Summary:
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UCLA Dr. Dong's laboratory has different types of 3D microscopes requiring fast storage.
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One of the 3D microscopes, Lightsheet needs at least 2Gpbs random writes in its LiveScan, but they would like to lower the storage cost.
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Fixstars designed, tuned-up, and installed a microscope all-flash array reaching 23Gbps reads and 5Gbps random writes for them.
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Dr. Dong's laboratory can now enjoy full bandwidth for image reads in data analysis and enough random writes for Lightsheet's LiveScan workload.
Background:
UCLA Dr. Dong's laboratory has different types of 3D microscopes (Lightsheet and Dragonfly) requiring fast storage for their image processing. The storage system must support higher throughputs, because 3D microscope image size is big. Moreover, for their future plan, since they will introduce more 3D microscopes, the storage system should also support enough bandwidth for future upgrades.
Problem to be solved:
The most challenging task was providing I/O speed to support Lightsheet's LiveScan workload with a cost efficient storage system. The LiveScan workload requires at least 2Gbps random (small file) write speed. Otherwise it would fail to take live microscope images.
Solution:
UCLA Dr. Dong's laboratory introduced a microscope all-flash NAS based on QNAP where 25Gbps connection is available between 3D microscopes and the AFA. Fixstars tuned up the microscope all-flash NAS for Lightsheet workloads and it reaches 23Gbps reads and 5Gbps small file writes with the cost-efficient read-intensive SSD arrays. By our solution, they can enjoy full bandwidth for image reads in data analysis and enough random writes for Lightsheet's LiveScan workload.
