An SSD is a non-volatile storage medium, which stores persistent data on a storage flash. A Flash controller and NAND flash memory cards are two key components for SSD. The SSD Controller architectural setup is optimized to provide sequential and random data requests with high reading and write performance. Sometimes SSDs are referred to as solid-state disks or flash drives. 1)
Contrary to an HDD, an SSD has no moving components that can break or spin up or down. A conventional HDD consists of a spins disc on a mechanical arm known as an actuator with a read/write head. As an integrated device, the HDD mechanism and hard disk are packed. A spinning HDD will magnetically read and write data, which is one of the oldest continuously used storage media. However, the magnetic characteristics can result in mechanical failure. An SSD reads and writes the data on a substratum of interconnected flash memory chips made from silicone. 2)
Since SSDs have no moving parts, they use less energy than HDDs that produce less heat and therefore need a less cooling. They use less energy than hard drives. SSDs thus contribute significantly to energy-saving practices and green IT, although prices per capacity are still higher in today's world than other alternatives. 3)
The latest estimates show that the age limit for SSDs is approximately 10 years – although the average SSD life span is less. The primary determinant of how long an SSD stops working was found by the age of the SSD. The study also found that approximately 25% fewer SSDs are replaced than HDDs. 4)
In SSDs, instead of blocks, they have cells. A cell is essentially a Gate Circuit. How much memory each cell can store depends on the type of cells an SSD uses. The most popular ones are SLC, MLC, TLC, and QLC. These stand for Single-Layer Cell, Multi-Layer Cell, Triple-Layer Cell, and Quad-Layer Cell. 5)