Samsung Paves the Way for Next-Gen Storage with EDSFF Form Factor

Samsung Paving the Way for EDSFF Drives

In the significant shift in the storage solution landscape, Samsung is setting the stage to champion the Enterprise and DataCenter SSD Form Factor (EDSFF), a move that signals a departure from the traditional M.2, U.2 and U.3 form factors. The recently published white paper on the new Samsung PM1743 SSD, underscores the commitment from Samsung in spearheading this innovative drive format which promises to reshape the future of data center architectures.

The Drive Torwards EDSFF

EDSFF drives are desined to address several limitations faced by the current leading SSD form factors, particularly in high-capacity and high-performance scenarios. Samsung's interest in EDSFF is motivated by the form factor's superior scalability, improved thermal efficiency, and enhanced serviceability. These features are of extreme importance for modern data centers that demand higher efficiency and increased operational simplicity.

Performance Breakthroughs in Speed and Efficiency

Samsung's PM1743 SSD showcases remarkable performance enhancements with its support for the cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 interface, a significant step up from the previous generation. The adoption of PCIe 5.0 technology in the PM1743 enables even higher speeds, with the drive reaching a staggering sequential read speed of up to 13,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,600 MB/s. These speeds represent a substantial performance leap, nearly doubling the capabilities of drives using PCIe 4.0 technology.

This advancement in speed is critical for data-intensive applications such as real-time analytics, high-performance computing, and AI data processing, where fast data throughput is essential. The reduced latency and increased bandwidth provided by the PCIe 5.0 technology make the Samsung PM1743 an ideal solution for future proofing data center infrastructure and supporting the next generation of enterprise applications.

Why Move Away From M.2 and U.2/U.3

While M.2 and U.2/U.3 form factors have been instrumental in the evolution of storage technology, their design constraints are becoming increasingly apparent in the enterprise environments. M.2 drives, mainly designed for consumer devices, lack the robustness required for server-grade tasks. On the other hand, U.2 and U.3, although aligned with the needs of servers, still fall short in thermal management and scalability when deployed at scale.
However, EDSFF in contrast offers several improvements:

• Thermal Efficiency: EDSFF drives can operate at lower temperatures thanks to their optimized airflow design, which is crucial for maintaining performance under load.
• Scalability: The form factor supports higher capacities and performance densities, making it ideal for expanding data growth.
• serviceability: EDSFF drives enable easier and quicker replacement and upgrades, which minimizes downtime in data center environments.

Samsung's Role and Vision

Samsung is not just adopting EDSFF but is actively promoting it as the future standard for enterprise SSDs. Their latest SSD, the PM1743, is an example of what EDSFF can achieve. It demonstrates remarkable performance improvements and operational efficiencies over past models designed with older form factors.

With this strategic pivot, Samsung aims to lead the charge torwards more sustainable and efficient data center operations. The transition to EDSFF also aligns with broader industry trends torwards enhancing data center infrastructure to be more adaptable and environmentally friendly.

Looking Ahead

As the idustry gravitates torwards adopting EDSFF, other manufacturers and data center operators will likely follow Samsung's lead. This transition marks a pivotal moment in storage technology, with intent to deliver substantial benefits to enterprise operations and cloud infrastructures.
Samsung's move away from M.2, U.2/U.3 in the server realm, and torwards EDSFF, is forward-thinking startegy that promises to not only meet the current demands of data technology but also anticipate future needs, ensuring that data centers remain at the cutting edge of efficient and performant technology.