Definition: A type of non-volatile storage technology designed to store large amounts of data efficiently and retrieve it when needed.
Explanation
NAND flash is a form of non-volatile memory primarily used for data storage. It is designed to store large volumes of data efficiently and provide relatively fast access compared to traditional storage media. Unlike DRAM, NAND flash retains data without power, making it ideal for solid-state drives (SSDs) and other storage devices. However, NAND flash was originally optimized for bursty storage access patterns rather than continuous, memory-like data streams, which can limit its performance in high-demand environments like AI workloads.
Example
An example of NAND flash usage is in SSDs where data is stored persistently and accessed by the system as needed. In advanced AI systems, multiple NAND flash channels may be used in parallel with specialized controllers and PCIe Gen5 or Gen6 interfaces to deliver high bandwidth and more consistent data flow, enabling faster processing despite NAND’s inherent latency.
Who This Is For
This term is relevant for system architects, hardware engineers, software developers working on storage solutions, and AI infrastructure specialists who need to understand the capabilities and limitations of NAND flash in modern computing environments.
Related Terms
solid-state drive, SSD, high bandwidth flash, storage class memory, NVMe, PCIe Gen5, PCIe Gen6, DRAM, high bandwidth memory
Also Known As
NAND, NAND flash memory