Micron's RealSSD P400e: Affordable SSD Storage For The Enterprise?

Features
By Andrew Ku
published

Enterprise-class SSDs use costly SLC NAND or, more frequently, eMLC flash. But Micron's RealSSD P400e raises eyebrows by using low-cost MLC memory. Does this make sense on an SSD fighting for the affections of data center managers with read-heavy apps?

Enterprise Workload Performance

Our synthetic enterprise workload tests subject each SSD to standard database, file server, and Web server profiles in Iometer.

The database metric, also categorized as transaction processing, involves purely random I/O (67% reads and 33% writes) and 8 KB transfers.

Purely stressing random accesses, Micron's P400e really struggles in the database workload. After conditioning, it settles into a low performance state that drags down its numbers.

Again dominated by random I/O, the file server test is biased toward read operations. Predictably, then, the P400e falls further behind the SSD 320 and 710.

The Web server profile consists completely of random reads, which should show the P400e at another disadvantage. However, because we employ many different transfer sizes (not just 4 KB), the P400e manages modest performance. Although Micron's MLC-based enterprise SSD still falls into last place, its position isn't as dire.

Andrew Ku
7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bawss
    Cool
    Reply
  • ethanolson
    I wonder if the poor performance is part of some mechanism that ensure higher reliability. Maybe lower read and write voltage increase endurance but take longer to populate the cell with the appropriate charge level.

    Just sayin'.
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    Release Date: 04/11/2012

    Firmware for the m4 SSD is being updated from version 0309 to 000F. The m4 is updatable to this new firmware starting from versions 0001, 0002, 0009, or 0309 in a single step. If updating from an early version directly to 000F, all interim improvements will also be include.
    Changes between version 0309 and 000F include the following changes:

    Improved compatibility with certain SAS expanders and peripheral RAID cards.
    Improved throughput stability under extremely heavy workloads.
    Improved data protection in the event of unexpected, asynchronous power loss.
    This firmware update is recommended for all drives currently in the field if the end user is experiencing any of these symptoms.

    m4 firmware updated to a newer version.
    Reply
  • jaquith
    Seems like the perfect SSD for a third-rate data center and not mine.

    If SoftLayer (f/k/a ThePlanet) wants to lower their standards then good for them, and perhaps they need yet another law suit or reevaluate their published up-time with some more asterix *.
    Reply
  • lutel
    The only thing that is important for me is full disk encryption in desktop environment. Unfortunately Intel completly forgot and since Q66 chipset there is no mainboard supporting FDE with SSDs. Q77 probably could support it, but there is no BIOS that has "hard disk / ATA password" option. Intel, wake up!!!
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Not impressed at all. I dont really see one redeeming feature this drive has that would get it chosen over many other SSD's on the market.
    Reply
  • Is it just me or do I notice that we really need to SAVE SLC from extinction? I mean, naturally high performance (compression or none), better temperature control, and higher longevity are the greatest features of SLC - good for the environment, pocketbooks, and peace of mind long term. Anyone?
    Reply