WHAT IS SSD?
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage device that can read, write, and store data without needing a constant power source. They can be used as internal or external drives and, since they don’t have any moving parts, they are becoming smaller in size. An example of this is the 2.5-inch SSD, which is about the size of a deck of cards.
An SSD, or solid-state drive, is a type of storage device that uses microchips to store data, in contrast to hard disk drives (HDDs) which use spinning magnetic disks called platters. This difference in storage technology leads to SSDs having much faster access times than HDDs. SSDs are made by stacking interconnected flash memory chips made of silicon to achieve varying densities.
There are different types of SSDs available. One example is the M.2 SSD, which is small and about the size of a pack of gum. Another type is the U.2 drive, which utilizes a specific motherboard connection, similar to M.2, but comes in a larger 2.5-inch form. Due to their larger size, U.2 drives have a greater storage capacity, with some reaching 4TB or more, whereas most M.2 drives max out at 2TB.
A SAS SSD is a type of storage device that utilizes NAND flash memory and is designed to be compatible with the SAS interface, allowing it to connect to the host computer like an HDD. The most common form factors for SAS SSDs are 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch. These drives come with different bandwidth options, including 3 Gbps, 6 Gbps, and 12 Gbps.
THE EVOLUTION OF SSD TECHNOLOGY OVER TIME
Contrary to popular belief, the concept of SSDs has been around for quite some time. They were first introduced during the 1950s in early computers that utilized vacuum tubes for logic circuits. The initial versions of SSDs employed two similar technologies: card-based read-only storage and magnetic core memory.
Despite their initial popularity, SSDs fell out of use in the latter half of the 1950s and 1960s due to the emergence of more affordable storage alternatives such as drum memory, which is a type of magnetic data storage device.
Although SSDs lost popularity, they didn’t disappear entirely, and by the 1970s they reappeared in the market. But, they were unaffordable, and it was not until 1976 that Dataram released its Bulk Core SSD that they became more accessible. However, the cost was still very high. For example, a Bulk Core setup with 256KB of storage and a controller board cost around $8,000 in 1977, which is equivalent to about $39,000 in today’s currency.
Throughout the late 1970s, SSD technology progressed, and by the 1990s, flash-based SSDs were introduced and became popular worldwide. However, they were still quite expensive compared to current prices.
In 2003, the affordability of SSDs significantly improved when Transcend launched low-cost flash SSDs with a Parallel ATA (PATA) connector, which could be purchased for as low as $45. By the end of 2012, flash drives for high-performance enterprise applications had become standard. The growing demand for speed, high performance, and reliability continues to drive the advancements and growth of SSDs over traditional hard disk drives.
An SSD is a thin piece of NAND flash memory, similar to what is used in a USB drive. However, instead of being housed in a small stick, an SSD is encased in a shell and includes an interface connector for transferring data between the computer’s main circuit board and storage devices, resulting in improved performance.
SATA INTERFACES
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a widely-used interface for SSDs. Unlike the parallel model, SATA communication transfers data bit by bit, which makes it less prone to interference and enables it to run at faster speeds than PATA, which it has largely replaced. The serial model also allows for simpler and slimmer cables.
Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a storage interface and data transfer protocol that offers the highest throughput and fastest response times by utilizing the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus. NVMe SSDs are becoming the preferred option for data centers globally due to their speed and dependability
To learn more about NVMe, visit the Ref Group blog page. Ref Group provides a diverse selection of SSDs and HDDs that cater to different businesses and budgets. Our technical specialists are available to assist you in determining the best option for your business. In addition to providing cost savings, all our SSDs and HDDs come with a robust three-year warranty for added security.