KIOXIA Launches 122.88 TB NVMe SSDs Aimed at AI Workloads

KIOXIA introduces a Game-Changer in SSD Technology

Kioxia America, Inc. has just dropped a bombshell in the storage world with the announcement of its latest innovation: the LC9 Series 122.88 terabyte (TB) NVMe SSD. This isn’t just any SSD; it’s the first to feature KIOXIA’s BiCS FLASH generation 8 3D flash memory technology, utilizing a QLC 2 terabit (Tb) die. If you’re wondering why this is a big deal, let’s break it down.

Why High-Capacity SSDs Matter

As we dive deeper into the age of AI, the demand for robust storage solutions is skyrocketing. With the rapid evolution of AI systems and the explosion of data, businesses are scrambling for ways to store and manage this information efficiently. High-capacity drives like the LC9 Series SSD are essential, especially for tasks involving large language models (LLMs) and massive datasets. Imagine trying to train an AI model without the right storage—it’s like trying to fill a swimming pool with a garden hose!

This new KIOXIA drive is specifically designed for generative AI applications, offering a PCIe 5.0 interface and dual-port capability. This means it can handle multiple connections, boosting fault tolerance and making it perfect for complex computing environments. Whether you’re deploying in hybrid cloud setups or navigating multi-cloud systems, these high-capacity QLC-based SSDs are ready to deliver.

Efficiency Meets Innovation

But wait, there’s more! KIOXIA isn’t just stopping at storage capacity. Their new SSD complements the recently announced KIOXIA AiSAQ technology, which takes things up a notch by enhancing Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) performance. By storing vector database elements on SSDs instead of pricey, limited DRAM, KIOXIA is not only improving efficiency but also reducing power consumption per TB. It’s a win-win for businesses looking to optimize their operations.

As Gregory Wong, founder and principal analyst at Forward Insights, puts it, “As AI adoption accelerates and larger LLMs and vector databases become more prevalent, the need for high-capacity SSD storage is surging.” This means that advanced solutions like KIOXIA’s LC9 Series SSD are not just nice to have; they’re critical for meeting the growing demands of AI workloads.

What’s Inside the LC9 Series SSD?

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the KIOXIA LC9 Series SSD stand out:

–

Dual-port 2.5-inch SSD form factor

with a whopping

122.88 TB capacity

and

0.3 DWPD endurance

.
– Compliance with NVMe 2.0, NVMe-MI, and PCIe 5.0 specifications, achieving up to

128 gigatransfers per second

Gen 5 performance.
– Incorporation of KIOXIA’s

2 Tb QLC BiCS FLASH generation 8 3D flash memory

with advanced CBA (CMOS Directly Bonded to Array) technology.

Neville Ichhaporia, senior vice president and general manager of the SSD business unit at KIOXIA, emphasizes the importance of these advancements: “AI workloads are pushing the boundaries of data storage, demanding higher capacities and faster access to vast datasets that reside in today’s data lakes.” With the LC9 Series NVMe SSD, KIOXIA is poised to accelerate AI model training, inference, and RAG at scale.

Catch It Live!

If you’re as excited as we are about this technology, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the KIOXIA LC9 Series SSD at an upcoming conference. It’s not just a storage solution; it’s a glimpse into the future of data management in the AI era. So, are you ready to embrace the next generation of SSDs?

Background Information

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About Kioxia:

Kioxia is a global leader in flash memory and solid-state drive (SSD) technology, originating from Toshiba Memory Corporation, which rebranded as Kioxia in 2019. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Kioxia develops high-quality memory solutions, serving various markets including consumer electronics, data centers, and industrial applications. The company is known for pioneering NAND flash memory technology, focusing on innovation, data storage solutions, and sustainability.

  

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Technology Explained

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NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

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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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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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