Intelligent storage devices for scalable information management systems

Abstract

For most large commercial organisations the ability to store and manipulate massive volumes of data is a key operational requirement. Database systems are now fundamental to the efficient provision of a range of business tasks from on-line transaction processing through to decision support and enterprise information systems. High performance multi-processor database servers open up new possibilities for the realisation of these commercial requirements. However, if these opportunities are to be realised some form of fundamental intelligent storage device will be required which provides a uniform interface regardless of implementation and which also directly supports the basic need of scalability. In this paper we explore some of the issues for such a device.