Toshiba Engineers Prove Mechanical Storage Can Scale to Meet Enterprise Demands

Toshiba's Overlooked 78 HDD Experiment Demonstrates Hard Drives Can Deliver Enterprise Speed and Density In a demonstration that flew under the radar in 2023, Toshiba engineers successfully showed how mechanical storage can scale to meet the demands of data centers by configuring 78 high-capacity hard drives in parallel. The experiment, conducted in Toshiba's European laboratory, achieved speeds comparable to PCIe 5.0 benchmarks and demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of HDDs for scaling capacity. According to a video released by Serve The Home, which has garnered only 446 views at the time of writing, the setup consisted of an AIC J4078-02-04X 4U top-loading JBOD chassis populated with 78 MG08 18TB SAS enterprise hard drives. Connected through SAS4 links and controlled by an Adaptec RAID controller, the array reached a staggering 1.5 petabytes (PB) of raw storage. "We were able to demonstrate that HDDs can deliver enterprise speed and density," said a Toshiba spokesperson. "By configuring multiple drives in parallel, we showed that it's possible to achieve high-throughput performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness." The experiment was conducted with the aim of showcasing the potential of HDDs in data centers, where storage demands are growing exponentially. By leveraging existing infrastructure and technology, HDDs can provide a cost-effective solution for scaling capacity. While the demonstration may have been overlooked by some, experts say it has significant implications for the industry. "This experiment highlights the importance of considering alternative solutions for data storage," said Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert in data storage technologies. "HDDs may not be as flashy as newer technologies, but they offer a proven and cost-effective way to meet growing storage demands." The demonstration also sparked interest among industry professionals, with some calling for further research into the potential of HDDs in data centers. As the demand for data storage continues to grow, Toshiba's experiment serves as a reminder that existing technologies can still provide innovative solutions. With advancements in connectivity and controller technology, it's likely we'll see more experiments like this in the future. In related news, Serve The Home has reported on the latest developments in HDD technology, including new designs and innovations aimed at improving performance and capacity. The experiment may have flown under the radar initially, but its significance will undoubtedly be felt as data centers continue to grapple with growing storage demands. As one industry expert noted, "This is a wake-up call for the industry – we need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to data storage solutions." *Reporting by Techradar.*