Solid-state memory
Discussion of how developments in solid-state memory will affect database management. Related subjects include:
- Data warehouse appliances
- (in The Monash Report) The future of diskless PCs
Database management system architecture implications of an eventual move to solid-state memory
I’ve pointed out in the past that solid-state/Flash memory could be a good alternative to hard disks in PCs and enterprise systems alike. Well, when that happy day arrives, what will be some of the implications for database management software architecture?
- Compression will be even more important. Cost per terabyte of storage will spike up for that storage that is moved from disk to solid-state.
- The sequential-rather-than-random reading strategy of data warehouse appliance makers may become less relevant. The one way to get rid of the disk-speed bottleneck is to get rid of disks.
- DBMS will need to write data as rarely as possible. Solid-state memory tends to wear out if you keep writing over it. Assuming this problem gets better over time (if it doesn’t, this whole discussion is moot) but isn’t totally solved, architectures which have fewer writes are on the whole better.
| Categories: Data warehouse appliances, Data warehousing, Database compression, Netezza, Solid-state memory, Theory and architecture | Leave a Comment |
Solid state (Flash) memory vs. RAM vs. disks
I just wrote a column and a blog post on the potential for diskless PCs based on flash drives. It was a fun exercise, and I think I kept it general enough that my lack of knowledge about hardware technology details didn’t lead me into significant error.
The first vendor response I got was from Bit Micro Networks, who seem to sell such drives for PCs and enterprise storage alike. One of their press releases touts an Oracle implementation. Interesting idea. It’s far from a substitute for full memory-centric data management, but it’s kind of an intermediate way of getting some of the benefits without altering your traditional software setup much at all.
| Categories: Memory-centric data management, Oracle, Solid-state memory | 1 Comment |
