Introduction
Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) has launched its groundbreaking Micron 9550 NVMe™ SSD, now recognized as the fastest data center SSD globally.
Blazing Fast Speeds: The Micron 9550 SSD delivers unparalleled performance with sequential read speeds of up to 14.0 GB/s and write speeds of up to 10.0 GB/s. This is a significant leap compared to previous generation SSDs.
Random Read and Write Dominance: Beyond sequential speeds, the 9550 excels in random read and write operations, crucial for database and AI workloads. It boasts 3,300 KIOPS for random reads and 400 KIOPS for random writes.
Power Efficiency: While offering top-tier performance, the 9550 is designed with power efficiency in mind. It consumes up to 43% less power than comparable SSDs in AI workloads, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
This new entrant sets a new standard in performance and efficiency, making it a game-changer for AI and high-demand workloads.
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About Micron Technology
Micron Technology, Inc. is a leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, transforming information usage globally. Micron focuses on technology leadership and operational excellence. The company offers high-performance DRAM, NAND, and NOR memory products. These products are available under the Micron® and Crucial® brands.
Micron’s new 9550 SSD is a milestone in data center storage technology, setting new standards for performance and efficiency in the era of AI and beyond.
Unmatched Performance and Efficiency
The Micron 9550 SSD redefines what’s possible with data center storage. Boasting sequential read speeds of up to 14.0 GB/s and write speeds of 10.0 GB/s, it delivers up to 67% superior performance compared to its closest competitors.
In random read and write operations, the SSD achieves 3,300 KIOPS and 400 KIOPS, respectively, surpassing competing models by up to 35% and 33% in performance.
This high performance is crucial for AI applications. Large language models (LLMs) and graph neural networks (GNNs) demand exceptional read and write speeds.
The Micron 9550 SSD meets these demands, offering up to 33% faster workload completion times and up to 60% quicker feature aggregation in GNN training.
Furthermore, it supports up to 34% higher throughput for NVIDIA Magnum IO™ GPUDirect® Storage, optimizing AI data processing.
Accelerating AI and ML workloads: The SSD’s speed and efficiency will enable faster training and inference for AI models.
Improving overall data center performance: By reducing storage bottlenecks, the 9550 can enhance the performance of various applications.
Driving innovation: The availability of such high-performance storage solutions can inspire new applications and services.
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Architecture and Technology
PCIe Gen5 Interface: Leveraging the latest PCIe Gen5 interface, the 9550 maximizes data transfer rates and reduces latency.
Advanced NAND Technology: Built on Micron’s cutting-edge 232-layer TLC NAND, the SSD offers a balance of performance, capacity, and endurance.
Optimized for AI Workloads: The 9550 is specifically tailored to meet the demanding requirements of AI applications, such as natural language processing and image recognition.
Capacity and Form Factor
- High Capacity Options: The 9550 is available in various capacities to suit different storage needs, with options ranging from several terabytes to tens of terabytes.
- Versatile Form Factors: The SSD comes in multiple form factors, including E1.S, E3.S, and U.2, providing flexibility for different server designs.
Target Market and Applications
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): The 9550 is ideal for HPC environments that require massive data processing and analysis.
- AI and Machine Learning: Its speed and efficiency make it an excellent choice for training and deploying AI models.
- Cloud and Data Centers: Cloud service providers and data centers can benefit from the 9550’s performance and scalability.
- Enterprise Applications: Organizations with demanding database and transactional workloads can leverage the SSD’s capabilities.
Power Efficiency: A Key Advantage
In addition to its performance, the Micron 9550 SSD stands out for its power efficiency. It consumes up to 43% less power during AI workload operations compared to similar SSDs. This efficiency extends to various applications, including:
- GNN Training with Big Accelerator Memory (BaM): Up to 43% lower average power consumption and up to 29% reduction in overall system energy usage.
- NVIDIA Magnum IO GPUDirect Storage: Up to 81% less energy per terabyte transferred.
- MLPerf Benchmarks: Up to 35% less SSD energy and 13% less overall system energy.
- Llama LLM Training with Microsoft DeepSpeed: Up to 21% less SSD energy.
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A Leap Forward for Data Center Storage
“The Micron 9550 SSD represents a giant leap forward in data center storage,” said Alvaro Toledo, Vice President and General Manager of Micron’s Data Center Storage group.
“It offers a staggering 3.3 million IOPS while being up to 43% more power-efficient than competitors in AI workloads. This level of performance and efficiency establishes a new benchmark for AI storage solutions.”
NVIDIA’s Rob Davis added, “
The integration of NVIDIA technologies with the Micron 9550 SSD enhances data center efficiency and performance, pivotal for reducing costs and ensuring reliable operations.”
AMD’s Raghu Nambiar highlighted the importance of this innovation, stating,
Our collaboration with Micron ensures that the full capabilities of the 9550 SSD are
leveraged in AMD EPYC-based servers, essential for latency-sensitive workloads like AI.”
Intel’s Debendra Das Sharma expressed support for the launch, noting,
“Micron’s entry into the PCIe Gen5 market with the 9550 SSD aligns well with Intel’s platforms, supporting AI workloads and enhancing the performance of Intel’s CPU solutions.”
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Advanced Features and Security
The Micron 9550 SSD is engineered with a vertically integrated architecture that includes Micron-developed controller, NAND, DRAM, and firmware. This integration enables flexible design options and advanced security features, including:
- NVMe 2.0 and OCP 2.0 Support: For improved performance and health monitoring.
- End-to-End Security: Self-encrypting drive (SED) capabilities, compliance with Security Protocols and Data Models (SPDM 1.2), and robust data encryption.
- Compliance Options: FIPS 140-3 Level 2 and TAA compliance for higher security standards.
Available in capacities from 3.2TB to 30.72TB and form factors including U.2, E1.S, and E3.S, the Micron 9550 SSD caters to a wide range of PCIe Gen5 server designs. This extensive portfolio supports the demanding needs of top OEMs and hyperscalers, enhancing scalability and performance across various workloads.
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Conclusion
The Micron 9550 PCIe Gen5 SSD is a significant advancement in data center storage technology. With its unparalleled speed, power efficiency, and robust feature set, it is set to revolutionize how data centers handle AI and other high-demand workloads. Micron’s innovative approach highlights its commitment to leading the storage industry into the next era of performance and efficiency.
As enterprises continue to seek ways to optimize their data infrastructure, the Micron 9550 SSD stands out as a crucial tool for achieving unprecedented levels of performance and energy efficiency.
