Samsung Signs MoU with Western Digital

Samsung Electronics and Western Digital have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a breakthrough partnership to standardize and accelerate the deployment of next-generation data placement, processing, and fabrics (D2PF) storage technologies. Initially, the firms will focus on synchronizing their efforts and developing a robust ecosystem for Zoned Storage products. These initiatives will allow the sector to concentrate on a plethora of applications that will eventually provide more value to clients.

This marks the first time that both Samsung and Western Digital have come together as technology leaders to create widespread alignment and stimulate awareness for important storage technologies. Focusing on enterprise and cloud applications, the partnership is expected to spur a range of collaborations around technology standardization and software development for D2PF technologies like Zoned Storage. With this collaboration, end-users can have confidence that these emerging storage technologies will have support from multiple device vendors as well as from vertically integrated hardware and software companies.

Jinman Han, Corporate EVP, Head of Memory Sales & Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said in a statement that this collaboration is a testament to their relentless effort to exceed customers’ needs now and in the future, and holds special meaning in how they anticipate it will actively grow into a larger basis of engagement for Zoned Storage standardization. Their collaborative efforts will embrace hardware and software ecosystems to ensure that as many customers as possible can reap the benefits of this highly important technology.

The two firms have already launched a Zoned Storage effort, which includes ZNS (Zoned Namespaces) SSDs and SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) HDDs. Samsung and Western Digital will establish high-level models and frameworks for next-generation Zoned Storage technologies through organizations such as SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association) and the Linux Foundation. They established the Zoned Storage TWG (Technical Work Group) with the goal of enabling open and scalable data center designs, and it was accepted by SNIA in December 2021. Already, the group has defined and specified typical use cases for Zoned Storage devices, as well as host/device architecture and programming models.

Furthermore, this partnership is planned to serve as a starting point for expanding zone-based (e.g., ZNS, SMR) device interfaces, as well as future-generation, high-capacity storage devices with better data placement and processing capabilities. At a later stage, these activities will be broadened to encompass additional developing D2PF technologies such as computational storage and storage fabrics, including NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).

Originally published at https://itvarnews.techplusmedia.com on April 1, 2022.