Flash Storage To The Rescue

Flash storage has been around for decades and has primarily been used in consumer devices ranging from a tiny USB stick to PC memory cards. 

Yet using flash storage on the enterprise level can speed up operations greatly. Nothing comes without a struggle however. What are the benefits and drawbacks to using flash-memory on a dedicated server?

Benefits and Drawbacks

Industry analysts predict Flash storage will take off this year, as many data centers look to upgrade aging hardware. 

Beneficially speaking, Flash memory has no moving parts - which reduces the risk of damage greatly. Also, Flash storage cuts down on latency as it's able to deliver and carry out storage decisions without putting extra strain on a machine. Flash storage also generates less heat, puts less strain on a cooling system and can be erased and overwritten electronically.

The main setup is of course, cost. Despite being around since 1980, companies are still having trouble integrating Flash storage devices into their servers. As time goes on, prices will come down. Some vendors even offer flash memory as an add on to storage boxes. 

This simple add-on might actually save money in the long run as it will accelerate computing performance right out of the gate. On the other hand, if your company does not wish to outfit the entire infrastructure retrofitting a flash storage system will cost you. The reason; fabrication of parts is costly and time-consuming. So, will we see a greater spike in sales this year? Probably not as much and vendors would hope. Then again, flash storage is quietly emerging in a market that is forever looking for ways to increase efficiency and lower operational costs. 

Flash storage to the Rescue! Would you retrofit your server? bit.ly/XXdgHc

— Colocation America (@ColocationUSA) January 11, 2013

For more information contact Albert Ahdoot