New Version of Enterprise SSD Performance Test Spec

The new version Enterprise Solid State Storage Performance Test Specification (PTS-E) revision 1.1 is available for public review from the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) Solid State Storage Initiative.

The PTS is a device-level performance benchmarking and comparative performance test specification for SSDs. The PTS-E 1.1 allows testers to insert workloads of interest into standard PTS tests including access patterns common to VMs, OLTP and VOD. A new Reference Test Platform 3.0 has been defined for the testing of PCIe and 12Gb SAS SSDs. A SNIA endorsed SSD testing service based on the SSS Performance Test Specification is now available for PCIe, SAS, SATA, and mSATA SSDs.

The SSSI announced the first public review of a new version of the Enterprise SSD Performance Test Specification, a higher performance Reference Test Platform, and a new SSSI PTS SSD Testing Service.

A new revision of the Enterprise Solid State Storage Performance Test Specification (PTS-E 1.1) is available for public review. The PTS is an industry standard test methodology and test suite for the comparison of SSD performance at the device level. The PTS-E 1.1 updates the PTS-E 1.0 released in 2011 and adds tests with specific types of workloads common in the enterprise environment. The PTS-E 1.1 may be downloaded.

“The PTS-Enterprise v1.1 provides both standard testing (IO/s, throughput, latency, and write saturation) as well as new tests for specific workloads commonly found in Enterprise environments,” said Eden Kim, chair of the SSS Technical Work Group. “These new tests also allow the user to insert workloads into the new tests while maintaining the industry standard methodology for pre conditioning and steady state determination.”

The new tests target workloads common to OLPT, VOD, VM, and other enterprise applications while paying special attention to the optimization of drives for varying demand intensity, maximum IO/s and minimal response times and latencies.

The SNIA SSSI PCIe SSD Committee has also defined the Reference Test Platform 3.0 to be used for testing of PCIe and SAS SSD Devices. A follow on to the SSSI RTP 2.0, the new RTP 3.0 is based on a PCIe 3.0 motherboard. The new RTP 3.0 will enable the testing of PCIe and 12Gb SAS SSDs.

SSSI is recommending a new SSD testing service. Companies and individuals can now submit SAS, SATA, mSATA, or PCIe SSDs to be tested to the SNIA SSS PTS for a fee. Testing is conducted by a certified SSS PTS testing facility and includes a variety of tests defined in the SNIA SSSI PTS. Complete reports as defined in the PTS will be provided.

Any company interested in participating in the ongoing development of the SSS Performance Test Specifications (both client and enterprise) and promoting SSS technology is encouraged to join SNIA, SSSI, and the SSS TWG.

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