In the first part of this blog series, we examined the specific storage needs for enterprises that operate sophisticated data centers, often under volatile conditions. With a customized DIGISTOR Industrial SSD, businesses can fine-tune fast, stable flash storage drives to specific business requirements. These SSDs have up to 512 GB of capacity, rapid read/write speeds and the ability to monitor and report on possible anomalies, making them ideal for industrial environments. However, with so many customization possibilities, it is important to understand how SSD reporting technology works, as well as the implications of using different NAND flash arrangements.

Flash types and SSD options
NAND flash cells are the building blocks of enterprise SSD drives, allowing for efficient electronic reading and writing of data without reliance on rotating platters or magnetic storage. NAND is generally available in three different arrangements, including single-level cell, triple-level cell and multi-level cell. The suitability of each arrangement depends on the types of devices that an organization uses, as well as the data endurance that it requires.

SLC is typically a bit more expensive than MLC or TLC, but it has longer endurance and a lower error rate. MLC and TLC are more common in devices like cameras, which may use flash for short-term storage of data that will eventually be moved to other media or archived. With over 100,000 possible write cycles over their lifespans, SLCs are more durable than MLCs, which may max out after several thousand write operations. Advanced SSDs also typically augment an SLC or MLC array with DRAM for better performance and a longer lifespan.

With a DIGISTOR drive, enterprises can pick between all three arrangements and get a high-performance drive suited to their fields. Read/write speeds up to 520 MBps and 500 MBps, respectively, ensure that data is written quickly yet reliably.

Making the most of storage resources with SMART
Regardless of specifications like speed and cell arrangement, industrial SSDs are only useful if they are adaptable to changing environmental conditions and potential hardware issues. Equipment issues are detrimental to both the network and the bottom line, but with a DIGISTOR SSD​, enterprises can worry less about storage failure.

Using Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting (SMART) technology, DIGISTOR drives monitor performance metrics in order to anticipate possible failure, in turn giving IT operators ample time to migrate data before it is put into jeopardy. In the context of large, complex data centers, having peace of mind in regard to storage is crucial. A white paper from the LSI Corporation about storage needs in the oil and gas industry underscored the stakes, pointing out the importance of energy-efficient storage that works in concert with all IT operations.

"All the computing and storage equipment now required to meet the challenges in the industry are pushing the data center limits for power, cooling and floor space," the report stated. "It is easy to see why data center managers keep a watchful eye out for ways to make the most efficient use of their resources."