A survey of SSD simulators and emulators

With the ever-increasing demand of supercomputing and hyperscale data centers for high-performance and reliable storage systems, solid-state drives (SSDs) have emerged as a dominant technology. Unlike traditional hard disk drives, SSDs utilize flash memory to achieve significantly faster data access and higher bandwidth. These advantages translate to improved system responsiveness, faster boot times, and enhanced application performance across various compute and data-intensive workloads. However, the intricate architecture and dynamic nature of modern SSDs pose significant challenges for designers. Hardware advancements, such as the adoption of 3D NAND flash memory and complex controller algorithms, necessitate rigorous testing and optimization before real-world deployment. This is where SSD simulators and emulators become indispensable tools in the development cycle. This survey delves into the critical role of SSD simulators and emulators, highlighting their contributions to accelerated innovation, performance optimization, predictive analysis, and future-proofing capabilities. Through a comprehensive evaluation of these tools, this work aims to provide valuable insights for researchers and developers, ultimately leading to the continued advancement of efficient, reliable, and future-proof SSD solutions.