The device is said by Intel to provide a combination of high throughput, low latency, high quality of service and high endurance. In particular, Optane SSDs are said to boost performance at low queue depths, where most applications generate storage workloads. Apparently, the device can be appear as DRAM to the host operating system.
Intel adds that Optane SSDs will drive new solutions, with applications such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, faster trading and deeper insights into medical scans. The devices are also expected to expand the reach of cloud computing solutions.
Initially, Optane SSDs will be available as a 375Gbyte PCIe format board, with ‘broad availability’ planned for the second half of 2017. Additional capacities and form factors will be available in the second half of 2017, the company noted.