Revolutionizing Data Storage Capacity
Next-gen E2 SSDs are setting a new benchmark in high-density storage, with an astonishing 1 petabyte (PB) of storage packed into a slim, ruler-sized drive. This leap forward allows a single SSD to store roughly 11,000 4K movies, making it a game-changer for data centers, enterprises, and even the future of edge computing [1].
Inside the E2 SSD Form Factor
What sets E2 SSDs apart is their innovative form factor. Each drive measures just 200mm in length (about 7.9 inches), 76mm in height (3 inches), and a mere 9.5mm thick (0.4 inches), closely resembling a standard ruler [3]. Despite their size, these drives support up to 64 NAND flash packages and utilize the latest NVMe protocol over PCIe Gen6 connections, enabling efficient performance at scale.
The Density Breakthrough: Up to 40 PB Per Server
E2 SSDs are designed for density. In a standard 2U rack server, up to 40 of these drives can be installed, translating to an unprecedented 40 petabytes of storage in a single server chassis [3]. This density outpaces traditional HDD arrays, delivering more capacity while consuming less physical space.
Efficiency and Performance: What to Expect
In terms of power, E2 SSDs are engineered for flexibility. Each drive can draw up to 80 watts at peak (though 20-30W is more common in real-world usage), balancing high capacity with manageable energy demands [2]. Most importantly, they deliver read/write speeds of up to 10,000 MB/s for a 1PB drive, which, while lower than some high-end NVMe SSDs, is significantly faster than any hard disk drive. E2’s target is affordable, reliable, and high-density storage for warm-tier data, where huge capacity is far more valuable than blazing speed.
Why E2 SSDs Matter: The Data Center Perspective
The ability to pack petabyte-scale storage into such a compact device is transformative for data centers. Besides that, it addresses the growing demands of cloud computing, AI, and big data analytics, where easy access to massive datasets is crucial. With open-standard designs and strong industry backing, the E2 form factor is poised to become the go-to for high-density, cost-effective storage deployments [4].
Industry Momentum and Technological Challenges
Major manufacturers like Micron and Samsung have showcased prototypes and contributed to E2’s ongoing development [5]. E2 drives leverage advanced 3D NAND technology, with increasing layer counts and smarter packaging shrinking physical size while expanding capacity. Still, keeping these drives cool in ultra-dense deployments is a significant challenge, especially since a rack filled with E2 SSDs can draw several kilowatts of power.
From Warm Storage to the Future of the Cloud
The real-world uses for such dense flash storage are vast. E2 SSDs are ideal for warm data—information that needs to be available quickly but isn’t constantly accessed. Therefore, organizations can replace entire racks of spinning disks with fewer, faster, and more reliable flash drives, dramatically reducing power and cooling costs over time. The implications for edge computing, AI training, content delivery networks, and hyperscale clouds are profound.
Conclusion: A New Era of High-Density Storage
Next-gen E2 SSDs packing 1 petabyte in a ruler-sized device represent a seismic shift for storage architecture. With their mix of massive capacity, efficient design, and open standards, they promise to redefine what’s possible for data centers, cloud platforms, and future digital infrastructure.
