Virtual reality is set to eclipse the real one in 2016, there’s simply no doubt about it. Hardly any individual, corporation or other entity can do without computer hardware or networking these days. But what does it mean for data storage options, which are set to become more and more sophisticated in order to keep pace with the exponential pace of Big Data? Here are a few pointers as to how tech companies will try to solve these problems in 2016.

1:- Flash storage is set to get flashier

Pardon the pun. But truth is, Flash storage is set to reach revolutionary heights in 2016. As enterprise storage systems get more complex, the instant accessibility of data to all relevant terminals is starting to be crucially important. Hence flash memory, so far the only non-volatile auxiliary memory capable of handling quick data exchange, is set to reach new heights. There is even talk of getting all memory on flash drive, but that’s a little too much to ask. For one thing, SSD devices are expensive, about 10 times more than the normal SATA storage devices. But this is guaranteed, you’ll find flash in more places than just your mobile cache or your enterprise data center.

2:- All flash versus hybrid flash

If hybrid flash was ruling the roost a couple of years ago, companies now are switching to all flash. For the noobs, hybrid flash contains an assortment of solid state and hard disk drive storage, while all flash is only SSD. SSD in its early stages of development was not compatible with enterprise management systems like cloud computing, time-sharing etc. It was also more expensive than the standard 10,000 rpm and 15,000 rpm HDD devices. This is set to change with the advent of new technology, like the Triple Level Cell (TLC), which is a cut above your normal NAND flash. It can store up to 3 bits per cell due to its multiple voltage switches and will also soon be available in four bytes.

3:- Cloud storage is set to take over

Data analytics is set to reach new heights, chiefly for the reason that there is more data for them to analyze. With everything from your local eatery to massive multinationals taking everything online, cloud computing is the virgin ground of innovation. However, there are numerous problems associated with cloud; like security, bandwidth consistency, interface compatibility and so on. The new trends in cloud computing is the shift of data service providers towards hybrid clouds, that is, taking on several clients under a single cloud umbrella. Another special feature on its way of development is the software defined storage solution (SDS), which connects public and private clouds and thus brings the company data directly on to its server network.

4:- Rise of Direct Attached Storage (DAS) systems

Direct Attached Storage is any device that connects directly with the computer instead of over a network. Such devices may include optical drives, hard drives, and any form of external drives. The chief innovation in this sector relates to connecting external cloud devices to mainframe computers. Of course, your traditional computers won’t do in such a case, which is why you need Hyper Construct Infrastructure (HCI) devices which are also being developed by Microsoft and IBM. The DAS system ensures than information stays within the LAN network and makes each computer disaster recoverable (DR)

5:- Automating tiered storage

To reduce costs, companies are increasingly gravitating towards a tiered model of data storage in which the frequently accessed data is kept on a fast moving storage device (like flash or other SSD devices) while data which is not continuously required is kept in cold storage to cut costs. Cold storage is basically cheap, slow-moving magnetic tape disks, where unimportant data can be stored for streamlining the automation process.

6:- Accessing data is set to get quicker

Enterprise storage systems rely on getting data as well as the results of statistical analysis quickly. Therefore, most tech companies are trying to narrow down the response time between a request to the cloud and the execution of the request. This can be done by using lash SSDs, using the new HDDs which work on FPGA technology which strips data and then distributes it among multiple cloud storing devices for quicker usage.

7:- New kid on the block NVMe

With all the talk about SATA, HDD AND SSD innovations, this new kid birthed by Samsung, Dell, Microsoft, Sandisk and a number of other companies is all but forgotten. Non-Volatile Memory Express is set to revolutionize SSD devices by speeding their processing to incomparable levels. NVMe basically tries to address the legacy storage us problem of SSDs, that is, the fact they cannot simultaneously process information from multiple I/O devices. At best, they slow down and the device hangs up. This is set to change with the coming of NVMe, which basically uses PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) as the bus for sending information across multiple devices. Since the PCI card has forever been part of the computer’s hardware because of gaming compatibility, NVMe just harnesses thee existing technology to suit instant information exchange requirements.

8:- The death of Tape storage?

The earliest media for data storage is set to bid goodbye as more users opt for SSD and HDD devices. Even so, tape might have a glorious future ahead, as it might be used by companies for cold storage, because it provides faster, cheaper and more secure storage options.

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