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"Ruler" form factor SSDs announced by Intel

Intel's "ruler" form factor is specifically designed for data centers. (Source: Intel)
Intel's "ruler" form factor is specifically designed for data centers. (Source: Intel)
The new ruler form factor SSDs fit perfectly in 1U rack units, solving problems with wasted space in data centers. Thus, a 1U rack can now store up to 1,000 TB (1 petabyte). Intel promises 3D NAND and Optane SSD models with the new ruler form factor in the near future.

The 2017 Flash Memory Summit saw some interesting announcements in its first two days. Among the companies that unveiled innovative technologies was Intel with the “ruler” form factor SSDs designed for data centers.

Intel specifically designed the new ruler SSDs to solve storage space problems in data centers. The standard rectangular 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors end up wasting space in a 1U rack unit that is usually used to house data center servers. The ruler form factor allows Intel’s new SSDs to fit perfectly in a 1U rack unit, which can now store 1,000 TB (1 petabyte). According to Intel, a 1U rack can now provide enough storage for 300,000 HD movies, or about 70 years of nonstop entertainment. Larger data centers also use rack cages that fit up to 42U racks, so the storage can go up to 42 petabytes.

Additionally, Intel announced the S4500 and S4600 SSD series for data centers. These are 32-layer 3D NAND models that use an Intel-developed SATA controller and firmware and are meant as an easy upgrade option from traditional SATA HDDs. Intel will also launch dual port SSD models that offer increased bandwidth and lower latency through the Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) port.

There is no info on the exact time these new SSDs will be released, but Intel ensures that it will offer 3D NAND and Optane SSD models with the new ruler form factor in the near future.

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Bogdan Solca, 2017-08- 9 (Update: 2017-08- 9)