Fueling the next wave of AI innovation, Western Digital introduced a six-stage AI Data Cycle framework that defines the optimal storage mix for AI workloads at scale. This framework is designed to help customers plan and develop advanced storage infrastructures, thereby maximizing their AI investments, improving efficiency, and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their AI workflows.
Fueling the next wave of AI innovation, Western Digital introduced a six-stage AI Data Cycle framework that defines the optimal storage mix for AI workloads at scale. This framework is designed to help customers plan and develop advanced storage infrastructures, thereby maximizing their AI investments, improving efficiency, and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their AI workflows.
AI models operate in a continuous loop of data consumption and generation, processing text, images, audio, and video, among other data types, while producing new, unique data. As AI technologies advance, data storage systems must deliver the capacity and performance to support the computational loads and speeds required for large, sophisticated models while managing immense volumes of data.
Strategic Alignment with AI Storage Requirements
Western Digital has strategically aligned its Flash and HDD product and technology roadmaps to the storage requirements of each critical stage of the AI data cycle. The company introduced several industry-leading products, including:
- High-Performance PCIe Gen5 SSD: High-speed AI training and inference.
- High Capacity 64TB SSD: Designed for fast AI data lakes, enabling rapid access to large datasets.
- UltraSMR 32TB HDD: Cost-effective storage at scale for massive data management.
Rob Soderbery, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Western Digital’s Flash Business Unit, highlighted the increasing importance of storage in the AI technology stack. He stated that the new AI Data Cycle framework would equip customers to build storage infrastructures that enhance AI applications’ performance, scalability, and deployment.
Introducing Ultrastar DC SN861 SSD
The Ultrastar DC SN861 SSD is Western Digital’s first enterprise-class PCIe Gen 5.0 solution. It offers industry-leading random read performance and projected best-in-class power efficiency for AI workloads. With capacities up to 16TB, it delivers up to three times the random read performance of the previous generation, with ultra-low latency and incredible responsiveness for large language modeling (LLM) training, inferencing, and AI service deployment.
The SSD features a low power profile, delivering higher IOPS/Watt and reducing overall TCO. The increased PCIe Gen5 bandwidth addresses the growing needs of the AI market for high-speed accelerated computing combined with low latency. The Ultrastar DC SN861 is built for mission-critical workloads, with a rich feature set including NVMe 2.0 and OCP 2.0 support, 1 and 3 DWPD, and a five-year limited warranty. The Ultrastar DC SN861 E1.S is now sampling, with the U.2 model expected to sample this month and begin volume shipments in CQ3’24.
Expanded Ultrastar DC SN655 SSD Range
Complementing the Ultrastar DC SN861, the expanded Ultrastar DC SN655 enterprise-class SSD range is designed for storage-intensive applications. The new U.3 SSD options will reach up to 64TB, driving higher performance and capacity for AI data preparation and larger data lakes. These new variants are now sampling, with more details to be released later this year when volume shipments begin.
Ultrastar DC HC690 HDD
Western Digital is also sampling the industry’s highest-capacity 32TB ePMR enterprise-class HDD to select customers. The new Ultrastar DC HC690 high-capacity UltraSMR HDD is designed for massive data storage in hyperscale cloud and enterprise data centers. It will be important in AI workflows where large-scale data storage and low TCO are essential. The innovative 32TB drive incorporates time-tested designs from a line of successful products, ensuring unparalleled storage capacity. It boasts seamless qualification and integration for swift deployment while upholding exceptional dependability and reliability. Stay tuned for more detailed information from Western Digital later this summer.
Commitment to AI Storage Solutions
Rob Soderbery underscored that each stage of the AI Data Cycle has unique infrastructure and compute requirements. Western Digital’s understanding of the dynamic interplay between AI and data storage enables the company to deliver solutions that offer higher capacities and are tailored to support the extreme performance and endurance needs of next-generation AI workloads. With a growing portfolio, long-term roadmap, and ongoing innovation, Western Digital aims to help customers unlock AI’s transformative capabilities.
Additional information about Western Digital’s AI storage portfolio and the AI Data Cycle can be found at Data Storage for AI.
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