SSDs and Flash MemoryJoeri Swiggers & Stijn Bruers

What are SSDs?

Solid State Disk : No moving parts

Originally used with volatile / RAM memory If there was no power, data would be lost

Modern SSDs use Flash memory Even without power, data is saved

What is Flash Memory?

An old method to store data without power Bubble memory Had significant aging problems Performance got worse over time

Early 2000’s : Flash memory became more reliable

Now : All SSDs carry flash memory chips SSD Flash Memory ≠ USB Flash Memory !!!

What is Flash Memory?

Pricing issues are diminishing Becoming more reliable than traditional hard drives

Maximum capacity is increasing Physical size is kept to a minimum

MYTH : Data cannot be removed from SSD

USB Thumb Drives

Use flash memory chips, like SSD

Quality is lower than SSD Flash Memory Less reliable, slower speeds, ...

Still very useful

Hybrid Hard Drives (SSHD)

Magnetic drives with SSD / Flash memory storage

Small amount of SSD storage

Work as a “cache”

How does SSHD compare to SSD?

Combines elements of both SSD and HDD :

SSD HDDReliability Storage capacity

Speed PricingLongevity

Noise

CONCLUSION

References

Danielmeissler.com – The Difference Between SSD and Flash Hard Drives

PCMag – SSD vs. HDD: What’s the difference?

University of Klagenfurt’s website – Bubble memory

Wikipedia – USB flash drives

PCWorld – Hybrid hard drives: How they work and why they matter

FlashStorageBlog.com – 3 Interesting Facts About Flash Memory & Storage

Are there any questions?

Thank you for your attention!