150TB SSD modules will go mainstream by 2025, and Micron will get a piece of that pie
- Micron partners with Pure Storage for the 150TB DirectFlash module
- Micron’s G8 QLC NAND has been qualified for production, alongside Kioxia
- This chip is used in Micron’s own rival 60TB SSD
Pure Storage has announced an expanded partnership with Micron, which will see the US semiconductor company’s G9 QLC NAND integrated into the storage company’s future DirectFlash Module (DFM) solutions for use in hyperscale data centers.
This move builds on a decade of collaboration between the two companies, which includes seven generations of NAND integration, including the Micron G8 QLC NAND, which is qualified for production in Pure Storage’s 150TB DFM, expected later in 2025 (Pure Storage has previously said it plans to ship 300 TB DFMs by 2026).
Micron already uses this NAND chip in its own 60TB SSD.
Addressing performance and efficiency needs
DFM technology promises faster data transfer speeds, low latency and high reliability for data-intensive workloads. The module also reduces energy consumption compared to traditional HDD-based solutions, reducing both operating costs and carbon footprint. The use of higher areal density (bits per square millimeter) NAND allows for greater storage capacity in smaller physical footprints, contributing to more efficient rack utilization and scalability.
“Pure Storage’s partnership with Micron is another example of our significant momentum in bringing the benefits of all-flash storage technology to hyperscale environments,” said Bill Cerreta, General Manager of Hyperscale at Pure Storage.
“With Micron’s advanced NAND technology, Pure Storage can further optimize storage scalability, performance and energy efficiency for an industry with unparalleled demands.”
Jeremy Werner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Micron’s Storage Business Unit, added: “Micron’s advanced NAND technologies, combined with Pure’s innovative storage solutions, enable data center operators to meet increasing needs for performance, efficiency and scalability for today’s hyperscale data centers. Built on trust and thriving on innovation, our partnership with Pure Storage consistently delivers cutting-edge storage solutions for hyperscale and enterprise environments.”
The announcement follows that of Japanese memory giant Kioxia, which, like Micron, has a long-standing relationship with Pure Storage. Last year, Kioxia reported that it had begun testing shipments of 2Tb QLC devices, featuring the eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology, which Pure Storage also uses in its all-flash storage products.