As you know at different organizations, workloads are different; their needs are different so it becomes the responsibility of the storage administrator to understand the need for storage. When it comes to choosing flash memory devices, there is a list of factors that one should consider. Have a look at these factors:
1. IOPS (performance)
The very first thing that one has to consider is the performance of the memory device. The performance of any memory device helps you in deciding whether you should go with it or not.
2. Latency time
Whether we are talking about the end-user application or a server application, latency time can affect the performance of the memory. Certain applications are more latency-sensitive while some are not. While in the end, it is important to consider the latency time of the memory device while buying it.
3. Storage functionality
Having rich storage functionality should be considered. The storage functionality includes several numbers of factors such as data protection, access methodologies, high availability, integration into hyper-advisor and host operating systems. Apart from that the storage feature and the capacity of the flash memory devices are also needed to be considered. While at the same time, it is equally important to keep all the data secured else all the functionality would not work at all.
4. The cost
Yes, several numbers of aspects are there that affect the cost of flash memory devices. Yes, every organization has budget constraints and one has to get the devices within the budget constraints of the organization. When we talk about the traditional time, yes, hard disk drives were always cheaper when compared to the flash counterpart. But now the time has changed and with the reduced cost of the solid-state drive, it will not be the same case and hard disk drives are also not a cheaper option now.
When it comes to estimating the cost of the flash memory devices, you need to consider the cost per IOPS, cost per TB as well as ongoing management cost. Considering these factors will let you know the exact cost of the memory device so you can get to know which memory device is a better option for you. Some data reduction technologies such as compression and de-duplication can reduce the cost of the flash systems.
5. Quality of the flash memory devices
Of course, the quality of flash memory devices is one of the most important factors that one has to consider. Multi-level cell NAND is one of the most popular devices that had been used for flash and hybrid storage solutions. It comes in two flavors named as enterprise-grade (eMLC) and customer grade (cMLC). The difference between these two is considered by the longevity of the flash memory. The longevity is defined by the number of times that the data can be re-written and erased on the same flash memory device.
6. Choose the right quantity of memory
If your application requires just 4 MB of memory then what is the usage of buying a memory device with 16 GB of memory space. Of course, it is your needs and requirements that will decide the quantity of required memory. The over-specification of the device can be expensive even when you don’t need it.
7. Working conditions
Check-in what conditions like temperature, shock ratings, and ESD, the memory device can work. If it is not able to work in harsh conditions then check your needs and then decide which memory device is the right option for you.
8. The use form factor that can improve the data security
While most of the industrial products don’t plug into standard PC ports excepting the USB and memory cards that are specifically made up for this purpose. While it can be highly beneficial for your security device because connected devices through ports could be harmful to the security of the device.
Conclusion: As you know flash memory devices are a revolutionary media but before you make a purchase, you should have the right criteria in your mind that how you can select the perfect memory device for you. An affordable storage solution according to your needs is one of the best possible ways to get the right storage solution.
Esaitech 