Simulations of RRAM-based SSDs

In this chapter SSDExplorer, a fine-grained SSD simulator, is used to evaluate the possible impact of emerging non-volatile memories, such as Resistive RAM (RRAM), on future SSD architectures. Does it make sense to fully replace NANDs with one of the emerging memories? What’s the benefit? Is it better to develop a hybrid drive, where a RRAM is used as cache? Most of the new memories are still in the development phase, well before a real mass production; as a matter of fact, simulations are the only way to answer the above mentioned questions and figure out where a new non-volatile technology can really help, in terms of both performances and cost saving.