Composable disaggregated data center infrastructure promises to change the way data centers are built for modern workloads. However, to realize the full potential of new technologies like CXL, the industry needs entirely new hardware. Recently, Samsung launched the CXL Memory Module Box (CMM-B), a device that can accommodate up to eight CXL Memory Module – DRAM (CMM-D) devices and add large amounts of memory connected using the PCIe/CXL interface.
Samsung’s CXL Memory Module Cassette (CMM-B) is the first device of its kind to accommodate up to eight 2 TB E3.S CMM-D memory modules and power up to three modern Add up to 16 TB of memory to the server. In terms of performance, the box can deliver up to 60 GB/s of bandwidth (in line with what the PCIe 5.0 x16 interface offers) and 596 ns of latency.
From a pure performance perspective, a CXL memory module box is slower than a dual-channel DDR5-4800 memory subsystem. However, the device is still much faster than premium SSDs. At the same time, it offers very good capacity, which is often just what doctors order for many applications.
Samsung CMM-B is compatible with CXL 1.1 and CXL 2.0 protocols. It consists of a rack-level memory bank (CMM-B), multiple application hosts, Samsung Cognos management console software, and top-of-rack (ToR) switches. The device was developed in close collaboration with Supermicro, so the server maker is expected to offer it first.
Samsung’s CXL Memory Module – Box is designed for applications that require large amounts of memory, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and in-memory databases (although this is not always the case). CMM-B allows the system to dynamically allocate necessary memory when it needs it, and then use the DRAM with other machines. As a result, data center operators can spend money on expensive memory (16 TB of memory is expensive), reduce power consumption, and increase setup flexibility.
Source: Samsung