Samsung Electronics and Western Digital have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ground-breaking collaboration to standardize and expedite the adoption of next-generation data placement, processing, and fabrics (D2PF) storage technologies.
. Initially, the companies will concentrate their efforts on coordinating their efforts and building a solid ecosystem for Zoned Storage solutions. These measures will allow the industry to focus on a variety of applications that will eventually give more value to clients.
This marks the first time that both Samsung and Western Digital have come together as technology leaders to create widespread alignment and stimulate awareness of important storage technologies. Focusing on enterprise and cloud applications, the partnership is expected to spur a range of collaborations around technology standardization and software development for D2PF technologies like Zoned Storage. With this collaboration, end-users can have confidence that these emerging storage technologies will have support from multiple device vendors as well as from vertically integrated hardware and software companies.
Jinman Han, Corporate EVP, Head of Memory Sales & Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said in a statement that this collaboration is a testament to their relentless effort to exceed customers’ needs now and in the future, and holds special meaning in how they anticipate it will actively grow into a larger basis of engagement for Zoned Storage standardization. Their collaborative efforts will embrace hardware and software ecosystems to ensure that as many customers as possible can reap the benefits of this highly important technology.
The two businesses have previously launched a project focused on Zoned Storage devices such as ZNS (Zoned Namespaces) SSDs and SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) HDDs. Samsung and Western Digital will create high-level models and frameworks for next-generation Zoned Storage technologies through organizations like the SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association) and the Linux Foundation. With a commitment to enabling open and scalable data center designs, they established the Zoned Storage TWG (Technical Work Group), which was authorized by SNIA in December 2021. The group has already defined and specified typical use cases for Zoned Storage devices, as well as host/device architecture and programming models.
Furthermore, this partnership is planned to serve as a starting point for expanding zone-based (e.g., ZNS, SMR) device interfaces, as well as future-generation, high-capacity storage devices with better data placement and processing capabilities. At a later stage, these activities will be broadened to encompass additional developing D2PF technologies such as computational storage and storage fabrics, including NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).
Originally published at https://cxotv.techplusmedia.com on April 1, 2022.