thrilling. We’ve got a protracted record of candidate options that we’re frequently increasing, revising, and re-prioritizing. Our objective is nothing lower than a “one-stop store” for knowledge and drive administration in Solidigm Synergy. Keep tuned for extra.
