In this report, we study the performance of solid-state drives that employ flash technology as storage medium. Our aim is to understand how the main performance measures, throughput and latency, are affected by the system parameters and design choices, in particular the garbage-collection mechanism and the priority scheme used for scheduling the various functions performed by a flash die. We observe and explain the occurrence of SSD-specific phenomena, such as latency spikes, and suggest techniques to avoid them.
By: W. Bux
Published in: RZ3801 in 2011
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NOTICE:
This Research Report is available. This report has been submitted for publication outside of IBM and will probably be copyrighted if accepted for publication. It has been issued as a Research Report for early dissemination of its contents. In view of the transfer of copyright to the outside publisher, its distribution outside of IBM prior to publication should be limited to peer communications and specific requests. After outside publication, requests should be filled only by reprints or legally obtained copies of the article (e.g., payment of royalties). I have read and understand this notice and am a member of the scientific community outside or inside of IBM seeking a single copy only.
Questions about this service can be mailed to reports@us.ibm.com .