Using Server SSD Can Boost Performance

Solid state storage (SSD) is taking the lead role in solving performance challenges in the data center -- but where and how should this storage be used for maximum benefit? In this InformationWeek article, author George Crump said placing SSD in the server is a popular option, especially if only a small percentage of your servers are having a performance problem.

"Hard-drive form factor SSDs are now joined by SSD DIMM, as we discussed in our recent article 'SSD DIMM - An Alternative to PCIe SSD,' as devices that can be installed in your server's DIMM slots and act exactly like mechanical hard drives, connecting to the system connect via standard SAS or SATA interfaces. This type of connection makes both of these form factors ideal boot devices. They are limited to the connection speed of the interface, but for many environments that's all the performance boost that's needed.

"PCIe SSDs are the other server SSD option and are rapidly gaining in popularity. As the name suggests these SSDs connect via the PCIe bus and, as a result, have direct access to the CPU via a high-speed channel, which provides a very high-performance option. While most PCIes can't be booted from, they are ideal for extremely high-performance workloads where even the bandwidth of SAS/SATA is not enough for the performance requirements of the application."

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