In a recent post from the blocks and files blog Chris Mellor wrote about the impending shortage of flash memory that will impact SSD supply chain and as a result a few storage companies have created all sorts of programs and guidance on how to do more with what you currently own, creating all sorts of cache and storage tiering – but there is a different path that you can take, one that I like you to explore – the Lightbits path.
Let’s start with why we have this supply chain problem. As we move through 2026, the storage industry is facing a “perfect storm” that has made high-performance NVMe SSDs both scarce and expensive. The primary driver is the explosive growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), which require massive datasets to be processed at high speeds. This demand has shifted manufacturer focus toward High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and high-density NAND, often at the expense of standard enterprise SSD production.
Recent reports indicate that NAND Flash prices are expected to rise by over 30%, with some high-capacity SSD models facing delivery lead times of over a year. For enterprises, this means they can no longer rely on simply “buying more hardware” to solve capacity or performance issues. Instead, the focus must shift to Efficiency and Longevity—extracting more value and extending the lifespan of the drives they already own.
How Lightbits SDS Mitigates the Shortage
Lightbits provides a Software-Defined Storage (SDS) layer that disaggregates storage from compute, enabling a pool of NVMe SSDs that can be shared across the network via NVMe/TCP (a widely used storage industry protocol that was invented by Lightbits). Beyond simple connectivity, Lightbits addresses the physical limitations of SSDs through three key technical pillars.
1. Intelligent Flash Management (IFM)
In a typical environment, each SSD manages its own writes, leading to high “Write Amplification”—a process where the drive writes more data than requested, wearing out the NAND cells prematurely.
Lightbits implements Intelligent Flash Management (IFM) that manages writes at the software level before they reach the physical disk (SSD). It aggregates small, random writes into large, sequential “stripes.”
- Life Span Extension: By ensuring only sequential writes reach the SSD, Lightbits reduces the wear on NAND cells. This can extend an SSD’s functional life by up to 10x compared to traditional storage methods.
- Shortage Impact: By making drives last significantly longer, organizations can delay replacement cycles, effectively “recycling” their existing inventory through the peak of the shortage.
2. Vendor Agnostic Support for TLC and QLC
The shortage often hits specific high-end “Enterprise” drives (TLC – Triple-Level Cell) harder than higher-density, lower-cost “Value” drives (QLC – Quad-Level Cell).
- Hardware Flexibility: Lightbits is completely vendor-agnostic. If a preferred vendor is out of stock, Lightbits allows you to mix and match hardware from any manufacturer.
- Making QLC “TLC-like”: QLC drives are more available but have lower endurance and slower write speeds. Lightbits’ software “shields” these drives from the heavy lifting. It handles the performance-taxing operations in software, allowing enterprises to use cheaper, more available QLC drives for workloads that previously required scarce TLC drives.
- 3rd party tests have shown that using Lightbits storage with QLC SSDs can actually get you the same performance (or better) than when using other storage solutions that rely solely on TLC SSDs.
3. Advanced Error Handling and Resiliency
As SSDs age or as manufacturers push densities to the limit, read/write errors become more frequent. Most SDS solutions treat a failing SSD as a “binary” problem—if it errors, the drive is marked as dead and replaced.
- Intelligent Mitigation: Lightbits uses advanced Elastic Erasure Coding and sophisticated error-tracking. Instead of discarding a drive at the first sign of a transient error or a bad block, Lightbits can reconstruct data on the fly.
- Lower RMA Rates: It deals with SSD resets and transient failures more gracefully than traditional RAID or competing SDS, ensuring that a “difficult” drive stays in production rather than being sent to a landfill or waiting in a backordered RMA queue.
Conclusion
In a market where hardware availability is no longer guaranteed, Lightbits shifts power from silicon to software. By extending SSD life through IFM, enabling high-density QLC, and keeping “stressed” drives operational through improved error handling, Lightbits ensures that an enterprise’s storage strategy remains resilient despite the global supply crunch.
To see Lightbits in action for yourself, request a Free Trial license.
