In a bold technological breakthrough, Chinese tech giant Huawei faces international probe has unveiled an innovative storage solution called magneto-electric disk (MED) that combines solid-state drive (SSD) speed with tape storage capacity, while using just 10% of the power required by traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).
This groundbreaking development comes as Huawei faces continued restrictions from accessing US-made hardware components due to trade sanctions. The company's new MED technology effectively provides a workaround while pushing storage capabilities forward.
The MED system integrates an SSD and a proprietary tape mechanism within a sealed enclosure. Data is initially cached on the SSD for quick access before being transferred to tape for long-term storage. A sophisticated controller manages data retrieval from either the SSD or tape through the drive's IO ports using metadata mapping.
Despite its complex internal workings, the MED system actually streamlines storage infrastructure compared to conventional disk and tape setups. The elimination of robotic tape handling allows for dense packing in standard drive bays. Huawei claims this efficient design delivers over 20% lower total cost of ownership versus traditional tape archives.
The first-generation 72TB MED units showcase impressive specifications. A single rack of MEDs can process data at 8GB/s across more than 10 petabytes while consuming under 2 kilowatts of power.
Looking ahead, Huawei plans to introduce a compact 3.5-inch MED form factor in 2026-2027, featuring shorter but higher-density tape media. The company has secured extensive patent protection for its MED innovations and expects to begin shipping the first models in 2025.
Chinese cloud service providers have already expressed interest in implementing the technology, according to industry reports. This development represents a major step forward in Huawei's strategy to maintain its competitive edge while navigating international trade restrictions.
The MED technology's combination of high capacity, energy efficiency, and innovative design could reshape enterprise storage solutions, demonstrating how trade limitations can spark technological advancement through necessity.
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