Abstract
For too long, SMR disks have remained a mystery to everyone but HDD makers. SMR HDDs have unrealized potential because of the veil of secrecy. This presentation will attempt to lift the veil from one major HDD vendor's perspective with a goal of providing needed clues to storage developers for managing and maximizing shingled disks. Techniques introduced will include: Understanding Zoned Block Devices (HM-SMR) as well as Flex/Hybrid CMR/SMR disks and their potential, internal management concepts for Drive Managed (DM-SMR) disks and use case examples.