Samsung introduces 100GB SSD server drive

Samsung has introduced a new 100GB 2.5-inch single-level cell solid state drive designed specifically for servers using applications including video on demand, online transaction processing, or streaming media content.

Announced during the Storage Vision 2009 Conference, Samsung is promoting its SS805 SSD as a high-performance enterprise-class flash drive capable of easily outperforming 15,000-rpm serial-attached SCSI drives used in the enterprise today.

The SS805 has a read rate of 230MB/s and a sequential write rate of 180MB/s, which makes it more than 10 times faster than the fastest SAS drives currently used today.  Intel recently unveiled the X25-E SSD designed for the enterprise — 250Mb/s read, 170MB/s write — but it only comes in 32GB and 64GB storage capacities.

Samsung’s latest enterprise SSD uses just 1.9 watts of power while in active mode and 0.6 watts when idle, while a traditional 15,000 RPM HDD uses anywhere from eight to 15 watts in active mode and one to two watts when idle.

The SS805 will be available later this quarter, but pricing on the drive still remains unknown.

The higher price tag of SSDs has kept them from being widely adopted by consumers, but they are becoming increasingly relevant in the enterprise.  The lone 100GB SSD can replace multiple HDDs in the enterprise, and even has data encryption to keep information on the drive safe.