I'm a storage connectivity nerd, but I often learn new things I missed. Reading about the new Tyan servers with AMD's Epyc server processor, I was surprised by an off-hand mention of "OCuLink" as a storage expansion port. Naturally, I did some digging and discovered what it is: OCuLink is a competitor for Thunderbolt for cabled PCI Express connectivity, offering similar … [Read more...] about What is OCuLink?
NVMe
My Core i7 Macintosh SE
I recently built the biggest, clunkiest iPad mini case ever, transforming my old Macintosh SE case into an iPad stand. But what to do with that empty case? Why, it's the perfect size for a custom Mini-ITX PC! Introducing my liquid-cooled Core i7 monster Mac SE! Creative Packaging After removing the original Macintosh motherboard, I was struck by its neat packaging in the … [Read more...] about My Core i7 Macintosh SE
Plexistor Integrates NVDIMM for Every Application
I'm really excited about the prospects of memory-addressable flash. Moving flash closer to the CPU and addressing it as memory rather than block storage brings tremendous performance benefits, and is a once-in-a-generation radical change to system architecture. But questions remain as to how it can be integrated with today's applications. Now Plexistor is here with a promising … [Read more...] about Plexistor Integrates NVDIMM for Every Application
Apple Packs PCIe SSD Alongside PC-Fast CPU and Graphics in iPhone 6s and iPad Pro
We all knew that the iPhone 6s and iPad pro would boast anPU and graphics performance to challenge mainstream PC's, but it has now been revealed that the storage layer packs revolutionary NVMe/PCIe connectivity and performance. Although the iPhone 6s doesn't need this kind of performance, the forthcoming iPad Pro ought to rock! No More SD Storage In reviewing the iPhone 6s, … [Read more...] about Apple Packs PCIe SSD Alongside PC-Fast CPU and Graphics in iPhone 6s and iPad Pro
Why Are PCIe SSDs So Fast?
The world of storage can be confusing, with obscure terms hiding massive differences in technology and performance. Such is the case for the latest PCI express SSDs: They are much faster than traditional SAS or SATA SSDs, but many aren't sure exactly why. In this article, I will try to explain the real difference. Let's get it out of the way from the start: All SSDs are fast … [Read more...] about Why Are PCIe SSDs So Fast?