DEC-StorageWorksEz5xSolidStateDisks

This document describes Digital's StorageWorks EZ5x Solid State Disks (SSDs), designed to bridge the performance gap between fast CPUs and slower traditional I/O subsystems.

Key features and benefits include:

• Lightning-Fast Data Access: Using DRAMs instead of rotating media, EZ5x SSDs eliminate latency, providing sub-millisecond access times (up to 100 times faster than magnetic disks) to maximize application performance.
• Seamless Integration: They appear as standard SCSI-2 disk drives to operating systems and applications, requiring no system or operational changes.
• High Availability & Data Security: Features include patented Error Correction Code (ECC) and a unique integrated data retention system. This system continuously backs up DRAM contents to an onboard magnetic disk, and integrated batteries ensure data transfer to the disk during power loss, providing high online and offline availability and protecting against numerous brief power outages.
• Target Applications: Ideal for response-time-critical applications in industries like manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, and healthcare.
• Capacities & Compatibility: Available in 107 MB and 428 MB capacities, these 5.25-inch devices are compatible with Digital's StorageWorks building blocks and can connect to VAX and Alpha AXP systems running OpenVMS and DEC OSF/1.

The document emphasizes that the significant performance increase offered by EZ5x SSDs can quickly offset their cost, making them valuable for both datacenter and critical distributed/server applications.