What is Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)?

Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a hard disc drive (HDDs) that constitutes this magnetic storage data recording technique to boost storage density and total drive storage capacity. By adding to the total number of shingles that may be laid on a roof, overlapping shingles help to keep the structure waterproof and weatherproof.

What is Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)?

Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a procedure for writing information to a hard disc drive (HDD). The overall storage capacity per disc and the area density are enhanced by partially overlapping data tracks. The word “shingle” refers to the way that SMR HDDs are mounted on roofs, where some shingles overlap one another. Overlapping shingles augment the total amount of shingles that may be installed on a roof, keeping the building weathertight and watertight.

Working of Shingled Magnetic Recording(SMR)

• The physical constraints of traditional hard drives are overcome with SMR HDDs. With a reasonably broad head, the SMR drive writes the data tracks in an overlapping pattern, precisely sequentially.
• The resulting finished track width, or shingled width, can be substantially less than the write width and pole-tip width.
• This allows the system to construct very thin tracks and obtain higher data density by using a reasonably powerful writer.
• The data in one track or sector may need to be read and rewritten together with the adjacent track because the data in the freshly written track overlaps with the data in the adjacent track.
• Only the edges of the SMR disk’s tracks that overhang the previously written neighboring track require precise specification.

Difference Between Shingled Magnetic Recording and Conventional Magnetic Recording

Shingled Magnetic Recording	Conventional Magnetic Recording
Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a process of writing data to a hard disc drive	CMR positions a magnetic element’s poles perpendicular to the disk’s surface.
Higher data densities are achieved by allowing tracks to overlap in Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR).	Data is written on a hard disc using conventional magnetic recording (CMR) drives in non-overlapping tracks.
Slower read and write times compared to CMR	Faster read and write times compared to SMR
SMR drives are cheaper than CMR hard drives.	CMR hard drives are costly than Shingled Magnetic Recording hard drives.

Advantages of Shingled Magnetic Recording

• Higher data capacity is achieved compared to CMR by more effective utilization of the recording surface area.
• The data-storing magnetic tracks of SMR discs overlap. This can occasionally imply that data is overwritten on the hard disc during operation.
• Host-aware optimizes the transfer speed overall by combining protocols that are handled by the drive and the host.
• To write data, a unique protocol is needed for host-managed SMR discs.

Disadvantages of Shingled Magnetic Recording

• SMR is not a suitable drive if you require frequent access or if the minimum possible access time is required.
• The disc can maintain its records when it is idle, so if you only make a few accesses sometimes, you won’t really notice.
• It’s already problematic enough that major disc manufacturers have sold many disc types while “forgetting” to indicate in the datasheets that they are SMR.
• Only the edges of the SMR disk’s tracks that overhang the previously written neighbouring track require precise specification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The word “shingle” refers to the way that SMR HDDs are mounted on roofs, where some shingles overlap one another. Higher data densities are achieved by allowing tracks to overlap in Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR).

Frequently Asked Questions on Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) – FAQs

How does Shingled Magnetic Recording work?

SMR incorporates snippets of the previously composed tune into every subsequent one but slower write and read speeds than CMR drives.

What is the advantage of Shingled Magnetic Recording?

The data-storing magnetic tracks of SMR discs overlap. This can occasionally imply that data is overwritten on the hard disc during operation.

What is the write speed of SMR drives?

Using CrystalDiskMark for sequential write tests, 162 MB/s was reported.

What are SMR drives good for?

Archival storage, where data is written seldom and accessed frequently, is where shingled magnetic recording (SMR) hard drives are commonly utilize.