As data centers become increasingly dependent on solid-state drives (SSDs), choosing the right product can have a significant impact on the performance, cost, and lifespan of servers in a data center.
At present, the market offer is very wide; therefore, before replacing hard drives with SSDs or expanding existing storage, IT managers must ensure that they have the ideal choice.
Kingston therefore gives the following recommendations to consider when choosing the right technology solution.
Ideal Capacity
Most people believe that the ideal is to have a technology solution focused on higher capacity; however, when talking about Data Centers the additional expense for higher capacity may not translate into better performance in all situations, as selecting an SSD with overcapacity can be more costly with little immediate benefit and choosing insufficient capacity, it can cause performance degradation, data loss and downtime, causing frustration for users, disruption of business operations and potentially data breach, loss of critical information and increased costs.
Balancing the freedom that extra capacity provides with the cost of expanded storage is a key step in choosing an SSD.
What level of performance is really needed?
The growing popularity of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) places greater demands on data storage. Specifically, high-performance, low-latency storage, to support and enable high-capacity complicated workloads, requires SSDs equipped for these tasks.
When selecting an SSD, it is essential to ensure that read/write speeds are appropriate for the frequency and intensity of data searches. In addition to speed specifications, latency is a key factor. Low latency is particularly important in situations where spikes in activity are expected such as peak periods for holiday sales or handling an avalanche of online transactions.
What is compatible with your systems?
Compatibility is another important factor, particularly when deciding between the form factors of common SSDs for data centers and enterprises: M.2 NVMe and 2.5-inch. For small form factor PCs or workstations with limited space, M.2 NVMe SSDs are often the best choice for providing high-speed storage. For entry-level servers or deployments that require extensive compatibility, 2.5-inch SATA drives are a good all-purpose storage option.
How long will the units last?
Important to consider resistance. Data centers suffer from increased latency as well as overhead and maintenance, as SSDs often require replacement earlier than planned. If the data center is running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and requires intensive use, choose an SSD that is designed to withstand the demands of constant use. In this sense, units that are manufactured according to exact specifications and undergo exhaustive testing will be the most durable.
What level of security is needed?
Cyber attacks are relentless. When choosing an SSD it is important to verify that it meets current and potential security requirements, and that it offers the necessary encryption functions. In situations like these, encrypted SSDs help protect sensitive customer information and financial transactions, but for general data center use, standard firewalls will protect less expensive and unencrypted drives.
Who provides the best support?
Select an SSD from a reputable brand that provides reliable support and warranty options. This can provide peace of mind and ensure access to troubleshooting and support resources in the future. While one-year warranties are very common, suppliers with long-term or lifetime warranties can offer significant cost savings and reduce future long-term headaches. If a drive fails, a lifetime warranty may be the difference between a drive replacement and the need to purchase new hardware. Informed and readily available customer service can also distinguish seemingly similar units, as buyers will be able to solve and remedy any problems in a timely manner thanks to the experience available.
Today, there are many options available in the market and it can be difficult to identify the best drive; however, the decision is critical to ensure that the data center works optimally and provides reliable storage for the data. To get the right SSD it is important to consider the following criteria: capacity, performance, compatibility, strength, safety and brand support.
