1. Using non-volatile memory (NVDIMM-N) as block storage in Windows Server 2016
Tobias Klima
Program Manager

2. Use Case Example – Fast Transactions in SQL Server
Problem
DB Transactions gated by log commit speed
The faster the log, the more DB updates possible
Opportunity
Accelerate Log Commits
Accelerate DB
Provide better customer SLAs
Approach
Log on SCM – Persistent Medium on Memory Bus
NVDIMM-N supported in WS 2016
NVDIMM-N based on DDR4 RAM + Flash for backup
Exposes Block Interface (like a Disk)
SCM
Traditional
Storage
PCIe
CPU
SATA
SAS
NVDIMM-N
NVMe
AHCI
HBA
Memory

3. Technology Evolution & Old Assumptions
Microsoft Build 2016
6/22/2018 8:59 PM
Technology Evolution & Old Assumptions
Storage technology has made significant strides (capacity, latency, throughput).
Capacity: Large
Latency: High
Throughput: Low
HDD (SATA/SAS)
Capacity: Medium
Latency: Medium
Throughput: Medium
SSD (SATA/SAS)
SCM Performance breaks assumptions about “slow storage” in today’s software
For the highest performance, use byte- addressability (app changes)
For early adoption and easy use, utilize it as a block device (no app changes)
Capacity: Medium
Latency: Low
Throughput: High
PCIe SSD (AHCI/NVMe)
Capacity: Small
Latency: Very Low
Throughput: Very High
NVDIMM-N (SCM)
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

4. Block Mode Architecture (In Software)
Standard Raw Disk Access
Standard File API
The Idea
Block Interface on top of the memory ranges of SCM device
Facts
Compatible with existing applications (ReadFile, WriteFile)
Extremely fast “disk” – <10us for 4k I/O
Disk Filter Drivers may not work (e.g. Disk Accelerometer, low-level “accelerators”)
Application
Application
User Mode
Kernel Mode
File System
SCM Bus Driver
SCM Disk Driver
Enumerates SCM Device
Load/Store Operations
SCM

5. NVDIMM-N Block Mode Performance
Tobias Klima
Hardware Provided By:

7. Device Management Like a Disk Exposed in OS as a new disk device
Microsoft Build 2016
6/22/2018 8:59 PM
Device Management
Like a Disk
Exposed in OS as a new disk device
Re-uses existing PowerShell cmdlets:
Get-PhysicalDisk
Get-StorageReliabilityCounter
Enabled by Microsoft-defined _DSM specification (MSDN)
Useable in Storage Spaces for striping, mirroring, write-back caching
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

8. Call to Action
How would you change your app, if you could do fast, reliable, synchronous I/O?
What data (structures) do your apps use frequently? Which need the lowest possible access latencies?
Re-visit Build on Channel 9.
Continue your education at Microsoft Virtual Academy online.

9. 6/22/2018 8:59 PM
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.