Analysis of Samsung BM1743 SSD in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the Samsung 61.44TB BM1743 Solid-State Drive (SSD), focusing on its technical specifications, market pricing, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis highlights the product’s role in advancing technological infrastructure while also noting challenges related to energy consumption.

Product Overview and Technical Specifications

The Samsung BM1743 is an enterprise-grade SSD designed for read-intensive workloads within data center environments. Its specifications represent a significant step in data storage technology, contributing to the development of robust digital infrastructure.

• Model: Samsung BM1743
• Capacity: 61.44TB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch U.2
• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe
• Flash Technology: QLC V-NAND
• Sustained Throughput (Read/Write): 14,200MBps / 2,100MBps
• Random Performance (Read/Write): 850,000 IOPS / 30,000 IOPS
• Endurance: 29,153TB Total Bytes Written (TBW), rated for 0.26 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)
• Latency (Read/Write): 150µs / 30µs

Economic Analysis and Market Availability

The device is currently available at a significant discount, enhancing its value proposition in the ultra-high-capacity storage market. The pricing structure is as follows:

1. List Price (ServerSupply): $5,950.00
2. Automatic Checkout Discount: 5%
3. Additional Mobile App Discount: 1%
4. Final Price: $5,593.00

This pricing brings the cost to under $0.09 per gigabyte, a competitive rate for PCIe Gen5 technology that can foster economic growth by making advanced technology more accessible.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The BM1743 SSD has a multifaceted impact on several SDGs, presenting both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The drive directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

• Technological Advancement: As a leading-edge PCIe 5.0 device, it represents a significant innovation in data storage, enabling the development of more powerful and efficient data centers.
• Infrastructure Support: Its high capacity is critical for industries reliant on large-scale data analytics, machine learning, and scientific research, thereby upgrading the technological capabilities of various sectors.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The product’s design offers benefits for resource efficiency, though its lifecycle must be managed responsibly.

• Material Efficiency: By consolidating 61.44TB into a single 2.5-inch drive, the BM1743 promotes data center densification. This reduces the physical footprint, raw material usage, and space required compared to using multiple lower-capacity drives.
• Product Longevity: A high endurance rating of 29,153 TBW supports a longer operational life, which can help reduce the frequency of replacement and subsequent electronic waste, aligning with principles of a circular economy.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Energy consumption remains a significant challenge in the context of sustainable technology.

• Power Requirements: The SSD exhibits high power draw, consuming 23.8 watts during read operations and 24.7 watts during write operations.
• Challenge to Energy Efficiency: This level of consumption runs counter to the goal of improving energy efficiency. It underscores the critical need for future technological innovations to balance high performance with reduced energy demands to create truly sustainable digital infrastructure.

Enterprise Features and Accessibility

The drive includes features designed for data integrity and security, while adapters are expanding its use beyond the enterprise sector.

Data Integrity and Security

• TCG Opal 2.0 and AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption
• Enhanced power-loss protection and end-to-end data path integrity
• Static and dynamic wear leveling for improved lifespan
• S.M.A.R.T. monitoring support

Broader Accessibility

Despite its enterprise design, the BM1743 can be adapted for use in standard PCs via U.2 to USB adapters, such as the Sabrent EC-U2SA. This accessibility allows power users, content creators, and developers to leverage enterprise-grade storage, potentially accelerating innovation in various fields and contributing further to the objectives of SDG 9.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article connects to this goal by discussing the energy consumption of the Samsung SSD. It explicitly states the power requirements for different operations, which is a key aspect of energy efficiency in technology.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This goal is addressed through the lens of technological upgrading and productivity. The article highlights that the SSD is a tool for “power users, creators, and developers,” whose work and productivity are enhanced by such advanced technology, thereby contributing to economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text is centered on a technological innovation—a high-capacity, high-speed SSD. This product represents an advancement in digital infrastructure and showcases the technological capabilities of the industry.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article touches upon this goal by detailing features that enhance the product’s longevity and durability. By designing products with a long lifespan, manufacturers can help reduce electronic waste, which aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

  The article provides specific data on the SSD’s power consumption: “Read operations draw 23.8 watts, writes consume 24.7 watts, and idle power use is listed at 5 watts.” While described as “high,” the measurement and reporting of this data are essential for tracking and improving the energy efficiency of electronic components over time.

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

  The Samsung BM1743 SSD is presented as a significant technological upgrade. Its high performance (“Read speeds top out at 14,200MBps”) and massive capacity are designed to boost the efficiency and productivity of professionals in creative and development fields, directly supporting this target.

• Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…and encourage innovation.

  The development and release of a 61.44TB PCIe 5.0 SSD is a direct outcome of industrial research and innovation. The article details the advanced technical specifications, positioning the product as a cutting-edge piece of technology that upgrades the capabilities of the data storage industry.

• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

  The article mentions features designed to extend the product’s life, such as “static and dynamic wear leveling” and a high endurance rating of “29,153TB of total endurance.” These features help prevent premature device failure, thereby reducing the generation of electronic waste.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 7.3:

  The specific power consumption figures serve as direct indicators of energy intensity. The article provides quantitative data: 23.8 watts (read), 24.7 watts (write), and 5 watts (idle). These metrics can be used to compare the energy efficiency of this device against older models or competing products.

• Indicators for Target 8.2:

  Implied indicators for productivity include the drive’s performance metrics, such as read speeds (14,200MBps) and random performance (850,000 IOPS for reads). Additionally, the cost-effectiveness metric of “under $0.09 per gigabyte” is an economic indicator of the value and accessibility of this productivity-enhancing technology.

• Indicators for Target 9.5:

  The primary indicator is the existence and specification of the technology itself. The 61.44TB capacity and the use of a “PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe interface” are indicators of technological advancement and innovation within the electronics industry.

• Indicators for Target 12.5:

  The article provides direct indicators of product durability and longevity. These include the endurance rating of “29,153TB of total endurance” and the rating of “0.26 drive writes per day.” These metrics quantify the product’s designed lifespan, which is crucial for measuring waste reduction efforts.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: techradar.com