Shingled Magnetic Recording: Unlocking Scalable and Sustainable StorageShingled Magnetic Recording: Unlocking Scalable and Sustainable Storage

The expansion of data creation, fueled by advancements in AI, IoT, and edge computing, is reshaping the way data centers manage storage. While SSDs dominate speed discussions, cost-efficient scalability still relies on innovative HDD technology.

For organizations looking for enhanced storage requirements, shingled magnetic recording (SMR) can help to deliver up to 20% more storage capacity at minimal additional cost, compared to conventional magnetic recording (CMR) HDDs.

As adoption among hyperscale data centers accelerates, SMR can help achieve the required benchmarks in sustainability and storage economics.

SMR: Meeting Growing Storage Demands

Hyperscale providers and enterprises alike are grappling with soaring data volumes that demand smarter storage solutions. SMR technology addresses this challenge by increasing the area density of HDDs, as well as overall per-drive capacity through overlapping parts of the previously written magnetic tracks.

This technique allows for more tracks to be placed on each magnetic surface, allowing higher track density and optimizing physical space. It also reduces the number of drives needed, cutting energy use, cooling demands, and total cost of ownership (TCO).

SMR drives can increase this density by up to 30%, reducing costs while supporting reliable applications like archival storage and backups.

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Although heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) – the emerging technology that enables higher data densities while maintaining stability – is set to offer businesses future potential with increased density and performance, SMR remains a proven, reliable and cost-effective solution that meets today’s business requirements.

A More Sustainable Approach to Data Storage

With sustainability no longer just an option but a necessity for organizations, SMR technology naturally aligns with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals firms now have in place, by reducing data center storage footprints.

Fewer drives mean lower power consumption and emissions – a boon for enterprises aiming to minimize their carbon footprint. The environmental benefits compound as SMR adoption scales across industries.

Redefining Cold Storage: Breaking the Tape Barrier

For decades, tape storage has been the go-to for archival data, valued for its cost-effectiveness. However, the tide is shifting. SMR’s ability to provide comparable costs with faster access times positions it as a future-forward alternative for cold storage.

New file systems like SaunaFS help mitigate SMR’s sequential writing limitations. By integrating specialized file management solutions, enterprises can deploy SMR drives seamlessly, unlocking their full potential without compromising performance or reliability.

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This evolution in storage technology not only modernizes archival solutions but also paves the way for efficient management of petabyte-scale data repositories. Organizations that adopt SMR early will be well-positioned to manage data growth sustainably.

Enterprises using SMR gain reduced hardware needs, improved density, and future-ready scalability. These elements empower businesses to remain agile in an evolving data landscape where early adopters also gain cost savings, and efficiency boosts that traditional storage solutions cannot match.

As digital transformation accelerates, storage strategies must evolve to balance performance, capacity, and sustainability. SMR technology provides a scalable, cost-effective solution that redefines these parameters.

With its proven ability to enhance storage density, lower power use, and reduce costs, SMR technology positions organizations for long-term success. Now is the time to embrace SMR for responsible, efficient, and future-proof data management.