SNIA Developer Conference September 15-17, 2025 | Santa Clara, CA
Storage Blending: The Evolving Role of HDD and SSD in Data Systems for an AI and Analytics Era
Abstract
As the rapid expansion of AI and analytics continues, storage system architecture and total cost of ownership (TCO) are undergoing significant transformation. Emerging technologies such as HAMR in rotating storage and high-capacity, data center-grade QLC in flash promise to redefine the landscape for both hyperscale and OEM data storage solutions. But what will that evolution look like?
This panel brings together a distinguished group of industry experts to explore a wide range of perspectives—from hyperscaler and OEM viewpoints to strategic insights from both solid-state and rotating media technologists. Together, they will examine how shifting performance, density, and cost dynamics are reshaping storage architecture in an AI-driven future.
Panel Lineup:
* Madhavan Ravi – Hardware Systems Engineer, Meta. Designs and deploys storage hardware for exabyte-scale distributed systems.
* Curtis Ballard – Distinguished Technologist, HPE. Focuses on storage architecture and next-generation technology strategy.
* Currie Munce – Senior strategist for capacity storage architecture, Micron Technology; former Vice President.
* Mohamad El-Batal – Chief Technologist, Cloud Systems Group, Seagate Technology.
* Moderator: Steven Wells – Retired Fellow of SSD storage architecture (Intel, KIOXIA, and Micron).
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This keynote will conclude with the SNIA Volunteer Awards Presentation.
SNIA and OCP - Driving Open Storage and Networking
This talk will focus on areas of SNIA and OCP community overlap and collaboration, discussing our new alliance and OCP work areas as they relate to SNIA technical work groups:
- OCP's Storage top-level project and 3 workstream
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Maximizing the Benefits of QLC Flash with Pure's Hyperscale Solution for Applications Ranging from AI/ML to HDD Displacement
As data growth accelerates in the age of AI, hyperscalers demand higher-capacity storage solutions that deliver a balanced combination of performance, power, and cost-effectiveness. In this session, we will present how QLC NAND-based Direct Flash Modules (DFM), in conjunction with Pure’s advanced software architecture, allows hyperscalers to take advantage of high-density, higher-performance, and reliable SSD storage compared to HDDs. Pure’s intelligent flash management software abstracts the host software from the underlying NAND technology, enabling faster adoption of newer NAND technologies and providing flexibility with different NAND vendors. With a configurable solution, Pure’s offering enables the adoption of the same solution across multiple use cases, from AI/ML to HDD displacement.
Storage Blending: The Evolving Role of HDD and SSD in Data Systems for an AI and Analytics Era
As the rapid expansion of AI and analytics continues, storage system architecture and total cost of ownership (TCO) are undergoing significant transformation. Emerging technologies such as HAMR in rotating storage and high-capacity, data center-grade QLC in flash promise to redefine the landscape for both hyperscale and OEM data storage solutions. But what will that evolution look like?
This panel brings together a distinguished group of industry experts to explore a wide range of perspectives—from hyperscaler and OEM viewpoints to strategic insights from both solid-state and rotating media technologists. Together, they will examine how shifting performance, density, and cost dynamics are reshaping storage architecture in an AI-driven future.
Panel Lineup:
* Madhavan Ravi – Hardware Systems Engineer, Meta. Designs and deploys storage hardware for exabyte-scale distributed systems.
* Curtis Ballard – Distinguished Technologist, HPE. Focuses on storage architecture and next-generation technology strategy.
* Currie Munce – Senior strategist for capacity storage architecture, Micron Technology; former Vice President.
* Mohamad El-Batal – Chief Technologist, Cloud Systems Group, Seagate Technology.
* Moderator: Steven Wells – Retired Fellow of SSD storage architecture (Intel, KIOXIA, and Micron).