Toshiba Memory America, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corp., has announced the launch of a new Storage Class Memory (SCM) solution, XL-FLASH. Based on the company’s BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology with 1-bit-per-cell SLC, Toshiba says the XL-FLASH offers low latency and high performance for data center and enterprise storage. Sample shipments will start in September, with mass production expected to begin in 2020.
According to Toshiba, classified as SCM (or persistent memory), with the ability to retain its contents like NAND flash memory, XL-FLASH bridges the performance gap that exists between DRAM and NAND. While volatile memory solutions such as DRAM provide the access speed needed by demanding applications, that performance comes at a high cost.
As the cost-per-bit and scalability of DRAM levels off, this new SCM (or persistent memory) layer in the memory hierarchy addresses that issue with a high density, non-volatile NAND flash memory solution.
Sitting in between DRAM and NAND flash, XL-FLASH brings increased speed, reduced latency and higher storage capacities—at a lower cost than traditional DRAM. XL-FLASH will initially be deployed in an SSD format but could be expanded to memory channel attached devices that sit on the DRAM bus, such as future industry standard non-volatile dual in-line memory modules (NVDIMMs).
“With XL-FLASH, we are giving hyperscalers and enterprise server/storage providers a more cost-effective, lower latency storage solution that bridges the gap between DRAM and NAND performance,” said Scott Nelson, senior vice president and general manager of Toshiba Memory America, Inc.'s Memory Business Unit. “We’re also opening the door for emerging technologies and industry standards that will enable different form factors for low-latency flash memory solutions. SCM is the next frontier for enterprise storage, and our role as one of the world’s largest flash memory suppliers gives XL-FLASH a cost/performance edge over competing SCM solutions.”
For more information, go to https://business.toshiba-memory.com.