The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Hard drive reliability at scale (Interview)
Apr 26, 2023
Andy Klein, Principal Cloud Storyteller at Backblaze, dives deep into hard drive reliability at scale. He shares fascinating insights from a decade’s worth of data, emphasizing the importance of stats in choosing reliable hardware. The conversation covers the distinction between different hard drive models, the impact of corporate purchasing power, and strategies for effective storage solutions in data centers. Klein also discusses innovative techniques for drive analysis, ensuring you’re well-informed in the ever-evolving landscape of data management.
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Data-Driven Drive Purchasing
- Backblaze uses drive stats data to understand drive failure patterns.
- This allows them to test small batches of drives before large purchases.
Storage Pod Origins
- Backblaze's first storage pods were custom-designed and even built from wood initially.
- This design was later open-sourced and adopted by companies like 45Drives.
Shifting Focus to Software
- Backblaze prioritized being a software company, not a hardware one.
- They transitioned from custom storage pods to using off-the-shelf Supermicro servers.