ScaleFlux SFX 5016: Revolutionizing Enterprise SSD Efficiency and AI Workload Performance

ScaleFlux, a leading player in the IT sector, is making waves with its SSD controllers. With the introduction of the SFX 5016, ScaleFlux aims to redefine the standards for performance and power efficiency in data processing.

One of the standout features of the SFX 5016 is its transparent compression capability, a feature that was first introduced by ScaleFlux in 2020 and has been upgraded in the SFX 3016 computational storage drive controller. This innovative feature allows for improved data processing performance without compromising on efficiency.

But that’s not all – the SFX 5016 takes things a step further with a host of design advancements. The most notable upgrade is the shift from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0, doubling the host interface speed and bandwidth. This boost in performance is complemented by enhancements to the internal buses, memory controller capability, and NAND interface, enabling the chip to fully leverage the faster host interface.

Thanks to the adoption of the advanced 7 nm process, the SFX 5016 achieves exceptional power efficiency, nearly tripling the IOPs/Watt compared to its predecessor. This is a significant achievement that sets ScaleFlux apart from its competitors.

Moreover, the SFX 5016 incorporates advanced ECC and NAND management capabilities that support multiple generations of TLC and QLC NAND from various vendors. This versatility ensures compatibility with a wide range of storage solutions.

Hao Zhong, CEO of ScaleFlux, emphasizes that these design choices provide a competitive edge for AI-centric workloads, based on feedback from strategic customers with extensive AI deployments. It’s clear that ScaleFlux has taken into account the evolving needs of the industry and is delivering solutions tailored to meet those demands.

The first internal samples of the SFX 5016 were delivered in late 2023, and the results have been nothing short of impressive. The ScaleFlux team’s firmware and silicon co-design process allowed for feature-complete firmware to be available from day one, resulting in a smooth and efficient validation process. The chip is already achieving remarkable speeds, with 14 GB/s sequential read, 11 GB/s sequential write, 3.3M random read IOPs, and 750k random write IOPs, all while maintaining low Latency.

Furthermore, the SFX 5016 is designed to support up to 256 TB of storage capacity, making it an ideal choice for those seeking high-density storage solutions. This versatility ensures that ScaleFlux can cater to a wide range of customer needs.

The successful development of both the SFX 3016 and SFX 5016 highlights the maturity of ScaleFlux’s pre-Si design and verification process. “Achieving first pass production on a highly complex SoC once may be dismissed as lucky,” said Fei Sun, EVP of Engineering. “But twice in a row is a result of teamwork and discipline.” This achievement demonstrates ScaleFlux’s commitment to delivering reliable and high-quality products.

Sampling of the SFX 5016 with turnkey firmware has already begun for key customers who plan to build their own drives using the ScaleFlux CSD 5000 drive design. This marks an exciting step forward for ScaleFlux as it continues to shape the future of the IT industry.

In a world where sustainable growth is paramount, innovative solutions like those offered by ScaleFlux are crucial. By not only responding to the demand for more sustainable data processing technologies but actively shaping the industry’s future, ScaleFlux is cementing its position as a leader in the field.

Technology Explained

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Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

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NAND: NAND technology is a type of non-volatile memory that is used in many computer applications. It is a type of flash memory that is used to store data in a non-volatile manner, meaning that the data is not lost when the power is turned off. NAND technology is used in many computer applications, such as solid-state drives, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and memory cards. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as cell phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. NAND technology is a reliable and cost-effective way to store data, making it a popular choice for many computer applications.

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.

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SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation

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