An array-based SSD is a solid state drive manufactured in a form factor that can be installed in a typical storage array.
SSD arrays are designed to match up with typical hard-disk drive form factors – 3.5 inches, 2.5 inches, or 1.8 inches. 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch SSDs are the most common. These drives are typically NAND flash-based.
The most common interfaces for a solid state drive array in traditional hard-disk form factors are: Serial ATA (SATA) and Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS). The random access time of an SSD storage array is about .1 millisecond, compared to 5 to 10 milliseconds for a hard disk drive.
SSD arrays are used in applications that demand increased performance with high input/output (I/O). It is often the top tier in an automated storage tiering approach. Because automated storage tiering decides where to move data based primarily on input/output activity, it does not prioritize those choices based on the individual application. That allows an SSD array to provide improved data access in an easy-to-use package.