News Article
Standard interface for nonvolatile memory subsystems focus group formed
Broad adoption of NAND flash memory technology in the PC platform received a boost with the formation of the Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface (NVMHCI) Working Group.
Broad adoption of NAND flash memory technology in the PC platform received a boost with the formation of the Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface (NVMHCI) Working Group. The NVMHCI Working Group is chaired by Intel Corporation with core contributors including Dell Inc. and Microsoft Corp.NVMHCI will provide a standard software programing interface for nonvolatile memory subsystems. The interface would be used by operating system drivers to access NAND flash memory storage in applications such as hard drive caching and solid-state drives.Industry momentum for standardization in NAND storage solutions is building, especially as NAND moves into the PC platform. NVMHCI complements standardisation work being done in the Open NAND Flash Interface (ONFI) Working Group."We already have performance-enhancing NAND-based products in the market and this newly formed working group will help make that and a number of other NAND-based solutions more prolific," said Rick Coulson, senior fellow and director of I/O Architecture at Intel. "ONFI formed last year to standardise the interface between the Flash controller and the NAND itself, and standardising the register level interface between the Flash controller and the operating system driver is the logical next step.""Nonvolatile memory solutions enable better system performance and lower power consumption as well as facilitate additional benefits such as smaller form factors, quieter systems and improved robustness," said Liam Quinn, director of communications for technology strategy and architecture at Dell. "Dell looks forward to working with industry partners and extending the benefits NVMHCI will bring to our customers."
